Taxonomy

Domain	Viruses
Realm	Riboviria
Kingdom	Orthornavirae
Phylum	Kitrinoviricota
Class	Alsuviricetes
Order	Tymovirales
Family	Alphaflexiviridae
Genus	Potexvirus

Scientific Name

Potexvirus ecshostae

Scientific Name Synonyms

Potexvirus Hosta virus X

Common Name

Hosta Virus X (HVX)

Author: Megan Kennelly, Kansas State University

Reviewed by:Name, Organization

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.

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Presentation Materials

These materials may be used as long as the original author is given credit.

Hosta Virus X

Hosta Virus X Presentation, KSU