Lainey, I agree with Ken's "P.S." Shipping and depotting causes great shock to hostas, and they will sometimes do weird stuff. In addition, if a hosta has been used to total shade, and it is then placed in more sun than it's used to, they can go into shock. Also, I have seen what is most definitely a nutrient deficiency look something like HVX. If you got your plants from John (diggindutchman, hostabargains on ebay), you can guarantee that he will make the situation right for you. I have bought from John before and he is an absolutely honest seller and would never intentionally sell you a plant with HVX. I can tell you from personal experience that I bought a hosta from John last summer, and when it arrived it looked great. I did the exact same thing as you and soaked it for a couple days, but when I finally planted it outside, it started looking terrible. Turns out, the hosta was getting more sun than it was used to getting at John's place. I had to place a lawn chair over it, and give it extra-extra water, and it turned out fine. However, just in case the original one died, John sent me a duplicate hosta. Both of them ended up surviving wonderfully, and both came back this year. Just wanted to share this because I think sometimes people jump to the conclusion of HVX, when it could be transplant shock?? Perhaps you can post a picture? Also, what hosta did you get that you think might have HVX? Buff

Paul -- you can't stop there! Based on the postings recently, we know that HVX stays in the ground around an infected plant at least 18 months. So -- question: have you moved that June? What did you put in its previous place and is that plant infected? And, going forward, have you decided what you'll put in to complement hosta because we've been warned not to put another hosta in that ground unless you use a container -- or maybe you should check out those planting bags that some other have mentioned. Best of luck -- Nance

BKay, are you going to test for HVX now though? I have 4 test strips left over from my test of Blue Angel and Winter Snow. To make sure I did not overwhelm the test strip, I got a quarter and an XActo knife and cut my leaf samples to size upon the quarter. It was interesting to watch the leaf give up its green parts and turn into a translucent empty frame, with the test solution having the green. As I waited for the results to show, I became alarmed when one stripe showed up, and nothing else. Thought it was the bad one, but it was actually the stripe which indicates the strip worked, the test results were negative. Talk about a relief!! Well, it made all the difference in the world in how I viewed those hosta in the ground. Instead of problem children, I could enjoy them like any of my other hosta, and appreciate the growth instead of worrying over infected roots spreading spreading the virus. So it is my feeling that testing it now will lay any fears of HVX to rest.

As a 9-year veteran of a research laboratory (not plant research, but a biological science laboratory nonetheless, and nearly all the techniques are used regardless of the biological kingdom being studied), I'd like to add some tips for the use of these strips. 1. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS. READ ALL OF THE OTHER STUFF IN THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET. 2. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AGAIN. Be sure you understand exactly what you will be doing and how to do it. 3. Make a list of everything you will need except for the plant samples. If you will need scissors, put them on the list. If you will need a box for the plant samples, put it on the list. If you will need a Sharpie, put it on the list. Don't forget to put the kit components on the list. 4. Take a few moments to think about how you will do the tests. If you will be doing multiple samples, how will you keep track of which is which? Take the time NOW to use the Sharpie and label everything. (e.g. #1. Sum and Substance; #2 Guacamole; #3 Spinach from the refrigerator; #4 no sample). So that you are protected against your samples smearing and becoming illegible, write out a key for everything on paper. Use pencil on the paper, NOT INK, so that if it gets wet, it won't run. It's nearly impossible to tell the difference between "Sum and Substance" and "Striptease" after your neighbor's brat zaps you with rubbing alcohol as you exit the house, causing the sharpie writing to run and blur. 5. Gather up everything on your list. Make sure everything is labeled. Clear an area to do your tests. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AGAIN. Lay out everything you will need to do the test in an order that makes sense. 6. Collect your samples ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS. Cut your samples from the areas showing the most virus mottling. 7. Do the tests EXACTLY ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS. Use a kitchen timer or stopwatch. Take notes on anything you think should be in the instructions but isn't--write it down! If anything looks strange, make a note of it. Your test results will be a lot more reliable if you do things this way.