"The majority of roots are growing vertically above ground" hmm, this is new to me.

"two green circular rootlike things also growing on the surface of the soil" - the roots of my hosta grow below the soil. If they heave or otherwise are out of the ground I cover with some soil.

I am not familiar with roots growing above ground, maybe someone else has some experience with this.

Photo please. Where are you? What zone. Those circular hairy things are what is left of an old eye on the rhyzome (crown) of the plant. Some hostas grow more roots on the surface. If the plant is happy, don't worry about them.

-Babka

HI Babka -- Thank you for the information. We're in zone 6a (Massachusetts)

Looks perfectly normal to me...some hostas just do that, and it will grow more roots underground now that it has room to spread its feet. Relax and wait until Spring. It would be a good idea to check your profile page (advanced settings) and add your growing zone to your online name, so we can stop asking you where do you live on each post. Hoping you will be posting a lot!

-Babka

Hi and thank you. My growing zone is 6a (Massachusetts) -- will add to my profile page.

All of that should be underground. The rhizome for a Tokudama type should be buried about 1-1.5". Otherwise the crown will dry and die over winter.

I see now. I still think you could just cover the root parts with a little dirt.

that is PERFECTLY PLANTED ....if it wants it all deeper.. it will grow them deeper ... seems like babs agrees ....

those arent vertical roots ... they are fibers from old leaves ... i mean the hairy stuff ...

did you bare root it before planting.. or is your soil that nice.. if so.. im jealous ...

tokudama hosta are not rhizomatic .... as far as i know ... and ive kinda been doing this a while ... those roots will not spread out and put up new plants ...

if you feel some need to winter protect it.. throw some mulch on top of it ... which can be pulled back next spring.. DO NOT PUT SOIL ON TOP... and basically plant it deeper ....

in my collection of 1650 hosta.. i NEVER planted one 1.5 inches below the soil .. ever ... of any type ..... though over the years ... a couple sunk in fluffy soil.. back when i used to amend too heavily .... and suffered greatly.. until bruce told me to reset the height they were planted at ... RIP ...

ken

Ken is right. I should have said no soil over the crown of the plant, which is the eyeball part. I was thinking just a little soil around the we horizontal roots off to the side - but really not necessary.

Tokadama is still in the pot that I bought it in. I was going to plant it even thought it's almost Halloween but shall I just leave it in the container to hibernate in the garage? By the way what does "used to amend too heavily mean?" I thought hostas were easy to grow, lol, but reading the above, it seems there's more to it than meets the eye (no pun intended). Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I think we all thought you planted it in the ground! It's been growing that way for awhile, hence the green roots, don't mess with it until Spring, and let it hibernate in the garage. You probably have a really nice glob of roots in that pot.

Soil amendments break down pretty fast, and if you are over zealous in adding compost, etc. your plants will sink over time. Yes, they are easy to grow in the ground. Pots require a little more care over time.

-Babka

Thank you so much for your interest and replies.