I am a new Hosta fan. Why do the lower leaves turn yellow? I have had them about 2 mos. now. They are in a shady spot. All help appreciated. Jackie Waldon from East Texas.
If you are new to hostas this article should help you diagnose some of their common problems
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/hosta-problems.htm
My hostas have a silvery color on top, not a powder, and look as though they have a yellowish color wet spot on them. But they do not feel moist. I have snails but I am treating that problem and the color is not snail mucus on the leaves. They have never done this before. Some of the leaves have a small brown dot on them but not too many
These articles may help you identify whatever is ailing your hostas:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/hosta-problems.htm
and
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/hosta-plant-diseases.htm
I live in the woods with lots of deer!! I know how much they love hostas and think they have their own person salad bar. Usually once the plant has fully bloomed, they leave them alone, but not this year. They ate the some of the leaves when they were almost completely opened and now what did open they came back and finished it off. So now I have just stems. My question is what should I do with the plant. Should I cut it back to the ground?
I don't have an issue with deer. It actually my dog's. Yes cut it back. I planted 3 hostas 4 years ago and my dogs trampled them to nothing every year till now. I couldn't believe they all lived! But I learned that cutting it back will keep it neat and tidy and build stronger roots. It helps it to not just rot and they are more likely to not be bugged by creepy crawls that just want to eat the remaining leaves.
I have a steep slope. Will hostas take root? They will be getting some sun. I like Patriot. Would that work or is there another one better? Dorothy Beckvall xersiz70@yahoo.com
Planting on a steep slope may be an issue for many plants with irrigation the biggest.
Morning sun should be ok for the Hosta, including Patriot, but hot afternoon sun is not a good planting location for Hosta plants.
Here are some articles to help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/growing-hosta-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/slope-hill/watering-hillside-garden.htm
Looks like I have Crown Rot on my newly planted hostas. I see I should take them out and dispose of them then let the ground dry. Will I ever be able to plant them again there and how do I treat the ground.
Crown Rot is an issue that will not effect future planting.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/hosta-problems.htm
As a Hosta grows in the summer, it produces a shoot with a bloom. Should I cut the shoot off or leave it there. They aren't very attractive.
You can do either. Some love the flowers, some gardeners prefer to remove the flowers.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/hosta-plant-flowering.htm
Are ants good or bad for hostas?
The ants may be attracted to the plants if they have honeydew on them, which is the residue from pests.
You may want to treat the plants with Neem Oil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-honeydew.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm