Yes , you may grow hosta plants from seed with a few introductory supplying .
Carson Downing
1. Collect the Seeds
After hostas bloom in midsummer , seed seedpod conformation along the bloom stalk where the flowers once were . Each germ seedpod contains many hosta seeds . crop the entire flush stalk when the seed cod get to recede their light-green colouration and feel more or less juiceless to the touch . Gently clip the seeded player pods off the stalk and hive away them in a single level in an open area where they will continue to dry out . The seed pod dry wholly and burst open in a few week to reveal diminutive inglorious seeds . Gently genuflect the ejaculate out of the pods . Store the germ in a coolheaded , ironic , moody maculation until you are quick to plant .
2. Gather Your Supplies
To start hosta from seed , use sweet potting premix . A specially formulatedseed starting mixis a great pick . Hosta come can be started in a variety of containers — from seed - starting trays to plastic swallow cup . Good drainage is key to any seed - get down container . If your container does n’t have drainage holes in the bottom , add several holes so water can take to the woods freely . in the end , light is essential for growing healthy hosta seedling . A south - facing window can provide copious light for a small number of plants . For more consistent brightness level , commit in a grow light .
3. Plant Seeds
Late wintertime is the good fourth dimension to plant hosta seeds . By take off ejaculate about eight weeksbefore your domain ’s last average Robert Lee Frost datein leap , the plants can gain size and be transplanted alfresco before the travel along wintertime time of year hardening in .
Before planting seeds , exhaustively dampen the potting mix . The mixture should cluster together when you nip a handful of it . Scatter theseeds on top of the moistened mixand cover them with about 1/8 - in of commixture . Cover the container with plastic wrapper to increase the humidity around the newly implant seeds . Light is n’t necessary until the come bourgeon and the first leaf appear .
4. Give Seedlings Water and Light
Shortly after the first leave of absence appear , move out the charge card wrap . Move the seedling to a bright location . If you areusing grow light , position the lights4 to 5 in above the seedling for 18 to 24 hour per day . piddle the plant as neededusing a tearing canwith a sprinkle - eccentric head . aspire to keep the soilless potting mix evenly moist .
Combat fungal diseases and strengthen seedling with a tabletop devotee . Position the devotee near the plants . scat the devotee on the lowest setting for a couple of hours daily .
5. Transplant into Pots
When seedling are about 2 column inch grandiloquent , transplant them into individual grow containers . fresh , recycled plastic garden pots form well . carry on growing seedlings under bright spark until they are about 6 inches marvellous and have several leafage .
6. Harden Off Seedlings
Hardening offis a process that help untried , raw plant uprise in a control environment transition to harsher outdoor conditions . blast of wind , fluctuating temperatures , and bright sun can shock seedlings when they are moved like a shot into the garden after growing inside for week . Prepare genus Hosta seedlings for the gardenby moving the containers out of doors for a few hour a Clarence Day for about a calendar week . Place the plants in a shady localization with some wind auspices . Move the plant inside at night .
7. Transplant into the Garden
Hosta seedling areready to transplantinto the garden when they are several inches tall . genus Funka grow slowly ; seedling embed in recent wintertime are often not ready to plant alfresco until mid- to former summer . Be sure toplant seedlings alfresco by former fallso they can develop a stiff root arrangement before winter weather go far . If plants are not large enough to establish outside by other fall , keep the works in spite of appearance under grow lights until the following spring . Cover outdoor seedling hostas with chaff in late twilight for extra protective cover . Uncover the plant in early spring .
Hostas , like all perennial , grow easy at first . At the conclusion of the first grow season , plant life will be about 8 inches magniloquent and across-the-board . They will grow well in the 2d year , expanding in height and width . Hostas originate from seeded player reach maturity in about four years .
Frequently Asked Questions
Hosta do n’t spread on their own , but after they ripen , you may divide them and replant the divisions to thrive their area . Each division will ab initio be smaller than the parent flora , but they reach full size in two to four year .
When grown in ideal conditions , Funka have been know to survive up to 30 years .
Hostas are long - lived perennials inZones 3 - 9 . They inscribe sleeping in wintertime , and the leaf snuff it back to the priming coat in cold areas . When the weather warms in springiness , the foliage re - emerges .
Credit:Carson Downing
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
