This article is about one of the most common problems in growing plants. I hope it answers all your questions and solves the problem.
QUICK ANSWER: Hostas can be overwatered. This can be caused by too frequent watering, poorly drained soil, and other factors. Signs of overwatering are yellowing of the leaves and drooping petioles. Root rot, crown rot, or petiole rot can occur due to overwatering.
Signs of overwatering hostas
Since overwatering can result in various problems, the symptoms will be slightly different. Below, we will look at the four main symptoms in more detail.
Yellowing of the leaves
The yellowing of the leaves is the first sign that the hosta is getting too much water.
Leaves turn brown
Because root rot has occurred, insufficient water is supplied to the leaves. If the sun is too intense, the leaves can turn brown from the tips and along the edge. After a while, the leaf blade becomes browner and browner until the leaf dies.
Drooping leaf petioles
The following symptom is leaf petioles drooping. The rot affects the stems on which the leaves are held very often. As a result, the stems will break in the most damaged places and lie on the ground.
If you look closely at the petioles, you will see brown areas near the base of the stem. There may also be black or dark brown areas along the stem’s length.
Unpleasant-smelling
Another symptom that can accompany overwatering a hosta is an unpleasant smell. It is the result of the rotting of the crown or stems of the hosta.
You should not expect to smell the odor from any great distance. You must get within 1 foot of the hosta to smell it.
Read more: Ultimate Guide to Growing Healthy Hostas
How to fix
Overwatering can cause several diseases that require slightly different treatments. Below you will learn about the three most common hosta diseases caused by overwatering and how to treat them.
Phytophthora root rot
Phytophthora is a disease that is caused by pathogens in the soil. If the roots of the hosta are very wet for a long time, they become soft, and the pathogens are more straightforward to penetrate.
Once the fungus enters the plant’s tissues, it kills it slowly. The outward signs of this disease are browning of the leaves and stopping the growth of the hosta.
You must dig out the hosta and clean it from the soil to cure this disease. Then, wash it with water and find the affected area. Signs of rot are a mushy yellowish substance instead of living tissue.
Use a sterile knife to cut or scrape away all the rotten tissue. Wash the wound with an aqueous solution of a systemic fungicide such as Python. Plant the hosta in sterile, well-drained soil in full shade.
Petiole rot
Petiole rot is a disease that affects the lower part of the leaf stems of the hosta. However, it can also damage the rhizome. This is a rather severe disease that can cause significant damage to the plant.
When conditions are right, the pathogens attack the base of the stems attached to the rhizome. The symptoms are browning of the lower part of the leaf petioles. Yellowing or browning of the leaves is also possible.
In the later stage, the leaf petioles will break and fall to the ground with the leaves. Signs of decay can be seen at the breaks.
To cure this disease, remove all affected petioles. Clean the places where the petioles are attached to the rhizome from the rot with a sharp knife. Spray the wounds with an aqueous solution of tebuconazole fungicide.
Fusarium root and crown rot (FRCR)
FRCR is another disease that comes from overwatering. Usually, the pathogens of this disease enter the hosta after it has been divided into parts. If there is heavy rain at this time, the parts can begin to rot.
As a result, the leaves slowly turn yellow, but if the weather is sunny and hot, the leaves will quickly turn brown.
The treatment for FRCR is the same as the previous diseases. You have to dig out the hosta and clean it. Next, remove the rotten part of the crown and wash all wounds with an aqueous fungicide solution that contains thiophanate-methyl.
Read also: Most Common Hosta Diseases.
How to prevent overwatering
The first thing to avoid overwatering is to use well-drained soil to plant the hosta. If your yard has clay soil, add 1-2 buckets of compost or other organic matter to the planting hole and mix well with the native soil.
Never plant hostas in low areas where rainwater can collect. Also, avoid planting in areas where water runs off the roof. Do not place hostas close to ponds, streams, etc.
Water hostas only when the soil around the roots is more than 2 inches dry. In general, hostas need watering for the first few years.
Read also: How Often To Water Hostas?
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