When to transplant to host

An ornamental hosta plant can be an incredible garden decoration. It is very loved by gardeners and landscape designers for its lush foliage, as well as the low cost of material resources, time and physical strength for growing. Its leaves can be of different sizes, shapes and textures. The inflorescences are graceful, stand out above the lush mass of leaves. Their coloration ranges from white to purple and dark blue. To reach its full potential, the plant needs proper care, including periodic replanting.

When to replant host: fall or spring

Khosta is a typical perennial, the green part of it withers in winter, and the plant survives thanks to a powerful rhizome containing nutrients and buds for the development of young shoots in the warm season.

Hosta in the garden

When to transplant a hosta, it is determined by the type of plant and the decision of the gardener himself, because this can be done in spring, summer, and autumn. The procedure is carried out to rejuvenate the plant and give it new strength. In addition, the hosta grows rapidly, occupying too large areas and interfering with neighboring plantations. Therefore, it needs periodic division of the rhizome.

Regardless of the calendar time, it is not recommended to replant the plant at low ambient temperatures (below + 5 ° C).

Benefits of spring transplant hosts:

• the rapid growth of the plant begins;
• roots develop faster;
• adaptation to a new place is almost painless;
• the soil has already warmed up, but still remains sufficiently moist;
• if the hosta transplant is not performed at the best possible time, the leaves of the plant may acquire an unhealthy appearance, lose brightness and elasticity.

Is it possible to transplant the host in the summer

Certain hosta species, such as Hosta sieboldiana and Hosta Tokudama, differ from other plants in that they first grow leaves and then develop a root system. When such hosts are better transplanted, there is no question - in summer or autumn.

Hosta sieboldiana

It is also possible to replant other species in summer, but this will not be the best solution for them. In summer, the host blooms. Flowering is not a hindrance to transplanting. However, it should be remembered that the plant spends a lot of energy during the flowering period, and they may not be enough for rooting. Therefore, the peduncles must be removed during the summer transplant procedure. They are cut directly on the dug out host.

It is necessary to choose a non-hot, cloudy day for transplanting in order to less injure the plant. Of the summer months, late August is the best time to start replanting the host, and July is the worst.

Blooming host

Is it possible to transplant the host in June

The beginning of June is not ideal, but a good time for replanting hosts, especially if the spring has been long and the snow has melted late.

In different Russian regions, the existing natural conditions and many years of experience of gardeners determine when it is possible to transplant a host to another place in a particular region:

1. In Siberia and the Urals, summer is short, and it quickly becomes cold in autumn, so the hosta takes root well when transplanting in late May-early June, when the entire summer season is ahead to strengthen the plant;
2. In the middle zone of the European part of the Russian Federation, including in the Moscow region, gardeners prefer the autumn transplant.

When and how to seat and share the host

One of the reasons why the host is seated is the overgrowth of the root system.She not only begins to occupy a large space, but the decorative qualities of the plant also decrease. The second reason may be the reproduction of the plant, the creation of new landscape compositions.

Typically, the plant reaches its peak of development in the fifth or sixth year. This means that in 5 years the time comes when it is already possible to seat the host.

Before transplanting to a host, you should responsibly choose the best place for it. These plants love shady or only partially lit areas. They are ideal for creating lush canopy under trees.

Hosta under the tree

Straight light is best tolerated by varieties with light green foliage, but it is preferable to expose them only to the morning sun. Full shade is almost never an obstacle to vegetative growth, although it can sometimes lead to loss of flowering.

Hosta is not particularly demanding on soil, but prefers a substrate rich in organic matter. Loamy soil is good for her, capable of retaining moisture, but without stagnant water. Low places prone to flooding are not suitable for planting.

