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Mar 2, 2014 7:25 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
I am surprised that no one is chatting about hostas and the impending spring.

What are your plans for your hosta garden?
What are you going to do better for your hostas?
Are you adding to your collection?
Are you downsizing?
Are you looking for the very small hostas because you have run out of space?

Share your hostas ideas and plans.
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Mar 3, 2014 8:20 AM CST
Name: Rose
Oquawka, IL (Zone 5a)
Echinacea Hibiscus Dahlias Clematis Charter ATP Member Region: Illinois
Garden Photography Heucheras Hummingbirder Hostas Garden Art Birds
I think we're all just trying to get through this long, miserable winter! I've ordered some from Naylor Creek, and have a list for NGP. Haven't seen ground since before Christmas, so it's kind of hard to get excited about spring!

Rose
When all is said and done, there’s more said than done.
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Mar 3, 2014 2:28 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
You will see everyone get excited when things start peeping! I got my order last fall from New Hampshire Hosta, except one, they had a good sale and I used my 20% come back coupon from a previous order that got messed up. They made it right. Thumbs up


Grand Canyon Hosta
Jimmy Crack Corn Hosta
Striptease Hosta
Glory Hallelujah Hosta
June Hosta (3rd one)
Queen Josephine Hosta
Tokudama Flavocircinalis Hosta
American Sweetheart Hosta
August Moon Hosta
Medio variegata Hosta(3 roots from Bloomingbulb.com)
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 3, 2014 6:22 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Thank you, ladies, for responding.

Chatting about hostas and other plants helps the winter days move a little faster. I like the distraction.

My shade garden is under three feet of snow and ice, and yet, I can imagine digging the ones that I marked last summer, and potting up many divisions to sell in the future.

Many that I potted last summer and the summer of 2012 will need to be divided, and that creates more hostas for sale.

I am compiling a list of the ones that I will offer for $5, $7, and $9.

I should have over 50 cultivars.
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Mar 3, 2014 9:04 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Wow...three feet! ...Glad I don't live there. LOL. Whistling

Sounds like a lot of work Gerry, I got a ton of plants coming in the spring including over 50 daylilies. I might get a few large cultivars for my giants new garden on the other side, nothing expensive because of tree roots. Everything will have to fin for their selves.

This is my wish list @ Green Mountain Hosta, they have big plants, great prices and flat rate shipping of $10.00.

1 x Royal Standard Hosta - giant
1 x Northern Exposure Hosta - giant
1 x Holy Mole Hosta - large
1 x Harpoon Hosta - medium
1 x Dick Ward Hosta - medium
1 x Fried Bananas Hosta - large
1 x Choo Choo Train Hosta - large
1 x Blaze of Glory Hosta - medium
1 x Super Nova Hosta - large
1 x Inniswood Hosta - medium
1 x King Tut Hosta - medium
1 x City Lights Hosta - large
1 x Minuteman Hosta - medium
1 x Alex Summers Hosta - giant
1 x Dance With Me Hosta - medium
1 x Lakeside Coal Miner Hosta - medium

I mostly like slug resistant hosta, my garden now has plenty of shade because the trees have gotten big! I even have a bed out back which use to be full blazing sun and is not mostly shade so thinking about a new hosta garden.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 4, 2014 4:30 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Do you already have Sum And Substance? There are also many sports of this hosta:
Sum Of All, Sum It Up, and others that I would have to look at a list.
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Mar 4, 2014 6:57 AM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Yes, but I do not like it that much, and certainly not empress woo, that's a little too big. Plus I love variegated hostas and I have a few green and gold to break it up and the gold to add color. Just need to learn how to use them in the garden so it doesn't look polka dotted. LOL. (picky-picky!)
Do you realize Green Mountain has more low chill hostas that any nursery in the south and they are in Vermont! Go figure, I just saw Super Nova Hosta for the first time yesterday, I am so excited. I just hope it doesn't fizzle out in this heat. It is a full 20° cooler under the Birch trees than the rest of the yard and always a breeze. Most of the hostas love it there.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 4, 2014 10:46 AM CST
Name: Ann
Ottawa, ON Canada (Zone 5a)
Hostas Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Composter
Seed Starter Annuals Herbs Canning and food preservation Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower
You need a few green (or solid blue) so you don't get seasick looking at the garden.

Me. I'm trying to keep my head above water with other winter commitments. And I have to prepare a talk (about 30 minutes) for my local hort. society's June meeting which will be all about hostas. Need to learn to use powerpoint.

My own garden is a city lot 60' x 100' with some extra city easement at the front. I may have some gardens dug up when the city replaces our buried hydro services, but they've not gotten around to my street yet. I hope I get enough advance warning to dig out what is affected. My garden is pretty full but I'm beginning to assess some cultivars as non-performers and they are slated for removal and being sent to city yard waste. Won't share them as I've had an increasing problem with foliar nematodes the last few years. (Anyone know if our really cold winter this year might set those beasties back a bit?)
Ann

Pictures of all my hostas, updated annually and tracked since 2008 begin at: https://violaann.smugmug.com/G...
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Mar 4, 2014 7:15 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Susan, have you bought from this nursery before? I know that they send plants in the dormant stage, but I do not know the age of the hostas and some hostas take a very long time to mature. I would be very interested to find out more about their hostas from someone who has ordered and are growing them now.

Ann, I do not know much about nematodes and hostas, and I will Mark at QandZ.
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Mar 4, 2014 8:06 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Yes, I have purchased from them before and they were great. I was very impressed because to me it was a new company, I knew nothing but gave them a chance and they did not disappoint. I did not order but a few the first time but, I did order and am growing them now. Let me see if I can find some pictures. :)


Thumb of 2014-03-05/virginiarose/6a79f8TWILIGHTThumb of 2014-03-05/virginiarose/c13994



Thumb of 2014-03-05/virginiarose/3137ca RAINFOREST Sunrise
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 4, 2014 8:12 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
ViolaAnn said:You need a few green (or solid blue) so you don't get seasick looking at the garden.

