Oh - I don't have the time to wait for patience ppauper.....
Early to late spring is a good time to seed sow MrsF - seeds are quicker to get going and you're more likely to get results, and feel more confident
Sometimes the instructions are a bit misleading on packets too. Always take into consideration your own climate and conditions, especially if it's something half hardy, which you start undercover and then plant out later. It's easy to sow too early and then be stuck with a load of plants you can't put anywhere because it's too cold, and they get leggy and unhealthy.
If you're really unsure - start a thread asking about the specific seeds you want to grow, and you'll get help with the best time to do it and how to go about it. It can save a lot of time, effort, heartbreak and money!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl.....should I be using seed compost when planting on seedlings during the autumn. That is probably why my attempt of overwintering them last year was not so good as the majority of the seedlings grew leggy and pale/yellow.
What should I plant on hardy shrub cuttings with from now until? ??. Hydrangea, black elder , decideous shrubs? Lupins and hollyhock are quite stocky now, they need potting on also.
I would pot on the shrub cuttings using JI No.2 with perhaps a little added grit, and stand them somewhere sheltered outside. They won't do much visible growing now, but the bigger pot will give more insulation so the roots will keep on developing and they will get away faster in the spring.
Similarly for the lupins and hollyhocks, but you will need to be very vigilant for the frst signs of growth next year and find a way to keep them safe from slugs and snails or you will get nothing!
On Beechgrove garden a few weeks ago Chris Beardshaw was saying if you put woody shrubs into leafmould compost, you get excellent root development & hence a stronger overall plant when you plant out next spring. Trouble is lots of us don't have access to large amounts of leafmould. So the next best is an airy relatively low nutrient compost over winter hence the recipe above.
I don't tend to sow much for overwintering Mary, as it's better for me to sow in spring, but yes - something which doesn't have too much food in it is ideal for potting on young seedlings. You can also pinch them out, depending what you're growing. That helps keep them bushy, and helps avoid the legginess.
I just keep shrubby cuttings in ordinary garden soil over winter. It's usually got a little bit of compost added, and some grit if they're bigger and they're going to get a lot of rain, but I usually just keep them a bit sheltered from the worst of the elements - if possible. Not always easy here! Depends on your individual situation and what room you have etc.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'm trying to overwinter seedlings ......because I have very few flowers and very little colour in the garden until the end of June. .....I'm attempting to get flowers from May onwards.
Hi Mary - do you use bulbs for spring colour? Annuals aren't growing here till later either - too cool - but I use bulbs to extend the colour from winter through spring, and then that awkward gap through June until summer things flower. Some of the later daffs/narcissus flower quite late,and tulips if you like them.
A few early perennials help as well - Dicentra, Pulmonaria etc. Do you have any primulas, or things like Clematis? They help bridge that gap too. I think your climate would suit those well - plenty of wet stuff
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Oh - I don't have the time to wait for patience ppauper.....
Early to late spring is a good time to seed sow MrsF - seeds are quicker to get going and you're more likely to get results, and feel more confident
Sometimes the instructions are a bit misleading on packets too. Always take into consideration your own climate and conditions, especially if it's something half hardy, which you start undercover and then plant out later. It's easy to sow too early and then be stuck with a load of plants you can't put anywhere because it's too cold, and they get leggy and unhealthy.
If you're really unsure - start a thread asking about the specific seeds you want to grow, and you'll get help with the best time to do it and how to go about it. It can save a lot of time, effort, heartbreak and money!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fab advice Fairygirl, am currently at Wisely so might break the bank as it is!
You know it makes sense!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl.....should I be using seed compost when planting on seedlings during the autumn. That is probably why my attempt of overwintering them last year was not so good as the majority of the seedlings grew leggy and pale/yellow.
What should I plant on hardy shrub cuttings with from now until? ??. Hydrangea, black elder , decideous shrubs? Lupins and hollyhock are quite stocky now, they need potting on also.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Last edited: 22 August 2017 15:58:30
I would pot on the shrub cuttings using JI No.2 with perhaps a little added grit, and stand them somewhere sheltered outside. They won't do much visible growing now, but the bigger pot will give more insulation so the roots will keep on developing and they will get away faster in the spring.
Similarly for the lupins and hollyhocks, but you will need to be very vigilant for the frst signs of growth next year and find a way to keep them safe from slugs and snails or you will get nothing!
On Beechgrove garden a few weeks ago Chris Beardshaw was saying if you put woody shrubs into leafmould compost, you get excellent root development & hence a stronger overall plant when you plant out next spring. Trouble is lots of us don't have access to large amounts of leafmould. So the next best is an airy relatively low nutrient compost over winter hence the recipe above.
I don't tend to sow much for overwintering Mary, as it's better for me to sow in spring, but yes - something which doesn't have too much food in it is ideal for potting on young seedlings. You can also pinch them out, depending what you're growing. That helps keep them bushy, and helps avoid the legginess.
I just keep shrubby cuttings in ordinary garden soil over winter. It's usually got a little bit of compost added, and some grit if they're bigger and they're going to get a lot of rain, but I usually just keep them a bit sheltered from the worst of the elements - if possible. Not always easy here! Depends on your individual situation and what room you have etc.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I'm trying to overwinter seedlings ......because I have very few flowers and very little colour in the garden until the end of June. .....I'm attempting to get flowers from May onwards.
Last edited: 24 August 2017 01:19:46
Hi Mary - do you use bulbs for spring colour? Annuals aren't growing here till later either - too cool - but I use bulbs to extend the colour from winter through spring, and then that awkward gap through June until summer things flower. Some of the later daffs/narcissus flower quite late,and tulips if you like them.
A few early perennials help as well - Dicentra, Pulmonaria etc. Do you have any primulas, or things like Clematis? They help bridge that gap too. I think your climate would suit those well - plenty of wet stuff
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
plant pauper
2 days ago at 08:58
I know more about fungus than propagating.
…..Since spores are pretty much everywhere your stuff will have a beard in about a week.
I laughed out loud when I read this. A plant with a beard!!
Perhaps it was a nervous reaction as I'm not, or ever have been, enamoured of fungi. Say the word "spores" and my skin breaks out in hives!