Growing hostas for a hobby

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  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2020 #32

    Beautiful plant. I wish you were closer I'd love some of it 😉

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2020 #33

    Don't think that's ' Fire and Ice ' it looks more like ' Patriot ' or  ' Minuteman ' Fire and Ice is reversed white centre green outer. But yes you could divide again depending on size, as for planting in the ground ( all mine in pots ) yes but as you say slugs do like Hosta's . I would put a thicklish layer of small gravel around the base about 12'' dia but could not guarantee this would deter but  worth trying . If slugs do attack lift it and re-pot or pass on to a friend . Hope this helps.cool

     

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2020 #34

    These are photos of Patriot and Fire and Ice .

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #35

    Many thanks for the reply hostahousey.  Sorry for the delay in replying this website has been a nightmare for the last few days!!!!  Yes Patriot rings a bell, it could be that one.  We have had it 10 years or so now so difficult to remember plant names.  We will have a go at dividing again and planting out some of it with the gravel around as you suggest and keep fingers crossed.  I’ve seen some lovely gardens with Hostas planted out and they look wonderful. 

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2020 #36

    Try not to plant in full sun , they are not too keen on it. I haven't much option on my frontage and it has full sun , they soon start, not looking their best.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2020 #37

    Started splitting a few Hostas this week that are getting a little  Pot Bond.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,032 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2020 #38

    Well, hosta, I have to thank you for your help and advice. Our three hostas are still doing well, in their pots, and only the odd leaf looking a bit the worse for wear. If you have any Winter tips I would be grateful. It can get very cold occasionally here, my pots are up well off the ground, and I do have a greenhouse, but I seldom heat it. Just wondering what might be best for them.....?

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2020 #39

    Hi  TTDA, I usually move my pots to a sheltered area, and I let the leaves die down naturally, but leave on the pots as I feel this helps in protection over winter. If your greenhouse is vacant over winter, that ideal for protection. I find they are quite hardy and fingers crossed they should be OK.

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,032 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2020 #40

    Thanks for this. I think mine might be ok left out, they are sheltered, and up off ground (hay rack with pots in) against a brick wall. But if there’s room in greenhouse, in they go. They still look great at the moment.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2020 #41

    My Hostas in the back garden like yours are still looking good. But pots in the front have been subjected to the very hot sun this year, and are looking very tired and limp, so moved them to their winter spot.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #42

    Gave the Hostas their first Liquid feed Yesterday. Some are just poking through.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2021 #43

    " Wolverine " usually the first to show .

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #44

    Hostas coming along nicely with all the new shoots showing . The rain was great for them.

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #45

    Your Hostas are further on than ours, we have just the purple shoots appearing.  It has been so cold so not surprising they are late.  Could I ask when is the best time to divide them please?  One of our pots is getting very congested although last year the plant looked amazing so shall we leave it? 

    EDIT - just read your original post (2014) and it seems Autumn maybe the best dividing time. 

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2021 #46

    Hi Heddlo,Really you can divide Hosta's at any time .I prefer Septemberish because the leaves are dying off so you don't do much damage to the plant. I actually repotted  the one in the photo beginning of April.

    because it's original pot had frost damage. You state yours are late ,but I live in East Yorkshire too, it also can depend on the variety and position, as some break earlier than others. I have some now a lot further on than the picture as they are in a warmer position.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2021 #47

    Thought I would upload some Hosta pics.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #48

    Autumn Hosta's starting to fade now ,ready for winter

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #49

    I'm keeping an eye out for frosts now and starting to get tender plants in. I admire your hostas on here, we just can't grow them where we live. smile

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2022 #50

    The Hostas are starting to show now 

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2022 #51

    Some Hosta’s that are starting to open. The multi pic are some I divided   around September, ready to move on.

    others are ,El Nino, Great Expectations, Wolverine and Halcion.

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2022 #52

    Brie, honestly Hostas are the easiest plants in the world to grow. Just descent compost a feed once there established and bobs your uncle.

    My Hostas are now nearly ready for splitting as some are very pot bound .

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2022 #53

    Sorry should read Brue 

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #54

    Hostas are just starting to peep through. Nearly time for a feed 

  • hostahousey
    hostahousey Forum Participant Posts: 7,237 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2023 #55

    Already posted on garden snaps , but I thought I would post pics on here, as these are the most forward Hostas to date