Cannas Have Streaks On Leaves

Question From: Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Q: I have red president cannas. I had tropicanna gold also. They were both perfectly fine when I planted them a few years ago. I over wintered them in basement. replanted, with one exception. The tropicanna gold grew leaves with ne stripes and the president had mottled leaves and didn't produce as many flowers as before. I'm assuminmg a virus? I threw all but 8 of them away this year. The ones coming up are mottled again. My question... Where did the virus come from?

A: This virus - actually I think there are 4 strains, were rampant several years ago. The clue is streaking of the leaves. Many growers pulled the diseased tubers and cleaned up the virus. The Tropicannas were unavailable for a few years. I don't think anyone has traced the origin. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy