What is wrong with my Captain Kirk

16 years ago

First, let me start by thanking all the vets who take time to answer all of the newbie questions. I have learned so much over the last few months.

Now, for another newbie question. I got a bunch of hostas this year and they all look great except my Captain Kirk. I have posted photos below so I won't describe it. I know the tiny holes on the leaves are slugs or earwigs. I am wondering about the brown edges. Any idea what is wrong and how to fix it? Thanks.

Whole plant

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Close up of leaf

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
frost damage weeks ago ...

and maybe planted too deep.. but its hard to tell with the pine needles

ken
caliloo
16 years ago
Yep - Frost damage and slugs. Sorry

Alexa
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coralb
Original Author
16 years ago
It must have gotten nipped by frost at the nursery. We have not been anywhere near freezing since I got it. I will pull it up and plant it a little shallower. Thanks.
ctopher_mi
16 years ago
It looks like the plant had some kind of damage that led to a fungus infection. If that plant just came from a nursery that purchased it from Q & Z in a 4" pot (makes me wonder because that is a Q & Z tag) I bet it was overfertilized with Osmocote. I got a bunch of Sutter's Mill from Q & Z last summer that had the same symptoms and the pots were loaded with osmocote pellets. The nitrogen burned the crown and rotted off the stems. I tried to cut out the rotten portions and replanted the good crown that remained and they all came back this year without showing any signs of disease or rot.

Watering with Miracle Gro can do the same thing, also if the plant has been constantly wet since planting that can encourage rot.

Personally I would tug at those leaves to see if they are still attached. If they pull away easily I would dig it up, pull off the rotten eyes and replant the good portion. If the leaves are still attached and don't pull away easily then I would just pinch off the bad leaves and let it recover. If the soil is wet let it dry out before watering again.

Hope that helps.

Chris
thisismelissa
16 years ago
If you just purchased that this year, I'd return it.
It's an easily find-able hosta, so better to get your money back than to try and ultimately lose this one... likely the case if there's rot involved.

Incidentally, if you're interested in a trade, I have an extra Captain Kirk that's happy and healthy that I could trade.
coralb
Original Author
16 years ago
Melissa,

I would love to trade but since I am a newbie I don't really have anything tradeable. The only trade ready and named one I have is Striptease, which is the one that started my addiction. I also know that most folks already have this.
in ny zone5
16 years ago
I had a little Stiletto which looked like that. A week later it was lying flat and I could lift it off into the garbage, need to check the spot in detail. I agree with Chris' reasoning. I have other healthy Stilettos. Good Luck!
Bernd