skip to main content

My tall hostas aren't growing tall.

10 years ago

I got some hostas from a neighbor (don't know the variety) that have a smaller to medium sized leaf and grow 3-4 feet tall. They pretty much had no roots at all. The guy just pulled them out of the ground by hand and didn't get the root ball at all. I had to root them myself and after 2 years they are growing great in pots but not getting the height that they should. I did replant them this year into a bigger pot. Do they need a couple of years to get going or should they be tall already? Do you think I have them too deep maybe?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

thisismelissa
10 years ago
Yes, they need time.

Another reason the previous owners may have had them super tall is that they could have been crowded in. They tend to grow taller that way.

I have one hosta, in its 6th year, that has progressively gotten taller and taller. This year it's 32" tall. But at year 2, it was MAYBE 8" tall.

It needs time to develop big fat roots.... it needs to be in the same spot for a period of time... get it into the ground and keep it there. Give it lots of water, and a good amount of sunlight... not enough to scorch it, but a few hours a day.

And patience!
User
10 years ago
Keeping a plant going through two whole years speaks of a dedicated gardener. Glad to have you drop in, Plantasia. Nice screen name too.

To keep you going until those gift hosta get up to speed, take a look at one of the online nurseries and see what they have to offer. Just a couple of hosta wouldn't hurt to buy, would it? To keep your enthusiasm active? You should find plenty of inspirational pictures at the link I give you below. On the Home page, you will find all sorts of information too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hosta Library home page
Related Discussions
How tall will my rasperries grow?
Q
Comments (5)
I have a row with about 50 5' canes in this year. The birds have had them all in previous years, I've had maybe 3 or 4 in passing. This was mostly by design, I didn't see the row as yielding enough to bother with but this year it's so dense and tall, any expectant birds will have a fight on their hands. Interesting to know that birds aren't too bothered with raspberries, I may actually have a chance at winning.
...See More
My plants aren't growing!
Q
Comments (8)
Truscifi, First Happy Birthday tomorrow. Mine was today. I live in Lake county and I have a raised garden. I have cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and eggplant. I water for an hour a day at about 7am. My vegetables have the sun from noon till it goes down. My cucumbers got blooms this sunday. I planted on March 19th, started some of everything a couple weeks in the house except cucumbers. Hope yours start to grow soon.
...See More
Hosta growing habit for tall planter
Q
Comments (17)
Found this pic on this forum, but I'm sorry I don't recall who posted it since I saved it a while ago. Thought you might like to see this idea too. I would move the hostas around in the pots until you find the right matches, and of course doing the "pots in pots" method would make that much easier than digging up the plants for each move. You may continue to have wind damage to the leaves until your hostas reach maturity or at least a good size clump. All of my new additions take a good beating in windy spots, but I find that it promotes new eyes to pop up, and the new foliage seems better adapted. Don't forget to show us pics of what you come up with :)
...See More
why is my succulent growing so tall?
Q
Comments (7)
As long as your plant is able to convert light/sunlight into more energy than it uses, it will continue to grow. As it grows, the plant will continue to produce leaves at the apex (growing tip of the stem) while lower leaves die and drop off. You can short-circuit the growth habit by cutting through the bare stem with a very sharp tool. Don't use scissors or secateurs as they tend to crush tissues and create large wounds that die back from the wound site. Use a single edge razor blade or a fresh blade from a utility knife to make the cut. The part of the stem attached to the roots will weep sap for a day or so. As soon as it stops weeping, wipe the wound clean of sap with a paper towel or equal, and paint it carefully with water-proof wood glue. This will prevent the stem from dying back a considerable distance from the wound. You can leave the cutting on the counter or work bench for several days so it forms a callus over the wound, then pot it into a very fast draining and highly aerated medium. What to expect from your efforts: The stub with no leaves that's still attached to the roots will back-bud enthusiastically. Every bud that forms will grow up to be a branch. The plant below has the same growth habit, so your plant might turn out to be very similar: It was treated exactly as I described. If buds/branches form where they are unwanted, you can simply rub them off with your thumb. Once planted, the cutting that was separated from the roots will produce roots and begin to grow, producing pretty much a duplicate of the plant in your image above. The adventitious roots you see forming along the existing plant's stem are a normal part of the plant's morphology, and not a reliable indication that your plant is dying, though I wouldn't be surprised if it was in decline, given what it's potted in. The plant would appreciate a terra cotta pot, which increases water evaporation from the medium and gas exchange. There are a number of ways to put together a medium that allows you to water to beyond the point of total saturation, so you're flushing the soil whenever you water; this, w/o the need to be worried that the soil will remain soggy so long it interferes with root health/function. Getting to the point where your soil is working for you instead of against you, is a very worthy goal and will make a notable difference in your ability to keep your plants happy. What I use: Al
...See More
jadie88
10 years ago
Wow...maybe buy your neighbor a shovel? :)

