| I would like to know when and how I am to divide hosta plants. Which fertilizer should be used when these divided plants are relocated? Any special care needed to make them healthy? |
| Hostas grow from roots that can be divided in the fall or in the spring just as the leaves begin to bud or even, if you are careful to keep them well watered, up until early summer. The roots become firmly entangled and will take some patience to divide. I hose the soil off and work from the outside of the clump towards the center, gently easing each plant apart, and then replanting the crowns at the same depth they grew before. You can also divide the clump with a spade if you don't mind sacrificing a few plants in the process. These plants are very tough and forgiving! Hostas grow best in cool, moist shade gardens. They appreciate lots of organic matter worked into the soil, and lots of mulch over the top of the soil to help keep it cool and moist. Well established plants will tolerate quite a bit of drought, however. When replanting, add compost and a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 according to the label instructions and keep the soil moist until they are well established. |
