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Growing points or 'eyes' should be at or just below the soil surface. Severe or prolonged dry conditions, on the other hand, may force hostas into dormancy and can reduce plant size the following year. Later in the season, allow soil to dry out between waterings. Keep soil moist early in the growing season, but do not overwater. As with all plants, it is important not to over-feed or over-water. It is best to water early in the morning. The best root development occurs when plants are allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Minimum temperatures may then be lowered to 40° F. When transplanting in spring, keep hostas at 50° F for the first two weeks to promote root growth. When transplanting, it is best to spread or fan out the roots since this tends to encourage new growth. Giving roots the space they need will allow plants to reach their optimum size and quality. Use a pot that corresponds with the size of the roots. Potting soil should be a well-drained, bark-based, soilless mix. Prevent rodent problems by using bait or traps. Mice and voles also enjoy a tasty meal of hosta roots and crowns. Good greenhouse sanitation before potting is the best way to prevent a slug outbreak. Mainspring, Conserve, Orius and predatory mites are effective against thrips. Applications of Avid, Floramite, Sultan and predatory mites are effective on some varieties of hostas which are susceptible to spider mites. Applications of Rycar, Endeavor and BotaniGard are effective at preventing aphids. If they feed excessively, the leaves may appear disfigured when they unfurl. Required for 10-12 weeks at temperatures below 40° F.Īphids are particularly fond of the new growth. Apply very little nitrogen in the fall to allow plants to go dormant. In the fall, only a light application (if any) is necessary. Roots may rot if too much fertilizer is applied. Alternatively, a top-dressing of slow release fertilizer may be used. Since it is critical to keep all granular fertilizers far from plant crowns to avoid injury, liquid feed is safest. Hostas will benefit from a light application of liquid fertilizer (20-10-20 with 50 ppm nitrogen) in early spring. By doing so, you will be ridding the area of the eggs of slugs and other leaf-eating insects. Also be sure to clean all hosta foliage out of the garden in early winter after the plants have gone dormant. After a few years when plants are firmly established, the mulch can be removed completely, which should eliminate the slug problem altogether. Applying a slug bait in early spring when new shoots are beginning to emerge will help to reduce the slug population. Watch for holes in the center of the leaves. Mulch is beneficial because it retains moisture around the plant's roots, but it is also the ideal place for slugs to hide. They are most at home in shady, woodland settings and often work well as specimen or edging plants.Įspecially in northern zones, hostas should be mulched with a layer of finely shredded organic material to prevent heaving in the winter. Morning sun is tolerable and will help to intensify the leaf colors, but hot afternoon sun is usually deadly to hostas. High-filtered or dappled sunlight is necessary for clean, healthy growth. Sandy loam is better than clay because it provides more aeration for the roots. Hostas grow best in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Grower's Corner Grower's Corner Grower's Corner.Proven Winners ® Proven Winners ® Proven Winners ®.