Well, fudge. I’ll never post a rejuvenation story again.

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

So just 12 days ago I posted that a hosta I’d had for many years and never did much finally started to show some promise. It is Red Dragon. Here’s how it looked for years and years-

Here‘s how it looked yesterday, it was decided that it enjoyed the new place in the mountains and was showing me some love.

And here it is this morning :(.

I keep my stuff sprayed with deer and rabbit repellent which has generally done the trick. I just ordered a new one from Amazon that is supposed to get here today, grrrr. My plan was to alternate between sprays. The weird thing is that whatever got this guy went right past 5-6 other hostas that are closer to the property line. Maybe they have different tastes? They all got sprayed the same day, which was Friday as I recall.

I‘ve never had one get chomped down to stems this late, usually its early spring before I get ahead of the spraying game.

Is there anything I can do to help him out? It has about 10-12 decent leaves left on it. I’m planning on respraying everything when my Amazon order arrives.

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Comments (12)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Cage it and keep it watered. Those torn ends are a sign of deer. As for why that one, it literally stood out in a crowd is my guess.

tj
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks, my hope is to save it for next year. I was not sure if I should water or not(more or less than usual) and whether or not it may need more or less sun based on the lack of leaves.
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miles10612
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
So so sorry it looked so great. We have never had deer do that to plants we sprayed. However the deer did tear the lower branches off Japanese maples this past winter. Of course we didn’t put up temporary fences around them. Should have done that. I know how sad it is to see a plant chewed down like that.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
2 years ago
If it liked that spot before, it will still like that spot.

tj
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
2 years ago
Those nasty beasts! I am upset for you. When they munched mine down to celery stalks I felt like crying but I cursed at them instead. It is a good thing I am rural because the language was very un-lady like lol!
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
2 years ago
It is better to light a venison fire than to curse the darkness.

tj
Northern Gardener (3b west central MN)
2 years ago
So sorry for you!

The product I've been using that seems to do the trick is "Rabbit and Groundhog Out," by the same company that makes "Deer Out." The former has everything that's in Deer Out, plus even more stuff. So far it has worked for me.

There's no rhyme or reason for why deer choose particular plants. Maybe they're walking through your place not with a target in mind, but they're just strolling. And then they go, "What the hey, that looks tasty."

Again, sorry for your loss.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
there is no reason to worry about next year ..

the stalks can still convert light into energy... leave them there ...

it will reflush ... and should be fine ... ken
bkay2000
2 years ago
It won't require as much water as others, because it's not transpiring as much through the leaves. It should sprout some leaves again this year, maybe not as large, but some new ones. Just don't drown it thinking it will help. Maybe some Miracle Grow will help it.

bkay
djacob Z6a SE WI
2 years ago
Wow, it was looking so beautiful.......I hope with caging and tender care it will regrow beautifully for you. As Ken said, now you are preparing for next year. So sorry. 😞

debra
sandyslopes z6 n. UT
2 years ago
What a shame! Just when it was thriving, those darn deer come along. First they have a hosta salad and then come to my place and have tulips for their dessert. Just wanted to commiserate with you. I hope you're enjoying your new mountain home and that your deer spray works.
n2hostas (Kansas)
2 years ago
sigh... it happens... maybe the coyotes enjoyed the rabbit,,, I love the food chain...

Well, fudge. I’ll never post a rejuvenation story again.

Comments (12)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author

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miles10612

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

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bkay2000

djacob Z6a SE WI

sandyslopes z6 n. UT

n2hostas (Kansas)

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Well, fudge. I’ll never post a rejuvenation story again.

Comments (12)

Annette Holbrook(z7a)Original Author

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Annette Holbrook(z7a)
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