No matter what, Tanya, in the hosta market, today--it's a risk when you buy one. Don't worry about it--if it's HVX you will know in a few years, for pretty sure. Just make sure not to cut scapes with the same knife or scissors you just cut another with. And, if you dig and divide, make sure you also clean the shovel and or knife (after and between digs) with a fury, with Dawn dish detergent and a bleach solution. With the nematodes--in my opinion, it's a worse problem. But--what are we going to do--give up our passion? Nope, we'll just have to 'deal with it'!!! Enjoy what you've done!!! I've gone through the hysteria of nematodes and the frustration of HVX--and I think I'm beginning to mellow. The nematodes I found the other day--didn't get 'nuked' this time, like the leaf I showed above (my first discovery on a newly purchased 'Sugar and Cream'). In fact, I'm so cool about it--it's still in that card-board box up on the deck! I feel sorry for it!! But--not for the 'nems'!!! I hate that they are such a problem--and my graphic is from the previous experiences, but I just posted it for fun this time!! I'm not nearly as 'freaked' as before--but still miffed at the seller for selling it--because it was a problem she saw--and felt she had to conceal, whether she understood what it was or not! That, to me, shows a lack of integrity--which I value very much in anyone, whether they are selling me something or just being a friend--be honest, sincere, kindly forthright and patient with me--cause we all are 'a work in progress' on some level! :o/ Did I mention I just can't abide someone who 'flatters' which translates to be someone being very ingenuous--hoping to impress me and with an ulterior motive--that I always wonder about!!! And, I just don't understand the desire to hurt another person, to put them down or make them feel idiotic--what is with that in a person to feed off that kind of hurtful mindset?? Oh well--now you know more about me than you ever wanted to know--right? LOL

just take some masking tape.. and tape up the green ones.. so you can work near them.. then when the turn to mush.. you can just grab the whole and toss it ... make them look like a bunch of celery ... though you can probably do it.. they are still storing energy... for next springs flush ... in theory.. you can spread disease by going plant to plant ... so i usually wait.. until after the first freeze.. when the whole can be grabbed and simply pulled off.. thereby avoiding the hole tool cleaning issue ... as i recall you only have a few.. so i would not worry too much about the whole disease issue ... ken

Having stumbled upon this old thread with great interest. I would love to hear more about the process of rooting hosta leaf cuttings. I have a few streaked hostas that have all but reverted (no eyes producing new streaked leaves). It would be wonderful to start new plants using the remaining streaked leaves. I'll start some experiments shortly but would anyone who has done it, be willing to provide additional details about the process (I only have a few leaves to work with). How much of the petiole is removed from the plant? One of the people in this thread showing success states that none of the crown is present in the leaves he rooted. What rooting compound was used? If time of year important?

As long as the leaves are green they are still feeding the roots. The leaves should only be removed after they have yellowed and can be easily removed from the plant. Generally the first hard frost will kill the leaves and they can be cut down at this time. Cutting them back will not hurt the plant, however as long as they are still green and feeding the roots there really is no point in cutting them down. Submitted by Papou