Stunted Sum & Substance

5 years ago

I wish I had known of this forum a year ago. One of my hostas did this last June:

This is a grouping of Sum and Substance I planted around 2018 or so. Here's a photo from 2019; it's not a great view of the problem plant, but it's not far behind the others in size.

The one on the left came up looking healthy but small this year. I recently dug it up to move it (with plans to divide the one on the right to replace it in the fall); I did not see any obvious rot or chewing damage.

Here it is today; I tugged on all the leaves and one small outer leaf (not shown) came up easily. The rest seemed ok.

Here's how the other two are doing:

Any thoughts on what the problem might be, or suggestions on how to proceed? (I'[m in north Alabama, 7b.)

Thanks,

Ben

Featured Answer

Ben D (zone 7b)
Original Author

5 years ago

Thanks all. I dug it up and potted it just now. It was indeed too deep -- the crown was about 2" down. And I cleared the mulch away from the rest of my plants where needed.

Debra, my plan is to divide the largest one this fall and put half where this small one was originally sited. I may need to look into Blueberry Muffin, I'm not familiar with that one.

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Comments (6)

peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
It appears to be either planted too deeply or the mulch has buried the crown. Pull the mulch away from the base. I am always careful to keep the mulch very lightly applied a couple of inches from any plant.
Ben D (zone 7b) thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
djacob Z6a SE WI
5 years ago
Those two look good to me...... with the other one removed, will you plant a third one? You could remove the poor looking one and add a blue in the middle of the two S&S. A Blueberry Muffin would look nice there or any other blue with substance.

debra
Ben D (zone 7b) thanked djacob Z6a SE WI
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
dig it up again.. pot it ... put it near the spigot.. and replant it in fall ...

lets grow some roots on it ...

when you plant.. do you put the crown right at ground level ... it is not supposed to be buried much at all ... the other two might also look a bit squat but that might just be fat spring growth ... in fact. in winter.. you should see next years pips all winter long ...

welcome .. hope you come back often ...

ken

ps: and you might want to discipline it by throwing it on the driveway while you fill the pot with media .. just to teach it whos in charge .,..
Ben D (zone 7b) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
djacob Z6a SE WI
5 years ago
I have Blueberry Muffins if you need to compare it. I am in zone 5b se WI. Take a look:

You can see how much of the purple is above the ground. I should have pull back the mulch for a better look.

debra
Ben D (zone 7b) thanked djacob Z6a SE WI
Ben D (zone 7b)
Original Author
5 years ago
I've added Blueberry Muffin to my wish list!