Can I cut back the leaves on my drooping hostas and still get them to come back soon?

Question:I just planted them after dividing them 4 days ago. I have been watering them a couple times a day but a few are still drooping badly. Can I cut back the drooping leaves and not kill them? so that new stiffer ones will form from the middle or will this permanently shrink the plant til next year? Help!

Answers:
Your hostas are exhibiting signs of transplant shock. Watering is a good thing and will help them get through this - keep them wet the first couple weeks! It decreases the shock and encourages the plant to put out new roots. Part of the problem is your timing in dividing them at this time of the year, as evidenced by your plants' appearance of having a bad hair day. The best time to divide hostas in general is August. Also a factor is how severely the crowns were cut - which can also make recovery from transplant shock take longer. Other factors include letting the roots dry out before putting back in soil and/or planting at a different depth than it was previously.The leaves will most likely be like this the rest of the season. You can cut off some of the old leaves and more will grown from the crown. Your newly divided plants may not look as great as you want this season.