How far do you go to baby your Hostas?

[Izzy]

I've been told that I get just a little too carried away, when I start Babying them in the spring.

In the Spring, some of the more delicate plants get the full treatment, this includes digging them out, lossening the waist band, to give them more room, Checking the chicken wire and door screen mesh combination around the roots, and loosening away any of the entanglement. (Which is ussually very little due to the door screen mesh)
While they are dug out, I get my trusty package of Jumbo Diapers, tear out the inners, throw it in the hole mix in some new bog soil mixed with peat and manure, plop the hosta back in the hole, and water like mad to ensure the diaper inners are soggy! Top dress with some fresh dirt, and Mulch. Presto! On to the next one! This allows me to comfortably go on Holidays, and not be too concerned with the water restrictions! I've named a bunch of them, talk to a bunch of them, and titled each garden to know for easier reference where they are.
The larger Hostas this year will be getting handles attached to the mesh to aide in getting them out easier. (I think I'm going to have to upgrade the gage of the wire for these ones)
I've already purchased a kit for branding. I am making stakes, that will have a small wooden sign, with the name of the Hosta Branded onto it!

So to all you Hosta Lovers...... How far do you guys go in "Pampering" your Hosta's?

[Rob]

Hello Elisabeth,

I don't go quite as far as you do.

Most of my hostas (500) are in pots.
Since we haven't had a winter over here so far (2 frost days, about ten night with night frost, right now the first (wet) snow is falling and melting right away), I've started checking all of the pots:
- removing dead leaves
- weeding
- take them out of the pot: tight rootballs are repotted in a larger size pot (potting soil: peat based soil + bentonite clay meal + basalt meal + organic fertilizer + magnesium)
- after repotting, a mulch layer of shredded bark is added.
- checking the label state, replace if necessary.

I plan to have all plants done by the end of march.

Greetings,

Rob

[JoshS]

The hostas get tough love here. The great thing about hostas is that with the exception of a few finicky cultivars, they don't need much TLC. Good soil, mulch, and water keep most of my hostas happy.

Digging and replanting every year would be a huge undertaking. I can't help but think the yearly disturbance could be hindering the plants' development. Do you have any specific problem that this prevents?

[Lessadragon]

They get tough love here too Josh. Every spring they get a sprinkling of alfalfa pellets and most every spring they get some mulch, but that's about it. Of course they get watered regularly. I would be afraid to dig them up every year in that they might not be too happy about that and then get set back. The hostas here seem pretty happy with the care that they get, so I'm not changing anything. Too many here to spend too much individual time on anyway. If they don't grow, they go!

Lynn

[largosmom]

Not that far! Soil, fertilizer in spring, some moisture crystals for the potted ones, and water.

Laura

[ViolaAnn]

Around here they get watered a couple of times in the season with Alfalfa tea, and drenched with an ammonia-water mix as they emerge and again mid-season to control slugs. Other than that, plain water.

They get moved if they aren't doing well or if I don't like the looks of where they are. This year I will move quite a few as I have a new garden to fill. Expanded the Hosta garden to take over most of the front lawn last summer (lasagna garden). Didn't plant anything in it except a few that were in pots were set there for the winter. So some plants will get moved around this Spring.

Ann

[Izzy]

Who needs a front yard? Or a back yard? I don't..... Beautiful job on the gardens, I like the pic. I also spend a lot of time trying to figure out where I want things. The front yard of my house is finally done, and the Back yard will start this year.


Yes there is a reason to my madness!

Moles and lovely shrews, that dig through. This and my Collie, that hears these things underground, and digs for them! The chicken wire and mesh help aid in controlling verman, and my dog. It also allows me to move them with ease, as the chicken wire combination, aids in extracting, without disturbing too much of the root system. I'm sure that once I get more of a collection, I may not be as inclined to do as much with them as I do! The pampers do help with keeping the ground very moist.
And for all those people that throw them out to the compost heap or where ever, because they don't grow, let me know! I'll come save them. If a plant in my garden is not growing, I have to figure out why, It's a need

I also use the Amonia mix to control slugs. This year I will try using Yeast, sugar water combination in a jar, that sits almost underground. This is supposed to work also.
I have learned more in the last few weeks here in the forum, than I've ever known in 5 years. Pampering my Hosta's..... I think I will still do this as I put each new one in. I've also learned, that they are not as delicate, as I thought they were.


