Friday, December 2, 2011

Recipe everybody wanted

Pineapple Casserole
from Glen Pace
2 cans Pineapple tidbits in Natural juice
3/4 C Cane Sugar
5 Tbs. Flour
3/4 – 1 C Mild Cheddar Cheese
1 sleeve Club Crackers
1 stick Butter melted
 
Drain the 2 cans of Pineapple reserving some of the juice
Place all pineapple in a 9 x 13 baking dish
Mix the 5 Tbs. of flour with the 3/4 C of Cane Sugar
Sprinkle the mixture over the pineapple
Evenly sprinkle the Mild Cheddar over the flour sugar layer
Crush the Club Crackers and sprinkle over the Cheddar layer
Drizzle the melted butter over the cracker layer
Drizzle 8-10 Tbs. of the reserved Pineapple juice evenly over the top
Bake in a 350 degree oven until the cracker layer is nicely browned. About 40 minutes but don’t worry if it takes an hour.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

December 2011 Newsletter

Next week, Thursday December 1st at 6:00 PM is our annual Christmas Party. Details are below.
THE EMHS 2011 Christmas Party will be held on December 1st, 2011 at the Mayfield Township Hall 1900 N. Saginaw in Lapeer at 6:00 PM. This is our regular meeting place for the cold months and is just south of the point of Saginaw and M-24 (the building north of the cemetery). For those wishing to help decorate you can arrive as early as 5:00 PM. This annual event is always a lot of fun and a great way to end the year for the club. The Club will provide the meat (ham) and table set-ups. We do ask that everybody bring a dish to pass as this is our biggest potluck of the year. We will be doing the gift exchange as we have done in the past. If you are interested in exchanging gifts, all you have to do is bring a wrapped non-gender-specific gift with a value of $10. All the gifts will be laid at the front of the room and during the party we will call names from the sign-up sheet of the people who brought gifts. If your name is called you go pick out a gift. Nobody is required to bring a gift for the exchange, but if you do not bring one please understand that you will not be able to place your name on the list to pick one out. This is the only way to assure that all people who bring a gift will receive one.

Special Plant Raffle- There will be a Ginkgo biloba “Troll” at the December meeting. Origin; Johann Wieting; from a tree in Krefeld, Germany. Among the smallest of the ginkgo selections, ‘Troll’ develops into a tight rounded form. The familiar fan shaped leaves are smaller than typical and densely packed along unusually thick stems. Choice and new this fine selection is among the best dwarf ginkgo’s to emerge on the market. 3’ x 3’. Ginkgo trees make great container plants that are totally hardy in our zone 5 climate.
This plant will go home with somebody the night of the Christmas Party as long as enough tickets are sold to cover the cost of the tree. Tickets will only be sold before the meeting starts and again just before the drawing. Be sure and get you tickets for your chance to take a “Troll” home for the Holidays.
Save in your “Favorites”- Searching for the latest EMHS Newsletter in your mail file is never an easy task. Please save the EMHS blog web address in your “favorites” so when you cannot remember the date, time, or place of the next meeting you can simply go to the blog and get the information.
Name Badges- The business that makes our name badges is not able to print in the metallic gold like the original name badges were printed in. During our EMHS Board meeting in October we tried to contact the original printer but we were unable to get a current phone number. After some discussion we decided that I would work on a new name badge. I will work on a couple of prototype formats and present them to the membership in the spring. We will vote on which one is liked best and then order new name badges for those who either don’t have a name badge or want the new one.
New Secretary Elected for HHG- Below is a revised note received from Joanna Kovalscik.
I have been elected as Secretary for The Hosta Hybridizer Group, so if you have anyone that would like membership details, they can contact me at jo43@tds.net. The first meeting of 2012 will be June 2nd. As soon as I have details regarding the speaker, I will let you know.
This is another group that may possibly be misunderstood. People may feel that because they do not hybridize that they are excluded from being a member. Not so! We have several members who simply appreciate hostas and enjoy learning more about them. Membership is open to anyone who is interested in hostas whether they are just beginning their hosta journey or have many years of experience. We meet three times per year at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor--June, July, and November. We trade breeding stock, exchange seedlings, swap seeds, and listen to awesome speakers. In July we have a seedling contest and an auction--tons of hosta fun! I encourage all of our EMHS members to join.
The attached 2012 American Hosta Society Auction announcement just came in from Don Dean. I thought you might want to make the info available to our EMHS members. Some folks may desire to contribute plants or seeds to the auction. Donations are most welcome and much appreciated. Let's rally 'round and support the AHS!
Also, for those who are American Hosta Society members, the 2011 On-line Journal will be published on the internet on Thanksgiving Day. AHS members received their 2011 password in the March edition of The Hosta Journal (Volume 42, Number 1), page 5, and can navigate to the OLJ from the AHS website on Turkey Day. :o)
It is my concern that many of our EMHS/AHS members are not aware of the On-line Journal. I know that some members had no idea that the convention issue of The Hosta Journal had been replaced by the OLJ. It would be great if we could give it a little press.
Additionally, non-members can now enjoy the 2010 OLJ which has been made available to the public on the home page of the AHS website. Hosta collectors and hybridizers will find a wealth of information here accompanied by wonderful full-color photographs of our favorite shade plant.
Have a glorious Thanksgiving, and I will see you in December!
Joanna
Thanks to Pam Walmsley- Pam sold 17 Hosta Stones from our excess inventory to members of the Genesee County Master Gardeners. This helped deplete the excess inventory that Cathy and Mick have been storing for years. THANK YOU PAM!
Hosta Stones- The 2012 EMHS Hosta Stone is in production. Cathy and Mick will give an update at the December meeting.
We still have 28 Hosta Stones that are on sale for the reduced price of $20.00 each. The sale stones are from 2005, 2007, and 2008. There are also two 2011 natural stones and one 2011 Iron colored stone left which remain at the regular price. These would make great gifts. If interested please contact Mick and Cathy Hodgson at cehodgso@hotmail.com .

