3 simple rules for preparing a Host for winter, so that next year the leaf caps become larger and more beautiful
Want to get an improved version of your old hosts next summer season? Then a fiery salute, comrade florist! Today on the agenda is a simple-minded plan for preparing an ornamental deciduous plant for winter rest. It's time to stick your nose into the hostiary!
"Why bother at all?"
I suspect that the host has gained unprecedented popularity due to its exceptional unpretentiousness. Planted in the shade - water when it is completely dry - the plant looks decent. Ideally? No!
Each plant, variety and even a single specimen has its own Potential. Arrogantly declaring that "The host does not need care", you doom the plant to demonstrate the minimum of possibilities. Yes, quite bearable. But by giving the host a little time, you will give her the opportunity to demonstrate her strengths.
Winter is a winter rest time, not a survival time. Despite the excellent winter hardiness, an unprepared host can partially freeze. And next spring will be working on recovery. Prepared, safely overwintered and rested, - will immediately begin to go to a vigorous post.
Step 1: look at the rhizome
Hosta's rhizome tends to bulge out of the ground. It increases in size inside the flower bed, and from above, precipitation and water from the watering can erode the soil. Anything that sticks out on the surface is a potential victim of frost, especially in a snowless winter. The rhizome will not completely freeze, but part of it may be damaged.
Be sure to spud the hosta before winter if she was seen in such a helpless state.. Just not like a potato, raking the earth out of the trunk circle - you will bare the roots, comrade. Bring a bucket of loose soil.
Step 2: Decide What You Will Do With The Leaves
There are 2 views on the situation:
- Leaves of the hosta must be left. They will be overcooked and become a natural fertilizer.
- Hosta leaves need to be cut off - they play the role of a refuge for dangerous fungi, bacteria, pests.
I strongly advise citizens to prune the hosta leaves, but only after the frost has grabbed them.. The natural life cycle of the plant will end, and it will not notice the loss.
Why? Yes, because you don't want to plant jelly in a flower bed. I believe that cleanliness is the key to both the beauty and health of the garden. And I will add fertilizer in the spring.
Step 3: Mulch the host
The host will oversleep with a heroic dream, if you make a banal mulching. This is a plant that generally favors mulch. One year my wife decided to show off by making an amazingly beautiful pine cone bedspread. I prefer more practical options like plain compost or humus.
Note to a friend: Mulch is not only cold protection for roots. In the soil under the compost bed, a favorable climate for soil microorganisms is obtained. Looseness and fertility - increases as if by itself.
Do you like the host and was the article helpful? Press, comrade, "Thumbs up"! Yours sincerely, host cutter, Fedor Tyapkin-Sklyankin.