The brown streaks appear to be running along the veins, and not crossing them.. I'd say good chance... looks like there's some meltout as well.

I am experiencing the same thing with my Clifford's Stingray. Individual leaves look even worse than Melissa's neighbor's. Melissa, I THINK those are Undulata Univitta. See link below.

Anyway, I did the test for Nematodes...cut up leaves in cool water in a clear glass bowl, bright backlight, strong magnifying glass, put on my reading glasses...no nematodes sighted! I thought sure they were present. I checked after 30 minutes, several hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours. NOTHING. Here are photos. Is this meltout? or heat stress?

Char
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Here is a link that might be useful: Guide to Identifying undulatas

It looks to me as this hosta has been in too much sun with not enough water, suffered from stress and has been eaten by slugs/bugs.

The first hosta looks like heat and the "undulata uglies".

The second one definitely looks like nematodes to me!

I don't think either examples look definitive for Nematodes to me!

The test as Char as described would be the final say, IMHO! Well worth getting a 10x and stronger
magnifying glass for!

I tested a fern leaf, after being in water for a couple of hours. Whereas in the past, I've had to squint and
patiently move around the water to find a *squirmy*, they almost leaped out of the water on that one!!
The water was FULL of them and I spotted them within 2 seconds, I'm sure!!! Gak!!!

Once you've seen ONE, you are never in doubt again, when you see another! It's very evident they are
a living thing, and not just tissue debris or a hair! Of course, they don't live long
once I discover one--into the microwave, they go--dish, water, leaf and all!

Confession: I'm very guilty of "Nema-cide"!

The 2nd Cliffords Stingray Photo shows two issues, IMHO: The top, left section of damage looks like a heat issue. I definitely think, however, that the stuff going on in the middle is nematodes...you can even see it coming up the petiole.

Some worms cannot be viewed with the "water test"....only w/ a microscope. They are definitely there even if you personally cannot see them.

Those hosta need water....lots of it...and a little sluggo sprinkled around wouldn't hurt either.
It's easy to become a Hosta Hypochondriac. You hear about a disease and start seeing it everywhere. Most hosta are healthy plants, especially the older varieties. I think it would be pretty rare for nematodes to get much of a foot hold as far north as Madison Wisconsin.
Linda C

Allrighty, seems I am the minority in this "diagnosis" so feel free to ignore me. lol

Linda
I'm curious about what you said
"I think it would be pretty rare for nematodes to get much of a foot hold as far north as Madison Wisconsin."
Do nematodes survive zone 4 winters?
Pam

Yes, nematodes can survive Wisconsin winters. I asked Ron Williams from the House of Hosta. He said that there was a time when it was too cold for them to survive, but our winters are so mild now it doesn't bother them. Perhaps in the far north (which is not Madison -ha ha) they wouldn't survive.

I agree with your diagnosis, Andrea.

Nematodes have a cold/freeze tolerance of -15 degrees. In winter they migrate to the crown and are insulated by soil, mulch, and snow. They are naturally less obvious in zone 4 due to the shorter growing season.

Thanks, Jen.
Pam

Everything I read/have read indicates that foliar nematodes are not an issue where the temps get to minus 15. Not that they don't exist, but that at such smaller numbers as not to be an issue.
Here on the cusp of zone 4, we regularly have winters where it gets to minus 15...and lower. I can't believe you are significantly warmer in Madison....but then....the lake?
Linda C

I wonder what the soil temp would be if the air temp is -15. I'm sure the amount of soil over the top, the amount of mulch and the position of the plant would make a big difference (microclimates, urban heat effect, etc).

That would be an interesting study (probably already been done but no time to Google today LOL).

I hate nematodes. I think that is the real derivation of the word "nemesis". hehe

Ademink--I'm beginning to *see* what you're seeing, and I think you made a good case for the possibility!
Gotta get me some laser surgery!!!!LOL

I think the lake might make a difference in zone. I was just looking at a zone map and realized that Madison and part of Iowa is a lower zone than me. I am in a zone 5, and I'm about 1/2 hour south of Green Bay. However I live a couple blocks from a lake which makes a huge difference.

