Hey Hostaguy, what is the real threat of the virus? Will it kill the plants? I'm asking because I have a Sum and Substance that has the virus and the gold leaves are molted blue. If you ask me, the Hosta looks pretty stinkin' fabulouse! It's been in the ground for three years, right in the middle of a bunch of other Hosta varieties that remain uninfected.

Gee, it would be a real shame if we couldn't grow hostas anymore, wouldn't it?

[Boos and tongue cluckings ensue, in the fashion of the House of Commons]

How about a virus that makes them impervious to slugs? In the meantime, I applaud anyone trying to alert the consumer and improve nursery practices, whatever the particular issue.

I think a current trend towards mass production encourages an environment where these diseases thrive - too much production too fast and little attention to the details. I've recently encountered several instances of viral infection at my nursery, fortunately none yet with the hostas - an entire batch of astrantia, a crocosmia, a variegated polygonatum and rather surprisingly, an oxydendrum. And a proliferation of echinaceas affected with aster yellows, which affects flower development and produces odd deformities. Since the echinaceas are currently a "hot" plant, I'd recommend you examine the new cultivars (and the old stand-bys) well before purchasing. Aster yellows can wreak havoc in a perennial garden.

>I've recently encountered several instances of viral infection at my nursery, fortunately none yet with the hostas - an entire batch of astrantia, a crocosmia, a variegated polygonatum and rather surprisingly, an oxydendrum. And a proliferation of echinaceas affected with aster yellows, which affects flower development and produces odd deformities.How were you able to establish that all of these are, in fact, virus-caused?

The symptoms were all distinctly viral in appearance - distortion and streaking or mottling of foliage, deformed shoots or flowers, stunted growth. The aster yellows of course is not viral per se, but similar in effect.

OH my goodness, finally a moment when my unrelenting scroungyness (in the form of propagating and sharing most of the plants my frineds and I get with each other) I am trying to think which plants I bought new this year, mostly ferns and fuschias, and which I traded for from private gardens, and I think its going to be OK, unless as someone mentioned they are looking "UNIQUE" because they are sick, but if it goes to fuchias, and some one gets an inky blue one, that person would be in glad company.

I'm so glad somewhat brought this up!!

I have been seeing this HVX at several nurseries and I've been so tempted to tell them about it, but I have a history of being ignored and overlooked being perceived as a "kid".

Most of the infected material I've seen has been at large hardware stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot. I get the feeling that they're trained to just sell whatever is delivered and to cover up any potential problem with their stock by informing consumers that it's a temporary condition and/or they have a "one-year guarantee" should the plant fail. They have to just sell, sell, sell!!!

Hostas are very popular shade perennials. If this gets out of control....ugh, I don't want to think about it!

Riz

Lots of conditions that look viral, including many variegations, aren't caused by viruses. Unless something is real distinctive I wouldn't say it was virally induced without a laboratory procedure showing that it was.

I have had sufficient training in plant pathology to be able to recognize and determine viral characteristics. If not 100% of the plants suspected are actually afflicted by a virus, they are still unsalable and could contaminate unafflicted plants or carry the problem, whatever it is, back to someones elses's garden. And plant viruses are very common and becoming increasingly so. Best to destroy them. Retail nurseries and home gardeners don't have the resources or ability to send every suspected plant to a lab for testing and there is nothing wrong in erring on the side of caution.

And I'd be interested in knowing what the "lots of conditions" are, other than perhaps phytoplasmas, that produce virus-like characteristics.

What a special ability. Others need a lab to be sure.

Thanks, your sarcasm is always so appreciated.

Despite the waring factions above, I appreciate the information and will add it to my plant disease folder as another plant disease to be aware of. It is always better to be aware than uninformed.

>Thanks, your sarcasm is always so appreciated.Whereas your earlier post to me, "You are full of crap" you figured I would welcome?

If you don't want to be challenged don't post debatable statements on the internet.

Passing the peace pipe to bboy and gardengal48. You both have worthy experience and advice to bring to the table, which we thoroughly appreciate. So no fights!

Anyhow, HOSTA Virus X is fairly easy to spot in my experience, there are tale tell signs. Ink bleeding across leaf veins seems to be the best indicator (see pictures in my first post). Yes, environmental (cold/hot/physical damage) issues and even sporting (mutations) could throw one off thinking their plant might be infected - do your research - quarantine and watch the plant, considering testing if a prized plant, otherwise... don't take a chance, get rid of it.

Nwnatural, to answer your question.... An infected hosta with HVX will languish and not perform well and some will most certainly die a very slow death. Not to mention how ugly and sickly the plant will look in comparison to a non-sick plant. Thanks for your interest!

Azngrnthumbs, yes! please do speak up, whether it be The Home De-POT or Lowes, whatever nursery you happen to be browsing. Talk to the department supervisor if possible, they tend to be much more responsive. It takes a little bit of courage, but you're helping out the garden world. I've heard that Lowes has responded much better to customer complaints about HVX, they're supposed to be investigating their suppliers, much better than Home Depot response. Although, I still see many sickies at Lowes, sigh.

Anyhow, awareness is the key, let the world know about this.

Nwnatural, if you're going to keep the potential sickie, then.... I would keep it away from other plants. You don't want to even chance having that infection spread.