August is a Good Time for Dividing Hosta
Introduction
Most of us ignore our perennial Hosta in the garden. They are so reliable! - coming up in Spring, flushing out, blooming and then going to sleep for Winter. All pretty much without our help – except for the occasional feeding. We kind of take them for granted.
As a result, over time they can get really big ! Especially in ground if in an area with lots of soil and little competition. But in a planter, they will actually slow down and underperform - they may have simply run out of room to grow.
The best way to help them out is to periodically split them in half and replant them using new soil. You can also use this opportunity to divide them into many smaller pieces in order to propagate those you really love! Every 3-5 years is a good schedule.
When
In my opinion the best time is late August. Pick a not too hot day to do this and keep them out of the sun during this process.
Why
There is not much growing season left - yet there is plenty of time for the new transplants to take root and get ready for winter.
The weather is progressively getting cooler – not warmer as would happen if you did this in spring. This reduces the stress on the transplants and increases the success rate.
How
Basically you want to dig them up using a forked shovel – a spading fork. You could also just use a regular shovel or even dig them out by hand. Whatever works for you.
Once you get the clump out you want to cut it in half. Using a sharp knife place the clump on its side and cut down the middle. Don’t worry if the cut is not perfect or the halves are not perfectly symmetrical.
Once split- simply plant the halves into your new spot. Remove and discard any damaged or broken leaves. At this time, you can also add a mild slow decomposing fertilizer in the soil.
Propagating
If you are going to propagate them - cut through the clump making sure the sections (divisions) you are saving all have an adequate number of shoots and roots. One easy method is to cut each new division in half until you can’t secure a half that will have good roots and growing section.
Once you have all the sections you want, remove the largest leaves from each new section and discard. Keep only the smallest leaves in the centers of these divisions. This will reduce transplant shock while the newly planted Hosta settles down, heals, and starts rooting.
After you are done planting, water well making sure the soil becomes soaked and free of air pockets. Don’t let the soil dry out while they recover. If you are planting many individual pots, you may need to water more often than in ground.
Delay fertilizing for another month while they settle down.
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Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA
All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK
