just planted the hostas
 

I just planted some hostas in a little clump of trees. I just got 2 and broke them up so the is like 8 diffenent one. a guy told me to do that and they will still grow big. it seems like the deer in the area only come out at night. do you think this will help to make them come to them during the daylight hours.

RE: just planted the hostas
 

If a deer comes by tonight and likes what it finds, there won't be none left for daylight feedings:D

RE: just planted the hostas
 

Yea I still think its an interesting idea, but I think those will be eaten to the ground quickly. Let us know how it turns out

RE: just planted the hostas
 

What does baiting with ornamental plants have to do with wildlife management? Be prepared to answer that question, the next one asking it may be the game warden. I also seem to recall that Wisconsin banned feeding wildlife, especially deer,due to the CWD problem there. Have they rescinded that decision yet?

RE: just planted the hostas
 

Wow Kevin it's always great to see somebody jump down the throat of another hunter, it's really refreshing after seeing all of the positive posts on this site. There's no law against planting food plots, whether it's Whitetail Imperial clover or hostas. And as far as this post being in the wildlife management forum, even you have to admit this is basically a food plot forum, and this fits into that category, if you don't like it then don't click on it.

That being said, I think if there are other sources of food around for the deer the hostas might not get hit too hard, but once other food sources become less available, they might get eaten to the ground. That's a major issue with smaller plots in areas with little other food available. Good luck with em and let us know how they last.

RE: just planted the hostas
 

bucksniper14, don't let others discourage you, try whatever you want. Good luck with it.

RE: just planted the hostas
 

My initial concern was whether or not it would be considered a invasive plant. It varies some what from state to state, so I would check into that, your county Extension Office would be the place to call. My state does not consider it invasive. The next challenge would be establishment, I would think a deer would pull it up before it had a root system and just eat the plant, bulb and all. They could be protected though until that wasn't a concern, with tree tops placed over them. Lastly, they will not tolerate frost and will not be of any benefit to nothing or no one as soon as the first frost arrives. JMHO.....not trying to discourage or offend anyone.

RE: just planted the hostas
 

haystack--I was in no way referring to you when I said 'discouraged'.. I was referring to the "baiting with ornamental plants" comment, only. I agree with you that it would be almost impossible to get established unless A LOT of it was planted and protected for awhile..While I think its an interesting idea, I'm also leaning towards it getting eaten to the ground if it hasn't already.

Once again, I wasn't referring to you at all, sorry if it came off like that. It just bothered me that someone popped in just to criticize the thread starter and call them a baiter

RE: just planted the hostas
 

No problem Bowman, were good my friend. I thought my first post was a bit sarcastic though[:@]

RE: just planted the hostas
 

an average doe will eat 6 to 10 pounds of food per day. thats dry weight, after all the moisture has been removed. a dozen hostas are like one nights food. also, their root system is what is referred to as a corm. It stores energy through the leaves. once the leaves are eaten, it will not be able to store energy for next years growth. it will die in a couple years. you would have to plant a lot of hostas to keep them coming back. Plant clover.