Hosta Virus X

I haven't heard much about Hosta Virus X this year, so it's been on the back burner of my mind. At least it WAS until I discovered that a 'Sum and Substance' in the far border is infected. (I understand that 'Sum and Substance' is one of the most commonly affected varieties. Others include 'Gold Standard' and 'Striptease.')

The plant is three years old and there was no indication of a problem until the telltale mottling appeared just recently. That surprised me. I'm careful to buy hostas from reputable nurseries and know what signs to look for. But I didn't realize that I could buy an apparently healthy plant only to have the virus materialize so much later. Now I know...

I understand that the American Hosta Society is currently working on a Hosta Virus X research project with the University of Minnesota. They hope "to clarify methods of transmission and understand the dynamics of the Hosta Virus X spread..."

Sounds like a plan.

But for now, here are some things that we gardeners can do to protect our existing hostas -- and those of our fellow gardeners -- courtesy of davesgarden.com:

• Clean your tools - Good plant hygiene goes a long way in keeping Hosta Virus X (HVX) out of your garden. Leave your hosta leaves on the plant and don't cut the scapes. If you must cut or divide a plant, sanitize your tools after use. In her Fine Gardening article, Bonnie Blanchette suggests using a 10 percent bleach solution on tools after working on each plant.

• Throw out infected plants - Remove any infected plants, let them dry out and die, and then put them straight in the garbage. Disinfect your tools and hands before working with any other hosta. Wait a few weeks until any leftover roots in the soil have dried up and died before you replant a hosta in the same location.

• Buy from reputable sources - If possible, only buy from specialty hosta growers or at least a high-end nursery. Don't be afraid to ask them about their knowledge of HVX. Are they knowledgeable and aware of the virus or are their answers vague and uncertain? Buy from big-box retailers at your own risk! While discount prices might be attractive, think of how much money you might spend replacing your entire collection.

• Avoid trades - You might consider halting hosta trading until a later date. If you know your "tradee," discuss the HVX threat before you proceed. Talk over details such as how long you or they have had the plant, what kind of plant hygiene you practice, etc.

• Monitor your plants - Keep an eye on your hosta plants even if you have had them for a few years. Monitoring them in this fashion will help you look for other symptoms of disease such as foliar nematodes. Tony Avent from Plant Delights Nursery reminds us, "Foliar nematodes on hosta are a far worse problem than [the] virus will ever be." One reason to fear foliar nematodes is that the parasites can spread to other hosta within a six-foot range of an infected plant.

• Spread the word and stay informed - If you see infected plants at any nursery - big-box or high-end - notify the manager and inform your gardening friends. Ignorance and apathy enable the spread of the virus.

There has been some chatter on the Internet about "immune plants," but Hosta Library lists this as a myth. Early studies showed some hosta were more difficult to infect than others were. Since that time, some of the "immune" varieties have become infected.