I wouldn't say that it looks virused yet. Here's a picture of what I believe to be is my virused Gold Standard. See how blotchy it is compared to your picture?

Because it can take up to 4 years for the signs to show up, I'd tell your mother to be careful and don't cut off the flowers or leaves or do much to it for a couple of years yet. I'm sure that mine looked fine last year, but this year is a different story.

I was wondering about this Hosta X virus. I looked at my plants and they all look very healthy. My concern about this virus is that could it not be spread by slugs. If a slug were to chew on a infected plant and then go to a clean plant, would he not take the virus with him in either his mouth or on his moist body. What do some of you think? If this were the case then it would be very important to control slugs. Opinions please!!

Cheers Al

Al, I suspose that in theory, slugs could transfer the virus. From what I've read though, people claim that it's a remote possibility. I'm not sure why though. I guess maybe if the slug has to get off of one plant and crawl on the ground to get to the next one, any sap it could have picked up would rub off on the soil/mulch? Also the virus can only survive in hosta sap, so it's not like the slugs could be harbouring the virus in them for any length of time. It's not like mosquitos and west nile. Anyway, this is what I've come to conclude about HVX from the few articles I've read. There could be other articles that make different claims though.

Laurie

Mom was worried about the pale green smudges in the middle of the left hand leaf of the bottom picture. Also the rusty marks but I don't know if those are caused by something else.

She says thanks for the opinion but she is going to dig it out anyway just to be on the safe side because it's near all her other hostas that she likes better. :0) Thanks Laurie.

Digging it out maybe a good idea if she's worried about the virus. Why doesn't she just pot it up and keep it in a separate part of the yard for a couple years to see if any other symptoms arise? I'd hate to see a hosta composted if it's healthy :(

Those smudges could be just about anything. Could have had a touch of frost in spring, or something could have bruised it slightly(cat, dog, ball, hailstone?). But then, peace of mind is worth a lot too. ;^)

Sheesh, just typed a response and then lost it.
I was saying that I didn't think that picture is of a Gold Standard. Mine has a light golden green centre with a dark green edge.
It looks similar to a Francis Williams, which is susceptible to sun scald. I agree with Laurie and would quarantine the hosta for now.
There is a site where you can post pictures and get a diagnosis. It is called Hallson Gardens. Here is the link.
http://www.perennialnursery.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=63&sid=8f1bf5860e6615b495c54e3a341aecd2

I read this thread with great interest. And then I went out to look at my own small collection of hostas. I think I know what the verdict will be (sigh), but I just wanted to confirm that 2 of my hostas are infected.

Hosta 'Sharmon'. I got this several years ago, and I don't think it's significantly different from the photo I remember from the catalogue:

{{gwi:710344}}

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This is a relatively young Hosta 'Golden Prayers' (second year in garden). One small growth does not show symptoms of the virus. Should I throw it all out, or would it be (somewhat) safe to save the "clean" growth? (It's blurry, but you can just make out the unblemished new growth in this first photo.)

{{gwi:710347}}

{{gwi:710349}}

Thanks for any and all advice.

Got my answer faster than expected on the Hosta Forum. Verdict: 'Sharmon' is clean (apparently showing a trait called "misting"), but 'Golden Prayers' had better say some, fast, because I'm heading out the door with a shovel and a plastic bag!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Replies on Hosta Forum

North53, thanks for your response and sorry I didn't reply earlier. I agree that the hosta looks like Francis Williams and not Gold Standard. I'm not sure if mom dug it out yet but if not I will suggest a quarantine.