Hosta (Function) - a perennial flower belonging to the Asparagus family, was previously among the Liliaceae. Distribution area - eastern regions of Asia.
Description
The plant got its first name thanks to the doctor and botanist from Austria - Nikolaus Host, the second - to the German scientist Christian Funk.
The rhizome is compact, short-branched. Foliage of various shapes - from narrow lanceolate to wide ovate. Height of peduncles is up to 1 m. Inflorescences are racemose. The color of the buds is from white to lilac.
Fruits arise in a trihedral leathery box. Seeds are black, flat.
Hosts - flowers perennials, species
There are about 40 host varieties, but only a few of them are suitable for home growing:
| View | Height cm | Leaves |
| Swollen | 50 | Pointed at the tips. |
| Wavy | 75 | They have wavy edges, the central part is white, the edging is green. |
| High | 90-100 | Large, gloss - glossy. Color - darkish. |
| Siebold | 60 | Medium sized, deep veins. |
| Curly | 50-60 | Wide. Color - grassy, white at the edges. |
| Plantain | 50 | Shiny, bright green. |
| Fortune | 50 | The colors of the juicy greens, the edging is cream. |
Color variety
Given the color of the foliage, the host is divided into 5 classes:
- Bleu;
- Yellow;
- Green
- Variegata - varieties with colorful foliage, along the edge have a light border;
- The media variegate is light, the border is greenish.
Variety in size
Given the size of the plant, it is divided into 6 categories:
- dwarf - less than 10 cm (Draft);
- miniature - from 10 to 15 cm (La Donna);
- small - 16-25 cm (Gold Town);
- medium - from 30 cm to 0.5 m (So Sweet and White Feather, the last variety with white foliage, which turns green as it grows);
- large - 55-70 cm (Golden Meadows and Alvatine Taylor);
- giant - more than 0.7 m (Blue Vision).
Seed hosta at home
Germination of a flower from seeds at home is complicated by the fact that their germination is only 70-80%, so the planting material is pre-treated with drugs that stimulate growth (for half an hour they are placed in Zircon, Kornevin or Elin solutions). Also practiced stratification (placed in the refrigerator for a month).
It is advised to purchase the mixture in gardening shops, as microorganisms present in ordinary soil negatively affect seedlings and even provoke their death. The composition of the earth is a mixture of perlite and peat in equal proportions.
In March, containers for seedlings are prepared, they are wiped with alcohol or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. A drainage layer of pebbles is placed at the bottom, supplemented with soil and moisturized. In this form, the plant is left for several days, and then the hosts are sown, the seeds are laid on the surface of the earth with the maximum interval.
Sprinkle on top with the same substrate that was used previously. Thickness is about 5-7 mm. To preserve moisture, cover the container with polyethylene or glass. Be sure to control that during germination, the temperature of the earth is + 18 ... +25 ° C.
When following the technology, the first sprouts are observed after a few weeks. Exposure to direct sun, excessive moisture, condensation on the cover are dangerous for the flower. Seedlings are kept in a slightly shaded room.
When 2-3 true leaves arise, the plant is dived. Hosts are moved to separate pots 25% full of sand. Tanks are placed in a pan with water, this will provide lower watering.
The next action is hardening. They remove polyethylene and move the flowers outside, manipulations are performed at an air temperature of more than +18 ° С.
Outdoor Hosta Cultivation
In open ground, hosts are placed in late August or early autumn. 2 weeks before planting, on the selected site, the rotted pine bark or manure, leafy soil, compost are laid out. The layer is about 10 cm. The soil is dug together with organic matter, the depth is somewhere on the bayonet of a shovel. Take 1.5-2 buckets of funds per square meter.
30 minutes before planting, the soil is carefully watered. Small and medium-sized specimens are planted at a distance of 20-30 cm, large - 30-40 cm. The root system grows horizontally, therefore, the wider the hole, the better decorative. It reacts positively to mulching, the layer is at least 5 cm.
Planting time
The best time is the end of spring, as the roots grow, but the leaves have not yet arisen. The deadline is the beginning of September. With a later planting, shrubs do not take root.
