Recovering pot head

10 years ago

My name is Jerry and I'm a recovering pot head...

Two years ago I made a new bed (sunshine bed) and filled it with all potted hostas (my first experience with pots). All went well and last year everything flourished and looked good.

2015

This year was a totally different story. Most looked weak, yellowish and disfigured. All the in ground are fine. Not sure exactly what went wrong. I had planned to up pot some of them but could not find any pine bark fines locally to make the 5-1-1 mix. Some were close to root bound with roots circling around the top of the pot. Possibly a water issue, possible poor over wintering or maybe a fertilizer issue.

Today I took them all out of pots and planted them in ground. I guess I don't have the patience or expertise to deal with the pots. I do have about 20 more in pots that are new or use in odd locations.

Hopefully they pull through and start looking better.

Featured Answer

Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.

10 years ago

The best way to fight root competition is to use spin-out bags. Google them...

Pieter

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Comments (9)

Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
10 years ago
Just curious, what was your reasoning for leaving them in their pots versus planting them out?

Pieter
old_dirt 6a
Original Author
10 years ago
Mainly tree root competition. Within thirty yards there is a huge black cherry tree and three silver maples. I do have many others in the ground in the area and they do OK but I don't think they ever reach their full potential. Also I liked the idea of being able to move them around wherever and whenever.
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old_dirt 6a
Original Author
10 years ago
Pieter, I have considered the spin-out bags but balked at the cost. At $5.00 - $7.00 each + shipping it would cost me a fortune to do very many. I may try with a few of my smaller more susceptible hostas to see the difference.
almosthooked zone5
10 years ago
Looks like they should be planted in the ground and thrive. By the time the roots make it that far the hosta should be developed enough to survive any roots . It looks like it will be a beautiful area. What are in the pots and are they all the same? I can visualize the end result and see where you are going with it and like it . As far as the spin out bags they are so expensive but Myrle found some similar in one of the new $1 store in our town and bought up every one of them so she will be the trial girl on my hill to see if they are as good. She fights the roots all the time. So far I have not but it could be down the road too. Never say never.
old_dirt 6a thanked almosthooked zone5
Jon 6a SE MA
10 years ago
35 feet!!! I wouldn't have anywhere to plant if I worried about that. Maybe if you fertilize them and water them all the time and attract the roots to where you plant the hostas it might cause a problem. Plant the toughest ones closest to the trees and the thin leaved variegated, light hosta the furthest away. Put the heavy artillery out front and protect your flank.

Jon
old_dirt 6a thanked Jon 6a SE MA
windymess z6a KC, Ks
10 years ago
Old Dirt - I'm just admiring your garden! So pretty!
old_dirt 6a thanked windymess z6a KC, Ks
josephines167 z5 ON Canada
10 years ago
That is a lovely picture, Jerry! It will be quite a pretty sight when that wave of Ageratum fills out - definitely need additional photos throughout the season!

I like how you have combined functionality with aesthetics! (If those are veggies in the background?)
old_dirt 6a thanked josephines167 z5 ON Canada
old_dirt 6a
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks all, yes josephine there are some veggies back there. At one time it was all veggies but with the surrounding tree growth there isn't enough sun for them to grow. More room for hostas!!!