How to Start Hosta
- 1). Fill nursery pots three-quarters of the way with organic soil. You may also create a mixture of half potting soil and half compost for starting your seedlings. Nursery pots should have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent the soil from becoming too soggy.
- 2). Place the seeds on top of the soil and cover them lightly with surrounding soil. The seeds should lie just under the top of the soil.
- 3). Water the seeds using a watering can or a mister. Pour small amounts of water slowly to ensure that you do not disturb the seeds or the soil. Water the seeds every other day with a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of water and avoid letting the soil dry out.
- 4). Place the seeds in a window or sunny location where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. The temperature should remain between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 5). Apply a diluted mixture of an all-purpose liquid plant food instead of regular water to your seedlings at least once a week. Mix 1 tsp. of liquid plant food with 1 gallon of water.
- 6). Prepare the garden bed by tilling the garden 12 to 18 inches. Add 6 inches of compost or peat moss to the native soil.
- 7). Transplant your seedlings to your garden when they are 4 to 6 inches tall. Dig a small hole the same depth of the nursery pot. Gently turn the nursery pot upside down and tug gently at the base of the plant to remove the seedling. Shake all of the excess soil from the roots of the plant.
- 8). Place the seedling into the hole and refill the hole with native soil. Pack the soil gently around the base of the plant.
- 9). Add 3 to 4 inches of mulch at the base of the hosta to help prevent weeds and to maintain moisture.
- 10
Provide the plants 1 inch of water every week. - 11
Apply a 1/4 cup of granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer to the soil at the base of the plants in spring when new growth begins to emerge.