But keep it comin' What else do you do?

[Wanda]

Well, after having some of mine set back by frosts/freezes in the spring, I now cover all my hosta and Helen's (ummm...500+) with hoops/plastic whenever the temps drop below 30 degrees. That happens regularly until the second week of June here. I have to do this for at least a couple months (or more) each spring. Once all the hoops, plastic and rocks/boards for the edges are in place (a couple days work), it 'only' takes 2-3 hrs. each night to cover them all and 1-2 hrs. each morn to uncover them before the rising temps cook them. Got real lucky last yr. and didn't have to do it very often, because with MIL here my time outside was severly limited. But this year, since her geriatric psychiatrist told me her behavior problems are just her personality, not due to the Alzheimers - she will just have to come out with me whether she likes it or not.

Then there are all the soaker hoses...they all have them. My husband calls this setup the "Hosta Heart/Lung Machine".

Every 3-5 yrs., on a rotating schedule, I dig every hosta out of every bed in a garden (one bed at a time)...refresh the soil by adding 12-24" of a mix of composted manure, leafmould, bark chips and alfalfa, then replant half the hosta (since by that time they have grown so much). This means I then have to make a whole new garden to hold the other half. Not too bad with the first two gardens, they are smaller...one 25'x35' and one 45'x55'. The new garden is going to be a whole different story...that one is 31'x120'!

Boy, I guess I do go pretty far to pamper the hosta (hehe)!!!

wanda

[FreakyCola]

Izzy, how many hostas do you have? Would you explain the diaper thing better? Do you sit it under the root ball, then soak the ground around it, or soak it first before you fill in with dirt? Also, what's the branding thing? That sounds like your signs will be really cool! Do your plants get bigger every year? How long have you been digging them up like this? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just so intrigued!

I don't baby mine much. I try to put 12-12-12 on my whole garden in January, then again in April & June but usually get it done only once. I put slug bait down a lot, and Bayer insect killer granules for cutworms & earwigs in spring & again if I see any damage later.

I talk to mine & yell at a couple. I am compelled to yell KOMODO in a japanese accent whenever I walk by my Komodo Dragon. When I walk by Twinkles I always have to say it's name in a sorta sing song voice "TWEEENK els" then I giggle coz it always makes me feel good! I tell the little ones to get bigger & the big ones not to hog the whole garden.

Last summer I had a horrible aphid problem with black suet appearing on the plants under my tulip tree. I hand washed all the hostas under that tree! What a job, but it looked so much better when I was done. I bet I washed 40 hostas. If my neighbors didn't think I was crazy with all the talking they must think I'm looney after seeing me bathing them!

Ann, can you tell me your recipes for alfalfa tea & the amonia water mix? Does the amonia work pretty good?
Thanks,
Ellen

[ViolaAnn]

For the alfalfa tea, I put about 2 cups of alfalfa pellets into a large pail of water - I'm thinking at least 5 gallon, but it might be bigger. I measured it once, but have forgotten. I let it sit for 3-4 days and then water the plants with it. No spraying - I just dump it on them.

Don't use it too early in the season on some plants though. I had two light margined Hostas last year that had the inside of the leaf grow faster than the margin. (There's a name for this, but it's momentarily gone from my consciousness), but it's primarily due to the fast growth of the green section and is encouraged by early fertilization.

The ammonia is 1 part to 10 parts water. The local radio gardening guru, Ed Lawrence, recommends it as a pre-emergence control. Just saturate the emerging leaves before they unfurl. It will kill off slug eggs as well as adults.

Another local nursery recommends it throughout the season. I've started to use it mid season as well, but be careful to water at the base of the stalks and try to avoid the leaves.

