Story Board #2 - These are the steps in actually dividing a hosta.
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I cover the work area with cardboard to allow for easy
cleanup. I place the washed hosta clump on the cardboard and visually
inspect the crown looking for the natural divisions. Even from this
picture you probably can see where the divisions will be made. |
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I manually pull the hosta clump apart with my hands if I can
without using any cutters. This particular clump divided very easily
manually leaving a couple of pieces that could be cut smaller. The
position of the indicates where this cut will be made. NOTE: I am only
cutting the woody crown on the very top. I am NOT passing the knife
through the lower roots! |
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The cut has been made. Look closely. The wide
wound is the ONLY place that was cut. It is the ONLY NECESSARY place
to cute. Note the healthy portion of roots on each division.
Make sure that BEFORE you cut you have sufficient root mass that will remain
on each division. This will guarantee success and two very healthy and
vigorous new plants. |
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A hosta division. Note the petitoles coming out
laterally from the crown. The heavy dead stalk if last years flower
scape. A perfect division! Don't worry, you will on occasion
make a bad decision on where to cut and have a not so perfect division.
Hostas are tough, it will survive! |
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Here is a close-up of another hosta. Note the latent
buds that are still dormant. Note the new buds that are starting to
grow. These are cool plants! |
