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First Hosta Purchase of the Year

13 years ago

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting. I have been "lurking" for about a year now. I have really enjoyed everyone's posts and wonderful pictures.

I am locked in my office preparing income tax returns for my clients and needed something to cheer me up so I sent my DH to pick some hostas up for us. We got the following:

Invincible

Hoosier Dome

Jurassic Park

Dawn's Early Light

Manhattan

Grand Canyon

Choo Choo Train

Mississippi Delta

Midas Touch

Niagra Falls

August Moon

White Feather

All of these are in one or two gallon pots. All are dormant except White Feather which is sticking up about 2 inches.

Now, I've never bought dormant plants before. I put them in the garage where it stays about 45 to 50 degrees on our coldest winter days here in Michigan. However, I don't have any idea of what to do next. How long do I keep them in the garage? When should we plant outside? Should I put the pots outside for awhile before planting?

Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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Comments (10)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
where in MI..

WELCOME!!!!

if totally dormant.. put on the north side of the house.. and leave them out there until they break dormancy naturally ...

to one that is already ahead .. same thing.. but run out there and cover it.. or throw it in the garage if it gets real cold at night.. like a freeze ..

did these come from a greenhouse.. or outdoor nursery???

gotta run and make dinner ...

ken, adrian MI!!!
Gesila
Original Author
13 years ago
Ken...I feel like I already know you since I have ready so many of your posts. I'm in Jenison, Michigan, a bedroom community just SW of Grand Rapids.

I'll have to ask my DH if they were in a greenhouse or outdoor nursery since I couldn't go with him. He got them in Portage (outside of Kalamazoo) at Romence Gardens. We've never bought from them before, usually buy locally or from Hallsons. I sent him down there to get Jurassic Park and had him pick up the other since the prices were reasonable.

Thanks for your input, I'll have my DH haul them out. We keep close track of the weather since we own an ice cream store and staff our employees based on the weather, so I'll keep a close eye on White Feather.
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Steve Massachusetts
13 years ago
Welcome Gesila,

Nice list of plants. Many of those are on my order list for this year also. As Ken said the idea is to keep the dormant plants in their dormancy until they naturally emerge. I would leave them in their pots until that happens and then put them in the ground. Have you prepared the bed yet? Soil prep is the first, and probably most important, task.

Steve
paul_in_mn
13 years ago
Welcome, looks like you like leaves that are big and round. Hope you'll share some photos of your gardens.

Paul
ademink
13 years ago
i purchased several hostas when i was at romence gardens two years ago and they were very nice plants! it's right near my dad's house.
hosta-see
13 years ago
Welcome Gesila,
Good advice from Ken and Paul, don't rush spring it's worth the wait not to take a chance on a late frost.
I also purchase from Romance about hundred of my three hundred that I have. I'm pleased with their sizes and prices but concerned with other issues, know the problems you have with hostas and know what you looking for and look them over good!
Have fun and enjoy!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
hey

don of many lists Rawson fame.. has a great club in your neck of the woods..

i highly recommend you consider joining them this spring ..

have you ever been to englearth gardens.. in hopkins.. my sickness started there ...

ken
Gesila
Original Author
13 years ago
How do I find Don who has a great club in my neck of the woods? Would love to meet with others who share my passion.

Have not been to Englerth Gardens, but read through the posts late this fall and put them on my list. For some reason, I have a note next to them to call first to see if they are still in business. I think I found a real estate listing that the property was for sale
franknjim
13 years ago
Midas Touch is one that I have had for 20+ years. I do like it but there is one thing about it that I do not like. It is not the kind of hosta that you can bump into. The petioles will break off very easily if not handled with extra care. It is just not as flexible as most other hostas.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i was hoping don would check in and admit it all ...

ken

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