Hosta newbie, scared looking for help

9 years ago

I am really new to hostas, but addicted. I just put an order together for 45 more then learned about HVX. I am especially worried because most of my small collection has come from box stores. I don't want to compromise such a large purchase but yet after hours and hours of research I am not confident I can identify this disease. So I am attaching some pictures hoping you can tell me if they look 'bad'.

'September Sun' 2 years in ground.

'Sum and Substance' recent purchase in full sun when acquired.

I appreciate your recommendations. I can also take more photos if needed.

Thanks

SCG

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

BungalowMonkeys
9 years ago
Top pic is hvx, second looks like lack of water. But im new as well and could be very wrong. I know that is not helpful, but you are posting in the right spot. The hosta lovers on here are great, informative and knowledgeable people.

I bought a few from walmart, lowes, the depot and kmart. Then looked them up and realized just how many are available. Not sure when or how it happened, but at some point decided to start a collection and base my entire landscaping on hostas. After learning about HVX and finding it on ALL the hostas I purchased from kmart and homedepot, went out and seperated my hostas. Got rid of the sick ones and placed the others in a seperate bed where they will be for a few years. Not all hostas from big box stores have it, and not all local nurseries are clean. Would seperate what you have from what you are getting, but that is just me. Will probably get many different opinions on here.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
bunga is correct ... virus on the first ...

lack of water.. or tree roots stealing all the water for the second.... though being that small.. i doubt any tree could invade it since planting ...

ken
Related Professionals
Allen Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · West Milford Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · 70037 Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mountain Brook Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Galveston Landscape Contractors · Kettering Landscape Contractors · La Vista Landscape Contractors · Lake Saint Louis Landscape Contractors · Maple Heights Landscape Contractors · Dundalk Fence Contractors · Greentree Fence Contractors · Laguna Beach Fence Contractors · Maywood Fence Contractors · Windsor Fence Contractors · Rialto Solar Energy Systems
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks. Now I have never used tools to clean scapes etc should I just shovel prune my whole collection? Or since they are all pretty new wait. 'September Sun' is my oldest hosta.

*edit* no worries I dug all 34 of them up. Risk is not worth it

I really appreciate it folks.

SCG

This post was edited by SouthCountryGuy on Mon, Aug 18, 14 at 19:29
bkay2000
9 years ago
I would not plant in that area until all root material from the hosta you dug up is gone. HVX is spread when a broken/cut piece of an HVX infected plant (any part, including roots) comes in contact with a broken piece of another hosta. I certainly would not plant in the place the September Sun was growing for a couple of years.

bk
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks again all. I dug them all up leaving a crater unsurpassed. I appreciate all the help... For my (then) young plants I took about a wheel barrow of dirt and such out. I was able to grab all my plants and shake the soil loose, which is in the garbage, with no signs of breakage....was a long process....

I am screwed as I am hooked to hosta's

SCG