Feeding heucheras

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Val.., May 20, 2014.

  1. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    If you are on heavy soil then stick to the larger leaf cultivars.

    If you want to "try", or are on a budget, then I suggest growing some from seed. I have loads (all the same of course) that came from a couple of packets of seed and that got me a fair few clumps for a couple of quid. They are a lot more robust than the ones I bought (which did not have large leaves and are probably somewhat fussy). Of the bought ones, those that have survived that have, now, made large-ish clumps (2 or 3 years down the line) seem to be doing a lot better than they did when they were young / first planted.

    All the large seed companies list Heuchera seed, but I think I would bypass them for someone more specialist.

    Start here for all things Heucheras Heucherella and Tiarella (and even Pulmonaria) have a look at
    http://www.heucheraholics.co.uk/

    http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/page6c-hetropappus-heuchera.htm
    http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/list.php?genus=Heuchera
    http://www.plant-world-seeds.com/store/flower_seed_categories/HEUCHERA_SEEDS
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      Thanks @Kristen - my soil is quite heavy, however I have put in a lot of work over the past two years to condition it which (judging by how easy it was to dig over today) appears to be paying off; I sort of cheated with the heucheras though - I tried looking at all the varieties, and in short ended up wanting all of them, which is clearly not possible -- so, I ordered a set of three jumbo plugs from Amazon for a fiver. Got to be worth a shot at that price, even if I don't know what I am getting until they arrive.
       
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      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        Can't argue with that!
         
      • Val..

        Val.. Confessed snail lover

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        @fat controller if you think your soil is too heavy then plant them in pots. :)

        Val
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          Its a bit heavy, but not that bad @val - it was neglected for a good few years before I started working on it, but now its much improved. I added loads of organic matter and continue to do so, which has seen it go from a claggy clay-like consistency to a nice crumbly well drained consistency

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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          Well, the wee fellows arrived today and were quite unceremoniously plopped into pots of compost and given a drenching; I am going to leave them in the greenhouse for a day or two until they find their feet and then consider where to put them. Anyone got any idea what variety they are?
          2014-06-04 18.49.33.jpg

          2014-06-04 18.49.38.jpg

          2014-06-04 18.49.54.jpg

          2014-06-04 18.49.57.jpg
           
        • Kristen

          Kristen Under gardener

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          Creme brulee?
           
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          • Val..

            Val.. Confessed snail lover

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            Identifying the variety is going to be difficult, the leaves change colour with the seasons and a lot of them are very similar.:scratch:

            Val
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              Ah well, as long as they thrive and look nice, it don't really matter what their name is. The biggest of the three has lovely dark purpley/burgundy foliage (sadly in the photos you can only see the undersides); I have had a peek at them today, and they still seem to be in the huff.
               
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