Larger sport of 'Cracker Crumbs'?

[ViolaAnn]

I've been dividing my 'Cracker Crumbs' to make a border. Last week when I was taking pictures of the hostas, I noticed that one division in this border is MUCH larger than any of the others. The growing conditions are supposed to be virtually the same. Do you think I've got a sport that is larger? Or is there some other logical explanation?

[Chris_W]

Hi Ann,

I don't think it is a sport. I've noticed that planting depth has a lot to do with this one. Too shallow (with the crown showing a little) and it stays small, too deep (a couple inches) and it really struggles, but when you hit it just right (about 1/4 to 1/2" deep) it grows really well and I've seen some fairly decent sized clumps come out of it (for the size).

[ViolaAnn]

Soo, maybe I should check the depth of the others?

[Chris_W]

Maybe just glance at the base to see if there are any roots too high up, but they all seem to be growing fine, just one more than the others.

[jgh]

Chris is right - this one responds a lot to depth. And I've found that if it is left for several years undisturbed, it will actually "adjust" its depth... lots of hostas do this, but it is really obvious in CC... the plant will dither a little, maybe look a little ragedy, then one year it will have the crown at just the right depth and it will form an incredibly dense tight mound. I think the ones that are deeper often give the bigger leaves on CC as it is struggling to adjust itself...