The dangerous time is upon us...

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Jan 3, 2015.

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  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    WARNING - No responsibility will be taken for impulse purchases you make as a result of clicking links. :biggrin:

    TIP - get a cuppa before you start reading this, its a bit long... :snork:

    Had a lazy day in front of the PC today, and decided to start planning for the forthcoming growing season; I swear I heard the debit card whimpering as soon as I clicked onto the first webpage :heehee:

    After some hours, I now have a list to expand on/whittle down, and would appreciate any comments/suggestions, particularly if something is likely to be overly difficult, or not worth the bother of growing (or conversely if its likely to be a roaring success!)

    So, the list as it stands:

    Amaranthus - Love Lies Bleeding

    Asarina Summer Snow

    Begonia Non-Stop Rose Petticoat - I tried these last year and had a 100% failure rate, however the seeds were from T&M which I think is a considerable factor; I think going for the pelleted seeds should help also? Or are they a non-starter?

    Begonia Non-Stop - I have generally always got these as plug plants when I have had them; are they worthwhile from seed?

    Calibrachoa - I know less than now't about these, but liked the look of them - comments please?

    Celosia Flamingo Feather - bit of border interest? Maybe? Or am I just being a plant tart again?

    Coleus Wizard Scarlet - I am thinking in-fill for containers/baskets, but not overly sure if I might be barking up the wrong tree

    Cosmos - double click - again, I know now't about these, but liked the look of them?

    Diascia Pink Queen - another one I know now't about, but as my baskets have been pretty poor this past couple of years, I am keen to have them looking top drawer this year if I can; what do you think?

    Dichondra - I tried to grow silver falls last year, and failed miserably. Is it hard to grow? Is the emerald variety any easier or not?

    Echium russicum - liked the look of this, and that is really the only reason that it made it onto the list....

    Geranium (Pelargonium) - fairly bullet proof and not that badly priced as they are F2 - should still be decent performers though?

    Hypoestes Confetti Mixed - another one I know less than zilch about, but I do like the look of this one and if its not a nightmare to grow, it could very well be the one to see coleus removed from the list.

    [/url=http://www.molesseeds.co.uk/flower_...cts_Peppermint_1106.html#.VKhhp3tKCnx]Ipomoea Peppermint[/url] - thinking fence coverage, but not 100% sure if this would be the thing?? I like the striped flowers, but am just not sure how it would look in with everything else?

    Larkspur Sublime Special - I like the look of them; as I never seem to be able to keep lupins for more than one year, I am wondering if these are a suitable annual alternative?

    - always liked lavatera (used to call 'em toilet trees when I was a little 'un and my mum grew them :biggrin:

    Lobelia - now I know these are a right royal pain in the rear due to the very small seeds, but would they be any easier from pellets? Any germination tricks? One for the propagator with capillary matting?

    Mina lobata - a possible alternative (or in addition to) the Ipomoea Peppermint?

    Nicotiana F1 Perfume - just because......

    Osteospermum - another one just because..... always liked these

    Petunia F1 Ultra Star Mixed

    Petunia F1 Supercascade

    Rhodochiton atrosanguineus - still thinking fence cover....

    Canary Creeper again still on fence cover...

    Zinnia -- really like the look of some of these, but which one(s) to go for?

    Digitalis Dalmatian Peach - very much on the 'not sure' list...

    Hollyhocks Chaters Double Mix - I love hollyhocks... nuff said.

    I have one penstemon which I have no idea where it came from.... anyway, I quite like it so was thinking of getting it some company

    And on to the munchies:

    Beetroot

    Brussels sprout

    Carrots

    Cauliflower

    Cucumber

    Sugar snap peas - amy sowing and growing tips?

    Tomato Big Red

    Tomato Tropical Ruby

    Tomato Ferline

    Sweet pepper Poseidon - do they sink? :biggrin:

    So, over to you ladies and gents
     
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      Fat Controller, Jan 3, 2015
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      No, no, no FC! I've avoided hitting all the blue bits in your post, I really can't risk going there just yet! :doh::biggrin:
       
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        Sheal, Jan 3, 2015
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Its the Jan 3rd, I was feeling a bit 'fragile' after last night and a wee bit bored...... and off I went.

