At Risk Crops are popular crops with inherent disease challenges. The good news is effective control strategies can help ensure clean, healthy plants. This presentation from experts at Ball Horticultural Company covers Hosta.

1. Risk Management:
Understanding and
Minimizing Crop Failure
 Start with clean inputs
 Clean production facility
 Optimum cultural protocols
 Monitor and control pests

2. At Risk Crops: Hosta
Dr. Nathan Jahnke, Culture Research Manager | njahnke@ballhort.com

3. Hosta
Risk Factors
 Hosta Virus X (HVX)
 Can be an aesthetic issue – some gardeners
might find the viral symptoms pleasing, while
others do not
 Mechanically transmissible
 Plants may be asymptomatic for long periods
of time
 Confirmed through an ELISA test and other
kits like Immunostrip® from Agdia
HVX symptomology courtesy of hostalibrary.org
(http://www.hostalibrary.org/firstlook/HVX.htm)
Inkbleeding
Tissue collapse and wrinkling
Tissue mottling

4.  Purchase inputs from reliable suppliers
 Frequently test for HVX
 Options
o TC - carries the least amount of risk
o Bareroot
o Rooted liners
 Early identification
 Remove and dispose of infected material and
the production block
 Never compost infected plants
 Sanitize equipment between production blocks
 Minimize environmental and cultural stress
conditions
Hosta
Managing the Risk

5. At Risk Crops: Hosta
For more resources:
https://www.ballseed.com/QuickCulture/ProductionGuides/
Tech On Demand Podcast:
https://www.growertalks.com/TechOnDemand/