Selection of healthy seedlings for planting
For planting and further care, the most healthy seedlings are selected. To do this, they are examined for rot and other diseases. The choice is stopped by strong representatives of culture.
Landing place
Hosts are choosing a place for many years, because the flower is able to grow without changes for 20 years. The ideal site is partial shade without drafts, but professionals take into account the rule that the more colorful the foliage, the more light-loving the plant.
Bright representatives of the species select places where the penumbra is at noon, and the rest of the time - the sun.
Soil features
The earth is picked up nutritious and well-drained. Ideal - cultivated loam. Acidity - 6.5-7.5. Untreated clay soils and dry sandstones are never used.
The host responds positively to the content of organic substances in the earth, therefore, in addition to timely fertilizing, the plant is regularly mulched with compost.
Hosting stages
The interval between the pits is associated with a variety of plants placed in the soil:
- small and medium - 30-50 cm;
- giants - 0.8-1 m.
For a successful planting, pre-watered the seedlings in the pots. She is transported to the holes along with an earthen lump. Sprinkle with soil on top and compact it so that the level is 2-3 cm below the rest of the soil.
If the planting is performed by dividing the bush, then dry leaves and spoiled rhizomes are removed from each part.
Host Care
Carrying out the cultivation and care of the hosts, observe a number of rules.
Watering
Make plentiful and frequent (twice a week). Water is introduced in the morning. The soil is kept moist, but does not allow stagnation of moisture, otherwise the plant affects the fungus.
Feeding
Fertilize three times during the growth period. The first feeding is at the very beginning of growth. The second - after the formation of flowers. The third - after the buds fall.
It is recommended to combine the introduction of complex means and compost. Immediately after feeding, the soil is mulched.
Breeding hosts
Propagation of the plant is performed by the methods of grafting and dividing the bush.
Cuttings
Cuttings are carried out at any time from spring to autumn. The part that has its own kidney and a little rhizome is separated from the mother shrub. The resulting material is placed in the shade, covered with a pre-cut bottle. Over time, regrowth of the missing organs and the formation of normal foliage are observed.
Bush division
Perform in the spring, after the emergence of seedlings. The maternal shrub is carefully removed from the soil, large earthen lumps are removed, and decayed areas are cut. The plant is cut with a knife or a pointed shovel. Each of the parts must have a kidney and a piece of rhizome.
Delenki move to the soil and the first few weeks are constantly watered.
Pests, diseases
During growth, hosts are affected by various diseases, and gardeners constantly observe insect attacks:
| Pest / disease | Symptom (effect on foliage) | Repair methods |
| Phyllostiosis | Red-brown spotting. | All diseased leaves are cut and discarded. Shrubs are sprayed with Vectra or Abiga-Peak, often use colloidal sulfur. |
| Botritis | Decay. | It is treated with Bordeaux liquid or Topaz. The affected parts are destroyed. |
| Root of the cervix | The rhizome is affected. | They dig it out, wash the root system, remove the infected areas, lower it into a light solution of potassium permanganate. Transported to a new place. |
| Slug | Traces of dried mucus, holes. | Thunderstorm bait is placed under the flower, covered with plywood in the evening, and manual collection of pests is performed in the morning. |
| Deciduous nematodes | Light brown spots. | Affected areas are destroyed. The soil is sprayed with a formalin solution or the flower is moved to a new area, but the roots are presoaked in potassium permanganate. |
With the timely detection of diseases and insects, a flower for a long time pleases with its flowering.
Mr. Summer resident advises: a host in landscape design
The plant is widely used in the landscape sphere due to its decorative properties and shade tolerance. Large representatives of the species are used as single elements, samples with a size of less than 10 cm, adorn alpine hills or a discount. Medium flowers harmoniously fit into various garden compositions.
Hosts emphasize the originality of flowerbeds and borders. Against the background of modern-style tracks or ground mats, the flowers fully demonstrate their decorativeness.
They are grown next to low coniferous perennials, ferns, daylilies and a number of other flowering deciduous and decorative varieties of flora.
