Show Date: 19 Jan 12
Yesterday I showed you all the gorgeous new varieties of Hosta for 2012, today it’s about a disease that hits Hosta. NOW, let me make this perfectly clear, this is not an easy disease to get!!! So don’t be too worried. I just want you to be aware.
Going viral is a good thing when you have a youtube video, but not so good for plants. Hosta virus X was discovered in 1996 by Dr. Ben Lockhart of the University of Minnesota. New information on HOW the disease is transmitted has just been discovered.
Hosta virus X
Once your hosta has the virus, it’s all over. The plant will die. The virus is transferred by sap to sap contact. Usually disease is transferred by insect fungi, nematodes or through seed and pollen. How do you know if your hosta are infected? You can contact the U of MN’s Plant Disease Clinic or use a rapid test strip invented by Agdia.
If you suspect your plants have Hosta virus X, you’ll need to destroy the plants and clean up the area of all plant material. If you prune those plants, you need to SCRUB your tools, not just dip them, in a 10% bleach solution, 70% alcohol or Dawn dishwashing liquid.
There are no known Hosta varieties that are resistant to this disease. Pathologists are currently working on that!
Tags: Hosta virus X
