Hosta Virus X
From BugwoodWiki
Author: Megan Kennelly, Kansas State University
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Contents |
Introduction
Hosta Virus X (HVX) was first described in 1996 at the University of Minnesota. Now a common virus on hosta, it is a concern to nurseries, garden centers, and home gardeners. HVX infects different hosta cultivars and can lead to complete death of leaves. There is no cure for HVX.
Host Cultivars
HVX has been detected in the following cultivars(other cultivars are also susceptible):
- Birchwood Parky’s Gold Lunacy
- Blue Cadet Montana Chirifu
- Color Glory Moonlight Sport
- Diamond Tiara Opipara
- El Nino Pacific Blue Edger
- Fan Dance Paradise Joyce
- Gold Edger Queen Josephine
- Gold Standard Regal Splendor
- Golden Prayers Richland Gold
- Golden Tiara Rim Rock
- Goldrush Royal Standard
- Harvest Glow Stiletto
- Hydon Sunset Striptease
- Janet Sun Power
- Kara Sum & Substance
- Krossa Regal Undulata Albomarginata
- Little Aurora Wide Brim
- Louisa Yellow Splash Rim
Before this virus was widely known, some infected plants were thought to be new varieties of hosta and were given names. All plants with the following cultivar names are thought to be infected: Breakdance, Eternal Father,Kiwi Watercolours, Leopard Frog, Lunacy, Parkish Gold.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary by cultivar and time of infection. Some hosta cultivars have natural coloring or striping, so it is important to know what is “normal” for a given cultivar. The most dramatic and diagnostic symptoms include line patterns (especially along veins), mosaic patterns, blotches, puckering, twisting, or ringspots. However, certain cultivars may only express small necrotic (brown/dead) spots. And, some plants may be infected but display no symptoms. This can occur if the plant was infected recently — it can take a year or more for symptoms to develop. Additionally, certain cultivars simply do not express symptoms well. These “symptomless carriers” add
Spread
HVX is mechanically transmitted. It can be spread on hands, pruning tools, and by propagation (divisions). It is a good practice to sterilize tools between plants when pruning or dividing. Accidentally hitting hostas with a lawn mower or weed whacker might also spread the virus. There is no evidence that HVX is spread by insects.
Management Strategies
There is currently no cure for HVX. Once a plant has been infected it cannot be cleared of the infection. Various diagnostic labs can test for the disease, but since there is no cure the only available management strategy is to prevent the spread of the disease. Mechanical transmission can be prevented by sterilizing tools between plant while pruning or dividing. Home gardeners should not buy plants that appear suspicious. Neighboring plants may also be infected, but not showing symptoms. If plants become symptomatic and no testing is desired (due to cost or convenience) then simply discard or burn the infected plants. The virus does not persist in soil. Once roots of infected plants have decayed, new plants can be planted in the same location.
Image Gallery
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
 Photo by Alan Windham, University of Tennessee, Bugwood.org |
Presentation Materials
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