Hosta College, March 16-17, 2012- Plans for Hosta College 2012 are well underway. It is in the same great easy to get to location, nestled up to I-75 in Piqua, Ohio. The building itself is undergoing some major renovations which will need to be adjusted to but the activities remain the same.
Friday night, March 16th there will be a lot going on and as always it is a great chance to visit with friends and to shop. After a long winter of hosta withdrawal it is the perfect place for hosta and plant-addicts. There will be growers selling plants and the book store will be open.
There are a couple of date changes this year that you should be aware of:
Registration dates for HC:
Teachers and Board Jan 6 at midnight
Members Jan 13 at midnight
Others Jan 25 at midnight
Registration closes Feb 1 at midnight
This year’s attendance fee will be $42 which includes lunch on Saturday. It is a real educational bargain.
Plan to come for a great way to start the 2012 gardening year.

AHS National Convention- The 2012 AHS National Convention will be June 13-16, 2012 in Nashville, TN. The Convention is always a great way to learn more about Hosta, see friends from other states, and buy the newest Hosta available. For more information you can go to the Convention Website at; http://www.hosta2012.com/

SVHS Plant Sale- Saginaw Valley Hosta Society has voted to open their 2012 plant sale to members of EMHS. Glen will present more information about this at the December meeting.

2012 Calendar of Events:
January- No meeting scheduled
February 9th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Jan Everson with slide show of the 2011 Nat’l Hosta Tour
March- No Meeting, Hosta College in Piqua, Ohio on March 16th & 17th
April 12th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, no speaker scheduled at this time
May 10th at the Hanner’s, Hands on paper-crete class. Nominal fee and registration required.
June 14th at The Vrable’s in Chesaning. Member Garden Tour
June 13th-16th- Nat’l Hosta Convention in Nashville, TN
July 12th at the Major’s in Goodrich. Member Garden Tour
August 9th- No meeting place set. Member Garden Tour
September 13th at the Hodgson’s in Lapeer. Annual Plant Exchange
October- No meeting scheduled
November- No meeting scheduled
December 6th or 13th (date to be set) at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Annual Christmas Party

Websites of Interest:
American Hosta Society-
American Hosta Society Convention Website-
http://www.hosta2012.com/
AHS Hosta Library Website-
Michigan Hosta Society Website-
http://www.hostahappenings.com/
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society blog-

Hosta Society Membership info-
American Hosta Society, $30 individual, $57/2 years, $34 family, $62/2 years
Send dues to: Sandie Markland, AHS Membership Secretary, Post Office Box 7539, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

