Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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Quote from gardenaculou on 2nd October 2024, 6:10 pm
Hi
After putting a lot of effort into learning how and taking cuttings of my Verbena Bonariensis, Salvia Hotlips and Amistad, Valerian and Hydrangeas (mopheads) this Autumn I am now due to be away from home for work from mid-January to mid April 2025 (3 months).
My question is can I harden them off and plant them out now (or in the next month or so before frosts etc) and will they survive (Gloucestershire)? Or do I put them in pots in a sheltered spot under a bench)? Or do I put them in a cold frame mid January (open or closed?) and hope for the best? There won't be anyone to keep an eye on them! Many thanks, Louise.
Hi
After putting a lot of effort into learning how and taking cuttings of my Verbena Bonariensis, Salvia Hotlips and Amistad, Valerian and Hydrangeas (mopheads) this Autumn I am now due to be away from home for work from mid-January to mid April 2025 (3 months).
My question is can I harden them off and plant them out now (or in the next month or so before frosts etc) and will they survive (Gloucestershire)? Or do I put them in pots in a sheltered spot under a bench)? Or do I put them in a cold frame mid January (open or closed?) and hope for the best? There won't be anyone to keep an eye on them! Many thanks, Louise.
This is a great way to grow more plants for free in any garden.
I see your dilema in needing to plant them out. The problem with trying to plant them out as new cuttings in autumn is that they won’t have enough time to develop strong root systems before the winter and any frost. The likelihood is they will perish over the next few months without some protection or help.
https://youtu.be/KRxEh05E5iI?si=WXXHYJvWYFRaYsDs
You could leave them in a cold frame to help protect them as they grow. The other issue with you being away is watering.
Even if you put them under a bench or in a cold frame they will need watering over those three months. I’d really recommend you finding a friend or neighbour who every two weeks can give them a splash of water. Or if you know that no one’s going to be around consider gifting them away so someone else can look after them. As I do think they’ll perish if not. So better someone gets some enjoyment out of them!
But don’t give up with propagation. Just try again next year when you’ve got more time to let them establish.
This is a great way to grow more plants for free in any garden.
I see your dilema in needing to plant them out. The problem with trying to plant them out as new cuttings in autumn is that they won’t have enough time to develop strong root systems before the winter and any frost. The likelihood is they will perish over the next few months without some protection or help.
You could leave them in a cold frame to help protect them as they grow. The other issue with you being away is watering.
Even if you put them under a bench or in a cold frame they will need watering over those three months. I’d really recommend you finding a friend or neighbour who every two weeks can give them a splash of water. Or if you know that no one’s going to be around consider gifting them away so someone else can look after them. As I do think they’ll perish if not. So better someone gets some enjoyment out of them!
But don’t give up with propagation. Just try again next year when you’ve got more time to let them establish.
Quote from gardenaculou on 4th October 2024, 5:23 pm
Thanks Lee, that's really clear and useful. They obviously won't survive so I think I'll grow them on and donate them elsewhere, maybe to our local Village in Bloom group.
Thanks Lee, that's really clear and useful. They obviously won't survive so I think I'll grow them on and donate them elsewhere, maybe to our local Village in Bloom group.
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