RE: Speaking of hostas....

--- "Saxton, Susan" <SSaxton@schwabe.com> wrote:
> How do you DIVIDE the hosta once out of the ground?  I
> can't get a shovel in then.

Susan,  There are several ways to divide hostas once they are out of the
ground.  Some people take the shovel or a very sharp knife and just cut
down into the center of the plant.  I find this to be a little rough on
the plants however.  Others recommend using two spading forks, set back to
back and pushed into the center of the clump.  By pushing the handles
together, the plant splits apart.  This is also rough on the plants but
certainly better than the first method.

I prefer a gentle approach.  After the plant is out of the ground, I shake
off ALL the soil.  I sometimes use a knife to work out the soil and most
often, I drop the plant into a bucket of water to wash all the soil off
the plant.  When this is done, you can easily see how the roots and eyes
are attached and depending on the cultivar, you can either pull the plant
apart or you can cut down into the plant right at the base of the crown,
but use care to not cut into the roots.  Then pull the plant apart and
separate the eyes you wish to save.  

If you are only interested in decreasing the size of your plant, after it
is out of the ground, you can wash the edges of the plant with a hose
sprayer.  That way you open up the eyes around the edge of the plant and
you can leave the soil on the main part of the plant.  This practice is
recommended for those interested in having an excellent specimen plant at
all times.  I have heard from growers, that creating a totally bare root
hosta will increase the recovery time required when the plant is
replanted.  However, since this means that the plant will reach maturity
in 6 years instead of 5 years, I don't feel it is that significant.

I hope this answers your questions.  If not, feel free to send me a
private email.


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