Dividing Hostas?

[Leeder]

I have just been out in the garden to discover to my great delight that my 3 hosta plants starting to peer through the earth, after (much to my relief) so far surviving slug/snail attack.

I have decided that the small bit of garden that we actually have (by small, I mean tiny) will be more of a cottage garden effect, a decision bought on by my great success with lupin seeds last year.

This means that I have decided to relocate my hostas into pots (hopefully this will help in protecting them from pests also).

Thats where my question comes in, I was thinking about dividing the hostas whilst they are out of the ground before housing them in pots. However I am unsure if they are old/big enough to do so.

So is there a rule of thumb that I could follow, such as each division should have a set amount of shoots, or something similar?


I am a complete novice at this, so any advice will be gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance.

[Palustris]

Now is a good time to divide Hosta, the roots are just beginning to re grow. You may split them into as many plants as there are 'noses'. Though you may not want to have that many plants. Just try to keep as many of the new roots as you can, but do not worry about the older ones, they are no longer used by the plant. Give them a good saoking before digging up and a good soaking after potting on.

[Leeder]

Thanks for the advice, I divided my hosta's over the weekend and managed to turn 3 plants into 12 plants, with plenty of 'noses' on each divide. It is surprising what is hiding beneath the soil.

Pretty chuffed with myself now, especially as they were a bargain at 50p each from asda near the end of summer last year, lol.

Thanks again.