HOSTA info please .. Zone 3a

Hi

I bought some Hosta bulbs (I think they're bulbs) .. called PLAINTAIN LILY .. as I am in Zone 3a I won't be planting them soon .. need some suggestions as to what to put them in as they are sorta growing inside the plastic bag .. a pot would be way too obvious :-) waht would I put IN the pot with them? Looks like they're in peat ?

Thanks

~M~

They need to be potted up Marilynne. What have you got?

Good potting soil. Plant the center of the crown just slightly above soil level. I started 4 Big Daddys a month ago and whooo hoooo they're growing to beat the band. They're normally packed in peat to be sure they don't dry out.


This message was edited Apr 11, 2008 1:49 PM

MarilynneS - do they have a variety name other than "Plantain Lily". And where did you get them?

I don't want to put too much of a damper on your new purchase, but there is a Hosta Virus out there and it is very prevalent among Hostas sold at big box stores. Yours MAY be fine, but they may not be and they may not show symptoms for a year or more.

If you have any other Hostas at all, you would be wise to treat them as potentially diseased and sterilize all tools you trim use on them (including your hands) before going to another Hosta plant as they virus can be spread.

Check out the Hosta Library thread on HVX - ttp://www.hostalibrary.org/firstlook/HVX.htm and learn about the virus. That is your best bet if you get hooked on Hostas. Many of us have had diseased plants even from reputable Hosta nurseries; so it pays to be careful.

Ann

WHOA ..... I'm not liking the VIRUS word ... who would ....

I got my Hostas at a reputable Greenhouse here in TBay .. they are Emerald Isle brand .. Colourful Champions .. obviously Canadian as there is a 'U' in colourful :-) Apparently, according to the card that is attached to the bag (which was PRINTED in the Netherlands) :-) these Hosta have 'Large STUNNING leaves and charming flowers that will appear in late summer and grow to a height of 50cm.

So besides being MULTI national .. I am hoping there is not lil bugglettes floatin about in the bag.

I will pot them in pots today and find a spot in the kitchen that will become home for them until such a time as I can transplant them .. ya gotta LOVE the Dollar stores .. I picked up several pots a couple of days ago .. just have to get the Dremmel tools out to get some drainage holes in the bottom. Oh I also see a website for these Hosta .. www.florissa.com

I do have a bed of variegated Hosta in a west garden .. but these new Hosta are going to be far from them .. however, Ann, I will check the link you gave me before I do anything ... thanks :-)


Have a great weekend all

~M~

Done deal .. planted up the Hosta .. the kitchen table will be a bit short of room for a bit :-)

Also purchased that beautious Hydrangea the same day as I bought the Hosta .. to the right at the back is a Hoya cutting that FINALLY got a new home :-)

2 pics ..

~M~

Second pic ...

~M~

p.s. Plaintain Lily is just another common name for Hosta.

Thanks Fancy :-)

These Hosta are simply 'leafy and green' nothing much more exotic .. one thing I wanted to ask/mention ... the morning after I potted the Hosta .. I sat down at the table and noticed that a few of the leaves of the Hosta had (for lack of a better description) a 'teardrop' of water hanging from the tip. Is that common ??

Thanks

~M~