a dangerous disease

how many of you have heard of hvx? not many. it stands for hosta virus x, a dangerous potexvirus that infects plants in the hosta brand.

this disease has been around for 22 years with the first cases identified in minnesota in 1996. it is a travesty we did not crush it then, when we had the chance. alas, instead the spread has continued unheralded. in 2017, documented cases were even recorded in ukraine. this thing is endemic and it needs to be stopped. 

naturally, I find myself wondering why I am just now hearing about it? this should be something they teach in schools: the danger and warning signs of hosta virus x (which include "dark green 'ink bleed' marks in the veins of yellow-colored leaves, and/or tissue collapse between veins" -wikipedia).

at the present, the only way to remove the virus is the destruction of the plants that fall victim. that simply isn't good enough. a cure must be found. please use this hashtag to help raise awareness for this new campaign to end hvx: #endhvx

otherwise, we will find ourselves saying "hosta la vista, baby."

-frank