If you add a couple photos, our resident hosta experts can help identify it, then you can learn more about its growth habit and what to expect.

I like your screen name, too!
Plantaisia
Original Author
10 years ago
OMG I actually got them from my neighbor's wife. He was trying to sell them at his garage sale for 15 bucks a pop for a stalk with 3 leaves and nobody was buying. After the garage sale was over I asked his wife if I could have them all for 10 bucks. He was upset that she sold them for me at that price and I was upset because there were only a couple of bunches I could get to root. Anyway tried to upload a pic but it isn't letting me. But thanks anyway. I think I just need to listen to you all and leave them be and give them a few years to really go.
jadie88
10 years ago
That is so bizarre...why on earth would he just rip it up instead of dividing it properly? And what kind of variety did he think was worth $15 for rootless crown fragments? I've seen people peddling some odd stuff at yard sales, but wow!

Again, kudos for keeping a couple of them alive!
coll_123
10 years ago
Yes, that's like, hosta abuse or something! I guess he was just lazy? I had some hostas that had the roots virtually totally eaten by voles one year. Needless to say, they weren't looking as good as before when they came up the next year....but they did survive. They just sort of go back to square one when they have traumatic root injury, but they do recover, eventually.

Related Stories

PLANTING IDEAS These Aren’t Your Grandparents’ Junipers

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Dislike junipers? Maybe it’s time to discover new varieties and new uses for this garden workhorse

GARDENING GUIDES What’s in a Name? See 6 Wildflowers That Aren’t ‘Weeds’ at All

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Dispel the stereotypes of weeds and try these wildlife-supporting native wildflowers in your garden

SOUTHWEST GARDENING Tall Cactuses Bring Drama to Southwestern Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

See how 5 columnar cactuses add a striking design element to warm-weather gardens, courtyards and entries

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Pale Indian Plantain Stands Tall and Proud

By Pollination Press LLC

Height and generous flower heads earn Arnoglossum atriplicifolium the attention of both human and insect visitors

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ironweed Fills Tall Garden Orders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Height, a slender form and a taste for wet soil make this native perfect for rain garden borders — and beneficial insects love it

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Tall-Order Design for a Lower-Level Lounge

By Becky Harris

High ceilings and other custom-tailored features in this new-build Wisconsin basement put the tall homeowners in a good headspace

HOUSEPLANTS Aim High With This Tall African Houseplant

By creative jewish mom.com

Corn dracaena can give you a big splash of green with little fuss

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Columbine Grows Happily in Shade and Sun

By Paintbox Garden

Its ethereal beauty comes from complex forms and wide-ranging colors, but columbine’s benefits are highly attractive too

GARDENING GUIDES Grow a Beautiful Fall Garden in a Pot

Welcome autumn with 7 gorgeous plants that thrive in containers and enliven your porch or patio throughout the cooler season

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

Sponsored

Davidson Builders

1 Review

Franklin County's Full-Scale General Contractor

More Discussions

What are you doing Monday 42224

11

What do you do for mulch?

3

6

Reddy or Not this Spring

18

What are you doing Monday on Tuesday 43024

14