 
Michigan Hosta Society, Dues is $15 per household for up to two people, good for 2 years. Make checks payable to: The Michigan Hosta Society and send to; Michigan Hosta Society, 2509 Wembly Lane, Troy, MI 48084-1280
 
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society, Dues $5 per year per household, Make check payable to EMHS and mail to: Mary Smith, EMHS Treasurer, 3431 Swaffer Rd, Millington, MI 48746

EMHS Board of Officers:
President Glen Pace
Vice-President Carolyn Pickard
Treasurer Mary Smith
brooktrout@tds.net 989-871-9833
Secretary Marlene Daniels
Past President Mark Hanner
mhanner@aol.com 810-631-4292

Fund Raising- Mick and Cathy Hodgson 

Friday, October 21, 2011

Oct/Nov 2011 Newsletter

Note from the President- EMHS is at the end of another year of great meetings. We have had speakers from out of town as well as out of state, opened our meeting with a special speaker to other clubs, visited member’s as well as non-member gardens, offered our members the opportunity to buy Hostas at lower than retail prices, gathered to clean the gardens of Pat Carson (member that died this year), and had wonderful friendships renewed as well as made new friendships. Each one of the EMHS Members should be proud of our club as a whole and I wish to thank all of you for another year of EMHS growth and friendship.
I would like to thank all of the members who hosted meetings at their homes this year. We were treated to some beautiful gardens as well as gracious hosts. Also, I want to thank all of the people who donated plants and artwork to our monthly door prize drawings and raffles. Your generosity is very much appreciated. The raffles have been very successful and have been key in raising money used to provide speakers for the spring meetings and helps defray the costs of plates, flatware, cups, table cover, sending the newsletter to those that do not have email, and other costs that the club incurs.
The EMHS Board Members held their annual meeting on 9/27/11. At this meeting we discussed multiple subjects and set most of the meetings for next year. Below you will find the 2012 calendar with the dates, and meeting places listed. Please note that there are a few holes in the calendar. These spaces need to be filled, so consider hosting the meeting in August and/or suggesting a topic for the April meeting.
Cathy and Mick Hodgson are trying to obtain a 2012 Hosta Stone to bring to the Christmas Party. The hybridizer featured this year is Ron Livingston. They are making an order for stones to take to Hosta College in Piqua, OH in March. Those people planning to attend Hosta College are asked to help Mick and Cathy out at the EMHS Hosta Stone sales table. Please contact Cathy and Mick if you are willing to help at the table and/or transport stones to Ohio. Thank you to all 2011 volunteers for your dedication to EMHS and the Hosta Stone Fund Raiser.
Our last meeting for 2011 is our annual Christmas Party. This will be a potluck dinner. As always, the club will provide the ham, the Refreshment chair will bring the table service (table cover, plates, flatware, and cups), and each member is asked to bring their favorite dish to pass. We will also have the gift exchange again this year. You can read more about this further down in this newsletter.
Thank you again EMHS Members for a wonderful year of being your President of this fine group of people.
Glen Pace
EMHS President
THE EMHS 2011 Christmas Party will be held on December 1st, 2011 at the Mayfield Township Hall 1900 N. Saginaw in Lapeer at 6:00 PM. This is our regular meeting place for the cold months and is just south of the point of Saginaw and M-24 (the building north of the cemetery). For those wishing to help decorate you can arrive as early as 5:00 PM. This annual event is always a lot of fun and a great way to end the year for the club. The Club will provide the meat (ham) and table set-ups. We do ask that everybody bring a dish to pass as this is our biggest potluck of the year. We will be doing the gift exchange as we have done in the past. If you are interested in exchanging gifts, all you have to do is bring a wrapped non-gender-specific gift with a value of $10. All the gifts will be laid at the front of the room and during the party we will call names from the sign-up sheet of the people who brought gifts. If your name is called you go pick out a gift. Nobody is required to bring a gift for the exchange, but if you do not bring one please understand that you will not be able to place your name on the list to pick one out. This is the only way to assure that all people who bring a gift will receive one.

