Scarlets Cut Flower Patch 2022/23/24

Phew! Are all these sown with some warmth, Scarlet?

Phew!  Are all these sown with some warmth, Scarlet?

Yes, I start everythibg off in heated propagators in the house and move out to the greenhouse when I see a speck of green. They are all mostly hardy so do fine.

I use unheated propagators, or trays with plastic lids/meat trays etc for some protection.

It seems a lot but I single sow most things in modules - so not hundreds if plants. I dont want to waste seed or compost by sowing tons that I wont have space for in the garden.

Feb 26th
       
Snap dragons sown 1 Jan
   
Sahara rudbeckia- I think these take ages so always start early.
   
Larkspur sown early Jan, my early sowings in the greenhouse disnt make it during the frosts. Thats a first for me. I have larkspur from an Autumn sowing every year - I hope these catch up.

Feb 26

   
   
Hibiscus Mahogany Splendor - Im trying these for cut foliage. I think there were 10 seeds in the pack. 8 germinated, 2 didnt get their seed casings off and shrivelled.

Also trying eucalyptus from seed - dont know why

A little update on my greenhouse seedlings...Hibiscus Mahogany Splendor - £3 for 10 seed - 8popped, 2 didnt get out of their seeded casings, 4 have grown well, 2'are very slow. Unfortunately their seed leaves are dying off early/ not the right temp? Not sure,but Im keeping my fingers crossed... but so fussy.    

Ranunculas update 16March
I lost loads in the frost - anything that was left in pot  just didnt make it - lots that were planted got eaten by voles. I have learnt lots of lessons.... but things have improved, slow going due to the cold Spring.             

So the taller ones are those at the back of the GH that werent eaten, left hand border of the greenhouse with smaller plants that were planted up at the end of Jan. The pots will be planted out in a month, hoping to extend the cutting window

       
Eucalyptus- photo taken March 16

These were sown in Jan, they are slowly getting their real first leaves. Fabulous germination. I had a pack of silver dollar - 8/10 Baby blue from moles - pack sizes were large, 40+ have popped.
I was hoping to eventually put a eucalyptus "hedge" in somewhere...but that frost last Dec killed my Eucs that I had already growing, so perhaps this iant auch a great idea after all. Im interested to see how fast they grow though. I wont be able to keep them all

You want to do a cutting/young plant swap Scarlet ?    
It would be sad to see you compost the ones you can’t keep. I’d love to have a go at growing eucalyptus. I might have something I could swap. I’ll have a look later and make a list of thing that might tempt you   .

I woukdnt want to send yet....they have barely moved, they might die yet but happy to send a couple. Not worried about swaps x

Oh thank you   . No, no I definitely didn’t mean now. When they’re a bit bigger. I’m in no rush at all.   .


I’ll be honest I do have seeds myself but I’ve never sown any yet     I assumed they’d take a very long time to germinate. They’re one of the many packets earmarked for when I’m in my new house. 

When I’m in my new house is going to be written on my flipping tombstone