lol .. since we have frost or freeze potential thru the end of may .. i frankly have no answer to fertilizing in APRIL ... lol ...

my base answer is.. bare root it.. and then it doesnt matter what it is.. or any other question ...

regardless of the type of plant.. i NEVER fert at transplant.. as at that point its stressed.. not hungry ...

it has always been my idea ... for what that is worth ... that hosta emerge on stored energy .. so very early fert'g isnt a big deal ... having it there for summer use.. sounds ok to me ...

i struggled using professional level theory in my garden .. with a profit motive they do things to speed growth.. for sale that season .. and if they lose a certain percent of say.. 100 plants ... so be it.. it a CODB .... cost of doing business ... i seemed to lose a higher percent.. and having only one of one... it was a total loss ...

sometimes you just refine the cost benefit ratio down to .. whats your hurry ... and why increase loss potential ... for a little instant gratification ...

boy sounds like a business school paper.. lol ...

ken

Thanks Ken. Our average last killing frost is March 15, so my hosta have been fully leafed for a while. These three I recently purchased were fully leafed out as well, and pot bound. I generally don't bare root them at purchase. If they are root bound, I usually just "up pot" them slightly as they dry out too quickly if pot bound. I save all the bare root re-pots for the early spring when they are just pipping.

They all had that blue stuff in them. I guess I should ask the seller. Generally, we begin fertilizing the first of April (the lawn, anyway).

Thanks again,

bkay

i was just pointing out the regional difference for others who might read along ..

i suspected it doesnt matter in your TX .... and i probably wouldnt even bother asking the seller in your area ...

besides.. i know you have a ton of experience .. just go with your gut.. but make posts so we can get some discussions going ...

what that old phrase.. YES CHEF ... lol ..

ken