drowning hostas vs. traumatizing hostas

16 years ago

Late last year, I planted a new hosta bed, digging & amending holes in clay soil for each plant. Over the winter, the amended soil compressed causing each hosta to be "down in a hole", a 1-foot wide depression - approximately 2-3 inches lower than the surrounding ground. Though the hosta eyes are coming out of the ground, it's been raining like crazy, and I'm very concerned about rot and think I need to raise them up and put some dirt beneath them. The question is: Should I do it now to prevent rot, or should I wait until leaves are unfurling and the soil isn't so wet. I don't want to damage the hostas by digging around too early in wet soil, and I don't want to ruin the soil structure. But I don't want them to rot before I can move them up to a safe level. Many thanks!

Comments (8)

hostarox
16 years ago
Hi and welcome!

My opinion (all my own) is that I would leave them alone for now. They aren't rotted if they are coming up.
Hostas like moisture, although I join you in the "enough is enough" club, they will probably be fine.
Then you can decide how you will re-do the bed later. My guess is that they were planted too deep to begin with.
Rox
esther_opal
16 years ago
Start mulching and keep mulching they will re-seat themselves and I don't think this condition will cause a problem. Mulch but do not put heavy soil in the depressions.

Of course they aren't my hosta and if they die it won't be my fault because you followed my bad advice.

LOL
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grumpygardenguy
16 years ago
I would say, as long as water isn't pooling and standing for days, then the soil is draining. Hostas don't really care about wet feet. Many people actually plant water loving plants in a troff like structure you describe, so actually i'm not sure i would even change it. if a gerbera daisy, it would be the opposite, with the plant on a mound, as they dont like wet feet at all.
whip1 Zone 5 NE Ohio
16 years ago
If they are growing, they'll be fine. In the future to avoid this, don't dig the amendments into the soil. The organic matter shrinks, and you end up with your situation. Next time, just plant the hosta, and add your amendments on top of the soil.
hostasformez4
16 years ago
Billykathy,

Heres a picture of my watercourse and hostas growing in it with their roots submerged in the flowing water and nothing else.

I got the idea from EO when he posted a picture of his wonderful stream with hostas growing along the edge of it. His was much more professional but I think mine is kind of cute !! I will do it again this year but with different hosta. I gave the ones you see away in the fall. I didn't think they would winter over.

So don't worry your hostas are safe.

Connie

{{gwi:959977}}
waynet
16 years ago
That's a very nice setting Connie!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
at the old house... i had hosta in an area that was underwater for 2 weeks at spring thaw ...

THEY WERE THE BIGGEST HOSTA IN MY COLLECTION... go figure ... i submit you can not drown a hosta in water.. though they will not grow at the bottom of a pond ...

also ... its cold out there.. rots are a mid to late summer HOT SEASON problem ... i dont THINK .... cold.. near dormant.. otherwise healthy plants can rot in spring ...

i know its farmer time.. we all have to worry about the crop .. the weather.. etc .... but they are hosta ... i wouldnt worry too much ...

BIG hosta will adjust in the hole to any improper planting depths ...

small and tiny hosta.. IMHO .... need to be lifted if there is any chance the will end up buried too deep ... think of it this way .. pandoras box is not going to thrive if the hole collapses and that 2 inch plant ends up buried 3 inches too deep ...

in my sand.. that is easy to happen ... i do NOT know if in clay .. it would be a problem ... since the deeper bowl.. might remain there for centuries ....

ken
billykathy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone for your input and advice. Connie, that is one lovely garden display! Thanks for sharing! I'll show your picture to a friend who has a similar pond setup and offer her a few hosta starters.

drowning hostas vs. traumatizing hostas

Comments (8)

hostarox

esther_opal

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drowning hostas vs. traumatizing hostas

Comments (8)

hostarox

esther_opal

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billykathy
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