Hosta - this former forest perennial surprises with its large, green, blue, yellow or white variegated foliage, depending on the variety. The flowers are not to be despised either. You quickly take a liking to it and think about propagating it
How to propagate a hosta?
To propagate a hosta, you can either divide the rhizomes in spring or autumn and replant them or sow the seeds after the flowering period and plant the young plants in a bright location. Hostas also reproduce independently if they are in the right location.
Divide the rhizomes in spring or autumn
The best way to do this is to share the hosta. This is quick and requires the least amount of effort. It also has the positive side effect of rejuvenating the mother plant. You should start dividing either in spring before budding or in autumn when the plant begins its dormant period.
How to do it correctly:
- first cut down or remove the old plant parts
- Dig up and expose the roots
- divide with a spade
- plant the obtained sections at a distance of 50 to 90 cm from each other
Sowing – gaining new varieties
Sowing hosta seeds is something for gardeners who like to experiment. It takes longer than dividing the rootstock and the offspring often have different properties than the mother plant.
First the seeds must be harvested. After the flowering period is over in July, the seed heads form. The seeds are ripe when the shells are brown and slowly burst open. Then the dark, winged and triangular shaped seeds can be collected. It is recommended to start them to germinate immediately.
Here is the exact procedure for sowing:
- Sowing seeds in seed pots (€6.00 on Amazon)
- approx. Cover 0.5 cm with soil
- Moisten the substrate and keep it moist afterwards
- optimal germination temperature: 20 to 23 °C
- Germination time depending on the temperature: 7 to 21 days
- Plant out in a bright location from 3 leaves onwards
Intervening in reproduction – not absolutely necessary
In order to turn one hosta into several hostas, you do not necessarily have to intervene. Hostas tend to multiply on their own over time if they are in a suitable location. Remember to protect the young plants in the first winter.
Tip
Dividing the hosta is recommended every 4 to 5 years to keep the mother plant happy.