I bought an erysimum winter sorbet recently and am wondering if i could split it into two smaller plants before planting? will it bulk out at all? thanks in advance
Erysimum have a tap root so cannot be split. Some varieties grow bigger than others. Plant it out, let it grow a bit and then look for unflowered side shoots and take a cutting or two. Fairly gritty compost, some gentle warmth if it is still cold, but they root easily and grow on well. Do it again later to make sure you have some cuttings in reserve to overwinter, as they tend to flower themselves to death.
That's really useful to know, I've been eyeing erysimum Winter Orchid, but at 8 quid or so a plant it seemed way too much. But if I can take cuttings to get more plants, then I might be tempted despite the price.
ETA: how do you overwinter them? Will an unheated greenhouse do?
thanks all yes mine was £8 the most I've ever spent on a plant other than a rose,I had a look online, same price or more on my first look ... but goodness it looks lovely and smells divine, I took 3 cuttings yesterday but every shoot had flowers so not hopeful it'll work this time...
thanks verdun, i used mpc with horticultural grit but i knew as i took them they wouldn't work, just while i planted it a shoot got knocked off so I thought why not?!
I've got a bad slug problem on my allotment, will slugs be interested in wallflowers? (So far they've nibbled even strawberry leaves, and they are not supposed to do that!)
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Erysimum have a tap root so cannot be split. Some varieties grow bigger than others. Plant it out, let it grow a bit and then look for unflowered side shoots and take a cutting or two. Fairly gritty compost, some gentle warmth if it is still cold, but they root easily and grow on well. Do it again later to make sure you have some cuttings in reserve to overwinter, as they tend to flower themselves to death.
That's really useful to know, I've been eyeing erysimum Winter Orchid, but at 8 quid or so a plant it seemed way too much. But if I can take cuttings to get more plants, then I might be tempted despite the price.
ETA: how do you overwinter them? Will an unheated greenhouse do?
Thanks, Verdun! I'll put my new tiny GH to good use, then.
I have looked online, but it seems this variety is always expensive and not available in many places. Perhaps it's new.
thanks all yes mine was £8 the most I've ever spent on a plant other than a rose,I had a look online, same price or more on my first look ... but goodness it looks lovely and smells divine, I took 3 cuttings yesterday but every shoot had flowers so not hopeful it'll work this time...
thanks verdun, i used mpc with horticultural grit but i knew as i took them they wouldn't work, just while i planted it a shoot got knocked off so I thought why not?!
rosemummy, I agree the scent is wonderful.
I've got a bad slug problem on my allotment, will slugs be interested in wallflowers? (So far they've nibbled even strawberry leaves, and they are not supposed to do that!)