Hosta Virus X (HVX) is raising concerns from Hosta growers as well as collectors and gardeners.  Here are a few points to keep in mind when making your Hosta selections.

 

·         Viruses can not disappear or be fought off by a plant. 

·         HVX will stay in a plant until the plant dies.

·         HVX infected Hosta can live for many years with the virus.

·         There are no cures for HVX.

·         HVX can be found in all parts of an infected Hosta except the seeds.

·         HVX is spread by propagating an infected plant, by using contaminated tools, and by cultivation.  It is transferred through sap to sap contact. (Clean tools with a high pH chemical such as soap or fresh bleach.)

·         HVX is not spread by insects or foliar nematodes.

·         HVX lives in healthy plant cells.

·         The virus is present in all plant parts by the time the symptoms appear.

·         Plants may have HVX for three years before symptoms appear.

·         HVX can exhibit yellow mottling on some cultivars and green blotches on others.

·         Symptoms will vary considerably from plant to plant.

·         Some HVX infected plants may appear more compact and glaucous than they should.

·         HVX can only be detected by sensitive scientific testing equipment.

·         All infected plants must be destroyed immediately to prevent further infection.

 

While tissue culture may have been a source of HVX, most tissue culture labs are now testing all propagative material to guarantee the plants to be clean of HVX.

 

All gardeners should be aware of HVS and other disease and pests problems to avoid spreading them to other plants and to other gardens.