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When do you stop feeding perennials in pots?

borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
As growth starts to slowdown through autumn, when do you stop feeding potted perennials/evergreens? I have some pelargoniums, a couple of lemon trees (in both cases they'll overwinter in the greenhouse), an olive and a small fuschia standard.


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I only have dahlias and penstemons in pots and stop feeding them as the weather cools usually around mid-Sept - but they both die back anyway.
    What you don't want with your plants is to cause the feed to encourage new growth at this time of year as the new growth will be very tender when the frosts arrive.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    Thanks Pete.  I'll do the same then.  Surprised your penstemons die back though - I thought being semi-evergreen they'd hang on down here (your climate must be the same as mine).  I'm trying them for the first time this year, but out in the borders.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Pelargoniums just need to be frost free over winter, so you don't want to feeding them. The others just need to be kept ticking over for the autumn/winter.

    I'd agree with @Pete.8 - when plants are essentially dormant, you don't want to be feeding them for the reasons given.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • borgadrborgadr Posts: 718
    Thanks @Fairygirl. Yes, frost free is the aim.  I have a small fan heater in the greenhouse that stops it dropping below about 5 degrees.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    You're right, they don't really die back, but the plants look pretty rough by the Spring.
    Once I see there's some new growth in Spring, then I cut off all of last years growth and give them a mulch.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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