Hosta Planting Guide

Brighten up shady areas with vibrant hosta plants

Available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles it's no wonder that hostas are so popular. A versatile plant that grows well in shaded locations, hostas will provide interest in a garden location that doesn't get much sun. However, we should mention that they do prefer some morning sun, so deep, all-day shade may not be the best choice.

Follow these other simple planting tips to enjoy your hostas for many years to come.

Soil Preparation

A rich, organic soil is preferred when planting your hostas. This is easily achieved through the addition of a treatment of compost, manure or other organic compound. The pH of the soil should be somewhere around 6.5 or 7.5, which is a moderate amount of both acid and alkaline. When digging your hole, a large, wide hole is best since hosta roots tend to spread horizontally - one and a half times the expected spread of the plant and about a foot deep should suffice in most cases.

Planting

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After removing the plant from its container, make sure to loosen and untangle the root system. Some hostas may have become pot-bound, but simply tapping the sides of the pots should release it. Place the hosta into the ground at the same level it grew in the pot, where the leaves meet the root system. Fill in around with your organically amended soil and water well to establish.

Fertilizers

Several options are available, including liquid, granular and extended release types of fertilizer so its ultimately up to the gardener to decide which they're most comfortable using. A balanced granular fertilizer (10-10-10 or 5-10-5 for example) can be applied several times a season while a liquid can be used every 7 to 10 days. In each case the fertilizer itself should be consulted for optimal application.

Watering

Like any plant, watering is critical for a steady, continual growth and encouraging the overall health of the plant. We encourage our customers to water their plants 2-3 times a week even during rainy conditions and this holds for hostas as well. Signs that your hosta may not be getting enough water include burned leaf tips and drooping foliage.

Indentifying and Treating Rose Diseases

Growing roses can sometimes mean dealing with diseases specific to these special plants. However, by learning how to identify these problems, you'll be able to treat them early and effectively and thus, still enjoy beautiful blooms.

Now is a great time to check for early signs of the common diseases listed below. We've listed some symptoms, along with remedies to help you combat these diseases, but please remember that the garden professionals at Estabrook's are always available to help you diagnose and treat your roses, so don't hesitate to contact us!

Early treatment is always more beneficial than letting the problem fester and remember, good watering and fertilizing practices will yield a strong plant that can more easily fend off disease.

Black Spot

Black Spot is the most common disease of roses in Maine. The fungus has been widely distributed with cultivated roses and no real complete resistance is believed to exist.

Black Spot over-winters in infected leaves and canes while moving via wind currents or splashing water.

Symptoms: Dark black and sooty spots on the leaves that tend to be round and vary in size from pinpoint to quarter sized. The infected leaves will turn yellow and can drop completely from the plant. Black Spot attacks the plant from the bottom up.

Remedy: Remove the dropped leaves along with the other debris and discard. Spray with a fungicide known to be effective on Black Spot such as Copper Sulfate, Bayer All-in-One Rose & Flower Spray or Rose Pharm.

Powdery Mildew

Another prevalent rose disease is Powdery Mildew, which typically occurs with warm days, high humidity and cool nights.

Symptoms: The leaves fold at mid-rib or are distorted and white or gray powdery material appears on the forming buds and leaf tops or undersides. Powdery Mildew will attack the plant from the top down.

Remedy: Pruning and removing the infected plant material is the first level of defense, followed by the application of a fungicide such as Bayer Rose & Flower spray. Gardeners who prefer an organic solution can use Rose Pharm spray or a mixture of baking soda, soap and water. Good air circulation and ample sunlight will also help the plant recover and are always important factors that will deter mildew formation in the first place.

Downy Mildew

Downy Mildew is a common rose disease that occurs under moist conditions and is found throughout the United States. All species of cultivated and wild roses are susceptible.

This systemic fungus disease is present in the soil and will begin to cause problems when night temperatures reach 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit with 85 percent humidity.

Symptoms: Leaves, stems and flowers may manifest purple to red or brown irregular blotches while dark, irregular splotches appear on the leaves. Advanced infections will have yellowing of leaves with brown necrotic areas and noticeable leaf drop.

Remedy: Cut back the defoliated plant and clean up the debris. Apply Bayer or Rose Pharm at the recommended dosage.