Hosta Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail
Hosta is one of the important flowers in classical Chinese gardens, also known as Yu Chun Bang, Bai He Hua, Bai Yu Zan and so on. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Hosta in the Liliaceae family. Its flower buds resemble hairpins, are white as jade and delicately fragrant. In modern gardens it is mostly planted under trees on lawns, in rock gardens or on the shady side of buildings, and can also be dotted in the garden in clumps of two or three. Let us now take a look at hosta seed prices and planting methods!
How much does a jin of hosta seeds cost?
The price of hosta seeds is about 230 to 280 yuan per jin, but prices vary depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and market. Hosta is an indispensable flower in the night garden and can also be grown in pots indoors and along corridors. The seeds mature in late autumn, are dried after harvest, and can be sown between February and March of the following year. They generally bloom after 2 to 3 years. For cultivation, fertile, moist and well-drained sandy loam should be chosen.
Sowing Methods for Hosta
1. Disinfection and sprouting: The substrate used for sowing hosta should be disinfected. The best method is to put it in a pot and heat it while stirring, then soak the seeds in warm water (at about the same temperature as face-washing water) for 12 to 24 hours, until the seeds absorb water and swell, and then they can be sown.
2. Sowing method: Use a toothpick with one end moistened with water to pick up the hosta seeds one by one and place them on the surface of the substrate, then cover with 1 cm of substrate, and finally put the sowing pot into water to a depth of 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot's height, letting the water slowly seep up.
Planting Methods for Hosta
1. Soil: Hosta is not choosy about soil. A layer of coarser material such as cinder, peat or perlite is usually placed at the bottom of the pot first to improve bottom drainage, and the rest can be a mixture of paddy soil, pond mud and leaf mold.
2. Watering: Hosta likes moisture and does not tolerate drought. Attention should be paid to watering during the growing period, but there must not be excessive water accumulation. When the air is dry, spray water on the leaves every day to prevent the leaves from drying out.
3. Sunlight: Hosta likes shade and fears scorching sun. After summer begins, it must be moved to a shaded place or a north-facing balcony to prevent direct sunlight. In other growing seasons, place it in half-light, and after late autumn keep it in a sunny place, which benefits its growth and flowering.
4. Temperature: Hosta is robust and cold-resistant. Move it indoors at the end of November, and keep the room temperature above freezing. Potted plants can be moved indoors after Frost's Descent and safely overwintered at a room temperature of 2 to 3°C, then taken outside in April of the following year.
5. Fertilizing: Start fertilizing hosta in early May, applying a dilute liquid fertilizer about once a month. In July and August it can be slightly more concentrated, and stop fertilizing after late September. After each fertilization, water and loosen the soil promptly to keep the soil loose and aerated.
6. Pests and diseases: In summer, hosta should be protected from damage by snails and slugs. For leaf spot control, management should be strengthened, sufficient fertilizer applied, strong seedlings cultivated, and rain protection and shading provided. At the early stage of the disease, remove diseased leaves promptly and then spray immediately for control.