Ann

[Izzy]

Hello Freakycola

I only have 114 Hostas, but adding approximately 20 this year.
As for the diaper thing I'll try to explain as best as possible;
I ussually tear open the diaper, and discard the outer lining and straps (the cheaer ones work the best).
Then I take the inners and spread them in the bottom of the hole and mix a little fresh peat and bog soil in with it. Then I add water to start the absorbtion of the diaper and the fresh peat soil combination.
Then I place the "Root Ball" in on top and fill the hole around it with soil that came out of the hole originally, and add new soil if needed. Then I water it again and make sure it has lots.
I do everything that I can not to disturb the roots, too badly, unless it seems to be crouding itself out, or it looks like it's really tight. (Loosen the waist band)
The diaper thing started when I lost several plants one year due to dry roots. After this I made sure every spring,before the watering bans started, I did everything I could to aid the plants. I'll be sure to take pictures of the process in the spring, and send them to you. Be sure to remind me!

As for branding the little wood placks, I purchased 2 metal stamp kits, then built a metal holder for the stamps. The stamps get clamped in the metal holder, heated up with a torch, and then press the hot end onto the wood. I'm using cedar. It lasts longer and stands up to the elements. Then I seal the wood and the stake and shove it into the ground. Presto, no excuse for loosing tags, if I move something!
I hope this helps, and if not let me know.
Izzy

[Ginger]

Izzy, do the diaper innerds compost each year, or when you dig them up do you find parts of the diaper?
That is not a bad idea for those who have really compact soil, or cannot water as much as a hosta would like.

Ginger

[Pandora]

In the Spring I look out the window to see if any are coming up through the snow or maybe got their tips frosted.

When the weather is very nice, I give them some alfalfa & cow manure and maybe a drink in the summer.

I just pamper them way too much!

[Izzy]

The cheaper diapers that doesn't have the cloth like layers, break down easily, and are easier to work with,(in this case more absorbancy for your buck) by the next year, there is very little left. Which is the reason why I stay on top of it every spring.
Have you ever seen a cheap diaper on a baby that has been in the water, talk about large?
Now accept a challenge and try to wring them out .... It doesn't, It breaks through the lining, and oozzes everywhere
Yes They work awesome, for anyone that has problems keeping water in the upper sections of thier beds. I'd reccomend leaving the whole thing intact! Just remember to keep the inside of the diaper up towards the root ball.

Izzy

[Spider]

"I just pamper them way too much! "

Apparently you don't, but Izzy does, lol!

[Mary Ann]

Izzy, adult incontinence products should work the same. I often run across partial packages of them. They're illegal to sell and nursing homes/charities won't take them once opened.

[Izzy]

Hi Everyone!
I really hate loosing anything!

I wish I could come across some of those! You're right, they probably would work the same. I'll keep an eye out though!

And yes, I really do baby them. My plants and gardens are my sollitudes. They keep me so entertained!

[FreakyCola]

Hey Pandora, you better stop babying those hostas so much, coz they'll come to expect it every year! They can be SO demanding! Wow, I can't believe you look out the window at them! Such dedication!

Thanks Ann & Izzy for the information. I will try the alfalfa tea and amonia mix and maybe a diaper for one or two hostas, but I have about 400 so that's not gonna happen!

So with the amonia mix, do you ever see slugs at all? I can understand it killing what it touches, but does it keep new ones away too?
Ellen

[imagooch]

I also use the ammonia and water technique (also from Ed Lawrence) ahen they are just up and ready to unfurl. It is supposed to kill both eggs and slugs on contact
If any of you use it mid season, you have to have it ON the slugs, so it is harder to reach them when the leaves are out.

As well I use eggshells about 2-3 cm away from the stems. (I go to a breakfast restaurant and beg for shells in order to have enough.)

Does it work?? ...mostly.

[Hostahaveum]

Hello All ! My name is hostahaveum & I am a hostaholic. I have been coming here to check out the hosta of the day pix & reading the posts for a while. Well until today I have been lurking I guess you would say , but after reading this post I am compelled to join in on the fun !! I have been accused of babying my hostas , & spending entirely too much time w/ them...???? I am ret. w/ no grandchildren yet , so this really should not be a problem me-thinks. But today after hearing about the diapering , well , this is one way to get those water crystals into the soil. Would this be less expensive than buying the stuff out right ? If its cheaper I will have to sneak & try it as I fear my family would think I had finally lost it, if I bought pampers for my hosta babies :lol Great forum chalk full of fun folks & great info . Thanks~Dot