Ordering Hosta

17 years ago

I ordered from 2 suppliers this year, 1 I have ordered before and the other my first time.

My first order was really quite fine, packed and shipped well good roots one or two eyes.

Second order was disappointing. The roots where packed well but the leaves where folded and smashed. The box looked like it went through the war.

I guess thatÂs not the suppliers fault but it made me think, for the price you pay for catalog/web orders IÂm beginning to think that I do better going to nurseries that specialize in Hosta for bigger, nicer and better pricing.

It all depends if you have such garden/nurseries available to shop, (or go to the convention). But if your looking for that hard to find kind, youÂll have to take the risk and buck-up.

Next year I think IÂll check out the nursery end first and maybe put a bug in their ear this year for some selections to stock for 2008.

Deb

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Comments (16)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
not everyone has a local dealer with all the newest and best stuff ... so many must rely on mail order ...

i really never expect much beyond living through the summer for new plants .... mail order plants were divided last summer for sale this spring .... they are not really prepared to explode or anything .... minor cosmetic damage means little ... even to the point of total leaf destruction ... they all reflush in mid summer ...

i have also gotten the crushed package.. its much more disappointing with conifers, when the leader has been broken off ... now that can take years to 'fix' ...

ken
greenguy
17 years ago
what local places do you go to?
what hostas are you looking for?
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Shana - I have ordered several times from Hallson Gardens. They are very proactive in eliminating HVX from their stock. They also have a very good forum. Their hostas have very good root structure and depending on the size of your order, you can get a bonus hosta that is free (I think a minimum of 3 will get you the bonus). I got a H. Li'l Abner this year as a bonus as well as H. Dragon Tails. Very pleased with what I have purchased from them. I also have purchased from Jim's Hosta and plan to purchase at least one designer hosta from Naylor Creek next year. Jeff Here is a link that might be useful: Hallson Gardens
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when i moved here.. i brought 1500 potted hosta ... in promix.. heavy peat media ... rototilled to 12 inches .. and slipped the hosta out of the pot .. and stuck the media in the native sand ... over the years.. many cared not a bit.. and thrived.. then i started getting fairy rings [the middle dying in EXACTLY the size of the pot/media] .. and out right loss ... the problem is that the sand was wicking all the moisture out of the peat media .. especially come july and august ... when the sand was really hot ... so.. it is best.. to plant them in native soil ... and not leave that wad of media ... thought the better your soil.. the less it matters ... ===>>>>> by making the cone.. and really firming it up.. you can .. hopefully .. set and retain the plant at the PROPER PLANTING DEPTH .... if some of your hosta.. end up planted too deep ... THEY COME UP LATE ... and many will suffer ...in the long run ... if and when they come up .. and they are late.. then they need to be dug up.. and replanted AT THE APPROPRIATE DEPTH ... the pips.. eyes .. NEED TO BE AT SOIL LEVEL ... not one inch lower ... THERE are 3 parts to a hosta.. the roots.. and the leaves .. and between the two.. is a potato like thingee called the crown ... and the crown .. like an iris.. is at soil level ... another way to tell if they are too deep .. is that if the3y are supposed to be 12 inches tall .. and yours is say.. 8 inches.. and just look squat ... then you poke around.. and see if you can find the crown.. most times.. you will find it a couple inches too deep .... ====>>>> chris grows his in mother earth ... i dont know what his potting media is ... ====>>>> you do not need to remove 100% ... just shake off the majority of the media .... if it is severely root bound.. use the hose ... ===>>> potting media is not soil ... if you want to pot them .. use a PROPER MEDIA ... new post if you cant find old posts on that topic ... if no one above suggested what kind .. ===>>>> did i miss any other questions??? ken
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Hi Again, I bought several from them last summer. Most of the ones that were in sawdust turned out really nice. I lost the two that came in pots, probably because they stayed too wet. (On the other hand, the ones in sawdust were planted in the same moisture control potting soil, too.) Earlier this spring, I asked about the origin of their plants. Their horticulturist emailed me that the origin of their hosta was Minnesota. He said they had an agressive policy on hosta virus X and are regulated by the state of Missouri. I feel like I got more than I paid for on the ones in the sawdust ($4.00 range for multiple eyed plant) and a lot less than I paid for on the ones in the pots ($10.00 range for single eyed plants). They have a lousy customer service department, which would account for the difference in ratings. If one has no problems or simple problems, then they are a great nursery - good prices, etc. They sent one plant that was incorrectly labeled. (I think it's Francee and it's supposed to be Wide Brim.) They immediately replaced it at no charge. After the dry ones turned out so well and the potted ones stalled out as soon as I received them, I asked (last summer) how to tell which ones were potted. They sent a not too nice email about how they couldn't guarantee how many eyes, etc. When you read the bad reviews, it's usually related to how bad the customer service dept. treated them. I think I would order from them again, but haven't. I would buy the cheap ones, though. I also would not worry about virus X unless I received some specific information that indicates I should. bkay
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You cannot go wrong with Hallsons. I plan to place an order for fall planting very soon. Others are good: "White Oak" "Plant Delight's" "Hosta Patch". Hallsons just seem to be a little more personal. And knowing that they test for that virus (which I did not know that they did until I read this post)....well it certainly makes them all the more trustworthy to me. I go with the others only when they don't have a specific hosta that I am looking for.
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cfmuehling
17 years ago
I strongly recommend you check out a vendor on eBay named Beth Wright. I ordered from her the first time last week. I was shocked and thrilled at the HUGE divisions and healthy root systems. She advertizes the biggest divisions on eBay, and frankly, I've never seen better.

