Hosts - Ask Extension
Not sure what this is or how to describe it. I am thinking crown root!? Dry like grass can see some growth but not a lot
Knowledgebase
Hosts #867249
Asked May 06, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT
Not sure what this is or how to describe it. I am thinking crown root!? Dry like grass can see some growth but not a lot
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
This looks more like critter damage which the plants are likely to outgrown. If it were crown rot I would expect to see discoloration, mushy leaves with a mushroom odor. Here is a link to that disease:
https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/photos/hosta-sclerotium-crown-rot
The following website gives typical Hosta diseases and what to look for. Click on the links.
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/hosta/
https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/photos/hosta-sclerotium-crown-rot
The following website gives typical Hosta diseases and what to look for. Click on the links.
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/hosta/
Sent from my iPhone
This picture shows exactly what I am seeing on my Hostas. This picture was taken from the UM extension website. I dug them up and the roots are solid mass. The roots can’t be pulled apart like normal hosta roots. It doesn’t look like intertwined roots as in a healthy hosta.
I question it being critter damage because I have seen it at others peoples gardens with different habitat around. I would think also if it was animal damage the roots would look normal.
I am wondering if they need to be saved or need to be destroyed.
Please advise thanks
On May 7, 2024, at 10:38 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The picture you have pulled from the U of MN extension website is normal hosta spring growth. If this is what you are seeing, it is normal. One thing that I noticed is that the above picture shows a very dense group in need of splitting. Hostas are very shallow rooted plants that need to be divided/split periodically for optimum growth. You can divide hostas any time during spring and summer.
Thank you for your time and research. I wondering why the roots DO NOT look normal. The roots are not intertwined like over crowding but they are solid masses. This maybe caused by over crowding of the plants. Not sure. I will continue researching and see how well they grow after divided.
Thanks again for your assistance
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 7, 2024, at 9:38 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Yes, dividing them is a good step. You will be able to tell then if you have live or dead tissue in those clumps.
