I started three new ones in march (I've grown 25 different ones this year because my mum loves them and I cut them for her) and they got to two foot high before I even noticed them. The others, overwintered, are just about poking out from the compost after going in much later. With the new ones I cut them back to the first pair of proper leaves to make them more bushy. If you really wanted you could, and it will look drastic, do the same and encourage more flowers in the year, or try the good advice already mentioned.
Don't worry. You'll be able to get it outside. You can put it out for a good few hours on nice days now. Mine has been going out for a while on the warmer days, sheltered from the wind. Gradually increase the amount, and then when there's no bad weather in your forecast, you'll be able to leave it out. You can certainly do as @thevictorian says too - and pinch the tops out to get a bushier plant. It may look a bit drastic, but it won't affect it - it'll help it
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl thank you for that. Unfortunately I don't really have anywhere sheltered as such, so next to a wall is going to be the best I can do. I'll start hardening off though, thanks again
@Athelas oh wow! She cuts of the main stem! Never thought that'd help the plant... If you look at my picture, I don't appear to have a centre stem as such....??
Yes that’s true — if it was me I would cut off those two ‘main’ stems to get a bushier plant.
I just did this on my dahlia (‘Cornel’), which also has two stems. I must admit I started it in mid March, but it should be warm enough in Cambridgeshire soon.
I would put it in your cold frame lid up because of the size,and put fleece and bubble wrap over it
The baby green leaves are at risk from frost. As a rule of thumb, nothing tender goes out until night temperature is in double figures, even then, outside for a week in the days only.
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I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
oh darn it - I didn't even realise there was such a thing as "starting it too early". Do you think it's doomed to be an indoor plant?
You can put it out for a good few hours on nice days now. Mine has been going out for a while on the warmer days, sheltered from the wind.
Gradually increase the amount, and then when there's no bad weather in your forecast, you'll be able to leave it out.
You can certainly do as @thevictorian says too - and pinch the tops out to get a bushier plant. It may look a bit drastic, but it won't affect it - it'll help it
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://youtu.be/yzYps7X4vSw
thank you for that. Unfortunately I don't really have anywhere sheltered as such, so next to a wall is going to be the best I can do.
I'll start hardening off though, thanks again
oh wow! She cuts of the main stem! Never thought that'd help the plant... If you look at my picture, I don't appear to have a centre stem as such....??
I just did this on my dahlia (‘Cornel’), which also has two stems. I must admit I started it in mid March, but it should be warm enough in Cambridgeshire soon.