Jon-When I lived in Arkansas I knew a lot of people who regularly rode horses. But I only knew ONE who always rode a mule; never a horse. The mules name was Willie. I commented one day since mules have a reputation of being "difficult" in a way few horses are, it surprises me that he rode Willie all the time. His reply made perfect sense to me. He said "Awe, Willies OK. You just have to smack a mule as hard as you can, right between its eyes with a 4 x 4, to get its attention first." It made sense because I never tried to ride a mule. The topic was not about killing a hosta to prevent HVX, or any other virus for that matter, from spreading. It was about what commericial growers, retailers, hybridizers, TCers, etc. actually do with their waste. Since we ALL CONCEDED it can be spread from hosta roots left in growing medium, it posed the question: Is it wise for them to recycle their hosta potting materials and waste by composting? I'd already conceded that I only presumed this is what they do with it, based on the piles I had seen, and was open to enlightenment. At the outset I had invited any growers, etc. to take part in this discussion. It illicited Chris and Rob to participate. Now they are not. I am afraid the string has been severed, repeatedly, and can't be recovered. I give up-Jon. Its your field now. Go ahead and run with it with my blessings! I have one statement to make to you JON, and will not respond if you have a comeback. During much of MY lifetime, engineers based much work on the hypothesis that the electron, proton, and neutron were the most fundimental elements of matter. This hypothesis was dealt with as if it were fact and the basis for much progress, while it was commonly accepted it was a very consistent hypothesis. Now we KNOW (at least I do), of course, that it was not fact. We learned this as scientific researchers developed greater technology that disproved the hypothesis. Their work is applauded, and their success was achieved because they DID NOT ACCEPT IT AS FACT and looked for better answers for unsolved questions. SO MUCH FOR ENGINEERS ONLY DEALING WITH FACT, NOT HYPOTHISIS(as your opinion clearly stated). This experience has created no hard feelings towards you on my part. I am frustrated because the question has not been answered. Back to Hosta Forum! Les

Exact words- "The mutation of a latent virus that a species may have beaen imune to may have been made possible by the manner in which we (peeps in general) have found to mutate the species" You have suggested first there was a latant virus- Latant virus: A nonactive virus which is in a dormant state within a cell. Then you suggest that a hosta was hybridized that somehow awoke this latent virus. This is impossible. Viruses mutate, they do not sit and wait centuries for appropriate hosts to be hybridized / mutated to awaken them. You keep saying the impossible is possible. I have suggested that the tobacco rattle virus which is viable in Hostas and Tobacco plants may have mutated into HVX. As possible evidence of this I offer the fact that HVX can only exist in the live tissue of hostas and tobacco plants. I am not saying that HVX mutated fron TRV, but there is a definite significant connection and a serious person would see that the fact that these two plants, both have the ability to be infected with HVX could be either a huge coincidence or there may be some connection between TRV and HVX. You have given an explanation that disagrees with hundreds of years of virology and defend it by saying anything is possible. Les, not everything you imagine is possible and the scenario of dormant viruses being awakened by hybrid hostas is true fantasy. You, in previous posts have said that HVX could possibly lie dormant, because anything is possible. Tens of thousands of dollars have been spent and the world's best plant virologists say it doesn't, but your arguement is anything is possible. Well Les, pigs don't fly and neither does your theory.

Royal Standard - could easily be - is it fairly easily available? Steve, I don't remember where I got the hosta! It's been years. Either I bought it from the local nursery (which I believe to be a reliable source) or it was given to me by a friend (which would mean it could have come from anywhere). Comforting that you all think sun scorch, although I'm surprised. I thought this was a rather shady location. Is this variety more susceptible than others? I certainly have other hostas that get more sun than these. Vein pairs - I know they can be used for ID, but I won't be worrying about that for some time. Need to learn growing and maintainence first! Fertilization - they were treated with MirAcid earlier this spring (we have somewhat alkaline soil) but have not had any other treatment. Thank you for the rapid responses. Now I will hope that no one else chimes in to say it looks like HVX! I will be posting some pics for ID soon, thank you. Ann

ITS ONLY A PROBLEM IF YOU MAKE IT ONE.. AND WE KILL MORE STUFF WITH TO MUCH tlc.. THAN WITH BENIGN NEGLECT .... AND WATER WITH HOSTA.. ignore it ... it look like half of my plants.. as they come up in spring... its growing faster than it can properly color up.. the color will catch up ... i will bet you a shiny penny .... that within 2 weeks.. it will have proper color ... please remit penny at close of biz on 14th day ... let me know if i need to send it your way ... ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WITH THE NEWBIES.. in general .. IS THAT THEY ARE FINALLY PAYING CLOSE.. I MEAN REALLY CLOSE ATTENTION ... and seeing the mysteries of the hosta unfold before their eyes... the only question is whether you will ENJOY the show.. or contemplate chicken little with every new mystery ... unfortunately.. with all the terror-mongering.... they all want to jump ship and think its all HVX or disease problems ... ENJOY THE SHOW... RELAX .... and if isnt performing to expectation.. after giving it a year or two .. then throw it on the driveway ... you know.. they will grow on the driveway... take care ken