plant them.. roots pointing down .. crowns at soil level .... water like heck ....

and be amazed in a few months ....

though i cant say i have heard about the hosta farm .... or dont recall ...

i highly doubt you should worry about it

where are you dixie???

of my 1650+++ at least 3/4 came by mail .. it is not inherently evil ... but then i dont have expectations of them growing 3 feet the first season ...

they should be roots.. then crown.. and some pips.. or barely leafed out... no canes on hosta ...

good luck!!!!

ken

I have purchased bare roots from White Oak and was delighted with them. Popped them into the dirt, and they grew like weeds.

Thanks for the quick follow-ups! I'm in Illinois. I didnt expect them to be canes, just comparing what I was familiar with in terms of 'bare root' in my experience. Hopefully they get here soon so I can get them going! I like ordering from the catalogs/online because you have so much more variety when looking for your more unusual plants that you cant find at the local nurserys but you have to be patient which I very much lack.

is the hosta farm one of the ones recommended here???

ken

The Hosta Farm appears to be another name for Gorge Top Gardens:

Do a search for Gorge Top Gardens on the gardenwatchdog (link below)

From looking at their hosta farm website it appears that the bare root stock is likely Dutch grown and will have a good chance of carrying Hosta Virus X. Handle the bare root plants with care, maybe even where disposable gloves when planting them. Consider putting them into pots this first summer to watch them.

Chris

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Watchdog

Ugh...Hosta Virus X? What are the symptoms? I didnt realize Hostas were prone to diseases.

My Spidey senses are tingling... danger, danger Will Robinson!

Do a Google Search for Hosta HVX and you will be amazed at what you can learn. Chris ('ctopher mi' above)is from Hallson's Nursery and he KNOWS his stuff, and he sells hostas and is one of the few places that I trust to send disease free plants.)

-Babka

I've planted Bare Root Hostas for years, & they always put out lots of leaves the first year & grow bigger each year.

Can anyone tell me how long I can safely keep Hosta bare roots (keeping roots damp of course) before planting them? I bought some to put in at our daughter's, & we aren't planning to go there until May 21st. I just found out the Hostas have been shipped. I usually put them in within a couple of days. Should I try & up our visit to a closer date?? Thanks!

You probably could keep them that long, but you risk mold and rot or drying out, depending...

If possible, I'd pot them temporarily in a loose, well-draining soil. No need to pot them like they will stay in the pots for a long time... you can even put several together into each pot.

An alternative is "heeling in" in the garden... an old term for digging a shallow trench and laying the roots in and covering lightly, just to store them temporarily.

I like the pot idea better as they will be ready to transport when you go to your daughter's.

get a pot big enough to hold them all.. put some damp media in it.. and put them all in there together.. and put it in full shade .... and throw it in the trunk when you go ...

as well as living on the driveway.. they travel extremely. well ... never ask to stop for potty.. and NEVER ask .. ARE WE THERE YET ....

just make sure you park in shade.. and dont cook them in the car on the way ....

better to hold them in media or soil.. for 3 weeks ...

to long for a plastic bag or rotting newsprint.. IMHO ...

ken