Vice-President’s Notes- The annual Board Meeting of the Eastern Michigan Hosta Society’s Officers was held on Monday, September 27, 2011. In discussing the direction we wish to take the organization, the officers agreed that they are pleased with meetings and activities as they are currently being presented, but would value feedback from the membership. We also felt that one area that could be expanded is that of sharing hosta-related information such as AHS Membership information, MHS Membership information, and websites for Hosta growers, etc.
Another way we can learn is to share experiences and/or questions with each other at the meetings or in the newsletter. Do you have a question regarding any phase of hosta growing, hybridizing, diseases, pests, etc.? Chances are others in our club have the same question. You are invited to e-mail your experience or question to our President at pacegardens@charter.net who will print your experience in the newsletter or ask a subject knowledgeable EMHS member to answer the question then add the topic to the meeting agenda for presentation at a meeting.
Also, some of our members are tuned in to what is going on in the hosta world outside our immediate area. Sharing this information would give EMHS club-members the opportunity to be informed, plan to attend functions outside EMHS, and most of, to learn. Any such news should be brought to the attention of our President who will provide time in the agenda for the sharing of this information or publish it in our monthly newsletter.
We are looking forward to what next year's meetings will produce. This is an excellent opportunity to become better "hosta educated."

Sincerely,
Carolyn Pickard
EMHS Vice-President
Member News- Maria Rowland’s mother passed away earlier this month. Please keep Maria and the family in your thoughts.
2012 Calendar of Events:
January- No meeting scheduled
February 9th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Jan Everson with slide show of the 2011 Nat’l Hosta Tour
March- No Meeting, Hosta College in Piqua, Ohio
April 12th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, no speaker scheduled at this time
May 10th at the Hanner’s, Hands on paper-crete class. Nominal fee and registration required.
June 14th at The Vrable’s in Chesaning. Member Garden Tour
June 13th-16th- Nat’l Hosta Convention in Nashville, TN
July 12th at the Major’s in Goodrich. Member Garden Tour
August 9th- No meeting place set. Member Garden Tour
September 13th at the Hodgson’s in Lapeer. Annual Plant Exchange
October- No meeting scheduled
November- No meeting scheduled
December 6th or 13th (date to be set) at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Annual Christmas Party

Websites of Interest:
American Hosta Society 2012 Convention

AHS Hosta Library Website-

American Hosta Society-

Michigan Hosta Society Website-

Eastern Michigan Hosta Society blog-

Hosta Society Membership info-
American Hosta Society
, $30 individual, $57/2 years, $34 family, $62/2 years  Send dues to: Sandie Markland, AHS Membership Secretary, Post Office Box 7539, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Michigan Hosta Society, Dues is $15 per household for up to two people, good for 2 years. Make checks payable to: The Michigan Hosta Society and send to; Michigan Hosta Society, 2509 Wembly Lane, Troy, MI 48084-1280
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society, Dues $5 per year per household, Make check payable to EMHS and mail to: Mary Smith, EMHS Treasurer, 3431 Swaffer Rd, Millington, MI 48746

EMHS Board of Officers:
President Glen Pace
Vice-President Carolyn Pickard
Treasurer Mary Smith
brooktrout@tds.net 989-871-9833
Secretary Marlene Daniels
Past President Mark Hanner
mhanner@aol.com 810-631-4292
Fund-Raising Mick and Cathy Hodgson


Monday, September 26, 2011

September 9, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Called to Order at 1830 by EMHS President, Glen Pace
Glen announced;
 -Thanks to Pam and Jim Walmsley for hosting the meeting
-that Pat Major had a hospital procedure this afternoon and asked that everybody keep her in their thoughts
-that Dyane Moore’s mother had died on August 22, 2011 and asked to keep Dyane and her family in their thoughts.  Also Glen brought a sympathy card for everybody to sign for Dyane.
-the EMHS Annual Christmas Party will be December 1st, 2011 at the Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer.  Those wishing to help decorate are to arrive at 1700.  The start time will be 1800.
-that a sign-up sheet to host a 2012 meeting was provided and members were asked to please sign-up
-July 2012 meeting is at the Major’s and September 2012 meeting is at the Hodgson’s
-Members were asked their preference to have the May 2012 meeting outdoors or at Mayfield Twp. Hall.  After discussing it was decided to have the May Meeting at the Hanner’s with a paper-crete hands-on class.
-we need input from the members on topics for the 2012 meetings.
This closed the business portion of the meeting and the annual plant exchange drawing ensued.
The special drawing  proceeded with multiple winners
Glen asked if there were any announcements overlooked and none were brought to attention.
Adjournment at 1938

