BTW, the white-looking powder is corn meal - an experiment to fix slug problem

Rita (New Jersey hosta lover).

Something's going on with it, but the pattern doesn't exactly look like HVX. Possibly something else that's either treatable, or even if you lose this one, it might not have affected any other hostas. Don't jump to any conclusions just yet.
And welcome to the hosta forum! They're usually easy plants and fun to collect.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to hear it might not look like HVX. I'll look for the test strips online.

Sandyslopes, you're right about the fun. Most of my new ones are small...I'm looking forward to when they unfold next spring.

Whether it is HVX or not, it appears to be infected with some sort of a virus. I would recommend either covering the adjacent plants with plastic and spraying with 'Poison Ivy' strength 'Round Up' (18 % glyphosate) or simply covering it with black plastic and killing the plant, then waiting until Spring to replant any hosta. Since it could be another virus then spraying the entire area with an insecticide would be a good idea as other viruses can be spread by nematodes, thrips and other insects while HVX can only be spread through cuts / scrapes in the hosta and another hosta. Keeping it hoping it will recover is far too risky. Once the hosta is dead, no virus can survive as any virus needs live tissue to survive. Digging it out is very risky because of the way HVX is spread. It also requires digging up all adjacent hostas that may be infected and quarantining the entire area for several years to ensure there is not a minute bit of live tissue left that can infect any hosta that is cut or scraped.

Jon

I'd wait and watch what the new leaves look like. Those spots could be environmental, someone could have sprayed or sprinkled something on the leaves and the damage has just started to show. If the new leaves are showing the same thing it could be viral, if they are normal you could have a healthy hosta that went through a bad experience.

Check the new leaves coming out. If its a virus, they will have marks also. To me it looks like there is a new leaf coming with no marks but its hard to tell from a picture.

Could just be heavy duty bug damage. And, as ZKathy and Beverly have noticed, the new leaves don't appear marked. Hard to tell from the photos. To be certain, I hope you will get some test strips. Then go to this link:

American Hosta Society Info on how to cope with HVX They have conducted the most extensive research on the problem. Hoping for the best outcome...

-Babka

Could you take some close-ups of the leaves, RPW?

Since this is a very recently planted hosta, couldn't rp just carefully lift the plant out of the ground (with hands) and put in a pot for observation? I don't think letting those roots take a firm hold is wise if there is any real chance of a virus.

I'm with Connie on removal... it is so new it likey hasn't taken hold and expanded its roots far. Then, I would also dig a hole around where it was and dispose of the soil, as safe measure and sanitize tools used. On zoom, it appears the new flush has spots. As a novice on the virus I'm not quick to say HVX, as there are experts here... but you are right to be concerned and use caution. There is a recommendation on diseased hosta removal from the AHS, but I don't have the link handy. I would follow that protocol. Or I'm sure someone will post it for you.

I agree with Connie. I'd remove it right away. It doesn't look like HVX, but it also doesn't look like stress. It looks sick, though.

Last year, I had some fungus problems that showed up in early spring. Everyone (including Texas A&M plant disease diagnostic lab) told me to toss the ones that were bad. I didn't. I bleached, I repotted, I sprayed, I doused and did it all over again. I lost more than 1/2 of my collection last year. I'm still losing hosta. I put Big Daddy in the trash this week.

Toss it. It's not worth the risk if infecting your other hosta.

bk

Big Daddy in 2014

I remember following your ordeal bkay... it was heartbreaking to watch your losses

do you own two shovels [if not.. borrow from neighbor who doesnt have hosta] ... take one shovel .. dig it out.. wrap it in a bag.. and throw it away ... hosta, not shovel .....

dig a new hole with the other shovel ..... move any other type plant into the old hole ... and be done with it ...

wash shovels well .. goodly.. more better than usual ... return to neighbor ....

crikey.. i could have done this in less time than it took any of us to fire up the gizmo to talk about it ...

ken

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really appreciate it.

I've been out of town & haven't been able to reply until now.

Yes, the new leaves have spots like the larger leaves.I tugged at the young hosta, since it was newly planted. Some of the roots resisted my tugging, so to be safe I dug it out with a decent margin of soil. Bagged it. Took less than a minute. I'll sanitize the shovel.

Back to focusing on gardening creativity :-)

PERFECT! Better safe than sorry.

-Babka