Here is what I would do. Get on the computer and send an e-mail to the seller. Tell him (or her) that you are unhappy with the plant he sent and why. Ask for a replacement with a plant in better condition or your money back.

chris

Hi,

I received a plant like that one time from a nursery in Ohio and they not-so-cheerfully replaced it and the replacement was the exact same way. First they said it must have been the heat, then that I must have watered it too much, but each time the shipment only took a day and I claimed them upon arrival... Finally they admitted that just prior to shipment they soaked them in bleach to kill "whatever". They refused to replace them again. Eventually all the roots sloughed off the crown but bits of crown did regrow some roots later and in a few years one of the plants was back to its original size. The first one never recovered.

So basically, I would find out if the shipper did something like that, see if they soaked it or sprayed it with anything just before shipping (this could be a learning experience for them). The other possibly is the box sat out in the sun or was in a hot car, or took a very long time to get to you. I wouldn't do anything drastic to it at this point. Sounds like you removed as much rot as you could, now make sure it dries out a bit between watering and hopefully you will get some new root growth.

Hmmmm...first thing I'd do is request another plant from the source which mailed it to you...because if this one is too rotten, it's not gonna make it. Next, you want to remove all dead and rotten material if you haven't done so already...rotten roots, extra roots which aren't connected to the crown, roots which are not bright white, brown roots hairs, dead leaves and petioles, etc. Use a hose sprayer and a brush to gently clean it well. Trim off any large leaves which you don't think the current root system can support, they'll just die anyways. Then I'd let it soak for a few hours in a bucket of cold water with a mild fungicide (such as Captan or Benolate), keeping it out of direct sunlight. Then I'd plant it in partial shade, or bright but indirect sunlight, and keep it well watered. I wouldn't use any fertilizer this year...it will probably just burn the roots. Don't expect it to do much for the rest of the summer...if it survives at all. And next spring the first flush of leaves will probably be small.

It's been my experience that when you leave on too many large leaves and plant it in full sun, the large leaves just wilt and die and then you have more dead and rotting foliage.

Others may have other ideas and experiences...I'd like to hear from them as well...

Alycia, did your Regal Providence survive?

and this is why.. you order for delivery in may.. not late june.. or july.. or august ... it is much easier to deal with a delivery when it is cold out.. rather than stifling ...

the cause could be many things:

the plant was heat stressed or in drought when cut ... which might be why the tried to save it with bleach ..

wrapping lettuce ... which is just about what a hosta is.. in plastic.. and then hermetically taping them into a box is called.. an oven...

then there is the heat in the big brown or USPS trucks ... etc ..

my best advice.. STOP MAIL ORDERING FOR SUMMER ...

if you just have to buy more.. time for a road trip ... and buying potted hosta ...

i am really surprised at chris .. mail ordering in June .. when he has been living thru 100 degree days 20 miles from me.. whats that all about.. would you just die if you didnt get that one???? lol ..

divisions for this years sale should have been cut late last summer.. DO NOT BUY.. IN SUMMER.. ANYTHING THAT IS FRESH CUT.. AND MAILED.. IT WILL DIE ...

ken

ps: NO 'GOOD' NURSERY SHOULD BE WILLING TO MAIL IN JULY AND AUGUST.. if they agree to do it.. then bells and whistles should be going off in your head.. telling you they may not be on top of their game ... [and i will exclude chris from that.. because he is magical ...]

pps: in the alternative.. make an order for early fall shipment ....

Whenever I suspect root rot (on a plant that is not thriving) I remove all the rotten bits and soak what's left for 20 min or so in a bucket with some fungicide. Then I pot it up and make sure it stays on the dry side, being moist but not soggy. You can probably save it, but in the case where it came to you that way from a seller... ask for a replacement/or refund.

Ken, I have to disagree with your no July August shipping. You are denying me instant gratification. ;-(

I live way out here on the Left Coast in an area where hostas are seldom seen. I get just about all of my hostas thru mail ordering. I usually place early orders in January and they arrive as early as those places can ship. Some come with leaves unfurled, most are just roots with little white eyes.
BUT it always happens, that people post pics from conventions, or rave about a new hosta that I hadn't heard of, in the middle of summer, and I become smitten. So I always end up getting one or two more in July or August.

They always arrive in fine shape, usually in less than 3 days usually shipped by Priority Mail.

-Babka

I have to disagree with your no July August shipping. You are denying me instant gratification. ;-(

==>>>> yes.. but you know what to expect..

i have seen too many posts recently.. where peeps who do NOT know better.. then complain.. when the root of the issue.. is the actual order.. rather than the supplier ...

you have problems.. you understand.. you take care of it ...

so my point.. is that you can avoid all the problems.. if you mail order plants at the right time of year ...

ken

No my it did not. I tried to save it but it was a no go.

Actually Ken for where I am, ordering in June is not usually an issue and most hostas I get are usually fine. I usually get hostas from NORTHERN growers anyway I think this was just because it wasn't a "tried and true" seller. I will not bad mouth him at all and I haven't because I find no reason to. I was not impressed with this seller but it's just my opinion. We also were getting TONS of rain last spring it was not a drought. I just think it was wrapped for too long-I think I remember it not being sent priority, but then again this was a year ago. BTW I was not complaining in this original post last year just wondering if there was something I could do to save it. It's not too great of a loss, I learned something from it.

Thanks Alycia, I was thinking about getting one and haven't been able to find many pictures of it. Sorry that it didn't make it.

Gesila

Yeah I couldn't find too many pictures either. The one at the library isn't very good. I know Land of the Giants are selling it for $22.

this is the pic that made me want it!

Here is a link that might be useful: scroll down for pic