Thursday, September 1, 2011

September 2011 Newsletter

Note from the President-Summer in Michigan is coming to a close.  Hosta plantaginea is in bloom, the tardiana Hosta are beginning to bud, the Chrysanthemums are budding, the Colchicums will be sporting buds soon, and we have reached the end of our summer garden meetings.  Our last hurrah for the season is our Annual Plant Exchange.  This meeting is always a blast and everybody leaves with a new plant (sometimes many plants) to use in their own yard.  There are a couple of things to remember about this meeting; bring something to exchange, each membership (single, couple, or family) gets only one name in the drawing canister, look things over as the drawing is being held as we have to go fast to get finished before dark, don’t bring invasive species to trade, don’t bring any plants with known disease or insect infestation, the exchange is not limited to plants, be prepared to have fun, the drawing starts promptly at 6:30 and goes fast, the drawing will be extremely high speed so be ready to jump up and pick out a plant as this drawing goes FAST!
Next Meeting- Our next meeting will be held on September 8th at 5:30 PM at the home of Pam and Jim Walmsley, 8123 Perry Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, phone 810-694-1496.  This is the EMHS Annual Plant Exchange.  Everybody brings at least one plant (or any number of plants), all plants are grouped in one area, each paid membership present gets their name placed in a drawing canister, then when your name is drawn you go pick out any plant from the ones left in the area.  This meeting is always a lot of fun and very fast paced.  Last year every membership present left with at least three plants.  We do ask that you put a name label in each plant you bring.  Also, please do not bring any invasive species such as Lily of the Valley, Houttuynia (Chameleon plant), Ostrich Ferns, Bishops Weed, etc.  Suggestions of plants to bring are Hosta, companion plants, ornamental trees/shrubs, or garden related items such as ornaments, watering wands, etc.  Touring Pam’s gardens will start at 5:30, Refreshments at 6:00, and we will start the drawing promptly at 6:30 PM so we can be finished before dusk. 
We will also have a drawing for a special item.  Tickets will be available at the meeting and the winner will take the item home.    If you would like to donate a special plant or item for this drawing it will help generate funds for future speaker’s fees. 
Don’t forget to bring a few plants or other things for the exchange, your chair, and bug spray.  Jan Zawisa will bring the plates, cups, and flat ware, but if you would like to bring a dish to pass it would be appreciated by the Refreshment committee.  The Refreshment committee this month is; Venisure Davenport, Pat Major, and Gene Arms. 
Directions; From M-24 and I-69- Drive 11.6 miles West on I-69 to Irish Road.  Turn left (South) and drive 5.5 miles to the end of Irish Road.  Irish Road ends at Perry Road.  Turn left (East) and drive 2/10ths of a mile to the house on the left.  Parking will be behind the pole barn at the top of the driveway.  Follow the signs and don’t park in the driveway. 
From I-75 and I-69- drive 9.0 miles East on I-69 to Irish Road, then follow the directions above.
Pam wants buttons- Pam wants your old buttons to use in her crafting.  If you have any old buttons that you are willing to give her, please bring them to the meeting.  The older and more unique they are, the better it works for Pam. 
2011 Calendar of Events
September 8th
 EMHS Plant Exchange at the home of Pam Walmsley in Grand Blanc
October 2011- No meeting scheduled
November 2011- No meeting scheduled
December 1, 2011-
Annual Christmas Party/Potluck at Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer
Hosta Stones- The 2011 Hosta Stones are still available for the Member price of $25 for the plain and $30 for the colored.  For those that are not EMHS Members the prices are $30 for the plain and $35 for the colored.  The stones have to be ordered in advance so please contact Mick and Cathy Hodgson at cehodgso@hotmail.com to place an order.  We also still have a few of the “in stock” stones from previous years that are on sale for the price of $20 each.  Please contact the Hodgsons’ for a list of availability.  Special orders for old stones are not discounted.
Christmas Party-The Annual EMHS Christmas Party will be held on Thursday December 1st at the Mayfield Township Hall in Lapeer. 
2012 Meeting Dates and Places-The dates for next year’s meetings are as follows; Feb 9th, March (Hosta College), April 12th, May 10th, June 14th, July 12th at the Major’s house, August 9th, September 13th at the Hodgson’s house, October (no meeting), November (no meeting), December 6th or 13th (to be scheduled). 

