How much will you miss outdoor gardening in the next few months?

I use Linux and alter images on iPiccy Photo Editor is Awesome!

 

I've always used image sizes 1000 x 750 pixels on GC and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

Many thanks for taking the trouble!

 

The cuttings Mrs Lao had taken from a coleus mother plant in October, were doing really well (photo 1, taken on the 4th November 24); the optimism has somewhat dampened (photo 2 – taken on the 16th January 2025), despite seemingly very healthy root systems (photo 3 – taken on the 17th January 2025) and being kept indoors in between 15C and 20C.

Wondering what went wrong!

Could it be that coleuses cannot be carried over to another year?
Were the cuttings taken too late?
Are they being kept at the wrong temperature?

Opinions much appreciated.

 

@LawnAndOrder I had some Osteospernum cuttings on my windowsill that were doing well and suddenly died - disappointing.

 

Commiserations! ... We tried to protect our Osteospermum which had started flowering in the garden when the frost came, but the buds have all died (the plant is okay, though).

 

As long as the roots are healthy then it's not too important about top growth at this time of year. The three main factors for plant growth are temperature, light levels and humidity. The temp is good, natural light levels will gently rise (at which point you need to watch out for sunny days if the plants are near glass) and it's best to keep plants on the dry side through the winter. No leaves = no transpiration so if the roots are kept too damp, they'll rot.

 

Thank you for that! Always good to receive good advice from the experts! I shall relay it to Mrs Lao, who will be very pleased. Here's looking forward to spring:

 

Far from expert, LAO, just lots of experience of killing plants in one way or another I am relieved to read that your Osteospermums are alive. They'd be flowering around now in their native South Africa but it's a bit optimistic to expect them to after frost in London They'll look quite tatty for the next couple of months but resist the temptation to cut them back until March-ish. The old foliage will help to protect the new growth.