Yes, please! :) Mourning Dove tripled, that's awesome! My Brother Stefan has two, the same as last year, unless there are some that are hiding still!

Excellent increase on most and the ones that haven't shall we just say that good things are worth waiting for! Soooo exciting!

Great progress, Jo! I'm not really a pip counter. The only two I am paying attention to were new additions last season. My Church Mouse, oops it is Holy Mouse Ears, had two pips when I got it, has at least three now, it's been slower to emerge. The other is Game Boy, a new hosta, was only one pip, has two now. GB was too young and tiny to photograph.

Sherry

That's awesome Jo! I am hoping to visit Hosta Choice this spring as I have a trip to Ontario planned.

You're recording some impressive gains there Jo. I don't count - rather I eyeball a plant to see if it's filling its pot! The vast majority of the hostas I purchased last season also came from Glenn at Hosta Choice. Maybe one day, I'll get to discover his "hosta paradise" for myself, but for now they travel long distance. While some plants may take a season or so to settle in following their travels, so far I've been very pleased with the progression of those that arrived last year - it certainly helps when they start out big and burly! Several of these are well photographed already, but I've been waiting for growers in colder regions to receive nicer weather before I share my favourites - that way more of you can join in, and add your pics to the post.

BC

By the way, are you planning a second venture to Appin this spring? The curtains open in early May I believe.

You really did well. I'd like to see Minnesota Mafia when it gets going. I've never heard of that one.

Last year I got a teeny, tiny Wolverine. It had three eyes, but it was so little, I didn't think it would live. This year it came up with 13! I couldn't believe it. Thought it was mislabeled, but it really is Wolverine.

How exciting! I can't wait to see pics of them all! Some of them I have never heard of and now I am going to google them LOL.

That's some good hosta geekiness recording going on there jo lol. You got some great gains there from Mourning Dove and Winter Snow which stand out to me and poor old Devon Green, well mine is in no hurry to do anything either. My spring star is Satisfaction which was 1 eye last year is now 10!

Anyway embrace your inner geek and start a spreadsheet or somthing!

Wow! That's a lot of pips and a lot of counting. I haven't recorded pip counts yet, just kind of eye ball and try to recall what was there last year. I think most of mine increase in the third year and then kind of maintain after that. Glad you mentioned the "in pot" state. I always wonder what difference it makes in size and time to maturity.

Hey, Denis, I've been embracing my "inner diva hosta geek" for years already, LOL! And, I've found some fellow hosta geeks/nerds here as well to keep me company! .;-)

I never used to count pips but the habit just kind of snuck up on me. Since I am curious by nature, I am the kind of gardener that just has to know every detail about what's going on in her garden..and as soon as the snow melts I am out there, poking around (my Mom was the same - picked it up from her). We used to get so excited in the spring...just like a couple of kids, pushing the last remnants of icy snow from the perennials, freezing but having so much fun in the process.

Counting pips is so therapeutic - it is a joyful, gratifying task and one I am always eagerly looking forward to, plus I get to touch and reconnect with every one of my plants. What can be better than that?

Jerry, I've wondered too - about "what difference it makes in size and time to maturity" when comparing potted hosta to hosta planted in the ground. Counting pips will certainly prove useful when I collect that data and come up with a conclusion. I am in year 3 of my potting venture and all looks good so far! I have at least 64 hostas growing in pots and over 100 in the ground.

I have been on such a buying spree the last few years - I can't explain how I can still remember all their names without looking for tags. Having all kinds of different pots (none glamorous) helps to remember what's what and where, lol.

Well, the only hosta I got last year was H 'Moonlight Sonata.' It was showing but a single pip when I bought it. Coming up this spring, I am seeing 6 pips as of today. That might be the end of them for the first flush, but I consider that a very, very nice leap, and will snap some weekly pics to record how they are coming. P.S. Don't tell Popmama, but the Guacamole I have picked out for her has at leaset 8 pips coming up.....ssshhhhhhhhhhhh... : )

Denis, I can hardly wait to see the difference in your Satisfaction! You must be so pleased - the anticipation of seeing it unfurl just builds, doesn't it?!

Jamie, Wolverine is a very vigorous grower. Wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a favourite of yours. I fell in love with it when I saw a close-up in one of my hosta texts. Bought it in 2011 - kept it in a pot for two years. It died by year three - rough winter/spring - rotted. I wasn't up to speed back then about how to care for potted hostas. The replacement is crazy happy and needs another up potting.

BC, it is commendable that you would wait for us slow-pokes northerners to catch up before unveiling your "stars" ! But like you said...more fun when we can reciprocate. ;-) Yes, another trip is planned to HCG but perhaps this time we will plan on visiting early June. I will be chomping at the bit but Glen mentioned last year that it is quite a show in June...when the hostas are all unfurled and in full glory. I was there mid-May and there were many, many hostas still in elongated pip form - which I found quite beautiful.

Michelle, thank you - I really hope you fit Hosta Choice into your schedule - you will take a wonderful memory away with you (and no doubt, some hosta as well!) How are things progressing in PEI?

Sherry, you are doing well with the new wee ones - it usually takes them some time to get going (at least that has been my experience). I have to google Game Boy. :-)

Mk, I am really taken by Brother Stefan already. Many attributes... Had it only one eye, it would still be a stunner in my book. I took a good handful of photos of it last year. I was amazed at the amount of corrugation. It definitely warrants a second look....and third....

Laurie, you said it! Definitely worth waiting for!

Linda, thank you for getting in on the excitement and I will be posting this year's pics for sure.

Whoa, Don! An 8-pip! Guacamole? Oh yeah.....shhhhhhhhhhhh ;-)

Moonlight Sonata was flirting in the moonlight, huh? Lol That is quite the growth spurt from 1 to 6! Lots of pics! There won't be a boring moment on this forum, no sirreeee! (you really have a kind heart and a generous nature, don't you? The pregnant squirrel told me.

Wow those are some big increases in numbers. I have been counting and recording too. Mine are still waking up from this unusually cold Spring. I love Brother Stefan too!

Jo

I was checking out the garden yesterday evening and some of my hostas are starting to pip. So excited to get my hands back in the dirt. Hope I see some big leaps like yours!

Saija, love your backyard! Who needs snow at the end of April?! But it is a pretty picture just the same. Summer Breeze is ready to knock your socks off - it sure has some hefty shoots! Can't wait to see mine come up. I also have a BME - my favourite (and first) mini. Yes, I will post photos!

Hope you will post pictures too of all your hostas as they grow. Maybe we can help you find the name of that NOID :-).

That's amazing Jo! It doesn't get any better than that!!!!! Can't blame you for wanting to go and visit Hosta Choice again. You won't go wrong with any hosta you choose, and you will get an awesome show too. What more can one ask???

I am not at "pip count" level of Hosta obsession yet. However, I don't think I'll ever buy these little 1-2 pip plants again. I just don't think I have the patience to wait years for them to pip-out.

And...Don, I just read your post. I nearly fell over with anticipation! Eight pips? Now that's serious pipage!

Am I the only one surprised that Don only bought one new one last year? Did you run out of room or what?

Jerry, I think you nailed it!

popmama, I am so excited for you about Guacamole! Lucky, or what!? ;-)

Linda, I actually thought I misread, LOL!

Jo, you are following in the footsteps of the great Papou who used to track pips. Papou's photos

Jon

Don is a good sharer and I cannot wait to see his garden!