Re: [SG] early hosta

>Date:    Sun, 28 Mar 1999 10:59:52 -0500
>From:    Frances Capobianco <Frances@TACONIC.NET>
>Subject: early hosta
>
>Hi you all,
>
>I noticed this morning that one of my hostas, still in a pot, has three
>shoots about a quarter of an inch above the soil.  Apparently it is as
>eager as I am, but here in zone 5 I think it is making a mistake.  I
>debated about the best thing to do and then brought it into the house.
>Any comments or suggestions?  I must say it has earned my admiration.
>
>Cyan, I am relatively new to this list, so I may be mistaken, but I do
>not recall seeing your name before.  If that was your first post on
>Shade Gardens, I hope you will not be discouraged from future
>communication with us.
>
>Frances

Hi Frances,
 I would leave it in the house in the sunniest window you have until most
or all danger of frost is past. Frost will damage the emerging growth, but
more will arrive later to replace it.

 Most things in pots will warm up at least few weeks earlier than plants in
the ground. It's best to keep an eye on them like your doing. :-)
 I keep all of our invasive mints and "hot tuna" and ground cover bamboo in
large clay pots outdoors yearround. Sometimes they need to be covered when
they get a little too eager.

 Here in the northeastern tip of USDA zone 8 I'm hoping we are done with
frost for the year. Next week looks fairly promising with temps (allegedly)
ranging from mid 40's (lows) to low 70's. Planning on putting out the
tropicals later next weekend if it stays this warm. (Sounds of wife cheering)

 I bought a few tomato starts last Wednesday from Walmart and still have
them in the house on the kitchen window sill. They were in an outdoor
display. We had frost the night I bought them, haven't had a chance to go
back and see how the others in the display fared.
 Since the megamarts usually get plants in at least a few weeks early
(sometimes a month early!) I just store them in the coolest room available
until it's safe to plant them out. We have a pantry that has 3 outdoor
walls and no heating element. It works great as a frost free cool area for
the lily bulbs and the hostas I bought last week. ;-)

HTH
Matt Trahan  <matttrahan@ecsu.campus.mci.net>
USDA zone 8, AHS heat zone 7, Sunset zone 31, northeastern N.C.
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