Plug plants inthe greenhouse?

really excited...just had my thompson and morgan delivery of 270 perennial plug plants!

Need to pot these on-should i just be leaving them in the greenhouse over winter?? Obviously need the warmth but will it be warm enough?

Also any recommendations on good compost to use?

Tips much appreciated

 

Snorky85, use something like Westlands seed and cutting compost. I would also overwinter them in the greenhouse.

 

Hi Snorky,

If they are all hardy perennials I would plant them out in their permanent positions. They will make good root growth before the Winter sets in and come back good in the Spring.

 

Sorry Anthony, I disagree. If we have a freezing cold winter they will struggle.

 

It really depends on what they are. For instance there are some sort of Dianthus in there and they hate any kind of heat during the Winter.

As I said above, it all depends on what they are. Also on the area, I can't see where Snorky lives.

 

It does depend upon what they are. There are many hardy perennials that if they are in that selection are just too small to bother with without being kept at 5°c or more.
From a personal point of view I also think that there is too little of the season left to plant any of them out as well.
I struggle to understand why plug plants like this are being sold on the cusp of winter.

 

Hey there, I'm in bucks not far from aylesbury/leighton buzzard.

The notes said to keep between 10-15C But thought that was wrong-seems a little too warm?! Id have thought just warm rnough to keep the frost away? The greenhouse I've inherited is mega insulated-its literally lined in bubble wrap and has kingspan on the floor underneath the wooden floor. Lol. The last owner boasted that it only needed a tea light going to keep it warm!!

It's a real mix of plants-sea holly, coreopsis, foxgloves, giant delphiniums and i also bought 3 varieties of lavender.

Been planting today-got that Westland with john innes. Been busy and planted about 190 plants. 80 left to go!!

 

I agree. It could lead to straggly weak growth. 5 to 10°c would be better in my opinion.

 

The only thing I might add is that traditionally pots overwintered are plunged in soil to help keep the roots warm.

 

Looks like your doing a great job there Snorky Potting on 270 plant is no mean feat.
As Longk and Dai have suggested I would keep them in the greenhouse until late March .
It is odd selling plug plants so late in the year - bet you got a good deal though !

 

I don't really think that it's that unusual to have plug plants of hardy perennials at this time of year.
Think of Aquilegia, Campanula, Lychnis etc that have grown from seed this Summer. They all grow well now ready fir flowering next year.

 

I potted on a dozen double Primula plantlets this morning, they will stay in my polytunnel until March.

 

Thanks peeps. Got them all planted over the weekend and sorted my greenhouse out. Just got to keep them alive now. Got A decent price for them!