Are there any varieties of Hosta that squirrels and rabbits do not like?
Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no one has yet developed any such cultivars of hosta. However, it is possible to work on deterring Bambi and friends: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/camouflage-gardening-deterring-garden-crashers-pests.htm
I want to put hosta in front of my house but it doesn't get shade until about 11 am.
There are so many varieties of hosta available, it's certainly worth trying to find some you could use. This article on hostas brings up several points: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/growing-hosta-plants.htm
Look for lighter colored varieties, and talk to independent plant store and nursery people to get their recommendations. I would advise trying only a few plants at first, to see what works best.
We are seeing our Hostas drop leaves and stalks from ground level. All pots are copper banded to prevent slugs. When the leaves drop, they look perfect but the leaf stem seems to have been nibbled at soil level. What is it that's chewing my hostas and is there anything I can do to prevent this happening?
The plants could be suffering from crown rot. This article will help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/crown-rot-disease.htm It may also be rodents. This article will help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/garden-mouse-control.htm
After I have sprayed some Round-up on my bed full of weeds, how long before I can plant my hostas, ferns, and other shade loving plants? Do I need to re-condition the soil as well?
I would wait 2 weeks for the effects of the Roundup to fade before planting. While you don't have to do anything to the soil, it never hurts to amend with compost or other organic matter.
My hostas are being eaten at the stems and I am about at wits end. The hostas being eaten are next to my deck and in the mornings I find the leaves laying around. So far they have eaten 5 of my larger ones and are working on what is left. I have other hostas within 10 feet they are not touching. I have put out Sevin dust, as someone said that would stop cutworms. Have also put out some D-Con under my deck, as someone said it could be rats, mice or voles. It only happens at night, but that could be as I have 3 beagles that are in and out all day. The only rodents I see in my yard are squirrels, which the dogs quickly chase away. Any suggestions?
It could be slugs, which feed at night. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/facts-about-slugs-and-how-to-kill-garden-slugs.htm It may also be rodents. They, too, will come out at night. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/garden-mouse-control.htm Do you have any deer or rabbits in the area? They will feast on hosta plants as well and may slip in under the cover of darkness. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/deer-repellents.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/how-to-keep-rabbits-out-of-gardens.htm As long as the stems and roots are ok, the hosta plants will normally come back, however.
Been growing hostas for a long time. This year the leaves are out and I just noticed that some of the leaves have dried up and some of the leaves have holes in them, like something is eating them, but there are no animal prints around the plants. I noticed a lot of big black ants around them. Could they be doing this damage and, if so, how can I get rid of these ants?
It could be slugs, which feed at night. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/facts-about-slugs-and-how-to-kill-garden-slugs.htm It may also be rodents. They, too, will come out at night. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/garden-mouse-control.htm
I am wondering if Hosta will live in the Lake Helen area?
Assuming you mean Lake Helen, FL, then yes, hosta should grow just fine here.