DIVIDING HOSTAS TO EXPAND YOUR GARDEN:
To divide a Hosta, start with a clump that is at least three years old, which is the
perfect size for division. As a rule, the larger and more dense the clump, the less
divisions that are possible. On fast growing Hosta, three or four year old plants
produce the largest and best divisions, while slower growing plants or old mature
clumps that are eight or more years old, produce the most dense clumps and
are the hardest to divide. These large clumps require a spade and
consequently more destruction of crowns and roots of individual plants as well as
a longer period to recover from transplant shock.
The best tools to remove the clumps from the ground are spading forks that
have flat blades or spades. Dig around the clump, starting six inches from the
edge of the crown. Once you have cut a circle around the clump, pry it lose and
pop it out of the ground. On very large clumps in heavy, rocky, or clay soils, it
can be a chore.
Begin dividing the clumps by washing the roots in a bucket of water or with a
hose end sprayer. You will be able to clean the dirt off the crown and the roots.
Do not worry about damaging the roots with the jet of water - they are tough and
can take the abuse. Then turn the clump onto its side and clean again. Do this
a number of times. It also helps to pull the roots up and off to the sides as if to
loosen the entire clump as you wash the soil away. Pull each cluster of roots
apart. The more dirt you get off the clump, the easier it is to pull the divisions
apart to see where to make the cuts. Try to keep as many leaves and as many
roots as possible on your new divisions so that the plant will grow fast and
become strong for next year.
The next step, after cleaning the dirt off of the roots, is to pull any easily
removable stems or "eyes" from the crown. After you have removed the easy
divisions, wash the clump again repeat the process. Then try to pull the clump in
half. To separate a single plant from the crown, use a back and forth pulling
motion, working the stem back and forth until it comes loose or breaks from the
crown. Keep pulling the different sections in half until you get to the number of
stems you want. Sometimes it is easier to work on the plant in the bucket
because the water keeps washing the soil away and provides a lubricant to allow
the roots to be pulled out of the clump. If you separate the clump into nice well
rooted single stem divisions, each one will produce a nice plant with one to four
stems next year, all with very large leaves.
If you cannot break the clump apart, a sharp knife will have to be used.
Remember, since you want to keep as many roots and leaves as possible, make
your cuts through the crown, but not into the roots. Spread the roots out so that
you can locate a place to make your cut. Start cutting the crown in half by
placing the knife in the center of the crown. Make the cut about half way through
the crown and then see if you can pull it apart by hand using the same back and
forth pulling motion. If you can't pull it apart then make the cut deeper. Once
you start making your divisions you may need to wash more soil off the roots. In
most cases, the reason you divide your Hosta is to increase the number of
plants. This process allows you to divide down to single stems.
Once you have your divisions, the next step is planting them. Do not let the
roots dry out at all. If you cannot plant them right away, place some moist soil or
peat moss on the roots and put them in dense shade. If your roots dry a little bit
before you get a chance to replant – soak them in a bucket of water for a while.
Do not leave the plants in water for more than a day because the roots will begin
to rot.
For divisions that you have produced by pulling them apart and which have a
nice balanced root distribution – plant your divisions about ½ inch deep. Spread
the roots out and cover the stems until you cannot see any of the white stems or
crowns at the base of the stems. Water them in well so that there are no large air
pockets in the soil. If you had to use a knife and cut up the crown – plant the
divisions around 1 – 1½ inches deep and water well. Do not step on the soil
around the plants – this will compact the soil.
To divide a Hosta, start with a clump that is at least three years old, which is the
perfect size for division. As a rule, the larger and more dense the clump, the less
divisions that are possible. On fast growing Hosta, three or four year old plants
produce the largest and best divisions, while slower growing plants or old mature
clumps that are eight or more years old, produce the most dense clumps and
are the hardest to divide. These large clumps require a spade and
consequently more destruction of crowns and roots of individual plants as well as
a longer period to recover from transplant shock.
The best tools to remove the clumps from the ground are spading forks that
have flat blades or spades. Dig around the clump, starting six inches from the
edge of the crown. Once you have cut a circle around the clump, pry it lose and
pop it out of the ground. On very large clumps in heavy, rocky, or clay soils, it
can be a chore.
Begin dividing the clumps by washing the roots in a bucket of water or with a
hose end sprayer. You will be able to clean the dirt off the crown and the roots.
Do not worry about damaging the roots with the jet of water - they are tough and
can take the abuse. Then turn the clump onto its side and clean again. Do this
a number of times. It also helps to pull the roots up and off to the sides as if to
loosen the entire clump as you wash the soil away. Pull each cluster of roots
apart. The more dirt you get off the clump, the easier it is to pull the divisions
apart to see where to make the cuts. Try to keep as many leaves and as many
roots as possible on your new divisions so that the plant will grow fast and
become strong for next year.
The next step, after cleaning the dirt off of the roots, is to pull any easily
removable stems or "eyes" from the crown. After you have removed the easy
divisions, wash the clump again repeat the process. Then try to pull the clump in
half. To separate a single plant from the crown, use a back and forth pulling
motion, working the stem back and forth until it comes loose or breaks from the
crown. Keep pulling the different sections in half until you get to the number of
stems you want. Sometimes it is easier to work on the plant in the bucket
because the water keeps washing the soil away and provides a lubricant to allow
the roots to be pulled out of the clump. If you separate the clump into nice well
rooted single stem divisions, each one will produce a nice plant with one to four
stems next year, all with very large leaves.
If you cannot break the clump apart, a sharp knife will have to be used.
Remember, since you want to keep as many roots and leaves as possible, make
your cuts through the crown, but not into the roots. Spread the roots out so that
you can locate a place to make your cut. Start cutting the crown in half by
placing the knife in the center of the crown. Make the cut about half way through
the crown and then see if you can pull it apart by hand using the same back and
forth pulling motion. If you can't pull it apart then make the cut deeper. Once
you start making your divisions you may need to wash more soil off the roots. In
most cases, the reason you divide your Hosta is to increase the number of
plants. This process allows you to divide down to single stems.
Once you have your divisions, the next step is planting them. Do not let the
roots dry out at all. If you cannot plant them right away, place some moist soil or
peat moss on the roots and put them in dense shade. If your roots dry a little bit
before you get a chance to replant – soak them in a bucket of water for a while.
Do not leave the plants in water for more than a day because the roots will begin
to rot.
For divisions that you have produced by pulling them apart and which have a
nice balanced root distribution – plant your divisions about ½ inch deep. Spread
the roots out and cover the stems until you cannot see any of the white stems or
crowns at the base of the stems. Water them in well so that there are no large air
pockets in the soil. If you had to use a knife and cut up the crown – plant the
divisions around 1 – 1½ inches deep and water well. Do not step on the soil
around the plants – this will compact the soil.
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| Dividing Hostas to Expand Your Garden |
| Copyright 2009 Go-GreenGardening 201 Bethel Ave. Beech Grove, IN 46107 |
|