Bigger vs more eyes?

19 years ago

In looking at all my newly emerging hostas all over my property, I've noticed an unusual occurrance. Many of them are in the third (leap) year in my gardens, I would have expected them all to increase significantly. However, that increase is not consistent....

Some are emerging with the same number of eyes, but each eye is significantly larger (this is true of most of the larger sized hostas, but not all of them)

Some are emerging with a lot more eyes, but the eyes themselves seem the same size or smaller.

ie I have 2 Halcyon - one gets more morning light, one is dappled shade all day. The one in morning light has more eyes than last year (3 --->8) and the one in dappled light has remained at 4 eyes, but they are larger in diameter than my thumb. They are HUGE by comparison.

Savannah Supreme - lots more eyes, still on the smallish side

Olive Bailey Langdon - still 3 eyes, but they are enormous in diameter.

THose are just a couple of examples.

I was initially concerned that the hostas planted under the Silver Maples would really suffer, but they seem to be increasing right along with everything else. I do water the entire area under the tree, not just the hostas, so maybe the competition hasn't been as bad.

Anyway... anyone notice a similar pattern (or lack of)? THoughts? Have I just been staring at hosta eyes too long?

Alexa

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

hosta_freak
19 years ago
Alexa,I garden in the woods,so all my hostas have bigger eyes,i.e. bigger leaves. Some of my sieboldiana-type hostas have remained at 1 eye for several years,while,some of the smaller hostas gain eyes every year.This year,due to freeze damage,some of those sieboldians type hostas are putting on new eyes,to compensate for the damage. A couple of my new hostas from last year,came back with the same single eye as last year,while others increased a lot. My Fried Bananas had one eye last year,but came back with 4 eyes this year. I guess there's no explanation,except hosta do as they damn well please! Phil
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
19 years ago
geez... you either need more kids or more hosta if you have a recollection of the pips per plant from last year ...

the third is is NOT always the jump year ...a small or mini is mature in the third year .. it jumped the second year.. refer to golden tiara ...

... a medium take 3 to 5 years.. jump MIGHt be year 3 or 4 ...

a large to giant... 7 years to mature ... jump year could be 4 or 5 or 6 ...

no matter what.. grow the roots until it decides when the jump time is.. and you will be pleased ....

on giants or large .... with only 2 or 3 divisions .. you can ross them in half in august ... to insure extra the following year ... and you might get more the next year ... but if the roots cant support them.. they will be smaller ....

ken
Related Professionals
Jacksonville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Tupelo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cookeville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · South Sioux City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Myrtle Beach Landscape Contractors · Elgin Landscape Contractors · Muskegon Landscape Contractors · Glenwood Springs Landscape Contractors · Pocatello Landscape Contractors · Edmonton Landscape Contractors · Vancouver Landscape Contractors · Plainfield Home Additions · Plymouth Home Additions · Scranton Home Additions · Huron Home Additions
Annette Holbrook(z7a)
19 years ago
I'd just like to know where you got the Savannah Supreme. I'd love to get one if I could find it!

Annette
jenlaurel
19 years ago
Northern Grown Perennials carries Savannah Supreme. I've been very happy with my purchases from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Northern Grown Perennials