Winter

And speaking of overwintering.....

Started lifting my tender stuff this weekend.
Alocasia and bananas

Don't think there is a frost forecast this week, but may as well get started.

Anyone else bringing their tropicals in yet??

 

Mine have been in the GH for the last week or so mainly because of the torrential rain we've been having. Some of the cannas still flowering and the musa sikkimensis still putting on growth.
Got my hands on some bubble wrap this week for the pots

 

I haven't wrapped up/fleeced my tree fern yet, and a few other plants I was planning on.
Thought I would do so after this monster storm we are expecting as it will prob just get blown off.

 

I've been bringing various plants undercover for a few weeks now.
I always hate that mad rush of soaking wet plants on the first frost.

I tend to think its much easier to dry out pots earlier,...... once the weather turns really cold, if brought in, they stay wet for a very long time.
And staying wet in cold conditions means rot.

 

I lifted the various Salvia that need to be protected (some just in my own head maybe) a couple of weeks ago as I didn't want them sulking when the cold arrived.
BoP came in tonight in readiness for the wind.
I just finished carpeting the shed yesterday, so that should be good enough for most things, but bubble wrapping the greenhouse needs finishing as that will get heat this winter for the winter bloomers and a few other things (ie; Cantua, Passiflora antioquensis etc.).

 

mine is all done , need just a good clean up and a bigger greenhouse

 

Do i need to lift my black & blue salvia longk?? thanks julie x

 

I don't lift mine. It may get a mulch, but only if I remember.

Me too!

 

I got some Chinese Impatiens and Begonia species this summer.
Not sure if they will be ok outside or I should bring them in?

 

I've brought in things already in pots, and things that want 5C+ but the rest is out until threat of frost.

 

Got a few things I want to overwinter:

1.Kristen's Cyperus - it's been in the pond all summer, potted, looking fine. I've hauled it out today and it'll have to go in the leaky greenhouse. What are its chances, and should I give it a bucket of water to stand in to make it feel at home?

2.Salvia Hotlips - how hardy is that one?

3.Fuschia Thalia - actually got a good one for the first time, how much protection will it need?

4.Eucalyptus gunnii - inside or out?

5.Mirabilis jalapa - lost them before, is it the cold or the wet that does for them?

6.Echium candicans - ditto. Some are planted out, others in pots.

 

Bombproof!

I was told 3 to 5°c last year. That worked!

Expect to lose the ones planted out (I am) unless it's a super mild winter. I've taken a punt with one with a fair bit of protection lined up for it.

 

I've read differing views. One that planting them in a pond basket, and standing in a tray of water, is best. Others that dry is ... either way I have never managed to get them through a second winter. The ones I grew from seed this year, which I planted in the border (with minimal irrigation) have done really well - I wasn't expecting that.

So might be easier just to grow from seed each year ... or beg some at Shiney's in May?!!

Mine is in for the Winter

I keep my Eucalyptus in for their first winter (i.e. grown from seed), then out. Gunnii is amongst the hardiest though, so maybe no need? Might not like being out if it is in a pot though. If planted out I would not lift, as I think they don't like root disturbance?

 

I grow this too and its dead easy to strike cuttings from too for extra insurance, originally it was said to be only semi-hardy but it appears much hardier than quoted, my plants came from cuttings from a neighbour's mature 4ft shrubby specimen that takes everything the elements can throw at it

I've given my Cannas the chop and they are out of their pots and in baskets in the greenhouse drying the roots out a bit more before giving them a bit more protection

I've wrapped my banana in straw and thats still in the greenhouse, only removed the 2 faded leaves and left 2 healthier ones on

 

welcome Cathaleia , just ask , it will be easy and quick