Splitting Your Hostas
You can generally split or divide Hostas at any time of the year. We have a preference for splitting Hostas at any time that they need it. If it needs attention, we do it. That’s at any time of the year with the normal exception of frosty or snowy weather or long spells of hot dry weather.
This year, we have had some extremely hot weather, for lengthy periods of time, and they have been classed as ‘heat waves’
Naturally, this has put paid to any splitting of Hostas now for some 2-3 months. It has just been far to hot, and the Hostas that need the work are all a little bit wilty.(for want of a better word). The Hostas need to be turgid, full of moisture and stand upright on their own, not as they are now, looking a bit sad for themselves.
This series of heat waves has created quite a backlog of jobs on the nursery of which planting and dividing are the two main issues.
We shall only start splitting once we have had several days of rain and cool weather, to give our Hostas a better than good fighting chance of survival. If they were split in this heat, you will have had to water well before splitting and water regularly after splitting. That is an awful lot more work than we would like but could be done. It is not recommended though.
We discussed this subject just about a year ago. You can read that blog using the link below.
Here is a link to my last blog about splitting Hostas. Splitting & Dividing Your Hostas
There are a number of Hosta enthusiasts that swear the best time to split is either Autumn or Spring. That’s fine, but if conditions are suitable, do it then!
We have included a couple of videos for you to look at.
The first is the process of splitting Hostas from pots, usually larger ones.
The 2nd video is splitting miniature & small Hostas, as this is slightly different. Both of these should be watched for the full picture.
When you are splitting your Hostas, don’t be mean. We tend to split large clumps and leave about 25% to 30% to put back in the ground. The rest split and potted.
Leave decent sized splits to give them a better fighting chance. Some take the splits to extreme to maximise their Hostas by splitting into individual plants. Little piddly ones wont generally survive.
Some people leave their Hostas so that they get very big, some of them are huge. They look fantastic in a large border and are a standout plant. They plant them, then leave them totally alone, and never lift and divide.
It is a great way to add extra plants to your garden for free! Or why not share with a fellow Hosta lover, friends and neighbours.
If you look at what is available on the market today you will see a tendency to create hundreds of NEW varieties and make them available on the market. The downside of this is that some of the older varieties become less available or disappear altogether. There is no room for them. Creating new plants by splitting your Hostas may just keep that particular variety going. They are more likely to be bigger plants anyway, but probably the old varieties. It would be a shame to see them disappear from the market. At least you, and your friends will still have them.
Make splitting or dividing your Hostas a regular feature to you garden calendar. It is so satisfying and fruitful.
Keep on splitting. It’s easier than you think and beneficial to your Hostas.
Happy splitting!
At Rewela Hostas, we are delighted to provide a diverse selection of Hostas suitable for collectors, experienced growers, and beginners alike. As a small family-run Hosta business we are more than happy to share our expert advice on everything related to Hostas. Shop now on our on-line shop for a wide range of Hostas, from new varieties to classics.
Or why not come and see us? We open the nursery by appointment, just ring 07539 428892 to book, we would love to see you.
Shop for Hostas online HERE
John Plant
Rewela Hostas
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