A TIMETABLE FOR HOSTA CARE

I WAS BROWSING THROUGH SOME ARTICLES THAT I HAD SAVED ON HOSTAS, AND RAN
ACROSS THIS 'HOSTA CARE ARTICLE'.  I THOUGH IT WOULD NOT HURT TO POST AGAIN
AS A REMINDER TO ALL.................

A Timetable for Hosta Care

Presented by Bob Solberg to the Delmarva Hosta Society, Winter 1998. Written
by SusanTurner. Presented to Hosta-open by Dan Nelson.

Winter(period of dormancy): December- January- February.
Fertilization: None
Irrigation:  None
Protection:  Maintain thin layer of coarse mulch, 1 inch or less
Division:  None
Pest:  Bait or trap voles                

Spring(Foliage emergence begins): March- April-early May.
Fertilization:  Apply Osmocote 2 weeks after emergence, or apply 10-10-10 mid
March, or begin weekly applications of liquid fertilizer mid March
Irrigation:  As needed to maintain moist soil, but never wet
Protection: Protect from late frost with lightweight cloth, pots, boxes or
newspaper  
Division:  Not the best time since roots are not growing until after leaves
form  Pest:  Begin Slug control before foliage emerges

Late Spring (Period of rapid foliage and root growth): mid May-early June
Fertilization:  Apply 10-10-10 May 1, or continue weekly applications of
liquid fertilizer.  Also for rapid growth, foliar feed with high nitrogen
fertilizer and add a pinch of magnesium per gallon of water (Epsom salts)  
Irrigation:  Maintain moisture needed for growth (overhead watering may
damage blue hostas)  
Protection:  Thin layer of course mulch to conserve moisture  
Division:  OK to transplant entire hostas being  careful not to damage roots.
Do not divide.  
Pest:  Few, Watch for slug and vole damage.  

Summer (Period of bloom, seed set and heat dormancy): June-July-early August
Fertilization:  Apply 10-10-10 July 1, or weekly applications of liquid
fertilizer until bloom.
Irrigation:  Maintain soil moisture, also sprinkle leaves during heat of day
to cool.  
Protection:  Thin layer of course mulch to conserve moisture and keep crown
cool.  
Division:  August is the best time to divide and replant. Fertilize after
replanting.  Pest:  July and August begin watching for foliar nematodes on
leaves. Also, fungal diseases begin during summer.  (Use daconil every 10
days as needed).

Late Summer ( Growth of buds for next year): Late August-early September  
Fertilization:  None, unless dividing, then use 10-10-10  Irrigation:  
Maintain soil moisture and cooling as needed  
Protection:  Thin layer of course mulch to conserve moisture and keep crown
cool.  
Division:  Divide and replant through end of August, remove scapes and seed
heads as desired.  
Pest:  Continue to watch for foliar nematodes and fungal diseases.

Fall  (Final seed set and dormancy begins): September-October-November  
Fertilization:  None
Irrigation:  None
Protection:  1 inch course mulch  Division:  None, remove scapes and dead
foliage if desired  
Pest:  Watch for voles

This appeared in the Delmarva Hosta Society newsletter and was written by
SusanTurner of Dover Delaware. Reprinted by permission of  the Author.  

JOYCE M. FLIES
PANTHEON HOSTA GARDENS
"The Friendship Plant'
DALLAS CENTER, IOWA   50063
















































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