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Penstemon 'Phoenix Red'
Potteringabout
Posts: 162
in Plants
Hello,
Whilst I am not entirely new to gardening I am new to this site, so I thought I'd introduce myself by seeking some advice.
I have a very nice clump of Penstemon Phoenix Red in a very sunny position in a bed in my front garden. I am planning on extending a border in my back garden, for next year, which has a very similar aspect to the bed in the front. To populate the border extension I was planning on harvesting the seed from my Penstemon and sowing them in trays in my un-heated green house, potting them on and planting out next spring, after danger of frost is past. When would be the best time to sow the seeds? Would it be September/ October or early in the new year?
Thanks in anticipation.
0
Posts
If you want the plants to be identical, split up the original clump just as it starts growing in spring. The plants will be in flower long before seedlings will.
Seedlings will have a lot of variation, not all will be as good as the parent.
Right, that sounds like a plan then. As regards cuttings, is there a 'best time' to take them?
Ok, all sounds pretty standard. I'll give it a go. Thanks.
I've grown penstemons from seed. They were sown the year before last (2012) and are only just coming into flower now so it's a bit slow if you want quick results..
Welcome Potteringabout. Ive grown 3 new penstemons from cuttings this year they took really well and one has even tried to flower. I plan on keeping them in a cold greenhouse until after frosts.
Thanks everyone. I went out early this morning and took half a dozen cuttings and potted them up. While I was at it I took half a dozen from a salvia too. All sat comfy in the greenhouse with plastic bags over the pot. I use freezer bags for this as they're nice and deep and have a zip-loc fastener that you can partially close around the rim of the pot to keep secure.
Fingers crossed.
Well, the cuttings have been comfy in their bags for nearly a week now. They all look nice and healthy but I was wandering how long I should leave the bags on? I also took some argyranthemum and clematis cuttings and treat them the same way. I have been taking the bags off for a short while each day but wandered if I ought to leave them off entirely now.
Also, should I pot each cutting on to it's own pot or pot them up into a larger pot as a bunch i.e. 5 penstemon into, say, a 3 litre pot?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Chris.