Moving Hostas

I would like to divide some of my hostas and donate to some friends. I was wondering what is the best way to transport them. Can I leave them bare root or wrap a wet paper towel around roots or put into pots, they will be unplanted for at least two days or so. Any feedback is welcome.

I am so new at gardening that I really don't have any business replying...but...with my Hosta...I divide it from Spring until Fall. I actually have a big hunk of it that is still sitting on top of the ground because I simply forgot to plant it when I moved a lot of things around this spring. Hosta...atleast at my house...seems to just root itself sitting on top of the ground. I don't think that there will be any problem for your plant to be out of the ground for a day or two. Like I said...I've had some out of the ground all season long!

This may sound awful but...when I divide it...I just simply take a knife and cut the parts off that I want to give away. I seriously believe that there is no way to hurt Hosta!

Like I said though...I'm really too new to be giving any gardening advice...:)

I slice through with a strong knife just as NoGreenThumb does and then put it in a plastic bag (not closed!) with water. You certainly can leave them bare root but it's much harder on the plant - it wants moisture. Why not just use an old bowl or old plastic ware and set them in water (in the shade) until you can transplant them?

Hostas are like dandelions. You really can't do wrong. Dig them up. Call your friends.

I've dug them up - accidentally forgot them - and then dividied them with my hands (just pulled the divisions apart) and gave them to my mother-in-law and sister. Everything grew gang-busters. Unless there is lots of sun involved or Klingon rays there isn't much that kills them.

I divided and gave out a lot of hosta this year. All I did was dig when the ground was wet (when hasn't it been this year?) then put it into plastic bags. I delivered it the next day. I also received some hosta this way and planted it and it is fine and growing very well.

I've already dug them in the fall meaning to get them planted before winter but it didn't work out that way and they remained in a barrel (with holes) all winter, freezing and thawing. They were the first to leaf out in spring and then I felt guilty for mistreating them. I did eventually plant them and they are still happy plants.

I ship plants all season long, from succulent to non-succulent plants. I also bring many to my daughter. Although Hostas are hardy plants that can stand much abuse, you still want to preserve as much roots as you can so it will establish quicker and continue to grow.

The first thing I do is water the plants that I want to dig up so that the root ball will be moist. Then dig the plant, and divide it. I removes some soil that contains no roots. Wrap the roots in a moist newspaper, then place it in a plastic bag up to the stem. Or wrap the paper covered roots in plastic. I find plastic grocery bags ideal for this since the handle can be used to tie the bag snug. I only enclose the roots, not the whole plant. Handled this way, plants can survive a week without harm.

Thanks for all your advice. As all of you said I had not much to worry about. I kept them moist in a plastic bag and all worked out. Now to get the weeds out and get some mulch LOL.

What a pretty hosta. I have one bed with hostas growing along with wild black eyed susans and columbine and a oriental lilly. You think thats not a different mix? LOL

We've left our out all winter in Chicago and they did fine, so fine to dig up anytime. If you've got the nice ones, though, take more care as they will repay you in their growth and beauty!

YOU CAN NOT KILL HOSTAS. THEY ARE IMMORTAL I SWEAR. JUST DIG UP WHAT YOU WANT AND PUT THEM IN A BASKET OR A BUCKET AND TRANSPORT THEM THAT WAY. IF THEY ARE GONNA BE OUT OF THE GROUND A LITTLE WHILE WATER THEM BUT DON'T LEAVE STANDING IN WATER OR THE ROOTS WILL ROT. WE HAVE HAD HOSTAS FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND WE WOULD ALWAYS GO TO MY MOMS AND JUST DIG OUT WHAT WE WANTED FROM HER BUSHES AND THEY JUST GROW RIGHT BACK IN.

dtuller Please don't use capital letters. It is thought of as shouting in posts.

I often leave hostas unplanted at the end of the season because I just run out of time. In the spring they bloom away without being in dirt, so you really can't kill them.

Funny, My sister has Hosta growing all around her house almost out of control. She divided some for me and said There is no way to kill these. Three that are growing along a fence near her Trash can because they fell out of the garbage. However 3 years and 5 plants later Not one Hosta grows here at my house. I guess I just get too much sun. Thats sad because I love them and she hates them.

There are all kinds of Hostas, some don't mind sun at all. But also, some say deer resistant, but I haven't found any to be true to that. lol

Another thing to check before you give them to friends is slugs. I found a bunch in our hosta before giving them away. Don't think my friends would appreciate the "gift" as they will eat through the plants.