Thank you so much. I was afraid nobody would help in time. I'll get to it right away. They are already showing a little wilt on the bottommost leaves. I searched and searched for root propagation methods, read one where you cut two slits, read how growers use rhizopon AA for more blooms when transplanting, was going to run to the nursery, they may not have it, and we want bushes and worry about the blooms later. So I'll just do as you suggest and hope for the best. I'll try to bury them about the same level they grew. I don't think you want to put them way deep in the pot, nor too shallow either. I did a lot of reading and searching last night, and it seems fall is the best time for transplanting roses/suckers, but I think early spring should be ok, too. I would, in time like to find out the best way to do root propagation like the old rose searchers I've read about did. It sounds easier than cuttings if it works except I fear most property owners would be more reluctant to let you dig around a rose rather than just take some cuttings.

I'm looking for a good mix of cannas, and fortunately have a large trade list. There's some great things for growing under lights in winter. Look at my trade lists and see if you're interested. It's not complete, so if there's anything you'd like that's not listed; please just ask! :-) Red Willow

The area is much too large to have been a french drain - plus there is no need, the whole neighborhood slopes very gradually to the south. I was wondering about the leach bed myself - but if I were installing a septic system, I wouldn't put it so far away from the house. (Does make me wonder where it is though) The area, as far as I can tell from sample holes, runs along one side of the backyard for about 60 feet then turns left at a 45 degree angle and runs for about 20 feet into the middle of the back yard. The strip seems to be about 8 feet wide. There is a big tree growing on top of this strip so it must have been covered for a long time. I'm guessing at least 40 years. Anyway, the soil looks alive in there - lots of worms and bugs - so I guess I will dig and plant it. I picked up some boxes from the extention office and will send off for a soil test today. Thanks for your input.

You will need to take a photo that shows the whole plant up close with some kind of something in the photo to indicate size. People use pens, soda cans, lighters - basically anything next to (or on top of) the leaf to indicate the size of the leaf and hosta. One of the photos needs to be close enough to count the veins in the leaf. Also, take a photo of the back side of the leaf. Plain green hosta are often hard to identify because there are so many of them. Sometimes, we need to see the flower. The time of flowering and the shape of the flower will tell the identifier a lot. Also, is the flower fragrant? Does it make a seed? Do the seeds ever germinate (are there little hosta growing around the base)? Not all hosta ID's take that much detail, but the all green varieties often take more information than the variegated varieties. Your photo could be any of three or four hundred different plants. We have to find the things that distinguish it from the other 299 other green hosta. Also, give it time to come into full leaf before you take the photos. Give us another shot at the ID with a little more info and we can do better. Good luck with your new home. bkay