Waddaya think...

Pieter · Post by **Pieter** » May 06, 2007 10:19 am

foliar nematodes?

This is on a plantaginea 'Venus' I picked up yesterday and I'm thinking that maybe I made the wrong choice. I went for the one with the highest number of shoots, should I have gone for the one without any blemishes?

HostaDesigner · Post by **HostaDesigner** » May 06, 2007 10:21 am

Absolutely not. WAY too early to show any signs of nematode damage. This is most likely frost damage.

Pieter · Post by **Pieter** » May 06, 2007 10:31 am

Phew....what a relief....thanks for piping in, HD.

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » May 06, 2007 10:44 am

Pieter, I usually choose the one with the healthiest looking roots, even if I have to pop them out of the pot to give a peak at them. Blemishes are temporary. Fattest eyes, multiple eyes, biggest roots . . . . what fun buying new hosta.

Pieter · Post by **Pieter** » May 06, 2007 11:07 am

I'll have to keep that in mind, Mary Ann. I tend to look for the highest number of shoots because I keep division in mind for later in the season. I have never actually popped a plant out if its pot to check the roots. I would think the nursery owners might ask what the blazes you think you're doing, but, I don't know, firm, healthy roots out of a drain hole are good enough for me, wouldn't you say so?

And yes, buying new Hostas IS fun, particularly when you hadn't planned on buying any

"Oh my, look at what they got, dear... we just gotta have this." (Thank goodness we both like digging in the dirt, though I must admit I'm Giboshi-san at our place, at least my DW calls me Mr. Hosta at our weekly plant sale.)