The leaves did crumple, but that is totally unimportant to me, since I soaked them, potted them and put them in filtered light and after a week, they're all perking up and straightening out.

I swear she sent them overnight, too. One fast woman. I'm a pretty experienced eBay buyer and don't mess with Sellers who are chinzy. She's a good one, I must say.

We have a lot of nurseries in this area, but with second auctions being $1.00, and them starting at less than $3.00? Do the math. :)

Hope this helps,
Christine
nchostaqueen
Original Author
17 years ago
greenguy - Cahoons or a day trip out east to the Ruh's. I have been to Van Wade's down south too. I will be checking out Cahoons the week of the 21st.

I'm looking for Holy Mole, Aardvark, Snowden, Super Bowl and Super Nova.

Christine - Thanks for the tip. I have never bought anything on eBay. Is there a listing to choose from?

Deb
ctopher_mi
17 years ago
Deb,

If the box was damaged in shipping I would think it would be the shippers responsibility to replace the damaged plants or make good on it in some way. Did you contact the nursery to let them know? At least they will know to try and prepare the shipment better and at best you might get some new plants.

Might be worth a shot.

Chris
greenguy
17 years ago
I went to cahoons last sunday with my son so we didn't get there until 2p.m. and they were covering up all the hostas because they were worried about the cold temps. that night. I was not very happy to say the least - they don't close until 6 and by covered i mean you can't even look at them. If you want let me know when you are going to go and maybe i can meet you there with a super nova - are you sure you want one??
nchostaqueen
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the the offer greenguy. I'll let you know next week if that's OK and yes I would love a Super Nova! Just let me know the price.

Chris, you are right, I should contact the supplier and at least clue him in on the delivery end.

Good weekend to all and Happy Mothers Day to the Mom's out there.

Deb
gardenfanatic2003
17 years ago
If the shipper was UPS, I'd have to say I wouldn't be surprised. Everything I've ordered this year that was shipped UPS arrived with the boxes looking like they'd been stomped on, slammed around, and beat with a club. One thing I ordered was glass, and it was not cheap. The shipper had packaged it well, surrounded by thick styrofoam that was molded to the shape of the item. The box had "Fragile" stamped all over it. Well, guess what? The item was shattered in little pieces. I was so angry! It's to the point that I cringe anytime I order something, and get shipping confirmation that it was sent UPS. I've never received anything shipped by the Post Office that was damaged. In my opinion, the post office does a MUCH better job than UPS.

Deanna
var_wi
17 years ago
How does one go about locating Beth Wright on e-bay? Would like to know what hostas she has for sale.
Vicki
acanthus17
17 years ago
Vicki, I was just about to ask the same thing! I went to eBay's advanced search and put in "Biggest divisions on eBay" and found it: her seller name is bentleygardens. She has 100% positive feedback. I'm gonna try her.

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Bentley Gardens eBay store
lisasmall
17 years ago
I've had good luck on ebay with DigginDutchman. His name is John, and he's a heckuva nice guy. Others here have used him too.

Thanks for the link to Bentley Gardens eBay; here's one for DigginDutchman. He sells on eBay as hostabargains.

Here is a link that might be useful: John DigginDutchman / Hostabargains eBay Seller
acanthus17
17 years ago
Well, I guess I was wrong about Bentley Gardens being Beth Wright. It's a man, according to the info about paying. Give me a big DUH! I'm going to give Bentley a try anyway.

Susan
bethwright1
16 years ago
I am not with Bentley Gardens. I have an ebay store and my id name is bethwright1.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
THEY ARE HOSTA .... geez ....

damaged or not.. throw them on the driveway .. and they will probably live ....

EVERY hosta i ordered by mail was damaged in some way .. mostly from being pulled from the earth .. and wrapped in plastic.. and mailed across country ....

but that is how it is done ...

expect nothing from a hosta the year you get it ... it was divided last year .. or it was an immature TC .... and it needs to grow roots to get bigger ...

hail/twigs/slugs .. etc.. everything will damage your pristine plant ... so what if UPS does it first ...

ken
cfmuehling
16 years ago
Yes, Beth Wright is not Bently Gardens, but they're fine, too.

Big Auction sends roots. As Ken says, they're hosta, throw them down, swear at them and you'll have a plant. Sure 'nuff, I potted my roots and they're just breaking through with leaves now, after 2 weeks. I admit to being superficial, I guess. I love seeing the color of the hosta. John's a nice guy, though, the roots were substantial, his prices are great, he offers 2nd chance auctions and communicates well.

I guess it's hard not to with me. This might come as a surprise to you, but I talk a lot.

Christine
whip1 Zone 5 NE Ohio
16 years ago
I was at Cahoon's a few weeks ago, and they are stocked! Go if you can! greenguy, sorry to hear about your trip.

Ordering Hosta

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

greenguy

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