Is this Virus X?

Temptie · Post by **Temptie** » Jul 29, 2008 9:40 am

I believe this is a Patriot's fire. It has looked like this for at least 4 years and I've had it for greater than 8 years. I've just become aware of Virus X. I've only seen it in pictures on the net. Do I need to destroy this plant? Thank you, Temptie

Post by **Chris_W** » Jul 29, 2008 10:06 am

Hi there,

First, welcome to the forums!

If you are having trouble posting a picture feel free to email the picture to me at hallsons@perennialnursery.com and I can resize it for the forum for you.

Patriot's Fire and Moonlight go through some drastic color changes that often leave a lot of green patches as it turns to yellow. Years ago Moonlight was often accused of having a virus, but repeated tests of leaves with these color changes revealed no virus whatsoever. That might be what is going on with your Patriot's Fire, but we should be able to tell with a picture.

Chris

Temptie · Post by **Temptie** » Jul 29, 2008 10:24 am

Thanks, I finally got the picture up on the original post. What do you think? Temptie

baja220 · Post by **baja220** » Jul 30, 2008 3:53 am

Tempie, show Chris what it looked like before you dug it. I think he'll find that interesting.

Post by **Chris_W** » Jul 30, 2008 10:05 am

This could just be that color change I was mentioning. If the yellow parts start to expand and fill in so that it turns more yellow with less green then that's all that is happening.

I know it looks odd, but I've had a lot of Hosta 'Moonlight' (considered to be the same plant) look like this and tests revealed no virus present.

Hope that helps.

Chris

Temptie · Post by **Temptie** » Jul 30, 2008 3:46 pm

Thanks, I'll watch it for color change. Here is the pic of the entire plant.

Post by **Chris_W** » Jul 30, 2008 8:48 pm

Hi Temptie,

I can see why you would be concerned, since most of the plant has already turned to yellow.

Can you get a closeup shot of the leaf at the 8 o'clock position? It looks like there is some lighter streaking, possibly along the veins. That one might be more telling if this is HVX.

thy · Post by **thy** » Aug 04, 2008 7:28 pm

Chris is it possible to make this sticky or something else ?

I would have dug it up in a NY second

Pia

Temptie · Post by **Temptie** » Aug 11, 2008 3:35 pm

I'm sorry I'm so late with this. I had already dug the hosta up and separated the normal from abnormal looking so I'm not sure which leaf you are referring to. I left the dark and mottled looking where it was and put the rest in a pot away from every thing else. No really rational reasoning for doing this

Anyway... the test kit came and I carefully followed the instructions. My result was negative for the Hosta X virus. I realize there are a number of other viruses and such out there. If the the mottling doesn't clear up before dormancy arrives is it advisable to destroy both parts of the plant ? Here are the pictures of the test. Thank you, Temptie

Hallson Gardens

Is this Virus X?

Is this Virus X?

Re: Is this Virus X?

Re: Is this Virus X?