Yep, that's probably some sort of crown rot. It might be southern blight. I'd either toss it or treat it for southern blight. If you want to save it, move quickly. It is a fast moving pathogen.

bk

I would think SB but have little experience with this pathogen. Agree, it is common enough hosta just to dispose it carefully.

Bkay, after you mentioned southern blight, I went back to the Hosta Library to look it up. I had already searched there. It never occurred to me that it may be southern blight. I thought that was more a problem in the States with warmer temperatures for prolonged periods of time. But now, it does look like SB.

I agree lindalana that it is a common enough hosta and I could find it again for a reasonable price. Only thing is---is that I'd have to travel at least an hour to a hosta nursery to get it---and then be tempted to buy more!

I see that the Hosta Library mentions a few products that are effective. Unfortunately, I don't have any of them. I do have one fungicide and I don't know if it would work. I guess I could give it a try.

I would discard the hosta and not take any chances with the pathogen. It’s acute hosta, but you could order online, if vendors are still selling or order one for spring delivery. I had two things to deal with this year, HVX and some sort of wilt that hit one of my Japanese Maples. I deal with them by digging out and disposing ASAP.

debra

debra, it's in a pot, so it won't transfer to other hosta.

bkay

Debra, I forgot about buying online. I probably could find a place that would ship to my home. It's a pain dealing with disease isn't it. That's certainly not the fun part of gardening.

I found another hosta in a pot with southern blight. I removed the affected leaves and the top of the soil in the pots. I sprayed with the fungicide I have available. Happy Dayz is in the worst condition. Apparently if not gotten soon enough, the disease could be back again next year. I hope to get the effective fungicide by then. for next season. If they don't look healthy, I may just throw them out. Time will tell.

In my last photo, see the white dots (seeds)? That's the stage where it is more difficult to get rid of SB. The seeds begin white and then as they mature turn mustard like in color.

I did notice those dots and wondered what they were.

bkay,my comments were meant if she planted it and treated, I guess. Not having any experience with S Blight. :-)

You're lucky you haven't had southern blight, Debra. Just remember to have a look out for it. There's a good chance for the hosta to recover if caught early and the fungicide recommended used. I first noticed that a leaf of Happy Dayz was falling somewhat and "loose." Then I looked down the petiole and saw dark areas. It really isn't all that noticeable in the beginning stages.
Supposedly SB usually rears its ugly head beginning in mid June. I will be checking my other hosta too and will be looking out for it each year.

Today I found three more hosta in pots with SB. I'll be on the hunt to see if there are even more. I will call my local garden nursery to see if there is anything they recommend. I just may end of throwing them all out. Well that's depressing!

Thanks Debra! On top of everything else it is boiling outside! This summer has been very hot with many torrential rainstorms. I suppose that is the reason the hosta got SB.

You're right about disease being a pain in the garden and in your body.