We need volunteers to host the June and August meetings.  Also, if you have suggestions for topics for the Feb, April, or May meetings, please let Glen know.  There will be a sign-up sheet at the September 8th 2011 meeting. 
EMHS Officers
President, Glen Pace
pacegardens@charter.net 989-244-4029
Vice-President, Carolyn Pickard
(no email) 989-871-2873
Treasurer, Mary Smith
brooktrout@tds.net 989-871-9833
Secretary, Marlene Daniels
gardenfairy50@aol.com 810-664-8317
President, Mark Hanner
mhanner@aol.com 810-631-4292
Fund-Raising, Mick and Cathy Hodgson cehodgso@hotmail.com 810-664-8985

EMHS Email Extra Pages
Taken from the Central Ohio Hosta Society August 2011 Newsletter
via the AHS Newsletter Exchange
Hosta Virus Myths
by C. H. Falstad (originally posted on the Hosta library site)

*NEW* MYTH - HVX spreads easily/HVX is difficult to spread.
FACT - Which is it? Dr. Lockhart, who is credited with discovering HVX has said it is difficult to spread, while others say it is easy to spread. It depends on the point of view. A virologist considers it difficult compared to other viruses which can spread more easily because they are transmitted by insects or other vectors. Gardeners and nursery owners on the other hand feel that it spreads easily because it is easy to spread it while doing the things they normally do with the plants, like cutting flower scapes, damaged leaves, or dividing. In this case there is no myth because both are true.
*NEW* MYTH - Some hostas are immune.
FACT - The basis for this myth (and it is a dangerous myth at that) is a study done by Dr. Lockhart. In this study several varieties were not infected despite numerous tries. The report on this study in The Hosta Journal did unfortunately use the word "immune" to describe these plants. Testing for this "immunity" was not exhaustive, and the use of the word was clearly a case of jumping the gun. Since this study, one of the "immune" cultivars has tested positive (not the actual plant from the study), and this should be taken as evidence that these cultivars are not to be considered truly immune unless further testing proves them so. In a
sidelight, articles mentioning this "immune" list have started adding plants that were not in the original study. One included 'Gold Standard', which is one of the most easily and heavily infected in the marketplace. No hostas should be considered immune at this time.
MYTH - Plants infected with a virus may recover.
FACT - Viruses do not just disappear, nor does a plant "fight off" an infection. The virus is permanent and will be with the plant until it dies. For practical purposes in the garden and nursery, there are no cures for viruses.
MYTH - Hostas from Tissue Culture will not have viruses.
FACTIf a hosta has a virus before going into tissue culture, the virus will be propagated along with the plant. Many infected hostas in the marketplace were tissue-cultured. Plants that were clean after the tissue culture process may also be infected when being grown on. Labs are beginning to test all propagating material so in the near future tissue cultured hostas from those labs will be clean.
MYTH - All hosta cultivars will exhibit the same symptoms if infected with the same virus.
FACTSymptoms can vary considerably with the same virus, and different strains of a virus may cause different symptoms.
MYTH - All mottled foliage in hostas is caused by viruses.
FACT Mottling patterns in hostas can have a variety of causes, some of them environmental, and many have causes which we do not yet understand. 'Xanadu Paisley' has been repeatedly tested and despite its similarity to HVX symptoms has yet to be shown to be infected with any diseases. Old plants like 'Cynthia' and 'Filigree' also have no known cause for their mottled appearance and have never been known to pass this trait to other plants.
MYTH - Viruses will kill, or at least severely inhibit growth of the host plant.
FACT – Eventually, some deterioration in the health of the plant can occur, but a plant may survive for many years when infected with a virus. Different viruses affect the plant's health at different rates, but some effects may go unnoticed.
MYTH - If symptoms disappear after showing up in a previous year the plant has either cured itself or didn’t have a virus in the earlier year.
FACT – The expression of virus symptoms can disappear, but this does not mean the plant is cured. The virus is still present in the plant and still able to infect other plants. Sometimes this can be due to environmental factors that might reduce the rate a virus replicates thus preventing a high enough population, or titer, to effect expression.
MYTH - Removing a leaf showing infection, or dividing out the portion of the hosta showing symptoms will help cure the plant.
