What time of year do you buy your hostas and why?

16 years ago

When do you find hostas the cheapest? Is it best to buy hostas at a certain time of year to give them the best chance of success in the ground? Are there certain times of the year when reputable sellers give more eyes or bonus hostas, on average? Are you more prone to get a HVX-infected or nematoed hosta at certain times of the year when it's harder to detect or just more prevalent on sellers' shelves? What has been your experience? Are there any predictable cycles to the hosta market?

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Comments (7)

arcy_gw
16 years ago
When ever the price and variety are right! The weather/season can be delt with.
woodthrush
16 years ago
Cheapest prices are probably late in the season. But those are only going to be hostas that the grower has over stocked.
You'll get your best selection ordering early in the season.
Buy from reputable growers who advertise they check for virus and are state inspected. When you see one you want - go for it! lol
Pam
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
i buy them.. when it gets to the point I HAVE TO HAVE THEM ...

pshaw on state inspected nurseries .... the inspector comes once a year in the spring.. when most hosta problems are not evident ... they try .. but i wouldn't bet any money on such ....

the only cycle i know of.. well .. two ... sellers who have potted stock.. and know they will lose 10 to 25% over wintering in pots... and wanting to avoid dealing with such.. would rather in late summer ... get rid of them.. at a bargain ...

and the other cycle ... first year out.. 50 bucks... second year 30 .. third year 15 .. 4th year ... 5 to 10 dollars ... that used to be the cycle.. but now ... that is probably even shorter .... try to avoid those HAVE TO HAVE PLANTS .... and you will save a lot of money .. if they are good growers.. they will be back next year .. and a lot cheaper ...

good luck
ken
hostarox
16 years ago
I buy in Dec., Jan. After the catalogs come out, I am done. I don't care anymore if I save 10.00 or more by waiting. I am pickier than I was before, but I have bought in winter mostly for over 3 years. Some of the "more complicated to tc" plants they only do one run or so on, so git while the gittins good. ;-))
sassy7142
16 years ago
I usually buy in the spring, months before nematode damage even show up, (which is why I have nematodes now)

BUT, then I guess it really doesn't matter since, as I stated in other threads, in the past 2 yrs I've watched a nursery worker take off ugly leaf(s) in late summer. With that practice you just never know what you're buying.... was the leaf(s) ugly due to insects,sun damage, HVX, Nematodes??
The public would never know.

So...for now on I will ONLY buy online from dealers that have a good rep.
I will take the advice of others on this forum who have gotten healthy plants.
And I will probably continue to plant in the spring.
sugarman
16 years ago
whenever I want something, although I think it's better to buy them in may or june, this way you're sure to get the right variety and you can give the plant the time to adopt in his new 'situation'
whip1 Zone 5 NE Ohio
16 years ago
I buy when the ground is workable. Spring has the best selection, but fall has the best prices. I bought a large S&S last fall for $2.50!

What time of year do you buy your hostas and why?

Comments (7)

arcy_gw

woodthrush

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