Hostas awaken the passion for collecting. To pursue this passion, you don't have to continually buy new plants from the garden center. The fast-growing plants can be easily propagated as they form numerous new shoots over time. Both potted plants and outdoor perennials can be multiplied by division. Depending on the age of the plant, different methods are recommended.
Ideal time
The autumn months are perfect for dividing the popular ornamental plant, as hostas stop growing after flowering and can better tolerate the stress of propagation. The freshly planted perennials grow quickly in the still warm soil. Carry out the measure in September or in spring at the latest. In March and April the ornamental plant is still in the dormant phase. In principle, you can transplant the plant during the entire growing season in summer. Then the hosta needs more attention so that the partial plants are optimally supplied with water. How to do it right:
- Divide and transplant Hosta immediately after purchase
- Propagation possible if the pot ball is completely rooted
- Rejuvenate older plants outdoors and in pots by dividing them after three to four years at the latest
Isolate younger plants
If you take a closer look at the rootstock, you will quickly notice the shoots that are close together, each with two to five leaves. These are connected to each other and their roots form an interwoven network, which is why careful division requires sensitivity. Grab two adjacent root necks with one thumb and one index finger each and carefully pull them apart. It helps if you gently shake the root ball. In this way you work your way through the root ball until you have completely separated the shoots. Within a year they develop into magnificent hostas because the plants grow very quickly.
Tip:
This measure works better the sandier the soil is. With a little patience and sensitivity, you will also be able to separate hostas well in loamy soil.
Cutting up strong plants
Check whether the perennial is already growing out of the drainage holes in the planter. If this is the case, they should be cut off with a sharp knife. This will prevent damage when removing the pot ball. After the lush root system has been freed from the container, cut the ball in half. A long kitchen knife with a sharp blade is sufficient. If the root ball is large enough, you can chop it into further pieces. Shorten injured roots slightly and remove diseased or dead root parts.
Note:
Varieties with slow growth should be divided so that the partial plants each have two to four shoot buds. This promotes successful growth.
Sharing outdoor perennials
To rejuvenate hostas in the garden by dividing them, use two digging forks. These are inserted directly into the plant so that their backs touch each other. Then carefully pry the tools apart and dig up the partial plants. This measure is suitable for younger hostas whose rhizomes are not yet woody. Older perennials are divided this way:
- lift the entire rootstock out of the ground with the digging fork
- Split the root ball with a sharp spade
- make sure that each plant part has sufficient roots and at least one shoot bud
- cut off old and rotten roots
Transplanting
If you divide the plants in autumn, they will be planted in a pot. In spring you can plant the partial plants directly in the bed. Most varieties prefer a shady to partially shaded spot where conditions are cool and moist. A humus-rich substrate that has been enriched with organic components such as compost or leaf humus ensures an optimal start to the growth phase. Horn shavings act as a long-term fertilizer and improve the growth of perennials in the long term. After the hostas have been planted in fresh substrate, water the root ball well. This closes air pores so that the roots have better contact with the soil. The amount of water depends on the season and plant size. The larger the leaf area, the higher the water requirement. Plants divided in summer also require more water. Please note the following instructions when transplanting:
- Remove weeds thoroughly from the bed before planting
- For mini hostas, ensure a planting distance of 20 to 30 centimeters
- large specimens need one square meter for themselves
- Equip planters with drainage made of pottery shards or stones
- Mix substrate for potted plants from two parts compost and one part potting soil
