Caring for hostas to produce robust, eye-catching plants requires seasonal adjustments - uncover the optimal watering and feeding schedule
Hostas, known as Funkien, are popular perennials grown for their decorative foliage. These plants come in various sizes, leaf shapes, and colours, including shades of green, yellow, and blue, as well as decorative variegated patterns.
When it comes to fertilizing hostas, a balanced approach is key. In spring, a 10-10-10 all-purpose fertilizer is recommended. For those growing hostas in pots, an extra feed in spring is essential, followed by a monthly dose of general-purpose liquid fertilizer until the end of August.
Liquid fertilizers, when mixed with water and applied during watering, provide a quicker dose of nutrients than granular products. Organic chicken manure pellets can also be used, simply sprinkled around the plants. During early summer, a second application of the same feed, but in liquid form, can be given to hostas.
The nitrogen in liquid feeds keeps the foliage healthy, while phosphorus helps develop strong roots to help winterize hostas. However, it's important to avoid high-nitrogen feeds in summer, as they will encourage the lush production of foliage that will be attractive to slugs.
Miracle-Gro products, such as the water-soluble all-purpose plant food and the shake'n'feed all-purpose plant food, can be used on hostas. Used coffee grounds, when spread around hosta plants, not only add nutrients to the soil but also help deter slugs and snails.
Mulching hostas with organic matter, such as compost, leaf mold, bark, or shredded leaves, is beneficial. It suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature, retains moisture, and releases nutrients to the plants as it decomposes. When mulching, add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch in spring, taking care only to spread it around the hostas and not put it over the crown of the plant.
The best time to fertilize hostas is in spring, when the new growth starts to emerge, and in early summer. The recommendation to fertilize Hostas in the first half of summer comes from gardening advice sources such as Utopia.de, which suggests applying an extra portion of fertilizer in June by mixing liquid fertilizer into the watering water and applying it on a cloudy day to avoid leaf sunburn.
Dividing hostas every four or five years helps rejuvenate clumps and give you more plants to add around the garden. This should be done in early spring, just before they start to grow. It's important to note that fertilizing hostas in mid to late summer should be avoided, as it can cause growth of soft foliage that would be damaged by early frosts.
In conclusion, with the right care and fertilization, hostas can thrive in your garden, providing a beautiful and long-lasting display of decorative foliage.
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