What to expect

[new2hosta]

We just moved to a new house with a nice big shaded backyard. So I ordered the 100 for $100 hosta from Gilbert H Wild.
What should I expect? Teeny tiny plants? I guess I shouldnt expect much for less than a $1/plant.
Should I plant them in groups of 3 or singly? I know they wont be labeled, but will they be grouped or all random varities mixed together?

[andy10917]

You will receive a box of what looks like dried-up, dead roots with no leaves. Properly planted (ask if you don't know what that means), they will emerge in 2-3 weeks and turn into nicely-sized plants the first year, but will not be full mature size. My largest hosta bed (called Hosta Bed 214) contains 223 original hosta -- all but three of which were from that same Gibert Wild deal. There will be more than 100 hosta in the box. The varieties are not the top-tier hosta, but are also not junk wild hosta either -- good, solid middle tier varieties, and the 100 hosta will contain at least five varieties (if I remember right).

I like mass plantings. Other people don't. YMMV. Pick your poison.

Here's a picture of Hosta Bed 214 at 6-7 weeks old:



And here's a picture at 1 Year old:



The bed will be four years old in a couple of weeks. Many of them had to be split last year, and I need to split many more this year. I am afraid to go into the middle of the bed - they may eat me...

[new2hosta]

Thanks for the response. That is very encouraging. I do not have a tiller, so I will be digging with a shovel. From reading some of your older posts I gather that the planting bed will need to be amended. What is the best most cost efficient way? Mix native soil with miracle grow garden soil, black kow, blood meal and bone meal? I dont have a truck, so cant go get soil by yard.
Also is it ok to plop 2-3 roots into one planting hole to make it look filled in quicker?

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[andy10917]

Also is it ok to plop 2-3 roots into one planting hole to make it look filled in quicker?

Not really. They grow so fast that they will tangle up and compete for the same nutrients. I'd just plant them 18"-24" apart, after amending the area of the planting hole with peat moss or compost (I prefer peat moss) and a sprinkled 0.5 teaspoon of SoilMoist. Save the fertilizers for when they are up and growing.

[new2hosta]

I received my hostas from Gilbert H Wild 10 days ago. The roots looked healthy and were packed in groups of 25.
I havent moved into my new house yet. So I put 25 roots each into 4 large garbage bags with miracle grow potting soil.
Since putting them in, some of the tips were chewed up, I think, by a squirrel, in my apartment balcony.
But they are growing fast nonetheless. Once we move into our house, these will be planted into the ground. I will try and add some pictures..

[new2hosta]

This is what the roots looked like.


Into the garbage bags. Some of the roots had more than 3 eyes.


Covered with potting mix.

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[andy10917]

I don't know that I like the potting soil idea. They will all throw shoots and stretch to find sun. It will be a tangled mess of struggling white shoots. How long until you move?

[new2hosta]

One more week..
But I will try and get these into the ground this weekend
Here are some pictures taken just now





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[andy10917]

Oh!! I see -- they're getting light!! I pictured that you had them stored in black plastic bags blocking the light...

You're doing OK. Best of luck!!

[dfw_pilot]

I gotta say, Andy, that Hosta bed and lawn is beautiful. In a word: peaceful.