Planting hosts and caring for her in the open field in the Urals

For planting in the Urals, hosts are suitable that have the highest degree of frost resistance, which are not afraid of severe winters with low temperatures. But, choosing even the most suitable varieties, one should study the intricacies of planting and growing an ornamental plant in the climatic conditions of this region.

The choice of a site for planting shrubs in the Urals is associated with the characteristics of each species. For this climatic zone, frost-resistant varieties such as American Halo, Canadian Blue, Guacamole, Gold Standard are most suitable.

Some hosta species require an abundance of light, while others prefer shade. Therefore, you should adhere to the following rules for each group of plants..

• Thin-leaved hosts do not like excess lighting, and it is better to plant them in partial shade.
• Crops with dense and tough leaves, the surface of which resembles the skin, require a limited amount of ultraviolet radiation per day. Therefore, a place that is briefly illuminated by the sun's rays is suitable for them.
• On the north side of the garden area, shade-loving varieties are planted. Additional shading with other dense and tall bushes and trees will not hurt. These are mainly varieties with green and bluish-whitish foliage.
• Variegated hosts need sunlight in a metered amount, it is advisable to plant them in places illuminated by daylight in the morning and evening, that is, the safest time for a plant.

An important parameter for growing a horticultural crop is the composition of the land. It should be borne in mind that the plant loves:

• loose and drained soils - ideally, this is a loamy soil rich in humus and organic matter;
• moist soil with a rich, useful microflora;
• with an acidity level in the range of 6-7.5 pH.

A full-fledged ornamental plant can only grow from a healthy and high-quality seedling. It can be purchased from trusted manufacturers at specialized horticultural organizations. When buying material for planting, you need to scrupulously examine the plant.

Experts advise purchasing seedlings without leaves, with a dormant leaf bud, since such a plant will take root sooner. Of course, seedlings in pots with beautiful leaves look more attractive, but such bushes can adapt to new conditions for a long time. The hosta's root system must be clean - no damage, rot or dry parts.

High-quality shrub rhizomes can be stored in a cool, dark room., and even in the snow, if you place the seedling on the soil and carefully mulch it with sawdust, peat or river sand.

The climate of the Urals is temperate continental with a transition to continental, therefore the region is characterized by uneven precipitation, cool summers, high snow cover, especially in mountainous regions. In such conditions, gardeners are advised to plant in the spring, but with already warmed up soil, when the frost has passed.Specific dates depend only on the peculiarities of spring weather.

It takes about 30 days for a culture to take root, and during this time it is important to keep the soil moist. It is clear that if the temperature drops to minus values ​​at night, it is too early to plant the plant.

Before planting plants with an open root system, they should be inspected. Places where rot is found are cleaned and treated with brilliant greens. Dry shoots are placed in warm, settled water for 2 hours.

The planting process consists of the following stages.

• The hole is prepared in advance. Bearing in mind that the hosta rhizome grows in the surface layer, the pit should be spacious enough.
• The dug earth is mixed with compost, humus, peat and leafy soil, and a little sand is added to it to make it loose. With a strong acidity of the composition, the soil can be diluted with slaked lime. The main thing is not to overdo it, because the hosta grows well with low acidity.
• When landing in heavy soil, drainage in the form of small stones and sand is placed at the bottom of the hole.
• After that, the pit is filled 2/3 with the prepared substrate and is generously watered.
• Having placed the seedling in the middle, its roots should be evenly spread, not deeply deepening the bush, and all the voids around it should be filled up.
• Having compacted the earth, the near-trunk zone is watered, and later, when the earth subsides, more soil is poured so that the surface is even.

Mulching at the end of planting is necessary to retain moisture in the ground, but bark, peat and rotted shavings will also protect the crop from pests and nourish its roots.

In fact, planting hosts in the open field in the Urals is not much different from this procedure in other areas, but it must be performed exactly according to the instructions and in favorable weather conditions.

Caring for a plant consists of a number of agrotechnical procedures that are familiar to every gardener.

• Watering the plant after planting depends on the composition of the soil. This also applies to adult shrubs. One medium-sized bush takes at least 10 liters of water. Irrigation is carried out as soon as the top layer of the earth dries up. Only the roots are watered, avoiding splashing on the aerial part of the host.
• Periodic loosening is required for air to reach the roots. The procedure is performed carefully, trying not to touch closely located root processes. Many gardeners prefer mulching, which eliminates the need for constant loosening. For this, chopped wood, peat mixture, conifer bark, laid out under the bush with a layer of 2 cm, are used.
• Regular weeding prevents plant diseases and insect infestations. Along with this, at the end of flowering, it is important to remove dried stalks and wilted flowers.
• Feeding is carried out three times per season - during the swelling of the buds, the formation of buds and at the end of flowering. For this, both organic matter and mineral fertilizers are used, such as ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate and "Superphosphate". Mineral additives are added to the soil after precipitation or irrigation. The last time the hosta is fertilized in August, and in the fall, only organic mulch is poured under the bush.
• Sanitary pruning, which consists of cutting off peduncles and damaged branches, is carried out in the fall. Hosta leaves for the winter. Although it is believed that it is necessary to cover the plant with fallen leaves, it is known that in the latter, the reproduction of pathogens can occur, which in the future will cause a disease of the culture.
• Experienced gardeners are advised to cover the bushes with coniferous spruce branches, and with the onset of spring to carry out preventive treatment of the soil from pests and fungi with insecticides and fungicides.

See below for tips on landing hosts.