Although it is listed as a "montana" hybrid it always reminds me of a fortunei type.
I have had the plant since 2009 when it came in looking like a plain all green plant.
Here it is in early 2010:
Cynthia - April 30, 2010
Cynthia - April 30, 2010
Cynthia - April 30, 2010
Cynthia - April 30, 2010
Cynthia - April 30, 2010
Ed McHugh, Sicklerville NJ Mockingbird feeding juvenile yellow raisons - never leave home without them.
I believe this might be one of the hostas found to be infected with another virus other than HVX. Unfortunately I would consider all of the strange mottled plants to be suspect as testing is starting to show viruses in them that may have been missed before. The last one of these I grew was Kiwi Forest and eventually just decided to pitch them all into the trash bin, just in case.
Lots of people grow this one without any known problems though, so just be careful about digging around it or cutting into it.
I have had this hosta tested previously for HVX and it always came back negative. Last May I submitted it for testing in a panel of 14 different viruses. It came back positive for Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) by ELISA testing. That was confirmed by further PCR testing as well.
It has been in my garden for many years and have not observed the symptoms spreading to any other plants, but I am not willing to take that chance, so it is gone now.
It would be interesting to test a plant from another source just to see if the results could be duplicated. If anyone has a piece of Cynthia they would be willing to sacrifice for testing, I have resources to get it tested.
I haven't been around much to respond to this, but I would like to extend the offer of testing to any of the other varieties that show odd mottling/markings...such as Filagree, etc.
If it is alright Ed, I will send you a PM about this.
Mockingbird feeding juvenile yellow raisons - never leave home without them.
