When rooting a leaf, cut it to the 1 1/2 inch length and cut it at an angle if you think of it. It is not that big a deal if you forget to cut it at an angle. Keep it in water just temporarily. A few days at most. Water roots are not the same as soil roots. They are longer and bloated because they can't get as much nutrition from water as from being in soil, which is more natural to them. When you plant it in soil, the water roots die off and soil roots grow. So it is almost a waste of time to put a leaf in water. I read that on an old post from Fred Hill. I did not realize that until I read it. You had asked if the Russian leaves grow bigger roots, I had answered that I was not sure because I don't repot that often. However, I accidentally left two Russian leaves in water too long, they grew massively long roots. I promptly planted them. For the few more minutes that it takes to plant a leaf in soil, I am trying to train myself to do that. But when a leaf accidentally snaps off, I am usually in a hurry and have to stick it in water. Then when I get home at night, I make some excuse, such as, it is the plant's resting time, so i should wait until morning to pot it up! By the way, do not remove the water roots when you plant the leaf in soil. The roots will temporarily sustain the plant. For myself, I tamper with the plants as little as possible. I do look at them every day and check them, but I just let them be. I never pull them up to see how the roots are doing as many on this forum do, so I don't really study them too closely. When I repot, I usually pluck up the whole root ball and plop it into a pot and spoon soil mix all around it. Again, I am not looking too closely, because usually in a hurry. When the roots are in a root ball, they are thin. So I am fearful of damaging them. Some get damaged, anyway, and they always need a few days to perk up. Even transplanting a fully grown plant can put it into shock for a while. It has to settle in. My plants seem fine with being moved around, but they need a few days to adjust to being repotted or having too many leaves removed at one time. If a dead leaf or a choking sucker is removed, the plant is happy. But to remove too many leaves or suckers all at once is not good for the plant's life. I know you weren't asking about that but it does come up often. Joanne

This may need to be a new thread but since you are talking about it I have a question. I do the signage for the Mid-South Hosta Society's AHS National Display Garden at Memephis Botanic Garden. The other day I was reading Warren Pollack's Potpourri article in the AHS journal..volume 40, #2 and he gives the new requirements for minis and then goes on to name several "minis" which are no longer considered minis Towards the end he says...."the AHS Mini Hosta Popularity Poll has been revised to the AHS (Very) Small Hosta Poll"......and then on down he says "Speaking of Very Small Hostas, this a new size category for hostas that have outgrown the AHS Mini Criteria but have the appearance and characteristica of minis" Now...my question...Does anyone know if this has been changed and is set in stone? Or do you know who would know?If so I will change our sign at the gardens to read "Miniature and Very Small Hostas" Someone said I should email George Schmid... Denny? Are you there? Thanks for any input. Mississippi has hostas popping everywhere....3 weeks late but waking up now! Gloria

When they were the worst, they would pick on one plant. I had a Radiant Edger that they dug up so many times, I finally trashed it when Cleo went on her rampage. I guess my neighbor is keeping them well fed, as the major problem I'm having this year is corn coming up in all the pots. As I said before, I tried the big rocks (I used 2 " river rocks). It worked pretty well except that it kept the plants wet. I can't say the rocks acted as a mulch, or Ken will correct me. But they kept the soil moist. If you watch that, it might work for you. I've not tried the pepper, but I think Mocc uses cayenne pepper. I have made powdered habanero. (I can now buy it in the bulk spice section of the upscale grocery store.) You just dry it in the oven at your lowest temp. Then grind it in a spice/coffee grinder. Open the window, though. It will take your breath away and make you sympathize with those folks who live close to the sriracha plant. bk

Point taken, Idiothe. Did more research after your last comments...info in your learned head for how many years now?? I found out that... Class 4 (Small) 6-25" Blue Mouse Ears is a small as you pointed out, as is my Holy Mouse Ears.....although yours and Bapka's (BME) easily surpass quoted dimensions of only 11" ...Grenfell & Shadrack Pocket Guide ...which is why I was so surprised by the size of both yours. Class 5 (Miniature) 2-6" Cameo, Cherish, Cracker Crumbs, Silver Threads and Golden Needles, Limey Lisa, Kifukurin Otome Ki are my true minis. (According to the AHS Cracker Crumbs is not listed under either Small or Mini, but I bought it as a mini from the 800+ owner so to me it shall remain a mini.) Idiothe, you are one of the experts here so I rely more on your information and others within the realm of your experience, than a book alone for getting up to speed on my hosta. Clearly one has to keep in mind that dimensions quoted seem, more often than not, a guideline and not a rigid set of numbers....as MOST hosta exceed their quoted size given optimum growing conditions...is that a fair statement to make? My mistake was referring to BME as a Mini, as clearly it is not. Had I not posted this thread, who knows how long I would have been in the dark about this particular one....and I hate offering incorrect information to others who happen to ask me about my "cuties". SOOOOOOO.....After weighing the information provided, it may interest everyone responding/adding to this thread that I have decided: 1. NOT to split my Blue Mouse Ears.....clearly it is still 'small', I counted 9 flower scrapes few hours ago....my three year old granddaughter almost nipped one of the buds because it was "gramma, look I want this pretty baby one". 2. POT up the BME maybe after the flowers are all done.....I just HAVE to try it to see if it grows better for me...or do it today even! Who knows? It just might take off for me and grow to a more decent size to consider splitting. THEN I will refer to my "idiothe manual" supplied in this thread and make my divisions. :) 3. HONE up on my education regarding smalls and minis. THANK YOU, one and all for taking the time away from your own gardens to assist me with this. Jo P.S. If you don't mind, I would like my BME to take a last curtain call when the flowers open/partially open....it is sooooo cute and I just have to show it to you. In a few sunny days, it'll be ready.