Is it ok to divide or transplant Hosta in July?

Answer 1

This is a repost of a question I answered that received best answer.

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Before you divide your favorite hosta, remember that these plants improve with age, both in texture and thickness of the foliage and in the overall size of the plant. When you divide a hosta you may be setting back its maturity by several years.

On the other hand, dividing is a very practical way to increase numbers, especially for the more expensive varieties. Make divisions in the fall as soon as the plant goes dormant, or in early spring just when new growth starts.

When you closely examine a hosta clump you may notice that it contains more than one plant arising from separate "crowns". If so, the easiest way to divide the clump is to carefully separate out as much as you can of the root systems of the individual crowns once you have dug up the clump and exposed the roots.

When you want to divide a single crown of a mature hosta, you will notice that it has several buds arranged evenly around the outside of the crown. You can cut the crown between these buds like slices of a pie and then gently separate the roots that go with each slice.

Remember that the more divisions you make, the longer it will take for the individual divisions to grow into mature plants. By the same token, the more mature the original plant, the more divisions you can make.

Last spring I divided a 4-year-old 'Paul's Glory' hosta into seven plants. Each new plant has survived and done well but, I expect it will take another two years or so before they attain the size of the original plant.

Russ England is a Master Gardener trained and certified in horticulture and related areas by the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Send questions to [e-mail].

Answer 2

"Hosta may be divided or moved at anytime. However, given the increased shock to the plant caused by dividing or digging it up to be moved,
spring has been much preferred. In fact, it is recommended that dividing
occur before the plant begins any substantial spring growth. Once the eyes
are evident, the plant should be dug and divided by using a sharp knife. It
is also recommended that the knife be dipped in a fungicide before making the
cut, and that the cut surface be dusted after the cut is made. There is another school of thought and that is, if you follow the life cycle of a monocot the best time may be the Fall. Under this school of thought, in the spring, if you divide you will need to give the plant more food as it needs food for foliar development as you have damaged the crown where food has been stored to aid in the foliar growth, you can divide in the summer but, since you are damaging roots, etc., you will need to add substantial amounts of water to compensate. Finally by dividing in the fall the plant has gone
predominantly dormant but is still in the root development phase and dividing
at this time does the least harm!"

Answer 3

Hosta can be divided just about anytime. Dig up large clumps, pull or cut apart and transplant. Water in and pay attention to irrigation to irrigation till newly divided plants get established.

Answer 4

I would. I divided and moved some of mine last month, in Virginia..in June. Now, water the OLD and the NEW every single day. Consider not putting in direct HOT sun if you don't have to.

Answer 5

In my opinion, you may transplant hostas almost any time. They are extreemly tough plants that will grow anywhere. Slugs are their worst enemy so use some slug bait near them and they fill in beautifully!

Answer 6

I've done it but I sure had to keep it watered. It took a long time to perk back up. I'll stick to spring division from now on. The heat must really shock it , not to mention the size of the plant. m.

Answer 7

Yes it is okay, but wait until after it has bloomed or you might lose this years' bloom. It's better to divide in the spring or fall before or after the bloom.