Saving/overwintering for next year...

Re Dahlias,don't take them up util we have had a frost and they go black (sorry site after seeing such lovely blooms) cut back all blacked foliage to within 6ins of tuber,turn upside down to drain any water that may be in the stems,when dry clean off all soil (if your brave at this stage you can wash them,when dry dust in yellow sulphur.Then place in boxes in layers of sawdust or shavings and keep frost free.This is what I did when I was showing.Main thing ti do over winter is check now and then to see no rot is about,if you find it cut of rot and dust with powder again

I'm sure someone will advise you on the next 3 items.

 

Re: Pelargoniums, no they don't need a rest they are best actually treated as annuals but you can bring them into the house if you want to, carry on giving them a little water and they will go through the winter, they will probably get leggy but in the Spring cuttings root very easily so you can start them off again.

 

Dahlias I don't usually bother saving the tuber unless it a nice one I've grown from seed or a named brought one. They take up much space in the GH in spring when starting them off again.

My plan was to over winter the pelargonium in the GH this winter but they have been caterpillar fodder this year so won't bother.

Still undecided on my 3 brugs, might take cuttings but I want taller plants next year.
They can be root pruned though a placed in a smaller pot and put in the GH for winter

Your begonias if tubers can be stored same as your dahlias.

 

My first year growing them
I'd say yes but If it gets really cold cover it or bring it indoors
I wouldn't water it much if at all over winter just keep it just moist

 

Yes, needs to be frost free though. They will defoliate (unless kept warm-ish), so don't be alarmed by that. If they get cold the stem tips may die back a bit. I cut mine back in Autumn, but only as-necessary to get them into the conservatory, and then I cut them back in early Spring when I can see which stems have died, and to get a smaller framework for the start of nest year's growth (otherwise the new growth can get too big for the conservatory before they are moved outside)

 

Anyone know how to store the Cucamelon over winter please?

Should I treat this like a Dahlia - cut it right down and store it
like I would store a Dahlia Tuber?

 

can i ask what to do with begonias? had a lovely show this year and they are still in bloom! i saw on the internet to take the tubers wipe the soil off and keep in a box with holes in and put in the shed? anything else required?

 

I would have had it protected from the recent deluges by now. We prefer to have the growing medium fairly dry by the time they are shut away.

 

Hi Maria

you need to take the pots in the shed , turn the pots on the side and let them dry out and let all the foliage die and fall off , dont be tempted to cut any off , give me a shout as I dont want to take over FC thread

 

I'll be saving similar to you @fat controller - dahlias, regal pelagoniums and a couple of zonal geraniums. I've a small clematis in its pot in the ground which is going in the greenhouse too, and a canna I bought very cheaply a few weeks ago. A big container I have with a delta sarah fuschia, snapdragon (which didn't flower this year for some reason) and my only New Guinea impatieten is going in too. I've taken cuttings of a fair few things, fingers crossed everything makes it through the winter. Think my greenhouse is going to be pretty full!

 

Something I do with pots that I want to dry out before putting undercover for winter, (which often involves a cut back), is to lay the plants on there sides in their pots, that way you allow the foliage to draw out the moisture without the rain getting into the pot.
I then cut back in order to get into the greenhouse or garage.

Remove from pot, and place on compost heap

Seriously, I must admit to trying storing just one root, just out of interest.
I've dried out the pot and will store it undisturbed totally dry.

Must admit if it dont make it, I wont be heart broken.