Hosta Survival 2016.5.2

April 30
No this is not a posting error.  Some things I notice AFTER the typesetting of the previous entry.  This is one of those cases. 
Dixie Chickadee
  • Aside from the great number of spikes seen here, the spikes all seem to be associated with only three of the six plants from last year.  While disappointing to see only three plants the multitude of spikes seem to make for the loss of plants.  Last count of spikes seems to be at fifteen (15).  If the season goes well I might divide these to return to six (6) plants for next season.
Dragon Tails
  • I'm not entirely convinced yet but a new spike might have been found.  Another case of wait and see.
Empress Wu
  • The empress is still being slow about fully spiking.   To one side there might be a second spike emerging.  Like every thing else I'll keep watching.
Snake Eyes
  • The third spike previously seen; seems to be a real leaf.  This takes it from two eyes to three eyes.
May 1
June (Garden B)
  • Last year I took June and divided it before moving it where it is now.  There were four (4) divisions planted.  Up until now I've only definitely seen two of those divisions.  Over the last few days I believe that a third division has survived.  Being an optimist I now await to see if the last division will survive.  IF it does then the initial planting done last year for this garden has 100% and fully survived.  For me that's a major success for this season.
  • There was/is a second part of the challenge to watch how sun bleaching effects hosta growth.  That still continues.
  • The third goal for this garden now begins as it is intended to re-train the building's youth of all ages from climbing OVER the retaining wall, and to prevent potential accidents from occurring when falling off this retaining wall.  The plant heights were deliberate to reduce this risk:
  • Imp and Little Sunspot .. 6 inches
  • Faithful Heart ......... 12 inches
  • June ................... 18 inches
  • Golden Tiara ........... 24 inches
  • Golden Tiara Sport ..... 24 inches (?)
Liberty (Garden B; suspected)
  • In the last issue of this blog I indicated that the Building received a hosta in lieu for some spikes that were stolen from us.  This is the plant that I referred to at that time.  The leaves a quiet white/cream with firm streaks of green showing.  As I have never seen an immature Liberty as of yet ... but this is what it might look like.  I will have a comparison when the known Liberty opens shortly in Garden A.
Sum and Substance (Garden A)
  • Another hosta I have been watching is Sum and Substance.  I am particularly watching one particular division that keeps coming back as 'rugose', or heavily wrinkled.  The 2016 year once again has this return.  This might actually be the chance to justify removing most of it to keep this unusual division for further observation.  Another candidate for being a sport!?
White Feather  (Garden A)
  • New plants are sometimes the most fascinating.  White Feather seems to begin to changing to green at about the fifth leaf out, and from the center vein out.  The reputed green is indeed a gentle green; at least at this point.  I can envision how this hosta can be stunning in the spring before its transformation when there is a full round of it.
May 2 
Dancing Queen (Garden A)
  • The first leaves here have opened wide.  Their height seem to be slightly taller than last years growth.  The ruffling/pie crusting looks marvelous as this group of hosta begins its show this year!  I can not imagine what the height will be this year; at the very least it will be one and one third to one and one half times taller than it was last year.  If so this will be the first hosta to dramatically grow taller from one season to the next in this garden - ever!  These 9 hosta might grow as tall (11 in. / 27.94 cm.) as what Empress Wu did last year!
 Hacksaw (Garden A)
  • Dancing Queen was gracious enough to draw my attention to its neighbor Hacksaw, and compelled me to take serious note of the waves on these much smaller spear like leaves.  The uniform waves are impressive on this presently smaller hosta that supposedly will grow someday to between 18 in. to 24 in. / 45.72 cm. to 60.96 cm. in diameter.
Holy Mouse Ears (Garden A)
  • While both plants (a and b) are up; Plant 'a' has finally opened its first leaf fully.  It looks large and healthy this year.  May it bring many more with it this year.
May3
Today marks the first day that I watered by hosing this year. As always I have to get used to the nozzle all over again.   I am leaning towards trying to water once every four days rather than once every three days this year. Next natural rain will be on Saturday.
Dragon Tails (Garden A)
  • This hosta has spiked again ... I think.  Looking once more towards seeing to its  success.
May 4 
Kinbotan (Garden A
  • This classic round has begun to change color on its edges to show the world that it has its yellowish edges to offset its green 'buttons'.
 Liberty (Garden A)
  • The unopened leaves of this hosta suggest a strong green hosta with thumbnail edge of cream for the first season — as would be expected for this variety for it's first year..  Which leaves the question what is the identity of the mystery hosta left in Garden C; admittedly we may never learn that answer, bit it would be nice to know what would be similar to it.
