help for small/large hostas

15 years ago

I have quite a few "large" hostas that have continued to stay small. Moles have been a problem in the past but even now they aren't growing. Could anybody give me some suggestions to get them growing? They were planted in areas that had clay but I incorporated compost into the soil at planting. Most years they get a couple inches more compost.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

lindac
15 years ago
Do you water? Lots and lots? That will make them grow.
Linda C
esther_opal
15 years ago
I would guess the shade is increasing?

Give us more information about the evolution of this spot, what plants?
Related Discussions
Mini Hosta? Small Hosta? PLease help name
Q
Comments (3)
I have similar looking plants in my garden but I have no idea of the name. I think they're pretty common though, I'm sure any good garden center has them. But isn't it possible that they are staying small because they're in a pot?
...See More
Help...Large Hosta Reverting
Q
Comments (3)
you have to get the eyes out of there.. or it will probably take over ... IN MY SAND ... when its very damp ... i can do as noted.. it MIGHT not work in a heavy soil ... like clay ... give it a try ... if all that snaps off are the leaves.. you might want to dig it and get the eyes out you might not need to dig the whole thing out .... ken
...See More
Seeking help in identifying small large-leafed plant
Q
Comments (1)
A few more pictures would help. Including more clear picture of leaf in question, pic of flower and pic of fruit.
...See More
Small hosta ID help
Q
Comments (6)
Is that a yellow edge around the leaf? But a solid green on the rest of the leaf? I can’t quite tell. It reminds me a little of Pineapple Punch. Check that out on the Hosta Library and see if it looks like the mother plant. here’s mine: Your friends plant looks lighter, but that could be, more sun, mine’s in shade, or a different growing zone, I am in 5b southeastern, Wisconsin, USA. Have you checked what growing zone you are in? debra
...See More
pyrgal
Original Author
15 years ago
One really small one is a Sagae. It is at the NE corner of our house(not under the eaves), gets early morning and some mid morning sun. It is under a sweetgum tree. It is in the worst shape of all my hostas.
woodthrush
15 years ago
"Most years they get a couple inches more compost."

Are they planted too deep now?
Pam
lindac
15 years ago
Sagae needs mores un than yours is getting.
Linda C
pyrgal
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks
greenguy
15 years ago
what about roots from the sweetgum - may be sucking the life right out of the hostas
pyrgal
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry for the lack of response. I'm serving on a grand jury and have not been home.

The Sagae was first bothered by moles. After putting a chicken wire as a deterent I replanted it in the same location. I think I will indeed try to move it away from the sweetgum.
hostasformez4
15 years ago
The type of trees you have your hostas planted under will make a difference.

My sister and I share a passion for hostas. I started her out with sharing what few kinds I had almost 30 years ago. She collected more then shared with me when we moved here in '93. All my hosta have grown larger than hers as I have my neighbors oaks to grow under + white pine and cedar. Hers are grown under spruse and they fight each other for water. She has to water I try not to unless it is super dry.

The standards you read about for each hosta you buy will not always be what you get at the maturity of your plant.

Just enjoy and don't worry!

Connie
gregory2327
15 years ago
hostasformez4 is right about the tree issue. I'm not sure if sweet gum is a water sponge like maples or not but you may be able to do a search here for "gum tree" and see if anyone else has complained before.

I personally have about 10 maples I need to get rid of. Each bed with Maples is as dry as a bone no matter how much water or rain they get. Some hostas do OK, others do nothing. I have a GE that is still about 5 inches tall, 2 eyes after 10 years in the same bed.