I'm still experimenting. Presently, I mix 1/2 pine bark mulch and 1/2 Miracle Grow potting soil. I've lost several to a potting medium that is too dense. A hosta must get air to it's roots.

Spring is the critical time. It's still cool, so the water doesn't evaporate as quickly. The hosta aren't all the way up and the leaves are still small, so they aren't using much water. Spring is a rainy season for us, too, so I can't control how much water the hosta gets. I really have to watch my hosta in the spring.

DO NOT use a moisture control potting soil. It will hold too much water (not for summer, but for spring).

Other people have other solutions that have worked for them.

bk

Whatever works for you! The last Hosta Journal had much info on people in different places having great success with potted hostas. Interesting that each one had their own combination of goodies that worked well for them. Straight fir bark bits, sold around here as "orchid bark" (1/4" -1/2" bits)works best for me. I might throw in a handful of organic compost when I first pot them up. The fine ingredients in some of the others settle too quicky and keep the bottom of the pot soggy. We get no rain and have hard water, so I need to totally flood my pots often to remove excess salt build-up. That process floats any perlite in those pre-bagged mixes and I HATE to see little white dots of perlite all over the place. So, whatever works best for you, and as you have already seen, your plants will tell you when they aren't happy.

-Babka

I think I remember Steve uses straight Miracle Grow potting soil.

I'm not sure what Moccasin uses, but it's a commercial mix, I think.

I could be wrong, however. I'm bumping this up so they'll tell you..

bk

Paula, there's a Container Gardening Forum, click here. A quick scan of the topics will show plenty of questions about mixes, with this one being the one you should focus on.

Pieter

Thank-you very much for the info, the three of you have given me a place to start, and I know more now, than I did this morning. :)