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Pips on my potted hostas....

windymess z6a KC, Ks

8 years ago

Well, I've done this for a couple of years now. First with just Blue Mouse Ears, then added Wheee! Last year I added Prairie Sky, Fire Island and a sport from Rainforest Sunrise, to my potted group. Of the five - three have pips. They've been in the unheated, windowless garage all winter. I've given them each a little drink of water about once per month.

It has been a very mild winter here, but we did have some pretty good cold temps off-and-on. It's delightfully mild right now... and it IS almost March... but I was pretty surprised to see Wheee!, Prairie Sky and Fire Island poking up a little bit already this morning.

Is there anything I should do? I just know we'll have more cold weather. I think last year I started to move BMEs and Wheee out in April... first to the screened porch where they were very protected and its a little warmer next to the house.... then gradually out on the deck.

Will they be okay in the garage for a while yet?

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Comments (3)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
8 years ago
If they are just pips and nothing unfurling then leave them be.

tj
windymess z6a KC, Ks thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
windymess z6a KC, Ks
Original Author
8 years ago
Okay... thanks! I'll let them alone and hope they slooooooow down!
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Kalija, The hairy stuff is remnants from last year's petioles. The pips you are seeing are covered by a cataphyl which is protective material around the pip. If you begin to see those pips elongate and become more green then you can cover them with a frost blanket or a pot or whatever you have to protect them from frost. If you see exposed roots then you can cover them with a bit of soil or mulch, but there is no need to dig up Hosta at this point, unless you want to move them. When in doubt, leave them alone. More Hosta are killed by too much "love" than by neglect. Steve
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Me too. I just went out and took some more pics. Smiley Face rapidly turned from pips to leaves. Yes I just threw some Milorganite down last night (supposed to keep deer away) and yes a deer walked through this bed. I think it was last night, but not positive. But she didn't eat anything. Same bed with newly planted (2 weeks ago) Akane JM and Wheee!, Beyond Glory and Avocado by my face. Kisuji Wolverine and Appletini which was early to pip, but not leafing out.
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windymess z6a KC, Ks
Original Author
8 years ago
I also think I'll start keeping some sort of journal, as some on the forum have described, so I'll have a record of dates and such from year to year.

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