Step-by-step actions for transplanting:

1. An adult hosta bush is dug to an average depth, trying to get under the root ball without damaging the roots;
2. The plant is carefully pulled out. If a simple transplant is made, then the earth from the roots is only slightly shaken off. If necessary, divide and plant the bush, the roots are cleaned of soil by washing in water to expose them;
3. A new hole is prepared based on the size of the earthen coma. When dividing - about 0.4x0.4 m and 0.5 m deep. If several plants are planted, the holes should not be placed close to each other. Hosts need space for the growth of the root system, taking into account the rare transplantation, it should be sufficient: at least 0.5 m for large-leaved plants, 0.3 m - for miniature varieties;
4. Drainage material (small pebbles, brick chips, etc.) and a layer of sheet compost or peat are placed at the bottom of the hole;
5. The roots are carefully examined, damaged and dried ones are removed. For disinfection, immerse in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes;
6. Then it is dried in the open air (at least 1.5 hours), after which the rhizome is divided into sections with a sharp knife, sprinkling the cuts with wood ash. Each divided section should have well-developed roots and at least 2-3 leafy shoots or buds;
7. Individual plants are placed in the center of the hole, covered with soil, lightly compacted. At the same time, the root collar remains on the surface.

Division of hosts

With an autumn transplant, you need to take care of the insulation of young plants. They are covered with dry foliage or spruce branches, on the eve of the onset of cold weather, the leaves can be cut off, leaving only up to 15 cm of the stem.

Transplanted host

How to feed the host for growth

After transplanting, it is not required to fertilize the plant in the fall; in the spring in the post-transplant period and further during the active period, the host needs regular feeding. This also applies to non-transplanted individuals.

To ensure health, which means preserving the beautiful appearance of the plant, you need to know how to feed the host, when and how to do it correctly, and in what quantities to use fertilizers.

Mulching hosts with organic

With the beginning of the growing season, already at the end of April-May, when the plant is ready to wake up from winter dormancy and start growing, the host is supplied with complex fertilizers consisting of organic matter and mineral preparations.

Leaf compost, various organic residues (seed husks, rotten tree bark, etc.), which are laid out under the bushes, can be used as organic fertilizing. Mineral preparations should contain mainly nitrogen, which is necessary for plants to build up green mass.

When after the first spring feeding has passed about two weeks, it can be done again.

If the plant does not develop well, and a problem arises, how to feed the hosta for better growth, then the same mineral complexes are used, but they are introduced simultaneously in two ways:

1. The soil is loosened under the bush, and the granules are scattered there. Or they are bred and watered;
2. A solution of such fertilizers as Aquarine flower, Agrovitaqua, etc., is sprayed on the aboveground part of the hosts.

How to feed hosts in June

If organic matter needs to be fertilized once in spring and then again before wintering, then mineral complexes can be fed throughout June and early July. The mode of their introduction is every 15 days, but no more than four times during the entire active period.

In August, but no later than the middle of it, the hosta is fed with phosphate-potassium fertilizers, which are necessary to create a supply of nutrients for the winter. It is enough to do this 1-2 times.

Fertilizer for hosts

In the first or second year of the plant's life, if a sufficient amount of organic matter was introduced during planting, the host does not need to further stimulate. The need for top dressing is determined by the condition of the plant. If it looks good and develops, it is recommended to completely abandon additional fertilizers. Weakened individuals need them.

Possible organic fertilizers:

• leaf compost;
• ground corn cobs;
• bone flour;
• rotted manure;
• dried needles of coniferous trees.

From mineral fertilizers in granules, Bazakot and Osmokot are suitable.

Fertilizer Osmokot

For late August dressings, diluted with water are used:

• superphosphate;
• potassium magnesium;
• potassium sulfate.

Self-made folk remedies are also good, for example, an infusion of ash rich in potassium. Ash is obtained by collecting and burning cut branches and dry leaves in the fall. Then 0.3 kg of ash is placed in a bucket of water and kept for several days. This tool is used to water the soil under the leaves before wintering, sprinkling on top with a thin layer of earth.

The hosta is a great addition to any garden; it fits well into a variety of spaces. It is easy to cultivate it, and if you follow the simple rules for caring for the plant, you can create a unique landscape on your site.

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