I live in DeForest which is a good 20 minute ride to a lake of any size. I'm in zone 5A and it gets way colder than -15 here quite a few days in the winter.

Char

Foliar nematodes can survive the winter here in northern Minnesota where temps get considerably colder than -15! Not a major problem like it is in southern climates.
Jan

Forgot to reference this site on foliar nematodes. A good read.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grewal's research

Great article! Really interesting on the cadavers!

Dentaybow,

Thanks for posting the link to Dr. Grewal's research!
I learned alot!

Char

Yesterday, I removed the leafs that showed nematode damage
from 7 plants that I have planted at my camper and sprayed all the plants anywhere near the infected ones with Zerotol.
I used 1 oz per 1 gal of water. That two & one half gal jug that I bought will last me a lifetime. lol

So far, I've only noticed damage on 3 of my plants at home. Tomorrow I plan to spray those plants
with Zerotol, plus all the plants surrounding the infected ones. I doubt if I'll spray all of my hostas at
home, there's too many of them, it would take forever.

I called the manufacter of Zerotol and they suggested that I spray the plants every 5-7 days.
They also told me that they are hoping to someday sell Zerotol in a diluted form.

I sure hope this Zerotol works! These nemotodes are really a nightmare.

Is Zerotol a systemic or contact spray? It would have to be something that the plant absorbs into its system to be effective against a sucking insect.
Pam

Pam, hmmmmmm, not sure if Zerotol is systemic or a contact spray.
Are the micoscopic nematodes ON the plant leaf or INSIDE the leaf, or BOTH???
Don't know.
All I know is I spoke to some lady at the place that makes Zerotol and she told me that I need to saturate the plant well.
So, since they travel on sheets of water from one plant to another, would that mean that they are ON the leaf?

When I was at Kuk's Nursery last week we discussed nematodes.
He said that just by walking on the ground you could carry them on the bottom of your shoes.
Isn't that depressing?
Well, you can disenfect your garden tools but you sure can't put your shoes or bare feet in bleach water after taking each step!
Bob Kuk also said that they are really bad on ferns only they don't show signs of nematode damage.
So much for buying a fern!
Janice, isn't that how you got nematodes last year?
He also named other plants besides ferns, but I can't recall them right now.
SASSY

brunnera
tricyrtis
hepatica
foamflower
etc
etc
etfreakincetera

We are surrounded by ferns in the woods, but my husband won't let them in the yard. lol - he hates them. Geez, you'd think some company would be working on a good remedy for nematodes.
Pam

I swear, I get so paranoid I think they're in my hair. LOL Shaving my head bald and wearing a hazmat suit in the yard.

awk, Andi, I got shivers at the visual! rofl

Where did you find Zerotol?

Thank you!

bornagain,
The company is called Biocontrol Network. They're located in Brentwood, TN.
I bought a 40 lb bag of Sluggo from them this past spring.
The Zerotol is expensive. The smallest jug is 2.5 gal.
It cost me $169.95 total. ($130.75 for the Zerotol, $16.80 for shipping, .40 insurance and $22.00 for hazardous material.

After ordering it I learned that there's another online place that sells it and I think it's quite a bit cheaper.
I think the place is EH Griffith. Not 100% sure on the name.

I hope it works. The nems must go!

While on the subject.....Last year I vowed I wouldn't buy another hosta until late summer so I'll know if the plant has nems or not.....then I stood by and watched a nursery worker at a large nearby nursery, he probably didn't make more than mininum wage and was given orders to "pretty up" the hostas. As he inspected each pot on the tables, he pinched off all the "imperfect leafs"....who knows what he pinched off... just broken or sun damaged leafs or did they show hvx, or maybe nematode damage???? So much for closely inspecting plants before you buy.

I might have a problem too. So far, this elephant ear is the only one showing symptoms. The planteginea below it had some burned edges from lack of water but seems relatively symptom free. I'm hoping it was just some earlier stress from lack of water. The newer leaves don't appear to have a problem. What do you guys think? Nematodes or stress?

I'm not sure how to post pictures but I'll give it a shot.

Diane

Here is a link that might be useful: elepant ear nematoded?

Looks like sun damage to me.