Congratulations,  you just got one of the best deals of your life!

But.... how do you assure that your baby Hellebores survive and grow into the big,  healthy vigorous plants that they have the genetic potential bred into them to become??

Very simple,  just follow my idiot-proof instructions

1. Although Hellebores are incredibly tough plants,  they do have an “Achilles Heel”,  that is at the meristem (the growth point where the cells are in their most active division) NEVER squeeze the plant at this point on the stem.  They can be pulled or tugged by the cotyledons or leaves or anywhere else on the stem with no problem.

2. Hellebores enjoy rich,  moist soil but will not tolerate wet standing water.  We use Scotts Perennial mix.  It’s a heavy to the bark,  well drained mix. If you have a bunch of idiots doing your watering for you,  incorporate 1/3 medium granite or any other inert grit into your soil mix and elevate your flats off the bench or the ground by placing them on an inverted lattice flat.  This will also help to somewhat air prune roots as they start coming out the bottom and create more fibrous branched rootlets. If you are concerned about water borne fungal problems use Subdue.  It’s a great preventative.  We use it on a regular basis with great success.  It doesn't smell great,  but either do rotting plants.

3. Snip em!  If the roots are too long for the pots you are using,  snip off the bottoms carefully with a sharp scissors,  this will encourage branching of the fine rootlets and you should never stuff roots into a pot anyway.

4. Plant em deep! Plant them deep enough that the 2 cotyledons are laying on the soil surface.  There is potential for the formation of adventitious roots all along the stem below the cotyledons.

5. Shade em!  Give them about 50% shade.

6. Cool em!  Keep them cool (below 80 degrees F.)

7. Feed em!  These guys have a voracious appetite.  We liquid feed  8-45-14 Peters  formula which contains minors.  We use it at 1/4 strength every week and I believe that it does better than  the full strength once a month program that we used to use. When we see roots coming through the bottom,  we switch off to 20-10-20 Peat Lite at the same strength and timing.  We’ve also used Grace Sierra 17-6-12,  8-9 month timed release with minors incorporated into the media at the high rate,  but this is temperature sensitive and in hot dry Summer times,  seemed to burn roots
Best bet is to have Scotts test your water and make a fertilizer recommendation to you.  Their consultation service is free.

8. Bump em!  When you start to see roots coming out of the bottom of whatever size you have them in,  move them up to the next size.

9. Call me with any questions and I will be glad to share my experience or lack thereof with y’all.
Happy Helleboring,      G       Glickster