Co-ops, Group Buys and Classifieds forum.

[done]

Susan,

Why didn't the hosta co-op take off?

I buy wholesale TC hostas, pot them, overwinter in a greenhouse where they will not freeze, and the following year I evaluate to determine which are ready to sell.

Those not ready might need bigger pots, and I repot them. The following year I will sell them out of house, and next year, I will join a local farmer's market.

The very expensive hostas may never be sold since most people in my area know very little about the value of better hostas.

Gerry

It just keep dragging.

I just bought a few, but would love to buy more! My problem is that I don't have a lot of shady spots so they need to be able to handle full sun. And I'm not familiar enough to name any of those.

Mike

Mike, no hosta can handle full sun in zone 10. Those would be listed under, 'When Pigs Fly'. (sorry)

Is there anyway you can create your own shade? I have noticed that tropical trees like palms and banana trees do not put off much shade. In zone 10 you would need some serious shade, what is available? Do you have a porch? Can you add Lattice or a tree?

susan

North side of the house?

North side is not an option - all concrete with garbage cans. I have a spot or two that gets morning sum, then sprinkles of afternoon sun later in the day. I hope that will work, because I bought 6-7 bare roots from Sylvia and I'd hate to have them go to waste.

I have some in a bed along the east side of my house that do well with morning sun and then shade the rest of the day.
Great Expectation grown in morning sun.

Check out this wonderful lady who has some tents made out of something that looks like cheap landscape fabric.

http://www.hostavalley.eu/olga...

In California you should plants hostas in pots, and moved them around until you find a place that they like. Also, you can keep a better whatch for slugs. I have seen slugs in California, and they are big enough to eat a small dog.

Many do not think about growing them beautiful creatures in pots.

Give it a try. If you do not want to spend the money on a small or median hosta, I will send you some.

Gerry

I love San Francisco.

Thanks Gerry.

As I mentioned above, I bought 6 or 7 from Sylvia here (bare roots) and they've been in their new homes for about a week now. But, I think you're right. I'll keep them in pots for a while and move 'em around to find where they work best. Here's one with new growth.


Having said all that...if you want to send some others my way, God bless ya!

Thank you for having God bless me.

Gerry

Wow those are some huge slugs.

Looking good Mike!

Looks like they are doing great!!!

Christine,
The one is doing fairly well, and there's a second one also showing new growth. But, the others aren't showing any signs of life. They're all pretty much planted the same way. Could it be that they're each on different "cycles"? I'll be patient and let them be, but I'm just curious.

I still have just the two plants actually growing. The second one is growing like gangbusters, but nothing from the other 4. They were all planted the same. Same soil, same waterings...I don't get it. Anyways...

Can anyone identify these two?

The first one looks like a Calla Lily to me. Try the Plant ID forum they are very smart people and have always helped me.


http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Christine,
I've been doing some reading and I've learned that there are actually some hostas that do well in direct sun! Sadly, most need a long cold spell which will be difficult for SoCal. So far I've found 4 (Cathedral Windows, So Sweet, Diana Remembered and montana Aurcomarigurta (sp)) that fit both requirements. Are you aware of any others? And secondly, where do I find them for sale?

Thanks,
Mike

Here's an update on my hostas from roots. It looks like out of the 6 that I started with I'm down to 2.