Senetti info please!

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by froot, Apr 4, 2015.

  1. froot

    froot Gardener

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    I absolutely fell in love with the senetti, it's so bright and pretty! So I bought some plugs from ebay which are pretty rubbish, they have some kind of white limescale type stuff on them which was disappointing.

    I bought another larger plant yesterday which looks much healthier :)

    My questions are these:

    What is the limescaley stuff and can I get rid? I'll post a pic later if it helps to diagnose!

    How on earth did the big plant get as big as it did, as I understand that they are annuals?

    I read that they are grown from cuttings so any tips on doing this would be gratefully received!

    Any other care tips would be lovely!
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Yep, I've bought these plants uin the past.
    The flowering can be amazing.
    But I usually throw them away once they are finished.

    Not sure about the lime scale stuff, but it might just be a spray that was applied prior to dispatch, they grow fast, so it wouldn't or shouldn't last long.-

    Dont let them dry out, feed occasionally and they will get massive.
    Its basically a spring flower, so dont expect it to last all summer.
     
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    • froot

      froot Gardener

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      Thank you Pete, much appreciated!

      Next silly question, what should I be feeding? Will tomato feed do?
       
    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      the white spay means they have been grown in area with hard water as South England , it will go soon enough

      Weak solution of tom feed will be fine
       
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      • froot

        froot Gardener

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        Thank you Spruce!
         
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        • wiseowl

          wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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          There's is my Senetti @froot Blue Bicolour:smile:

          I treat mine just as you would a Fuchsia;)

          [​IMG]

          [​IMG]
           
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            Last edited: Apr 17, 2015
          • froot

            froot Gardener

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            That is stunning wiseowl. Unfortunately, I don't know how to treat a fuchsia either, although I do have some of those planted too!

            I don't understand how to grow new plants from cuttings, is that what you do with your senetti? I read that they can't be grown from seed.
             
          • Spruce

            Spruce Glad to be back .....

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            have you a greenhouse ? if not I would treat as annuals and in the compost bin at the end of the season , harsh I know but .... practical
             
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            • wiseowl

              wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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              Hi @froot this might be of some use to you my friend:smile: I have a greenhouse but I am afraid our friend @Spruce is correct ,I think and this is only my personal opinion but its just as easy for you to send off for some Senetti plugs;)

              Q & A on Senetti

              Question :Who many flowers will I get?

              Answer : Each plant can produce over 200 flowers!

              Question : When do they flower?

              Answer : Flowering time is April-June. The real beauty is that once the plant’s flowers are spent, the plants can be cut back to 4” and it will re-flower in 3 to 4 weeks!

              Question : How big do they get?

              Answer : Height: 30-45cm (12-18")

              Question : Can they take frost?

              Answer : Senetti® is cold-cultivated so it can tolerate a light night frost, which makes them suitable for spring planting in combination with spring violets and primulas.

              Question : What pots size should I use?

              Answer : We recommend a 15cm pot.

              Question : What temperature should the plugs be grown in?

              Answer :If you are potting on in January and February Senetti® is best keep at 5C

              Question : When should I feed?

              Answer : When the roots have reached the side of the pots start to feed.

              Question : Can you buy Senetti seed?

              Answer : No, these plants are only grown from cuttings because the seeds are not true to type! Plants grown from cuttings are much stronger and will grow for longer!

              Question : Can I over winter the plants?

              Answer : It is possible in theory, but there is a high risk that the plants will developed various diseases following the end of the growth period (Autumn), and this will not give a satisfactory result. It is a much better idea to throw the old plants on the compost heap, and to start the new year with fresh material.
               
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              • Spruce

                Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                star of the week goes to @wiseowl :star: with a cracker of a answer and explanation
                 
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                • froot

                  froot Gardener

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                  I will second that! Smashing wiseowl, thank you very much!
                   
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                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

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                    I had Senetti in my garden for three years, it was quite happy in sandy soil. :)

                    Senetti (Pericallis) Magenta Bi-colour (1).JPG
                     
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                    • froot

                      froot Gardener

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                      Beautiful. Did you have to protect from frost?

                      I have clay soil but I planted mine in a container with topsoil and compost and it seems to be happy for now!
                       
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                      • Sheal

                        Sheal Total Gardener

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                        It died back over the winter months so frost wasn't really a problem Froot. However, the islands winter temperatures rarely drop into minus figures. :)
                         
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