#2..SW
#4..U

All the rest...N

This site is where I learn about which hostas I want to have. Then I may research it on google a little, then buy it at Hallson's. That's it. But I'm just starting out my collection of hostas, so my opinion may not be what you are looking for.

I am looking for exactly what you wrote, nothing more and nothing less. Thanks

# 1 - SW
# 2 - U
# 3 - N
# 4 - SW
#5 - N
#6 - VM
#7 - SW
Hallson's Forum is very informative also
Pam

My addiction just started, so no method yet. Just whatever I think is oh-so pretty and can afford at the time.

I would not pay to use any site. There are just too many free ones out there.

1,3,5,6,7 - N
2 - VM
4 - U ;-)

Again, just started, so I didn't know most of these existed. I also use the various online vendors (e.g., Hallsons, DirectSourceHostas, HostasDirect, etc.)for pix and general size info.

Jen

desh .... may i speak freely .... as a good friend .... presuming such .. i will continue ....

i see them in others gardens .. and then beg them for it.. give them twice as much in trade.. or buy the darn thing ....

you guys have to get to the point of turning off the computer and visiting display gardens .... jeez ...

all of the sources you note are VOLUNTEER sources of people giving FREELY of there time and effort ... and you seem to want to argue that they have all let you down ... i don't get it .... whether i agree or disagree with folks who VOLUNTEER ... i ALWAYS give them the gold star for actually joining the club.. or collecting the data .. or whatever ... and i try not to put them down for some minor failure ...

its the people who always complain.. that really get me going ....

in the Law .. if you before the judge.. and say .. well the hosta library said X .. ergo i win my case .... well don't be surprised if the judge shows you the door ...

collect all the data from ALL the sources.. including your own observation ... and come to your own conclusions.. write a thesis.. publish it on a new website .. offer an article to the hosta journal .. get a link at the library to your own database ... discuss such with ruh, wade, kuk, solberg, avent, and every other person who has tried crossing on it ... ... and then when you come up with some wrong data .... we can all claim how wrong you are ...

or .. just thank god you have so much info from so many free sources.. that it makes your head spin .. i had NOTHING to go on 20 years ago .. but a page of mimiograph names with such info as.. green w/wht edge, purpl flwrs $20 .... there was no info to be had ... until all these info nuts came along ....

did you happen to know.. that people used to lie to the registrar .... to keep their crosses secret .. perhaps they still do ... is it the registrars fault ... they can only go on two things.. what is written on the registration form .. and the typist ... one wouldn't suspect that the registrar must fact check every claim ..

i just cant stand when complaints are made of volunteer work .... either volunteer to check and fix it.. or quit complaining ... trust me .. i stay quiet a lot ... lol ..

ken

ps: peedee gold flash .. i dont understand the issue.. its not streaked, so it is irrelevant as a pod parent ... and the same for pollen .. find a green version with the same leaf shape .... and use that plant for leaf shape ... and put it on a streaker ... a stable plant like PDGF is not going to further your breeding program as a mother .... and being so yellow.. is not what i would call a vigorous plant ... ergo .. there are better ways to accomplish the goal in your breeding prgram ... but for leaf shape.. i dont know what else about that crumby little plant appeals to a breeding program ... peace .. out

I agree with anitamo. I value what other people on the forum think.
Sellers sometimes hype their offerings a bit too much, and their photos are not always accurate for color.
I'm at the point where I don't want anything new, until it's "tried and true."
The Hosta Library has lots of nice pictures of many hostas, but only one for newer or less popular varieties.
If you want an opinion about any hosta, this is a great place to ask!

~Bunnycat

I didn't think we were complaining about the sites. I thought it was just to rate which sites we use the most. I think every plant grows different in every garden, even different areas of the same garden, so you really have to grow your own to rate the plant.

Leave it to you guys to find something negative about something so simple and could have been fun. Go get negative on someones else's time. I could go negative too, but I am not of such a simple mind to read something into something that aint there. Your comments aren't worth a reply so just go fish. Go vote for republican again.

Deshima,

Thanks for a good question and for listing the resources . . . there are some that are new to me!

I usually go by what the people on Hallson's forum say -- you didn't list it, but that's my #1 point of validity. When someone mentions a hosta I'm not familiar with, I then look it up on the Library -- also highly valid and a very valuable resource, IMO. Beyond that there are a couple retailers that I look at to see what they're saying . . . Always love Tony A's comments!

Again, thanks for an interesting question (despite the naysayers!)

