Emilyp Don't all these terms seem to run together?! It's so easy for people to get confused. Heck, I think I unintentionally mix up them up. Unfortunately, people are making a giant leap thinking their purchased stock will be "virus-free". Will the probability of stock be clean of the viruses tested for be low? Absolutely, but expecting virus free stock is unrealistic.
And then there is always the caveat that the stock is only clean from what is tested. Do you know how many DMV strains are being recognized now?! And who knows when another RNA virus jumps ship and decides dahlias make an excellent host.
Not even the largest tissue culture propagator in the US that use viral elimination offers a "virus-free refund policy" to its customers. It's just not something consumers should expect. I'm sure some sellers might offer the business policy but I would bet money it's not a policy they stick to for future seasons. Overall, I only found one online seller that offered a virus refund and, honestly, I'm not sure how they can financially to it. I'm keeping tabs and just watching for it to be updated. 😜
Bottom line, I hope these industry changes break down communication barriers so growers and propagators feel comfortable sharing what their practices are. Do they manage pests? Do they have a disinfecting policy? Do they test some of their plants? These points tell me it's a person who is aware and actively managing the health of their plants.