More pips. Here's why:

Sometimes a large single pip indicates that the plant has been recently split from a larger mature specimen. The crown has been damaged and will probably revert the next season to several smaller eyes.

Buying the one with smaller eyes will put you a year ahead. Most hostas are better looking the more mature they are.

This isn't the case 100% of the time. Always buy the plant with the best root system.

Given the same price and similar health for the plants, I choose more eyes with smaller plants over a single big eyed plant. Seems like they develop faster when they have 3-4 eyes than the ones with just 1-2 eyes.

When I divide plants now, I try to make sure to keep at least 5-6 eyes on ones I divide out - they seem to do better that way.

It really is all about ROOTS! A larger hosta might only have a single eye for a couple years. but a great root system. I always slide the plant out of the pot and see how crowded the roots are. If there are LOTS of roots, that plant is eager and ready to grow.

-Babka

with babs here...

tip out of pot.. and buy the best roots system.. the plant will follow

ken