I was just going to ask that question. I have a Guacamole that I want to divide and move and would really like to do it now.

btw, I checked the FAQ and there was a link for Dividing Hostas, but couldn't get it to work even after taking out all the spaces.

It's OK to divide now, but it's better to wait til Spring. Hostas do most of their growing in the warmer months and so will put down lotsa roots in June, July and August. If you divide now you will get floppy stems and a small amount of root growth, but they'll be in their proper place for Spring. I prefer to divide in Spring when the pips are first showing. In this way I'm not dealing with all that foliage.

Steve

What zone casi? My hosta all look pretty sad about now anyway. I find it easier to divide when I can see the size and spaces I have while things are fully up. You won't kill a host moving/dividing it now. The best practice keeps them looking their best the year they are moved. Looking their best the year I divide/move them is rarely my first priority.

Divide now. I agree with arcy's comments that replanting now allows you to have a very good idea of how well the division will fit into its new home based on size, color and growth habit. And it won't be set back in the spring by moving it then. Search for Ken's post about dividing large hosta (Guacamole qualifies) which involves masking-taping the leaves to keep from breaking them all off.

Thank you, glad to know I can do it now. I was hoping for some seeds from the Guacamole to try growing it form seed, but it never sets seed for some reason. It had three flower spikes this year and not one seed. Division is quicker to get to maturity any way.

Division is quicker to get to maturity any way.

Division will DELAY maturity. 'Guacamole' however is a vigorous grower, I have several, and they do not set seed easily. Out of about a couple of dozen scapes I only have one with a pod, second time in 3 or 4 years. I seem to recall there was no viable seed in the last pod, so I'm not holding my hopes too high. Most likely all you will get from open-pollinated seed is plain Jane green seedlings, you will NOT get more 'Guacamole'. The only way to get more "Guacamole' is through division or tissue culture and the latter is not a likely option for you, so, stick with division.

Pieter

Well.....I don't agree, Pieter. My Guacamole got pot bound in a 3 gal pot, so I cut it into quarters. It took 2 years to be back to large leaves, much less time than growing anything from seed or a new tc liner. If I had just cut it in half, it would have been even quicker.

Division will set things back a bit, if that is what you meant. Probably. ;-)

-Babka

I am zone 5, right on the Missouri Iowa line. Just keep them moist right now and they will do okay? We have probably 4 more weeks of not real cold weather. Things are pretty dry right now.

Casi- Yes, they should be kept moist until they go dormant...they are still growing, although the only growing you may see is below ground. You will get a good frost/freeze and be done for this season.

-Babka

Well, Babka, you agree??? Division injures the plant and sets it back. End of story. Maturity is delayed.

Now, having said that, 'Guacamole' and the rest of that family are so vigorous that it doesn't take an individual division more than about a year to get over the trauma and it never looks back.

Pieter

I think you are both right. Division does of course delay maturity of the old clump and the new clump, but in comparison to starting a hosta from seed, it seems like it might be quicker.

I am not surprised that you had the same experience with seed production, Pieter. I have only the one Guacamole, which I love the fragrant large blooms by the way, but in 5 years have not had one seed pod. Now I will not look for them since the seed don't seem viable anyway. I suppose they did something to produce the larger blossoms that interfered with it's ability to produce a seed. I have other hosta that produce a ton of seed. Last winter was the first time I tried growing hosta from seed. It's kind of fun to see how many little hostas grow so dependably with the winter sowing method, but not sure I have the patience to wait for a great specimen. (g)