Arlene

I could not add Hallson forum to the list because they sell hostas. There for the forum has got to generate some form of in come just by being connected to it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hallson Gardens

Deshima~
I hope you don't think I was being negative because I only chose #2 and #4. I am unfamiliar with the other choices. In addition to the Hosta Library pictures, I always check out Lemke's files on the hosta library. I also look in Grenfell's and Zilis' books.
~Bunnycat

I could not include the Hosta Journal which is the entscheidend choice for info, either.

Other than this forum, I don't use any of the others you listed.
But here's where I get my info and then urge to buy.

This forum gets a: VERY MUCH

A couple of online retailers: VERY MUCH

Popou's Website: ULTIMATE AUTHORITY

Deshima,
"I am curious as to know if you buy hostas on a whim or is there a method to your madness" was your original question. I may check to Hosta Library to get a better look at a certain hosta. I don't use any of the above mentioned sources to make buying decisions.
Every year on the verious forums there are surveys sponsored by members like Papou and others, "your 10 most favorite hostas", or what have you. Van Wade used to publish a list of the top 40 hostas, the American Hosta Society used to have one, also Hosta of the year. I then compare these lists with what I got in my garden and start filling in the holes.
BTW, Bob Kuk and Van Wade are frequently mentioned here, and they also sell hostas, so I see nothing wrong with Halson in that respect.
I use the various catalogues just to see how much they are selling for, and then hoof it down to Bellville, OH and talk to Van. Other plants I aquire through hosta exchanges.
I don't believe in buying a hosta only because it is new.

Ken, who wound your clock tonight, heat stroke?

Have you tired the solution?

usually lineage gets me to first look...does it have montana in the family tree? kikutii? some other species whose traits i generally like?

1: VM
2: SW
3: N
4: SW
5: N
6: VM
7: N

Hello everyone,

It's taken me a while before I chose to react to this topic.

First, let me introduce myself:
I'm the webmaster of The Hosta Mill.
Like Ken stated, in his own dotty style, the sites mentioned are made by volunteers. Mine is made from A to Z by yours truly.
And I can assure you, it's a hell of a job.
But I love doing it.
Take the tour of the site, see if there isn't anything in it for you.
If you like it or don't, let me know.
If there are things missing you'd like to see, let me know.
We, the fools-webmasters, depend on your feedback to make things better.
My native language is Dutch, but the site exists in 2 flavors, Dutch and English. Try to figure out the amount of time needed for such a job.
I'd love a native American to check the English version for me, sometimes I'd like pictures of species and cultivars I don't have, articles, information.

And above all, I'd love it if al my work doesn't go unnoticed, if it would be helpfull, informative or just entertaining for fellow hosta lovers.

Love from the Hosta Mill

Rob

PS: web building is a winter job. I've only just published a major update, with more to come shortly.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Hosta Mill

Hi Rob...I looked over your site and like it. I'll bookmark it so I can keep it as a reference. Lots of great info there. Thanks.

"Your comments aren't worth a reply so just go fish. Go vote for republican again". I put the brakes when I read this crude comment from Deshima....definitely uncalled for!

I use this Garden Web forum most of the time, although I alternate with Hallsons because Hank Zumack posts his Pic of the Day there...I also go to the Hosta Library which I find more interesting now since I can link to Hugo Hosta Database. You can see My Hosta Collection if interested.
PapouÂs Website is for the benefit of hostalovers. It was started 2 years ago with the help of Joyce Kremer, and I have found a way to keep it updated. I'm a simple citizen...not a seller...and I do this as a hobby, nothing else.

Papou

Here is a link that might be useful: Papou's Hosta Gardens

On-line forums certainly were a good start, and not in the least the popularity polls, those names were systematically checked in the Hosta Library.
Even now, from time to time, a hosta picture gives me an need to acquire a hosta, only last week I decided I abolsutely wanted H.'Katana'

Lately, plants are more and more selected after of during a visit to fellow hosta-holics. A lot of pictures on the web are average, so seeing the plant in real life is still a bonus.
I have the privilige of living only 60 miles away from someone with a very large hosta-collection (over 3000 cultivars)...

I am fortunate to live in an area with a retailer who has large hosta gardens. I love to just walk through the gardens until one (or usually two or three) of the hostas simply make it known that they want to come home with me. I don't know what might be appealing on any given day, and this is a very disorganized way to purchase, but I enjoy it thoroughly. The hostas are usually several years old with at least 3 or 4 divisions. The retailer digs them from the ground and home they go. I have many varieties that were purchased elsewhere with only 1 division, and there is certainly joy in watching them grow, but since this is only my second year of hosta addiction, I love having some more mature plants too.