Ready for winter....and broke

I've just bought a vastly expensive 'Jumbo propagator' with lots of room for overwintering cuttings, and a lamp. Last year I lost nearly all the geraniums, and all the busy lizzies, and this year I have some plants which I really want to keep in growth over winter, like the Caesalpinia, the heliotrope which was very late growing, and the lophos, and I haven't got a conservatory or warm light windowsill. It's 22" wide, 20"high, and 4' long.
It had better work! :rolleyes:

I was expecting gold plating....
I know Busy Lizzies are easy to grow from seed but the doubles and the yellow ones were very slow.

 

Liz, I know I'm no bedding plant lover as such, but I tend to buy those very small cuttings that are on sale from about feb onwards, a couple each week and you tend not to notice the cost, and it saves a lot of hassle from nov to the end of jan.
Your set up looks pretty good, but to run it all winter may be costly, I only start my propagator up from feb or early march.
BTW, The caesalpinia will overwinter in a cold greenhouse without any trouble, just loses its leaves.

 

If they don't survive Liz I could send you some of my own freshly harvested home grown Caesalpinia seed, surplus to requirement.
I'm sure the propagator will prove it's worth in time.

 

I'm sure it will, strongy.
Best investment I ever made :D

 

when I eventually pack work and lose my "greenhouse" I will have to invest in one too although I will have nowhere else to grow anything on. :(

 

You'll have to work on as the government would like, strongy.
That way you can keep "your greenhouse" :D

 

Not bl**dy likely, five years and I'm off, greenhouse or not. Perhaps I should buy the propagator now and practice to see if I can manage on my own like everyone else instead of having the convenience of growing it all at work. :D

 

Well, it's now March and the plants in the propagator have been very snug.
The main problem has been keeping up with watering! I couldn't afford the tray and watering mat that fit the propagator, but I did have two big trays that sufficed. I have had to water every 3-4 days as the heating mat dries out the plants very quickly. Any plants I have lost seem to have been due to dryness! :eek:
I shall invest in proper tray and watering system for next year.The temperature has been between 0 [two days] and 10deg on the same setting, so a better thermostat might be in order as well.
I have been very unhappy with the plastic cover- they sell replacements for �£11 but I expected it to last more than one year! I was offered a replacement but they wanted me to send back the old one, which would have meant depriving the plants of their cover.
The rest of the greenhouse has been frost free as well this year, without bubblewrap but with a lot more insulation put in the roof joints.

 

What age are going to retire strongy?
I'm thinking of this year but I'm (only!) 54, can I afford it and will I be bored? those are the questions that keep going around in my head.

 

i want to retire now problem is im only 37 and skint lol.never mind suppose ill be up 5lbcodonday morning.lol

 

I lined my new greenhouse with bubble wrap and my plants have servived the cold spells we've had. I think my greenhouse is frost free.

 

Only just caught up with this post. Stingo, I'm going at 60, although I might find some other part time work, haven't a clue what though as I have done this since leaving school. Back problems and three hernias limit what I can do!! :(

 

Liz I was tempted to buy jumbo propagator, looked to be a good bit of kit (appart from write up on assembly).

As to retirement, I gave up 50% of my job 10 years ago, take home pay much more as I pay so much less tax and have my holiday let as extra income - which isn't much, but the increase in value on property has more than made up for loss of earnings!

 

Go for it Stingo you will no regret it I retired at 57 never stop being busy I am fortunate I retired whilst I am still fit no point retiring when you're knackered

 

Go for it Stingo - the secrete of a happy retirement, is a) to work out your finances carefully to ensure you can afford to live and pay the bills and b) have a very clear idea of what you want to do with your wonderful free time.

I too took early retirement - and I don't regret it one little bit. Its Freedom - and I liked my job :D