Can somebody PLEASE tell me what this means?
All I want to know is how to plant bare roots. They arrived in little clear sandwich bags of soil, but I have no idea of how to handle them or plant them up.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. When I asked this question from the seller, this was the response:
PLANTING AND CARE OF HOSTAS
Hostas prefer a shady or partially shady, well drained, permeable soil. Each variety of Hosta has a different light requirement, making it possible to fit Hostas into any light situation. The blues tend to lose color in the sun, but the golds tolerate sun quite well. Most Hostas prefer only 25% shade in the form of high filtered trees.
WHO SHOULD PLANT HOSTAS?
Every home owner has a shade location somewhere, or can provide a proper site by planting a tree or group of plants that cast shade. Every commercial planting, whether it be an office building, apartment or condominium complex, park, golf course, or municipal building, has just the right place for a certain type of Hosta.
WHEN TO PLANT:
Plant Hostas in March through November 20. Potted Hostas grow better than bare root crowns, but excellent success is possible with bare root Hostas, with the proper care. We do not wish to crown cut tender, newly leafed Hostas in May and June, and may suggest waiting until foliage matures on certain varieties of Hostas. We do not wish to crown cut tender newly leafed Hostas in May & June, and may suggest waiting until foliage matures on certain Hostas.
Better still , in the SOUTH we suggest planting Hostas in the FALL for a longer period of adjustment, the freezes and the 40 degrees weather … and a more established plant.
WHERE TO PLANT:
Prepare the planting location where proper shade conditions exist. Select a site with good drainage (deep soil permeability, not necessarily surface drainage). The soil should be able to retain moisture, so organic matter, such as Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, dehydrated or well composted manure, or compost from gardening, should be mixed into the soil. A ration of 1/3 to 1/2 organic matter to 2/3 to 1/2 soil is best. We are now using up to 30% coarse sand in all plant beds, gardens and potting mixes for Hostas.
HOW TO PLANT:
Each plant should have a prepared hole about the size of a half bushel basket to that of a full size bushel basket.
Before planting a one or more bare root crown division of Hosta, soak the entire plant for at least 1 hour, but no more, in water with a good soluble fertilizer such as Peters with Iron or Rapid-Gro with Iron. To this solution a small application of Benlate or any other good garden fungicide might be of benefit.
Potted Hostas cost more, but the extra rewards are that they establish faster, grow better, and usually are larger, older plants to start with. These may also be soaked, but is it not necessary to do so.
Hostas are available (1) as small tissue cultured plants in 21/4 to 21/2 to 3" pots; (2) one quart tissue culture grown plants; (3) bare root one to two crown division; (4) one gallon tissue cultured or field clump divisions grown in containers; (5) two gallon landscape sized plants containing 2 to 5 crown divisions.
Bare Root one or more crown plants need not have the leaves trimmed when transplanting.
Fertilizer mixed into the soil mix should be in the form of predominantly a phosphorous and potash mix, and low in nitrogen.
For the best results, we are using about one handful of Sierra or Osmocote fertilizer, a handful of alfalfa meal, thoroughly mixed into the full one-half bushel or full bushel area.
Plant the center of the crown just slightly above soil level, and water slowly and thoroughly. When water has soaked in a mulch of shredded hardwood bark, pine needles, or Canadian Spaghnum Peat Moss, 2 to 3 inches deep should be applied, especially for overwintering the first year. (We prefer, Pinus strobus, Eastern White Pine needles).
BUYING BARE ROOT VS. CONTAINER GROWN HOSTAS
A. Both grow and transplant very well if handled properly. In general, more care is required prior to planting Bare Root Hostas.
B. Container Grown Hostas contain all the plants roots, whereas Bare Root Hostasare often Crown Cut, and generally have fewer roots.
C. Some growers offer field grown,1or 2 year plants withf ull sets of roots and these are often equal to Container Grown plants.
D. Hostas are sold in different sized containers. They generally are available in 1 quart, 2 quart or Number 1 Containers, which are generally regarded to be a 1 gallon, but are not, or No.1.5 or No.2 Container plant. The smaller the container, generally the smaller and younger the plant is.
E. We generally like to see plants have a good set of roots, equally divided around the eye or eyes (crown) of the plant.
F. Bare Root Hostas generally are clean washed prior to shipment, wrapped and labeled. From here they come from container grown plants or are dug from the Gardens, or are from our field rows.
EYES, CROWNS AND MOTHER HOSTA PLANTS
Hostas multiply by growth eyes called crowns. When you buy a Hosta, most often the buyer will receive one or two eye plants. Many sellers prefer to sell two or more eyed plants, but, inventory and available plants of a particular variety may be in short supply. Many new selections expect to receive only a single eye or crown. Each eye will grow into a full plant and may grow to 2 to 3" in the first season, but not assuredly. Generally the smaller ones multiply faster than the larger ones. Some of the larger Hostas may only multiply an eye or two per year. Most often we prefer to ship two eye or crown plants.
1. Mother plants are older plants that contain 2, 3, or more eyes. A 5 year old Hosta may contain 4, 5, maybe 10 eyes. Each variety has different looking eyes or crowns.
2. Eyes form at the base of leaves. They can usually be first observed in August of each year on a plant and continue to enlarge daily through the Winter. Then in Spring, each eye will continue to grow and lengthen and eventually grow leaves in May and June, then blossom and become a grown plant in late June and July.
You will be amazed, as Every Hosta Leaf is a Miracle!
