can I remove the soil in that area and plant another hosta in it's place with no return of the fungal disease?

Thanks for your input. :-D

I'm assuming the crown rot you are experiencing is indeed due to Southern Blight. You will find no mention in the article below about the use of bleach for control of either the fungus or the sclerotia, which by the sounds of it may survive in the soil for 3-4 years. The recommendation seems to be removal of the plant(s) affected and removal of the soil as the best solution for dealing with Southern Blight in an ornamental garden situation.

What I used was made by Bayer and I got it at a specialty store managed by John Deere.
It's called 'Prostar 70WP! The main active ingredient is FLUTOLANIL 70% and Phenyl--something!
I was really afraid to use this stuff, but with encouragement, I spent the $80 it took and waited till this
Spring to do it!! I wanted to buy a haz-mat suit to wear while mixing it up and pouring it but settled
for vinly gloves and a wide stance, and a mask!

I think I'm okay, so far--no third eye has appeared in the middle of my forehead and the green hair that sprung up
on the back of my hands and on my chest has finally all dropped out!! (grin)

For someone who is so opposed to using strong chemicals, it was a last resort attempt to deal with
this stuff because I knew it could over-take my whole garden if I didn't do SOMETHING--from what I read!

I did use boiling water in the area last year and on the large pots that some of the hosta were housed.
I experimented with one 3-gallon pot, pouring boiling water on it and on the potting medium, and
so far, this year it has not returned eventhough I have planted one eye of a hosta into the same pot which
housed the Southern Blight--severely!!

Scary! I mean when I resort to such chemicals--it must be bad!!!

Oh--I never contacted the 'friend' to thank him for his advice--hopefully he sees this and realizes
my gratitude--which is gaining momentum as the season progresses and I see no evidence of the S. Blight in those areas I treated!!!!

THANK YOU--SO MUCH--FOR THE GREAT ADVICE!!!!

So far, it doesn't have ALL of the same characteristics as the 'Blight'--yet! So far, only the drooping petioles and
detaching and sadly, some webbing, white mycelium, going up them. So far, I'm trying to convince myself it's not the
dreaded BLIGHT, but I suspect it may be!!! Sigh!! The only thing missing, is the orange balls--scleroti!!!

I'm in denial aren't I!!

A hosta can be replaced--your whole garden affected will be a serious challenge to reign in!!! :o(

I took your advice....I dug out the hosta this morning, removed some of the soil, put 'new' soil in the hole.....I have to say I have had this problem for several years....just treating the problem hoping it would go away. It never did spread......but it's gone now. Off to buy a new hosta....

I had a June that had the telltale signs, with the little orange balls, but only on one part of the the plant. I just used my tea kettle to direct the boiling water where I wanted it. The others were so severely affected I just poured a pan of boiling water over them.
The leaves disappeared for the year, but came back the next.

I have been watching the areas I put boiling water and they do look clean this year, so far!
Definitely worth a try--given your experience, lynnem!!