Need help planting bareroot hosta

last month

Hi all,

I've ordered a Magic Island hosta on sale at Breck's as it's supposed to be slug resistant. It comes as a #1 Bareroot Plant according to Breck’s & I've saved directions about soaking for 1 hr, spreading out the roots over a little mound & planting the crown even with the surface or very slightly above. Confusing, even or slightly above?

Stained Glass grew well for me & I liked it but so did the slugs/snails in my wet climate.

Breck's says Magic Island grows to a height of about 12 inches (about 30cm). I have fewer snails/slugs if I use elevated pots on my concrete patio where there are different degrees of shade available. I've been reading about a 2L pot for Magic Island which I guess is what we call an 8 inch pot, right? Is the 8 inch pot good for planting the bareroot? Eventually do I "pot on" as I do with flowers? Any idea what the largest size pot is that I might need for the mature plant? Know conditions help determine growth.

I've used Sluggo but the little balls turn fuzzy in my wet climate. I'm working on using sourdough starter w/ the yeast attracting the snails/slugs to be drowned just like The Beer Thing that some people use. Thx for any & all help!

Featured Answer

bkay2000

last month

Don Rawson has compiled a list of slug resistant hosta and slug susceptable hosta. That might help you in your future choices.

bkay

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Comments (8)

frankielynnsie
last month
Ken would say to throw it on the driveway. The planting directions are right. You don't want to bury it too deep. I don't know about pot size but plants from Brecks tend to be little so it can start out in the smaller pot and move up in size as it grows. Its spread is 20 to 24 inches but it will take several seasons to get to that.
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana thanked frankielynnsie
arcy_gw
last month
That sounds like a lot of fussing. I just plop mine in hole full of water, fill in with dirt good to go. I find Ortho Slug be gone to be the best for slugs.
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana thanked arcy_gw
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bkay2000
last month
I'm in Texas and grow in pots. Don't start with a big pot. Potted hosta like their roots somewhat tight. Move it to a larger pot when the root ball is filling the pot. I don't have your wet environment. So, I can't help you on the slug thing. I use pot feet, just in case I have problems. I've rarely had problems. The only time I did was when I left the bottom on a pot that came with it attached. I immediately removed all those pots.

Like you, Stained Glass had done well for me, as have the other fragrants (hosta with fragrant flowers). They do better than others in warmer climates.

One that has done well for me is Krossa Regal. It has thicker leaves like Magic Island.

Either way on "even or slightly above". Just don't bury the crown.

bkay
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana thanked bkay2000
djacobz568sewi
last month
Best treatment for slugs is the 1/10 ratio of vinegar or ammonia and water. Mix it up and DRENCH your hostas and pips. Do it in the spring and fall. In spring you kill the slugs hatching…….do it in the fall to kill the eggs that get laid and will hatch in spring. I do this every year and it makes a world of difference. Sometimes I treat the thinner leafed hostas like Stained Glass mid summer just to give an extra level of protection. Bkay mentions the Rawson lists found on front page of HL. Great information about all kinds of hostas including slug resistant ones. In general, thicker leafed hostas are more resistant.

debra
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana thanked djacobz568sewi
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana
Original Author
last month
Thank you all so much! Debra, should I drench my bareroot now or wait until it's gotten used to its new home? I'll remember the schedule for drenching. Debra & bkay, can you post a link or instructions to get to the Don Rawson lists? A long time ago I spent time on Gardenweb, then Houzz, but I've forgotten my way around. bkay, Krossa Regal is pretty! I do have a set of pot feet I can use. Arcy, nice thought to relax & enjoy my brand new plant. Frankielynnsie, good advice on pots. It was on sale half price at Breck's so you get what you pay for in this life. I'll just use a smaller pot & pot on. It looks like supply chain shortages have hit the online pot supply. I've got enough pots for the summer & hope things are better next year. Thanks again, everyone, plant arriving soon!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last month
bkay posted the links. Click on the green script In their post.
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
river_crossroads z8b Central Louisiana
Original Author
last month
Thank you bkay and floral_uk. I finally saw the link! Pale green on my screen & it's been a long time since I've read Houzz regularly. I've gotten a lot of help here in the past & really appreciate everyone's input. Magic Island arrives tomorrow.