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Penstemon cuttings

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  • B3B3 Posts: 27,464

    True.  But I'm an awful lazy gardener and I manage to delude myself that I will remember what's what. Serendipity rules and the hope that fate will not put shocking pink and bile yellow together or, in fact, anywhere in my garden

    image

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I've just potted up a couple of dozen Penstamons,  rooted quickly in a mug of water,  tried with Phlox but they haven't rooted yet.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193

    Lyn. I don't think you can propagate phlox like that - it is easily done by division.  Wait until the autumn and then split the clumps of phlox that you want to multiply, and then replant where you wish.  Tried and trusted method, which works every time in my experience.  In any event, the act of splitting a clump of phlox (and many other perennials) re-invigorates them, especially when you can discard the old centre part of the plant and replant the newer, more vigorous bits from the outside (if you see what I mean!)

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Yes!  Just thought I'd try seeing as I was doing the Penstemons.  May as well throw those away, and divide later.?

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193

    Just because received wisdom says to do this or that, doesn't mean you have to follow blindly!  But often the advice is based on experience (not mine, but many others much more gifted than I am).

    However, sometimes, breaking the "rules" brings results.  GW on Friday had Monty Don showing how he divided astrantias and potted them up - against all received wisdom - and had some lovely plants to put in place. 

    Likewise, I had to move a cistsus purpurea, and the timing was wrong for cuttings;  I took lots to hedge my bets, as it were, and some were successful.

    So - moral of the tale?  Always worth giving it a go.  But bear in mind that it may not work as planned.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Absolutely, I move things whenever I need too, I take no notice of 'proper' times, I sow seeds when I have them, I put shade lovers in the sun and vice  versa, it all works.  The only thing I feed is tubs and baskets, I've fed my tomatoes only twice, the second time was today, they are loaded with fruit.

    non conventional garden is me, so the answer is have a go, it usually works?

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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