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Strange Info

13 years ago

I've given a few hostas to one of my nieces who now has the bug. She's been on the internet looking for info. She call last nite with a couple of questions.

What is a sport virus? She found a list of symptoms/problems at the U of MN webstie. The symptom "change in color"......possible causes "sport virus." What?

I went looking for the info online - I found something else wierd......this so called expert is quoted as saying "There are hundreds of species and thousands of cultivars from which to choose." My niece said - I thought you said there were less than 40.

Here is the link....scroll down for "Best Care for Hostas."

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Anyone ever hear of a sport virus?

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to hosta info at U of MN Extension

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Comments (6)

ctopher_mi
13 years ago
Well, I started reading it and started seeing errors right off the bat. The author states that "...too dark a location will lead to slower growth rates and compromised performance." And then the author defines too dark as less than 4 hours of sun. That is bunk. Hostas would have to be in a cave to be "too dark".

Then they go on to say August Moon and Sum and Substance have fragrant flowers and are related to plantaginea. That isn't true.

They also say that hostas should be planted with the roots at soil level and the tips showing (when dormant). Again, not true. New roots develop from the crown just above the old roots. Hostas grow from underground rhizomes and the growth points (dormant buds/eyes) should be covered, not showing.

However, I didn't see any mention in that article about a "sport virus"... But I would bet someone simply forgot a comma in between those two words.
paul_in_mn
13 years ago
Early on in HVX, people thought they had new 'sports' when they encountered diseased plants.

Regarding hundreds of species - if it's in print doesn't make it right. Just poor research. Probably gathered info from many sources and put together a short hosta primer for their website.

Paul
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idiothe
13 years ago
I hadn't seen the info sheet you linked - but overall it seems like one of the best intros I've seen. The hundreds of species... that is either a "whoops" or a radical position... the numbers vary depending on who is speaking - species come and species go, depending on expert definitions, but...

I think the other one is a typo error... I think they meant that a change in color could be due to

Sport. virus

as a color change could be due to either one...
Teresa_MN
Original Author
13 years ago
Here is the other link with the "sport virus" error. I agree, could just be missing a comma.

I have not had a chance to peruse the entire article, however, after reading Chris' comments, I'm surprised that an article posted on the Master Gardener Extension program (U of MN) site would have multiple errors. I rely on the site frequently for questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to article with
jel48
13 years ago
I agree it looks like a missing comma. Seems like they could also add 'amount of sunlight' and 'location' to that list :-)
hosta_freak
13 years ago
Interesting stuff here. I don't know about hostas being in an area where it's too dark,but I have moved hostas from deep in my garden,because it was getting a little too shady for them,and they grew better in a little more light. I have some areas in my woodland where it is pretty shady. Some of my Sieboldiana types grow there,and they have huge leaves,but not very many leaves,or eyes. They will stay there,because I don't have room out in the sunnier areas,and they are too big! When I first started in hostas,I put many plants there,until I made the new part of my garden. The plants in the newest area,thrive better than the older part. So,I think that it can be a little too shady for some plants to grow there. Just a few thoughts. Phil

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