Popcorn (Garden A)
  • The very first leaf is open!  The white is not particularly good but maybe that fills in over the summer.  As mentioned previously all three plants have puled through.  Wishing I had a fourth to make it a full square just to make it looke good!  That too will come will come with with time.  Next year I can divide it to get four plants.
Vulcan (Garden A)
  • I've mentioned that last year I planted four (4) plants and one (1) leaf last year.  There are four (4) plants are certainly up in various stages.  I am now at the stage to be able to say that I think that the single leaf may have produced two spikes.  At this point these suspicions need to be watched to see if this observation is correct bit at this stage it looks ... correct.
May 7
Over the past 3 days the hosta have grown swiftly.  it is as though something in the ground has given them the signal to 'grow'.  Dancing Queen and Hacksaw have become overlapped.  The first of several others to do so this year.  Although Hacksaw is still quite small.  Empress Wu and Liberty seem to be frozen in growth.  Beginning to worry if the burrowing system expanded from last year to head under these two.  Predicted rain never came, so I have to get out there to do the watering today sometime.
Gemstone (Garden A)
  • Has leaves that are of very large size.  The plant seems t be maturing,
Liberty (Garden A)
  • Larger spike in the process of opening.
Popcorn (Garden A)
  • Is beginning to look like a group of hosta that will fill in later this season.  Next season I will divide one of these plants and make it a square; like Vulcan next door.
Tortifrons to Corkscrew (Garden A)
  • None of the 7 plants of Tortifrons that were planted from last year have been seen.  The next hybridization from this was Corkscrew. The leaves are still small but they twist on the 'z' axis of the main vein.  The reputation of Corkscrew is that it had better garden dependability.  Thinking about exchanging Tortifrons  for Corkscrew.  Between now and the time I move out the Mice from the Garden A I will keep looking for Tortifrons.
Vulcan (Garden A)
  • Also looks like it will fill in and look rather full this year.  With a little more growth the ground will not be seen between these plants.
May 9
I am beginning to wonder if the city water has some additive that aides in the growth of Hosta.  When ever I hand water the plants grow more than after it rains.  The plants look impressive right now but I know MORE growth will come as the summer progresses.
Dragon Tails (Garden A)
  • Spikes keep coming and then vanishing; found yet another.  Hope it stays this time.  Sigh.
Empress Wu (Garden A)
  • As I am being very concerned about the lone spike on this rhizome pile ... I've decided to open a trench around the front of the plant and feed it a significant amount of sheep manure in the hopes of re-kick-starting its growth.  As the trench was opened I encounter rhizomes that have grown out since it was planted - a good sign for growth.  Hoping hard to get this hosta going again.  Finding this a puzzle.  Last year the rhizomes were container bound when it was planted so there is no excuse for this plant to fail.
June (Garden B)
  • All four plants put in last year have survived!  A major accomplishment for me in the gardens.
 Liberty (Garden A)
  • Both spikes trying to open.  Looks like classic immature leaves for this plant at this stage; whole lot of blue and a little creamGive it 3 years and It will be ... screaming for attention!
Mystery Hosta (Garden C)
  • Moved from right side to center of the 12 hosta.  Newest leaf is cream with a little green, like some of the other leaves.  As I have no idea what this hosta is ... I have no idea what size this plant will get.
May 10
Itsy Bitsy Spider
  • Transaction completed for acquisition of 'starter plugs' of Itsy Bitsy Spider.  They've been planted next to Dixie Chickadee.
Empress Wu
  • Have dug trench and fed the plant a whole lot of fertilizer.

May 11
Empress Wu
  • Only spike missing.  There maybe a second to the side.  Maybe it will pull through.
May 12
Church Mouse
  • Has finally opened its first leaves.   May it continue to grow and prosper this year!
Corkscrew
  • Plant acquired and planted where Tortifrons was.  This plant seems larger than what I seem to recall the description of it as.  A few of the leaves already show the classic spiral. 
Empress Wu
  • AM: I see the green of the  second spike.
  • PM: Did a hosta run and acquired a back up plant.  Now I can't find the secondary spike of the first plant.
Frosted Mouse Ears
  • Leaves opening on several spikes at this point,  Getting to be exciting to see this again,
Shiny Penny
  • Returns to my garden.  The plant is healed in a exterior planter for now.  It is anticipated to replace Chartreuse Wiggles.  The leaves are MUCH larger than what I remember many years ago.
Tortifrons
  • Has been declared not coming up.  The plant is being discontinued.  Corkscrew takes it place.

Hosta Still at Spike Stage
  • Empress Wu
Hosta Missing
  • Chartreuse Wiggles
Have been declaired not to survive
  • Fire and Ice
  • Tortifrons

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