SUMMER BASKETS AND WINDOW BOXES - "BITS AND BOBS" - 2015

I had several Begonia Illuminations in a planter last year and they flowered profusely

I'll be having giant fuchsias in my baskets.

I've got pansies in my wall trough which I planted last autumn and which are now flowering. Wonder how long they will keep going for? Once they have done I'll have a think about what to replace them with.

 

Merle , just planted some bedding pansies - 1 basket 1 container . That's all I do for winter planting . They will flower profusely through too late May , when I replant the container . They may actually last a lot longer .

 

I've not grown Begonia's before and bought corms today for baskets. It's now occurred to me they should be started inside, unfortunately I can't do that as my baskets are screwed to the house wall. Would it be a problem to plant them out now? If so what would you suggest please?

 

That's a good idea, thanks FC. I'll let you know later in the year whether they hate me too.

 

@Sheal , a few weeks before you need to plant the corms indoors . I plant them around the third week of March , 6 corms to a deep seed tray in MPC . They should sprout in two - three weeks . They need the warmth , frost will kill them , cold will stop them . They only go outside in May.

 

Thanks Harry. I'll start them off in week or two.

 

Hi Sheal , They will need warmth to get them going and they root 360 so bury the whole corm dont take no notice of the wafffle about half bury them, water the compost day before then plant them the following day , airing cupboard is ideal dont water again and when they do place in a saucer dont get the leaves wet doing it that way

 

Thanks for the info Spruce. I don't have an airing cupboard so would my heated propagator be okay, or will that be to warm? I'll be starting them in pots.

This is what I bought and got a discount. I only have two baskets so three in each will probably work.

 

ooh, they look interesting

 

Thanks Eve, let's hope they live up to the packaging picture.

 

Hi Sheal

Individual pots are best as you dont damage the roots as they are brittle .
A heated propagator is ideal for starting a constant temperature of about 70°f. 21° is what I use.
They can be bit erratic some will sprout quicker so be patient.

 

They look lovely Sheal I germinate the corms at room temp, but as Spruce ,I bury the corms just beneath the surface . Make sure you plant the corms the right way up - see video 5 or 6 posts up - or they won't show ! Hope you get 100% showing . I usually get 70% to 100% , its a bit random .

 

What's the difference between buying the corms or buying plug plants? Is one better than the other?

 

My central heating is off for part of the day, so perhaps it would be better to use my propagator, the heat will be constant.