Spring is upon us, and I am sure that some of you will be receiving Hosta divisions from ebay, and you are probably wondering "what do I do when I receive them"? I am a member of the American Hosta Society, and Northern Illinois Hosta Society, and this question comes up all to often. Here are some tips on what to do when you receive your division. First inspect the plant for any abnormalities. Is there any miscoloration or spots on the leaves that don't seem normal?  Hosta Virus X can be devastating to your garden. To learn more about HVX, go to the Hosta Library site, and do your research. If all looks normal, place the division (root system only) in a gallon of water, add 1 tsp. of bleach, this will disinfect the division, and will rehydrate the root system. Soak the division for 24 hours. If you cannot plant the division within a day or 2, change the water, no bleach, and leave the division in until you can plant it, don't let the roots dry out. When you plant your division, add a generous amount of compost to the planting hole, and mix it in with your garden soil, this will give your division plenty of nutrients to get off to a good start. And remember to water your newbie often, especially if rain is not in your immediate future. In a couple of years, you will have a beautiful, healthy hosta! Happy Gardening!