Me. I'm trying to keep my head above water with other winter commitments. And I have to prepare a talk (about 30 minutes) for my local hort. society's June meeting which will be all about hostas. Need to learn to use powerpoint.

My own garden is a city lot 60' x 100' with some extra city easement at the front. I may have some gardens dug up when the city replaces our buried hydro services, but they've not gotten around to my street yet. I hope I get enough advance warning to dig out what is affected. My garden is pretty full but I'm beginning to assess some cultivars as non-performers and they are slated for removal and being sent to city yard waste. Won't share them as I've had an increasing problem with foliar nematodes the last few years. (Anyone know if our really cold winter this year might set those beasties back a bit?)


Ann, I do not have many blues because the wax coating melts and looks ugly, or they remain green. Like Blue Umbrellas. I think Blue Sophistication and Halcyon was a little blue. I have many greens and my favorite is Komodo Dragon.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 5, 2014 6:23 AM CST
Name: Ann
Ottawa, ON Canada (Zone 5a)
Hostas Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Composter
Seed Starter Annuals Herbs Canning and food preservation Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower
Susan - your zone would make a difference for sure. For the most part, blue hostas will usually do quite well in my zone unless we have an unusually hot summer and even then, not all will be badly affected.

Gerry - I've been told that the AHS Journal about to come out features article on foliar nematodes. But once they are in the garden, you pretty well have to live with them - at least we do because anything that will be really effective in treating them is impossible to buy in Ontario. For hostas, it means that late in the summer, the plants don't look very nice. Early on, it's near impossible to tell what might be affected; so I no longer share many hostas. And the nematodes affect a wide range of perennials, not just hostas. As a result, I will no longer buy from plant sales either. No point in treating individual hosta if I plan to put them back in the garden.
Ann

Pictures of all my hostas, updated annually and tracked since 2008 begin at: https://violaann.smugmug.com/G...
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Mar 5, 2014 7:52 AM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
I was shopping around for something on a website and noticed that they were offering beneficial nematodes. Is there such a thing as good nematodes and would they control the bad ones if you add them?

So far I have not seen any HVX, thankfully I did listen to the warnings and have never purchased from any big box stores. I did get a few from the co-ops. But the co-ops purchase from reputable dealers like Q&Z, Bentley Gardens or T&T.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 8, 2014 9:05 AM CST
Name: Ann
Ottawa, ON Canada (Zone 5a)
Hostas Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Composter
Seed Starter Annuals Herbs Canning and food preservation Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower
I think the beneficial nematodes are generally used in controlling lawn grubs.
Ann

Pictures of all my hostas, updated annually and tracked since 2008 begin at: https://violaann.smugmug.com/G...
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Mar 8, 2014 12:44 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
I knew a gardener who use the beneficial nematodes on irises. She used a syringe to infect the plants.

I have been buying wholesale from QandZ since the mid 90's, and I grow the tissue culture plants for two years before I sell them. TC will die if not protected from temperatures below 40°, therefore, I allow them to go dormant in the fall until mid October. Depending on how much space I need, I choose the location from the following:
1 Cold greenhouse where temperature will never be below 40° and the plants will come pout dormancy sometime in March, and they will be taken out to a very protected area in late May.

2 Craw space in heavy, black trash bags, where the temperature is never below 50°, and these will go out when the craw space temperature reaches a constant 65°. At this point the outdoors temperature should be constant 50° plus, and the hostas grow at nature's speed.

3 The refrigerator if I have some dwarf or miniature hostas that I want to emerge in January for my pleasure.
Last edited by profesora Mar 8, 2014 8:37 PM Icon for preview
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Mar 8, 2014 6:11 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Yes, I read they are for stuff that is in the soil, because I wanted to buy them for slugs, but slugs are not in the soil, just all over it. LOL.

Gerry, I have never purchased tissue culture, but I got a bunch of liners when I got started and did a raised nursery bed. I did not protect them from the temps because I read that they need a cold spell. In this area we do not even mulch for winter because things would rot if we did. It's just too wet.This past week we got about 3 inches of snow followed by a small nor'easter which brought about 3 inches of rain and my yard is mud. I can see I have lost several daylilies. I have a lot that are sprouting but others seem to be dead. The hostas are in a better area, I think they are ok. But the new ones I bought are still in pots and I am worried about them. Time will tell. Sad
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Mar 8, 2014 8:42 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Susan, hosta liners are tissue culture. The liners are the size of the plant, and in hostas, the only way to multiply fast is by TC.
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Mar 9, 2014 5:39 AM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing

I am so sorry I sounded retarded. LOL. I was thinking TC was smaller plants than a liner. I do not know what I am thinking...... Blinking
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
Image
Mar 9, 2014 7:25 AM CST
Name: Rose
Oquawka, IL (Zone 5a)
Echinacea Hibiscus Dahlias Clematis Charter ATP Member Region: Illinois
Garden Photography Heucheras Hummingbirder Hostas Garden Art Birds
Susan,

If your potted hostas are in the ground, you might be better off taking them up so they're draining better and not turning to mush in those soggy pots. Still to cold in my area to do that, but I will when it's warm enough.
When all is said and done, there’s more said than done.
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Mar 9, 2014 7:59 AM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Rose, I only have a few in pots besides the ones I bought in the fall. I did not get around to re-potting them and now I am scared to look! LOL.
I am having big problems with the daylilies in pots, most of the hostas are in the ground and in a good area.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29

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