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