        Besides, its all @Kristen's fault for providing a link to Moles seeds some time ago (funny how some things can be remembered :snork:)
         
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          Fat Controller, Jan 3, 2015
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        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          .....And Kristen isn't around to defend himself at the moment! :doh::)
           
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            Sheal, Jan 3, 2015
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          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            Ach, now't to defend @Sheal - if they are as good as the other place he recommended me (Ashridge trees) he has done me a favour (again!). Hope we see him back soon.
             
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              Fat Controller, Jan 3, 2015
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            • Sheal

              Sheal Total Gardener

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              Kristen tends to disappear over the winter months, it won't be long before he's back I think.
               
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                Sheal, Jan 3, 2015
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              • Freddy

                Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                I've never had any luck with Begonias. Pelleted might be ok? :dunno:
                 
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                  Freddy, Jan 3, 2015
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                • redstar

                  redstar Total Gardener

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                  go Lord. will have to look up some of those flowers, their pictures do not come to mind. I am formulating my list also.
                   
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                    redstar, Jan 3, 2015
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                  • clueless1

                    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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                    And where is @Kristen. Last thread of his I remember was about making sure GC knew if a member, erm, went awol.
                     
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                      clueless1, Jan 4, 2015
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                    • HarryS

                      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                      Nice list of plant FC :dbgrtmb: Just a a few notes from my experience.

                      Begonias I would not try growing from seed , buy plug plants.
                      Dichondra silver falls both JWK and I have ordered these as jumbo plugs from Brookside Nursery, costs not a lot more than the seeds.
                      Calibrochoa , lovely trailing basket plant - buy these at your local Nursery / GC
                      Lobelia , again buy locally they are very cheap . Cambridge blue is a good performer
                      Diascia , buy locally
                      Canary creeper good for fence cover , may even self seed next year.
                      Rhodociton , very pretty climber . Found germination a little tricky . May not grow too big in its first year.
                      For fence cover look at Cobea Scandens ,lovely big plant late flowering - mine may make it through winter.
                      http://www.sarahraven.com/flowers/plants/cut_flower_seedlings/cobaea_scandens_purple.htm

                      Hope this helps
                       
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                        HarryS, Jan 4, 2015
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                      • longk

                        longk Total Gardener

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                        Generally it strikes me that there are too many annuals. You do this to yourself every year :heehee:

                        I'm giving this a go too so we can swap notes.

                        Pricking out will be no easier. What are we talking - annuals or perennials?

                        Time to get grown up me thinks. N.langsdorfii and N.sylvestris maybe?

                        Not that rampant I'm afraid. A true gem of a plant but best in a pot in my experience. Don't be too disappointed if the seed fails to germinate as it has a short shelf life. If in the husk it is easiest (and most reliably) germinated using the baggie method. If you get the very small husked seed best sown conventionally.

                        Claims to be perennial on that site - I'm not so sure. In my opinion the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Turkish Digitalis are far better and truly perennial. Google D.ferruguinea, D.lutea, D.lanata, and D.parviflora. Look here - the Digitalis seed starts about halfway down the page.

                        Look up Penstemon digitalis "Huskers Red" and P.heterophylus.

                        Smart move! I wish that I could!
                         
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                          longk, Jan 4, 2015
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          I second that. I used to grow them from seed, but you needed to have got them sown yesterday and have a lighting/heat system. Just buy plugs or one or two bigger plants and take cuttings, you can get quite a few plants propagated in April from a single mother plant.
                           
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                            JWK, Jan 4, 2015
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                          • JWK

                            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                            Just noticed all your links are to Moles! They are good and I use them when I can't find a specific variety elsewhere. As you know they sell in larger quantities, you don't really need 50 tomato seeds of each variety do you? Buy cheaper from Wilkos or ebay to save money.
                             
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                              JWK, Jan 4, 2015
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                            • JWK

                              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                              Sorry FC to keep harping on about the price, just clicked on the link to the cucumber, it's £13.40 for 25 seeds! Save your hard earned cash and just buy 4 plants from the GC for £1 each in the spring, I'm sure the same goes for a lot of your selections, I'll shut up now :)
                               
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                                JWK, Jan 4, 2015
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                              • redstar

                                redstar Total Gardener

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                                I hardly grow anything from seed anymore. When I think about "my time" cost, the soil, the flats the position them under lights etc versus the cost of buying a plant, buying the plant wins out.
                                 
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                                  redstar, Jan 4, 2015
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