This is it folks, probably the last edition of the season.
But fear not there is a lot to read and ask about...
If you leave questions and comments I will respond over the winter months!
End of the Season Thoughts
I assure the reader that my survival issue will be served up early during 2014 as a topic of some length. That could not be discussed yet since I have to prove if what I did wrong WAS wrong during 2012. During 2013 I promised a discussion on Hosta leaf types and that too will come in 2014. As readers and friends ask questions other topics will make themselves appearent.
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The Plant Review
This season started out long and rainy. One would have thought the Hosta were drowning in the water (he he); but many of them survived. Mind you the rains were NOT the cause why I lost 8 varieties from 2012. If anything the rains should have HELPED them survive the last of the winter. As summer went on I began to notice something strangely absent - Slugs! During a normal year one sees a few signs of slugs but this year I think I can say I did not see any! I am not totally sure if it was an ecosystem thing or they just weren't there.
During mid season I moved this conversation from an e-mail format to a blog format. We have had visitors from all around the hosta world! North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia! I still hope more take time to read these pages.
The late summer brought two waves of 90ºF weather and an early wave of 60º to 50ºF which totally confused some of the hosta between the 90º waves. As winter is to come the Farmers Almanacs suggests a heavy cold one – that's yet to be seen. As weather predictions suggest 30ªF temperatures at night this next week I cut back and clean out my garden bed yesterday afternoon for winter.
I assure the reader that my survival issue will be served up early during 2014 as a topic of some length. That could not be discussed yet since I have to prove if what I did wrong WAS wrong during 2012. During 2013 I promised a discussion on Hosta leaf types and that too will come in 2014. As readers and friends ask questions other topics will make themselves appearent.
As I amusingly said at the beginning of this season: "Grow my hosta, grow; and take over the World!" I say at the end of the season: "Sleep my Hosta, sleep. For next year you do it all again!" As I mentioned above if you leave questions and comments I will respond over the winter months; otherwise I will see you all next spring when the plants come back up, and the adventure of gardening with hosta begins again.
The Plant Review
My Own Guess' for the 2014 Survival List ...
Blue Mammoth
- Observations: Total bane of my hosta growing experience for three years. Ordered 3 divisions: Received 4 divisions. Most leaves have survived summer. No leaves produced.
- Guess: … not expecting it to survive based on past performance, … but … might be surprised.
- Observations: This plant has survived a rough 2 years of being moved back and forth; and a bad attempt to divide it thus causing it to have exceptionally slow growth. Classic leaf pie-crusting (rippling) seen late in the season.
- Guess: It will survive - and flourish with a flower
- Observations: This plant has survived two seasons and has grown nicely returning to its original size it was when it was purchased. Plant will need to be shifted to accommodate space EARLY next year.
- Guess: It will survive - but grow slowly due to being moved.
- Observations: Ordered 1 plant; received 2 good sized divisions.
- Guess: It will survive - The second division will need a new home next year.
- Observations: This is a old stand by. Reduced last year to 3 divisions. Has grown decently during 2013
- Guess: It will survive - No doubts here
- Observations: Ordered 1 plant - received 2 plants. Very slow grower.
- Guess: Likely to survive by only one division.
- Observations: This is a old stand by. Reduced last year to 3 divisions. Has grown decently during 2013, Grew and opened 2 flower scapes VERY LATE in season.
- Guess: It will survive - No doubts here
- Observations: Ordered 1 plant; received 1 plant; produced 3 new eyes of growth.
- Guess: Entirety of plant likely to survive.
- Observations: Ordered 2 plants - received 2 plants. Two different venders. Very slow grower.
- Guess: One division might survive because of edge location in garden.
- Observations: Ordered 1 plant - received 3 plants. Concerned about depth of rhizomes after it was planted. Has had polite growth however.
- Guess: Won't survive … growing depth and garden corner location in garden
- Observations: This is a old stand by. Plant shifted in 2012 - no growth seen in 2013. This plant has a reputation of growing 3 feet in diameter; it is about 18 inches after 3 years.
- Guess: It will survive - but will its diameter expand?
- Observations: This is a old stand by. Currently has 2 rounds. Will need to find a new home for the smaller one.
- Guess: It will survive - No doubts here
- Observations: Ordered 1; Received 1. Plant grew new growth almost at the end of the season; but lost many of its original leaves.
- Guess: Probably will survive.
- Observations: Original plant: never added color this year; marginal growth. Purchased second plant: Did send flowers out; color seems to be holding.
- Guess: both plants will survive - no doubts.
- Observations: Ordered 1 plant; Received 1 plant. Mostly lost leaves; and turned fall color on the first 50ºF night.
- Guess: Will not survive.
- Observations: Continues to have strong growth. Holds color very well. Has the largest leaves in this garden at this point.
- Guess: It will survive - and will grow taller next year (+18 inches). May need to be divided due to size limitations in garden
- Observations: Third year plant which has grown very little over the years. Leaves seem to have became a little larger this year and they attempted to piecrust (ripple).
- Guess: It will survive - No doubts here; hoping for a larger diameter.
- Observations: This is a old stand by. Salvaged from a side garden two years ago. Has rebounded wonderfully.
- Guess: It will survive - No doubts here
- Observations: Ordered 2 plants; Received 2 plants from two different nurseries, One plant exploded with growth and the other seems overwhelmed by the first; but still alive.
- Guess: Both will survive.
- Observations: Ordered 1 plant: Received 1 plant. Probably more growth than I wanted to believe based on the new October photo.
- Guess: I had originally guessed that this one wound not survive but I think I need to change this verdict to probably will survive.
- Observations: Ordered 3 plants: Received 3 plants. Surprisingly vigorous growth.
- Guess: It will survive - not one division but I expect that all 3 will survive and give me leaves of +6 inches wide next year.
So where does this leave me … I have 21 hostas going to bed this Autumn. I say that 18 will be surviving and 3 will not; with at least three plant divisions needing new homes next spring.
Concise Failure List
- Blue Mammoth
- Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Popcorn
- Dragon Tails
- Lemon Lime
- Sum and Substance
Now what actually happens we'll all know next spring, and if they come up.
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Round the Neighborhood
Ending In Chaos …
Season I - Act 6
Season I - Act 6
[Several weeks have pasted since the clean-up]
Peter, "Oh hello, Anna. I'm about to do the cut back."
"Kinda thought so. For some reason I wanted to sing?"
"Be my guest."
(singing)
The Hosta will come out tomorrow,
You can easily bet that garden trowel.
The Hosta will come out tomorrow,
You can easily bet that garden trowel.
You can easily bet that garden trowel.
The Hosta will come out tomorrow,
You can easily bet that garden trowel.
Through the rain, the sleet, the freezing rain.
The snowstorms big and small …
The Hosta will come out tomorrow,
You can easily bet that garden trowel; and they shall …
The Hosta will come out tomorrow,
You can easily bet that garden trowel; and they will …
You can easily bet that garden trowel; and they shall …
The Hosta will come out tomorrow,
You can easily bet that garden trowel; and they will …
These Hostas, These hostas, We love ya, We love ya.
Tomorrow is JUST …
Tomorrow is JUST …
(singing ends abruptly)
"Mr K when is tomorrow?
"Tomorrow is about six months from now when the temperature reaches forty five degrees." Peter turns to see Mr. Muir Glen walking away from a planter. "Mr. Muir come BACK here with that hosta!" He then hears a car door and turns.
Stio, "I've left a note on the desk!"
"Anna didn't your mother ever tell you NOT to run with sharp pointy things!"
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