Sure...go right ahead.

I edit out leaves at this time of the year also. Helps the plant look fresh again.

There are scape cutters who don't like flowers so they clip them before they bloom.

Clip away!

Be aware of HVX when cutting scapes and leaves. It is transmitted from plant to plant by hand and tools.

Sure...go right ahead.

I edit out leaves at this time of the year also. Helps the plant look fresh again.

There are scape cutters who don't like flowers so they clip them before they bloom.

Clip away!

Sure, unless you are saving seeds, cut them off! The bloom stems will die anyway if there are no seed pods attached to them.

franknjim...
Dr. Lockhart shared with us at convention that the there was a 0% transmission rate in hosta once they'd flowered. It's less of a concern than once thought.

But, If you do have concern about transmission, you could always cut each plant with a plastic knife and discard it once you've made the cuts on each plant. But then, you have to be concerned about plant sap on your fingers.

To piggyback on Melissa's statement - stats can be misleading 0% transmission rate is not the same as safe(no chance). Dr Lockhart tried to infect 20 hosta late in season and 0 of 20 became were infected, he is going to do more testing with the next round of research. His conclusion is that it appears to be much easier to transmit hvx during early part of season when vegetatively active than after flowering when plants are approaching senescence. So chance of transmission is less after flowering, but no conclusion that it is zero.

Paul

Thank you both for that info. What is the word on using regular rubbing alcohol for disenfecting tools? I remember reading that a 9 to 1 solution of water and bleach requires a thorough scrubbing of the tools.

Frank

Here is info on cleaning of tools from June 2010 summary report about HVX listed on AHS site.

Link below to cited information-

QUESTION: If HVX remains infective on contaminated tools or in soil, what practical measures can be used to eliminate it?

All tested methods of decontamination household detergent (Dawn), 70% alcohol and 10% solution of household bleachÂwere effective in eliminating infectivity of the virus. The decontamination process included intense scrubbing and cleaning of tools, hands, and pots to remove plant material, soil and sap. Viral material was visibly dislodged. It is not enough to simply dip tools in cleaning solution. Tools must be scrubbed free of all dirt and debris.

Paul

Here is a link that might be useful: HVX Research Summary Report - June 2010

Thanks everyone.

Glad to know cutting the stems won't hurt the plant.
Now the Hosta Virus X is another story....not sure what to do...I like Pauls solution so that's what I'll do.

I cut the stems as soon as the deer chomp off the flowers ; )
Empty stems look weird.

chris

This year I am taking a different approach to removing stems. I am just waiting until they dry up enough so that I can just pull them out by hand and only working on one variety per day. My collection tripled in size this year so I am going to just live with many stems for awhile.