I sometimes grow Black Eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) to plant out in containers ... I sow them when I sow my outdoor tomatoes and runner beans as they require similar temperatures, so that's sowing indoors early to mid April, planting out after the last frost which here is the end of May/early June.
What sort of area are you looking to plant up @fliprollsw? As @Dovefromabove says, it's about having the room, with adequate light/warmth, for moving plants on after they've germinated and got to pricking out size. Then you'll need enough room for their next stage, because they won't be able to go out until the time of year she describes. Even plants in 3 inch pots can take up a lot of space if there's a lot of them. If it's only a few dozen plants or so, an average conservatory might be ok.
Hardy annuals are easier, because they need less protection and warmth, and can go out a bit sooner, but even those need some help until around mid May up here.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Begonia can be tricky and take a while to get going . Really you need a grow light for sowing begonia seeds at this time of year they are light sensitive, they require 12hours of light otherwise they just don't really grow at all until the light levels increase in April and 20C+ with high humidity to germinate . Begonia can be started now if you can provide the condition but I really wouldn't start Dahlias look more towards March at the very earliest .
Everybody gets itching to get sowing at the turn of the year but you need to hold fire for the vast majority of bedding plants, the only bedding plants I'll be sowing in January are Begonia - pelargoniums - Verbena and they be going in a propagator with addition grow light when they germinate.
I've grown bacopa from seed before easy enough to grow , the species is bacopa cordata its not as flamboyant as cutting raised bacopa bought from the garden centre but its still nice little plant .
I’m east coast Scotland so will hold off sowing the majority until end of Feb/start March but I will try some begonias earlier. They are supa seeds and the packet which I haven’t opened feels like there’s a small syringe inside it?
While we’re at it - heliotrope anyone? I saw a photo of the Queen Mothers Garden and a border comprised of heliotropes with mixed fuschias and standard fuschias behind. The heliotrope to add scent but they appear to have really dropped out of favour. Will I find issues when I grow them!
Re raising lots of plants in the conservatory, I have some fold up trestles and planks of wood which we use to put the plants on when they are too many for the windowsill. It's the faff of hardening them off that I hate. However I have learnt that starting seeds too early is counter productive and try to resist the temptation to start just yet.
Shading/blinds when necessary. Lots of ventilation, keeping them in the middle of the room, or nearer the northern sides - depending on orientation. Most conservatories are pretty cold through this time of year [unless you have heating and want to use it] but you have to use them accordingly. Same as with greenhouses. It's hardening off that's the bigger problem because it has to be mild enough outside for that, and then mild enough to plant out. Much harder if it's half hardy bedding plants, as opposed to hardy annuals or perennials. Location, and climate, determine all of that.
I only grew tomatoes in mine. They have to be undercover here anyway.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
https://www.gardenloversclub.com/ornamental/vines/black-eyed-susan/growing-black-eyed-susan/
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
As @Dovefromabove says, it's about having the room, with adequate light/warmth, for moving plants on after they've germinated and got to pricking out size. Then you'll need enough room for their next stage, because they won't be able to go out until the time of year she describes. Even plants in 3 inch pots can take up a lot of space if there's a lot of them.
If it's only a few dozen plants or so, an average conservatory might be ok.
Hardy annuals are easier, because they need less protection and warmth, and can go out a bit sooner, but even those need some help until around mid May up here.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Everybody gets itching to get sowing at the turn of the year but you need to hold fire for the vast majority of bedding plants, the only bedding plants I'll be sowing in January are Begonia - pelargoniums - Verbena and they be going in a propagator with addition grow light when they germinate.
I've grown bacopa from seed before easy enough to grow , the species is bacopa cordata its not as flamboyant as cutting raised bacopa bought from the garden centre but its still nice little plant .
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1049663/garden-gallery-2021/p1
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
However I have learnt that starting seeds too early is counter productive and try to resist the temptation to start just yet.
Most conservatories are pretty cold through this time of year [unless you have heating and want to use it] but you have to use them accordingly. Same as with greenhouses. It's hardening off that's the bigger problem because it has to be mild enough outside for that, and then mild enough to plant out. Much harder if it's half hardy bedding plants, as opposed to hardy annuals or perennials. Location, and climate, determine all of that.
I only grew tomatoes in mine. They have to be undercover here anyway.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...