A Timetable for Hosta Care

           A Timetable for Hosta Care
Presented by Bob Solberg to the Delmarva Hosta Society, Winter 1998. Written by Susan Turner. 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 Susan Turner of Dover Delaware. Reprinted by permission of  the Author.
 
Submitted by:
Dan Nelson
Bridgeville DE
zone 7
S*@ce.net

 
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