Growing Thunbergia, Cleome

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Baalmaiden, Sunday at 8:41 AM.

  1. Baalmaiden

    Baalmaiden Gardener

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    My Thunbergia are doing well in 10cm pots in the greenhouse and I am bringing them inside on cold nights. I am wondering whether I started them too early and they will be really big before I can plant them outside. I have an obelisk I want to grow them over. Anyone grown these outside in the summer before?
    Also has anyone grown Cleome from seed before? T&M's database says chill for 2 weeks before sowing in the light.
     
  2. Pete8

    Pete8 Super Gardener

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    I grow cleome from seed quite often.
    I've never chilled before sowing and always had good germination.
    The seedlings start off quite slowly, but as the weather warms they grow fast and by mid-summer are 4ft ish.
    I find them easy to grow.
    They have an intriguing scent and vicious thorns.
     
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    • Plantminded

      Plantminded Total Gardener

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      Yes, I would wait until the end of April to plant them out when the nights are reliably warm, otherwise they will get stressed. Support them in their pots with three canes in a wigwam formation. You may also need to pot them on into larger pots. I did this last year and planted the plant and wigwam in the middle of an obelisk. The wigwam was soon obscured. Trying to unwind the stems would have caused damage which I wanted to avoid. The plant thrived and needed occasional pruning as it was running wild :).
       
      Last edited: Sunday at 12:04 PM
    • Baalmaiden

      Baalmaiden Gardener

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      Thanks guys. Plantminded - do you think 5 plants for an obelisk about 18" in diameter and 6' tall is too many? I could put 2 in hanging baskets.
       
    • Plantminded

      Plantminded Total Gardener

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      Yes @Baalmaiden, I had only one and it still tried to escape into the border :biggrin:. Wait and see how large they are at the end of April and then decide if you need more than one. Good luck, they are lovely plants.
       
      Last edited: Sunday at 5:17 PM
    • Baalmaiden

      Baalmaiden Gardener

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      Thanks, I've never grown them before but I thought I would have a change from sweet peas.
      Still sown a few of those though, they'll pop in somewhere!
       
    • Victoria

      Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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      It is lie a weed here. In its third year now ... but we like it ...

      KKK 30 Mar 25.jpg
       
    • Baalmaiden

      Baalmaiden Gardener

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      Lovely! I am encouraged!
       
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      • BB3

        BB3 Gardener

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        I had a rusty red one in a container it covered a fence panel and decided to pop over the fence for a look next door.
        I've ordered four from Hayloft. They'll be here later this month. Various colours, but unfortunately no red.
         
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