I know how you feel Paul. Most Hostas are strong as nails but I know from experience not all Hostas are hard to kill. GE is one of those "NOT Strong as Nail Hosta". It is one slow weak plant but I love it, one of my favorites even though I have to baby it to make it grow.

You have a beauty. I hope mine is that pretty in a few more years.

So of my plants have stories behind them, who gave them to me, my dad's plants and on and on. Our gas line is plastic and they run a mole machine to put in the lines.

They will use a 'mole machine' from the street to the area where the GEs and gas meter are and then

I see.

Paul, That is a shame. Great Expectations are not that easy to grow. Both of mine died. Yours are awesome.

Might I suggest before the digging starts to tape the stems with masking or painters tape. (Easier with 2 people) Gather the stems with both hands and gently pull together. Wrap the tape up near the leaves a couple times around the whole circumference of the stems. This saves from breaking and makes easier to see where to dig and easier to handle.

Most important it protects the capillary action of water in the stems to the leaves. Leave the tape in place for a couple weeks after replanted. Remove tape gently.

DH and I have moved humongous Sum&Substance, Krossa Regals, and Elegans very successfully.

Good luck

Thanks Pandora. Good idea. I'll do it when my Grandsons come for dinner latter.

You are welcome. I quickly checked my old photos but did not find one where I taped the stems.
Here is a pic of a large Elegans I moved before I began taping. It turned out OK, but was harder to
handle. I couldn't even lift the root ball into the wheelbarrow by myself. lol

They are coming tomorrow of install the new gas meter. I'm going to be gone most of the day tomorrow. I had my Grandson wrap them to night, Hoping for the best.....We'll see what Wednesday brings..

Oh Paul, how awful to be gone while they do the job. I'm crossing my fingers that all goes well.

Paul fingers, legs eyes crossed for success. I hope everything goes okay. It is a beauty and you have done a good job growing a difficult GE hosta.

That's a good idea, if I had to guess they might be a little tightly wrapped, likely a good thing for the digging, I'd listen to pandora advice of that tho.

I talked to a friend that does grow GE, he did concur they are touchy when young and not the best grower
But he thought they be fine as long as these guys don't massacre them.

You say you'll be gone most of the day, if you could try to be there when they arrive, you could help get them started, if not then maybe leave a note for them to call first.

I'd take the tact that these are extremely rare plants! Spout off as much info as you possibly can, blow some smoke if have to, you really don't have much to lose in my opinion, it's unlikely these guys will have a clue about your plants anyway...

I'm sure you already know, but if you can get them to dig enough of a root ball out then that'll give your plants the best shot, from there, finding the right spot to keep them, and adequate water and air flow will be key! I'd try not to get the leaves wet if you can help it.
I have a feeling your plants will ok, even if these guys don't treat them the best while digging them!

That should keep the stems more secure and safer.
Enjoy shopping trip tomorrow & promise the "moving" hostas some extra cow manure in new hole.

How did it go?

They are working in the street but haven't dug the Hostas near the house yet, Probably today

Any chance you can do that yourself to minimize damage?

I would not dare dig for fear of hitting the gas line. One positive thing is that it is cool and rainy. Hope it stays so for a few days....

Are they trenching in the new line? Or digging everything by hand?

I am dumb about these things but the man I talked to indicated that they could follow the line underground from the main until they are near the meter and then need to dig,

Ok, so they are going to bore, good. I hope they won't have to disturb too much when they dig.

I've waited all week for the big dig and it hasn't happened so I asked the foreman of the project when to expect it. Next Tuesday, a week after when it was first expected......hope it remains cool and rainey for the plants to reestablish.