Hosta Virus X symptoms should now be visible

Univ. of Md. Extension personnel report that symptoms of Hosta Virus X should be noticeable in infected hosta plants at this time. Virus symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from normal variegation in some hosta cultivars. The virus causes light green mottling and dark green blotches which can be raised or wrinkled.
Plants infected with the virus will grow, but usually at a slower rate. Infected plants eventually decline.
The virus is not known to be vectored by insects, but can be spread through propagation. There is no cure for infected plants.
A simple dip-stick test kit (HVX ImmunoStrip) is available from Agdia Inc. which allows growers to detect the virus.