FACT – Removing some symptomatic tissue will have no real effect in "curing" a plant of a virus. The virus is already in all or most all parts of a plant by the time symptoms show.
MYTH - All plants infected with HVX will show symptoms immediately.
FACT – To the contrary, many plants in Dr. Lockhart's study did not show symptoms after three years despite testing positive for infection. We do not know if they will ever show symptoms, but they are infectious in this state.
MYTH - If the symptoms have not spread to nearby plants the virus is safe.
FACT – If a virus is "safe", how did that plant catch it? The only way to tell if HVX has spread to other plants is through ELISA or other more sensitive scientific testing. It may be years before infected plants show symptoms.
MYTH - If a plant doesn’t show symptoms it doesn’t have a virus.
FACT – It can take years for an infected plant to show symptoms. During this time it very much can infect other plants. Only careful scientific testing can determine if a plant that does not show symptoms is infected with a virus - there is no way for the gardener or nursery owner to tell.
MYTH - HVX is the only virus affecting hostas.
FACT – There may be more than ten viruses currently known to be found in hostas. HVX is now the most common by far, but Impatiens Necrotic Spot, Tobacco Rattle Virus, and Tomato Ringspot Virus have been frequently identified. Some as yet unidentified viruses have appeared also.
MYTH - Symptoms of Hosta Virus X look attractive.
FACT – Actually, this is not really a myth. The effects of HVX on some hostas can be attractive to many, thus heightening the risk of introducing the virus into the home garden. In addition to the mottling, these symptoms can include making the infected plant more compact and more glaucous. Nursery professionals and home gardeners alike have actually named HVX-infected hostas and offered them as new varieties.
MYTH - Virused hostas are worth more money than healthy hostas.
FACT – Well, does this really make any sense? If you buy a hosta for $5 and infect it with a disease as common and widespread as HVX, how could it possibly be worth more? When infected with an incurable disease, it should be thrown away because it is no longer worth anything. Putting a different name on it once it is infected doesn't really change this.
MYTH - If we pretend the virus doesn’t exist, it will go away.
FACT – If we ignore the presence of Hosta Virus X in our gardens or nurseries, it will continue to spread until many more plants have it. In time, the number of infected plants will increase beyond any hope of eliminating the virus. It is irresponsible to keep the virus around, because it can infect other plants and spread itself. All plants exhibiting HVX symptoms must be destroyed immediately to prevent further infection, and in nurseries all plants in a batch that had symptomatic individual plants must be also considered infected and likewise destroyed.
MYTH - Talking about HVX and other diseases will ruin hosta gardening.
FACT – While it may be unpopular in the short term, allowing incurable diseases to run unchecked through nurseries and gardens will certainly cause worse problems down the road. The long-term impact of disease filled gardens on their owners will surely be a negative one and far outweigh any short-term effects of facing our problems now. A healthy garden is a source of joy to the gardener, but a garden full of diseases and other problems will never provide the same enjoyment, and if it gets worse every year we will lose our enthusiasm.
MYTH - People don't want to know about HVX.
FACT – It is not a pleasant subject, but as adults we all understand that life isn't perfect. The world contains many harmful organisms, and some of these do affect hostas. We can face the issues of plant health when we need to. We understand that sometimes there are outbreaks of a particular disease that require our special attention. We don't really want to know, but we have to know to keep our plants healthy. We don't want that information kept from us when the time comes that we need it.
MYTH - Viruses are a "grower problem" and not a cause for concern among gardeners.
FACT – Hostas infected with HVX or other viruses ceased to be simply a "grower problem" when the retailers sold them to gardeners. Thousands of virus-infected plants have already been sold at the retail level, and many gardens now harbor virus-infected hostas. All gardeners should be aware of HVX and other viruses and be careful to avoid spreading them to other plants and to other gardens.


Plea for Suggestions-If you have any suggestions for future articles for the newsletter, please send them to Glen at pacegardens@charter.net .