Minuteman is slightly more cupped than Patriot. But Patriot has a tendency to develop the "drawstring effect." It's caused by parts of the leaves growing while other parts don't. If you look at the 5th picture on the Library you see a few leaves that have this effect on Patriot. Below is another thread on this. Steve Here is a link that might be useful: Edges curling and browning on Patriot

Brandy, you have had substantial losses it's true. I've only lost a few out of about 100 so I shouldn't be crying in my milk! Babka, Your hypothesis resonates ... I won't make the same mistake again and PUKE! says it all! Lol. I do appreciate the sympathy and the cheer at the same time. Santa and Bkay - yes, and yes - newly potted, probably too much media which was soaked, and as Bkay's, some of the losses had moisture retentive media which exacerbated the problem ::(. Bkay, it actually makes sense to me because everything seemed to be fine until the total melt down, then I couldn't work fast enough to get at the ones that needed to be repotted. The rot set in quickly as days warmed up. It's difficult to work with roots that are breaking off because they are soil and water logged! Mocc, I hear you girl! a lesson well learned will linger while the losses can be pushed out of my mind..onwards! Live, learn, do differently in the future! Aye! I am sorry however that you lost your Aphrodite. She is still rolling around in my mind. Gesila, two of the losses were under the deck here too but without adequate snow cover! They froze while very wet - goners! Leafwatcher - there is no rhyme or reason is there that little seedlings make it, and mature 3-yr. stock doesn't make it. Just a tough year overall. LuckyKat, I hate losing to voles - two years ago they feasted all winter in my front garden. I could see outside the living room window..this little vole running from next door to my bed, back and forth...did he dine at my place, and bed down next door? Lol Ravens, my Spilt Milk was new too...still in original pot. It was big too..I'm sad about that one so I will replace it. I still have it in the pot..reminding me. Maybe just a weak one? Good luck with your OM! If it likes it in new area, super! If not, try more sun exposure - may not be as pretty but it will gain vigour, if only for one growing season, then you can claw back some of the sun exposure......just an idea that works here :-) Ken, your losses hit home! I have to admit that if I lost my LSMASTER I would probably blubber! I bought about 40 new hostas last year, a few were fragrants. LSM was by far my most favourite for its colour and shape and it's fall colour and leaf integrity was superb! I am sorry you lost it. OBL was a Mother's Day or birthday gift, can't recall as was in same month but it was beautiful. I have to replace it, just because. Lovely, lovely hosta. I planted LSM back into the ground today. :-) glad to hear you will replace both! Thank you all - it is so nice to hear from you and by sharing your losses you've made me feel a bit better about mine. I sincerely appreciate the support. It is so encouraging. BTW Brandy, you are not allowed to EVER throw in the hosta towel! Lol Your hosta would never forgive you! Jo

Jo, seems to me we should be able to describe what a hosta looks like and expect some repeatability. The sales picture was stunning - which mine was probably closest to in the first year, but still very different. As it has matured, it has never looked like the sales picture. It seems interesting that no new pics have been added to the HL - most likely because collectors are having similar results to what I've had. Anyone notice any seller mentioning that it drawstrings in their description? Paul Here is a link that might be useful:

I have yet to have worms "wreak havoc" in my landscape. I'll be happy to take some of those worms off their hands and put them in my yard. I think this is a link back to the overuse of pesticides that are killing birds and other critters that eat worms. There is a missing link in the food chain somewhere that is the reason for the overabundance of worms and usually the broken link is caused by something that was done by mankind.