RE: Question on over wintering hosta in pots
- Subject: RE: Question on over wintering hosta in pots
- From: butch ragland w*@yahoo.com
- Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 14:19:21 -0800 (PST)
All very true and specially in Chattanooga and
Louisville, I was wondering about the effect of
uncovered hosta in those extreme temp.
--- Mary Chastain <MC_Hosta@Bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Butch, Of course I am not George but I believe there
> are factors other than
> temperature that need to be considered. Freeze and
> thaw can cause a lot of
> trouble even in mild climate. The type of soil used
> for potting also
> contributes to the saving or loss. Keeping the
> container dry or allowing
> moisture to enter has to be considered.
> Just things to think about.
> Mary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-hosta-open@hort.net
> [o*@hort.net]On
> Behalf Of butch ragland
> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 11:38 AM
> To: hosta-open@hort.net
> Subject: Re: Question on over wintering hosta in
> pots
>
>
> George, as you know hardiness is measured by temp in
> the atmosphere on plants in the ground. Or, with the
> added insulation of the ground. Do you know what the
> lowest temp hosta will live in pots above ground. I
> think hosta are considered zone 2 in the ground? Who
> knows?
>
> --- George Africa <bizplanr@together.net> wrote:
>
> > Hello Phil;
> >
> > There are some on the various lists who live in
> zone
> > 3 as opposed to the
> > fringe where I live. Temperature fluctuations here
> > sometimes take us to
> > around 35 below for a few days but recent years
> have
> > not gotten close.
> > We still have some experience with cold
> > temperatures.
> >
> > If your hostas have been in pots 1-3 years then
> you
> > know that they have
> > some good root systems. Typically the roots will
> > have moved to the sides
> > of the pots and down to the bottom. Fast growers
> > often have a larger
> > root mass at the bottom of the pot, sometimes
> > twisted into a mass if
> > they haven't succeeded in exiting through a
> drainage
> > hole.
> >
> > If you are going from Zone 5 to 3 in one year in
> > pots, I would err on
> > the side of caution and move the pots off the
> bench
> > onto the ground. As
> > you mention, waterproofing is the most important
> > care but my concern
> > would be the possibility of freeze/thaw if left on
> a
> > bench. Leaving pots
> > on a bench allows for greater temperature change.
> > Here in Vermont we
> > almost always have a thaw in January and that few
> > days in the 40s or
> > slightly higher followed by a certain below zero
> > period kills many of
> > the roots.
> >
> > As a reminder, the difference between zones 5 and
> 3
> > also is evident in
> > the presence of rodents and what they can do to
> your
> > prized plants. I
> > always use a spun fiber insulating blanket and
> then
> > 6 mil construction
> > poly over the top. Before I cover things up I lay
> > 15" pieces of 2 inch
> > diameter pvc pipe between the rows. I put a couple
> > ounces of DCon in
> > each piece. The pipe protects the poison from
> > domestic animals and makes
> > spring clean up easy. Bait bars are effective but
> > rodents tend to carry
> > pieces around and this can be an obvious concern.
> >
> > Best wishes in zone 3. It is different!
> >
> > George Africa
> > Vermont Flower Farm
> > 256 Peacham Pond Road
> > Marshfield VT 05658-8099
> > http://vermontflowerfarm.com
> > Tel. 802-426-3505
> > FAX 802-426-3706
> > Zone 4
> >
> >
>
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> >
>
>
> Butch
> Conflict is as addictive as
> cocaine, alcohol, cigarettes,etc
> I'm sorry to report that
> cooperation is not
>
>
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Butch
Conflict is as addictive as
cocaine, alcohol, cigarettes,etc
I'm sorry to report that
cooperation is not
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