The Hosta Library has some good information about HVX.
http://www.hostalibrary.org/

Hallson's Hosta forum has a bunch of threads about HVX:

http://www.perennialnursery.co...

How about pictures of confirmed HVX in our own gardens. This was my Mountain Snow last spring.

A year earlier it was Lakeside Looking glass

And the year before that - Gypsy Rose.

I'm hoping no more this year, but it will be a few months before I see them.

Thanks Ann - good examples!

Ann last I heard they had a test kit for hosta virus X I never heard if it really worked for the average person or how expensive it was. Would you know?

MollyD

Sandy got some of the test strips. I think they may have worked out to about $8 or so for each strip. Maybe a bit less in the US. And yes, they seem to work well. Chris has discussed them on Hallson's a few times. They DO expire in time.

I haven't been on Hallsons in about a year I'm afraid. I was offline most of that time.

MollyD

What do you guys think -- does this look like HVX?? Also does any one know what Hosta is this?

Looks like it had some issues before unfurling, like frost/freeze. It would be a good idea to keep an eye on it just like you should all of your plants and take care when handling them. MHO

Thanks Jeff - that makes sense. We did have two hard frosts as it was unfurling -- but I will keep an eye on it.

Here is my Paradise Joyce that I know is infected..... I like what it looks like but moved it to the back corner of the yard where there are no other hosta's or anything other than wild weeds etc etc...

Why are you keeping it?

That is a great question.... I actually thought, even though it has the virus, that it was pretty. I didnt have the heart to kill it..... so I moved it way far away from anything... out in the woods about a football field away from any non-weedy plants.

SInce we have 60 acres, I figured it would be far enough away from the healthy hosta's to do any harm.

Here is the latest info (from an email from Josh Spence) about HVX:
----

At the AHS National Hosta Convention last month in Minnesota, Dr. Lockhart
gave the keynote speech on his most current research. This research was
sponsored by the AHS and on behalf of Rob Mortko (American Hosta Society
Vice President, Genus Hosta), I am posting the following...

Key takeaways from the most recent HVX research include:

-- There are no hosta cultivars that are more (or less) resistant to HVX
as had been previously reported. Hosta exposed to HVX while actively
growing will likely become infected. However infecting a healthy hosta
with HVX in the fall is very difficult as it is approaching dormancy. This
would imply that hosta division would be better undertaken in the fall
rather than in the spring.

-- HVX is spread by sap via cutting tools. Dishwashing detergent, 70%
alcohol or a 10% solution of household bleach (1 part bleach and 9 parts
water) are all effective in cleaning and disinfecting cutting tools.
However simply dipping the tool in the solution is not sufficient.
Thorough scrubbing is required.

-- After removing an HVX infected plant, a healthy hosta planted in the
same location can be infected up to two years later. (Note that two years
was the duration of this research project.) No one was more surprised by
this finding than Dr. Lockhart. Previously the general recommendation was
to allow 4 to 6 weeks after removing a virused hosta before replanting.
Based on this research another hosta should not be replanted in the same
location.

This research was funded entirely by interested individuals, local and
regional hosta societies, and hosta growers on behalf of the American
Hosta Society. The research findings beg answers to new questions. As a
result, it is intent of the AHS to embark on a second phase of HVX
research. Individuals, local and regional hosta societies, and hosta
growers are requested to consider a generous contribution to this project.
More information (including a printable pamphlet of the research findings)
is available on the AHS web site:

http://www.americanhostasociet...

Josh

In The Country Garden & Gifts
Specializing in Hostas and Water Gardens
http://www.inthecountrygardena...

Here is Arctic Blast -- a liner from last year -- What do you guys think??? Might this be the start of HVX?? (see the bleeding in the veins)...

Anyone have any ideas on the above??? What do you guys think?

Hmm. Hard to tell on the all green ones. Looks more like sun scorch to me, though. Does the hosta get any direct sunlight, particularly in the afternoon?

It may get maybe 30 mins to 1 hour of direct afternoon sun, but it's pretty shady - mostly just dappled sunlight.

It may also be a lack of magnesium. try working some Epsom Salts into the water you use. maybe also some tomato fertilizer as it has trace elements as well.