Can someone explain minis to me?

14 years ago

I'm thinking next year I'd like to create a mini garden, since my wintertime hobby is 1" scale miniatures. I keep reading a lot about how people put them in troughs. Why is this? And, do they have to be? I understand about their shallow root systems and how they are more susceptible to the freeze and thaw. How do you minimize that? Since they are just as expensive, if not more, than regular size hosta, I wouldn't want to spend a bunch only to lose them. Can anyone who has had luck overwintering explain some of this to me? I'm in zone 5. Thanks.

PS-Here's a pic of one of my 1" scale projects. I have a bunch of them. Just in case anyone is interested....lol

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Comments (10)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
for me.. the issue .. THE FIRST WINTER .... is heave ... the roots arent deep enough to hold with the freeze thaw fluffing of the soil ...

then.. with roots that are 2 to 4 inches deep ... watering can become problematic ... they tend to be a lot less forgiving ... if not watered often ...

these are NOT driveway hosta.. lol ...

on top of all that... you have a nice little.. though aggressive baby bunting.. a weed ... but in TC.. they come up with all these edges.. and centers.. and the plants CAN BE inherently weaker .... a 1 inch edge on a 16 inch leaf is one thing.. but an significant edge on a leaf the size of the nail on your little finger... MIGHT BE just too much ...

the trough thing .. is just to keep them nearer.. to get that extra TLC that will help them survive ...

once a mini has achieved substantial mass ... relative to its size... it is like all other hosta ... and doesnt really need all the foo foo TLC ...

years ago.. there was one guy.. who was actually using bonsai to mini large hosta ... i wonder what ever happened to harry ...

ken
aka_margo
14 years ago
You don't have to put them in a trough, I think it's just because most mini gardeners (not just hosta) do them in some sort of containers. I have some in containers and am currently building my second miniature garden that is just a spot in one of my hosta beds.

Love you 1" miniature scale project, with creativity like that your miniature garden is going to be so cute!
Jen

I posted my mini garden before, but this is a gnome that my friend made for me after her and her daughters came to visit.
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talynnp
14 years ago
These are cutest things ever! My hubby would probably take the weed eater to it........
keanaz5a
Original Author
14 years ago
So, it would probably be best to plant them as early in the year as possible so that they have enough time to get as established as possible? And, should I use any special soil or mix? Maybe something that holds moisture better? If so, what?

Margo: Thanks. I love your "mini" garden and your gnome is adorable.

Deana
momtoanangel74
14 years ago
I have a few different minis all in the ground, and no problems. Just make sure to water them well like any other hosta and give them fresh healthy soil too.
jel48
14 years ago
I love your 1" scale project and would really like seeing more of them.... maybe a thread in the conversations area of the hosta forum :-)

I haven't had too much trouble with minis and have planted them all through the season. I think you'll do fine if you get them in the ground now, and if the ground seems like it's going to freeze extremely early, or if you don't get good snowfall, maybe just mulch them good to keep them from heaving. You might also throw extra snow over them when you're cleaning your sidewalks and driveways.
thisismelissa
14 years ago
I have decided minis are not for me. So, I'm trading away all that I have as soon as possible.

I'm down to just a few now.

First, I think it looks odd to use a "regular" scale mulch... like cypress (my choice). I thin you almost need something super tiny like cocoa bean hulls or pea gravel... but pea gravel comes with its own headaches, like how easily it migrates and how it retains heat.

Other issues I have with minis is that they are just not enough impact for me... I only have about a 50% retention rate and the rest are reducing. Plus, they're less forgiving about being neglected water wise.

Also, if slugs are an issue, consider the fact that a slug takes longer to devour a larger leaf than the tender tiny leaves of a mini.

Bottom line.... not diggin the minis unless I'm diggin 'em UP!
uroboros5
14 years ago
I want to see more 1" scale projects, too!
keanaz5a
Original Author
14 years ago
I posted a few pictures of miniatures on the conversation side if anyone is interested. Thanks.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
Oh My God

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Can someone explain minis to me?

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

aka_margo

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