Storing Hostas...need advice

15 years ago

Newbie hostaholic here. I just got five hostas in the mail....yeah! Problem is I don't have time to plant them...have to get to work. :( Should I put them in water for now? If so, can they stay in the water a couple of days?

Also, is it better to pot up baby hostas rather than put them directly in the ground? I will be moving soon and am thinking it would be easier to have them already in pots for the move.

Thanks! And I want to say I'm really enjoying the hosta forum...you all are so friendly and helpful. :)

Karen

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Comments (11)

esther_opal
15 years ago
Yes, put the roots in water and don't worry, in fact you should put them in water for a couple of days or more to hydrate the roots.
rosethyme
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Ester_Opal...just what I wanted to hear. And that is good to know that the roots need to be hydrated before planting.

Karen
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
there are two posts on the first page.... about highjack and his potting methods ....

though i doubt you can drown a hosta .... drainage is the flipside of the equation ... roots need air.. as much as they need water ...

and though the roots might not mind standing in water .... the crown might ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
anitamo
15 years ago
And don't forget to change the water. I change it everyday if I can't plant them right away. The water gets smelly if you don't.
playinmud
15 years ago
I loosely tie mine to chop sticks and put them in a container of water so the crown doesn'tsink and "drown". If you're going to move them you might as well pot them up for the trip (besides you wouldn't want to forget to take them along). What did you buy?
esther_opal
15 years ago
there are two posts on the first page.... about highjack and his potting methods ....
though i doubt you can drown a hosta .... drainage is the flipside of the equation ... roots need air.. as much as they need water ...
and though the roots might not mind standing in water .... the crown might ...
ken

Can you restate the question, I'm missing the point?
hostarhodo
15 years ago
I had a plant sale last June. The leftover hostas I put in water in a wheelbarrow and a sled. They were there all summer, till finally I planted them in October, in a new area, it was getting cold by then. No excuse, busy, lazy ---figured I had nothing to lose.

They are now all growing. I know the crowns were in the water as well. They are one tough plant.

Betty
esther_opal
15 years ago
"The leftover hostas I put in water in a wheelbarrow and a sled. They were there all summer"
hostarhodo

I've not been willing to say that the crown can be under water BIG BUTT I've had the same experience. I'we shown the hosta in the pot that I used coffee grounds to suppress weeds. That plant was left by mistake in a vat of water I used to divide hosta for 2-4 weeks, 2-4 WEEKS with the crown and leaves under water. When I found it I potted the little green weed thinking it wouldn't matter if I lost it.

Then the plants I planted on the edge of my stream, one plant had a crown completely under water and sent leaves out the other side of the rock. That plant is still there and I planned to report next year what happens. Photo of that plant below. The plant put that crown under water not me. the second photo is after I removed the rock the plant grew under.

Not enough research to make any firm statement about crowns under water but I wonder if it is a problem?

I'll post those photos again if anyone wants to see what I'm talking about. And, I have 3 plants in a wheel barrow full of water with the crown under water waiting to pot. I certainly wouldn't worry short term and maybe not long term?
botanybabe
15 years ago
It's hard to hurt hostas with water. I've left mine in a dish of water for 3 days or more before planting. Ester opal makes a good argument for the crown being less susceptible to rot than many of us have reckoned. I never really paid any attention to whether my crowns were underwater or not.

Keeping them at a cool temperature, in shade or in the house is better than warm temps too.

Happy planting,

Lainey
esther_opal
15 years ago
"I've left mine in a dish of water for 3 days or more before planting. Ester opal makes a good argument for the crown being less susceptible to rot than many of us have reckoned."
botanybabe

Yes, we've reckoned myself included BIG BUTT I don't think we've looked in to in a way to know. That may be my next little project that I will want to look in to and will need help understanding.
rosethyme
Original Author
15 years ago
Sounds like an interesting study to do. As for mine, I will take them out of the water in the morning and plant them in pots. Too busy at work do do it today.

Playinmud, oh no, I'm not going to forget these babies, lol. Here are my hostas so far..all but five are new. Please feel free to make suggestions for adding some more. :)

August Moon
Blue Hawaii
Blue Kiwi
Blue Mammoth
Blue Mouse Ears
Bridegroom
Devon Green
Fragrant Bouquet
Francee
Frosted Jade
Guardian Angel
Halcyon
Hanky Panky
Maui Buttercups
Niagra Falls
Olive Bailey Langdon
Paul's Glory
Rainforest Sunrise
Rascal
Revolution
Sagae
Silver Bay
Silver Crown
Stained Glass
Sum And Substance
Sunpower
Touch Of Class
Tracy's Emerald Cups
Zounds

Storing Hostas...need advice

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esther_opal

rosethyme
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Storing Hostas...need advice

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