Which houseplants do you grow outside?

btw if anyone want to grow a dragon fruit this is how to do.
has anyone ever seen one of those?
simply cut the top plant and keep the base of the cactus......
the base of the cactus is actually a dragon fruit plant .

 

Intresting about the rootstock Sal.

You take the blanket off during the day when its above freezing.

A glass dome is fine as rain protection but will hold condesation badly.

Free ventilation is best so just a piece of glass suspended over the plant is all thats required for rain protection, ie. no sides.

But if you want frost protection you need something thermal, ie. a blanket, but removed during the day.

I'd not plant a gasteria out now, I'd wait till spring.

 

haaaa....I though your gasteria was outdoor ....I don`t want to become a blanket slave .
about the rootstock , I was shocked myself , actually the person i was asking didn`t even know that it was a dragon fruit plant , it was undercover on a balcony , she told me that the top plant died , cut the top and the base start to grow :DOH:.......and even managed to grow in a cold weather climate.

 

It's not fair for me to comment on this thread but I am reading it with interest.

Happy New Year to you all.

 

Happy new year to you and everybody else.........ps how sad , maybe ten years ago I was about to go out and have fun and today I`m here talking about plants

 

I do have gasteria outdoors Sal but in a very protected position under the eves of the house.

Growing tender plants in the UK requires dedication, one cold night can ruin many years growth.
So, its up to you.

Happy new year Victoria, Sal and everyone.

 

The way I see it ultimately is a cheap plant from Homebase or B&Q is worth use as bedding, and if it doesn't make it through the winter, then it's no great loss - small houseplants like for example Schefflera and Monstera can be as little cost as a pack of bedding. Schefflera arboricola is an exceptionally fast grower too, so worth the money even if they are bedding. One of my favourites if to buy some small Christmas cactus plants and use them as bedding, they seem to add dimension, especially when they're in flower, and at 2.99 (or even reduced at the end of Christmas time), they're pretty good value.

I have one growing well at the moment in a big pot, it's tucked between the shelted of an emerging window, so its getting rain, and cold protection.

 

Since last year I`ve been collecting hardy cactus , put didn`t plant anythink yet because i needed to cut the 2 giant tree down , I will play safe and make a bed out with cactus but will keep one indoor as a back up , I do love gasteria but not easy to find so , I`ll may repot back in October untill will manage few shoots.
Of couse growing tender requires dedication , that is why we love it , the challenge of it .
thanks to internet now we can find many more frost hardy plants , but many only available in seeds or very expencive plants and if we spend lots of money we don`t want to risk with some novelty plant.

 

If you like Money Plants (Crassula ovata), but can't overwinter it then there is a great alternative called Crassula sarcocaulis, it will take our cold wet winters and look great despite everything.



This was it when I got it but it's now come into its own. Notice the labelling says Sedum, it is actually Crassula.

Here it was after last winter;



Now it looks super, and in flower is very impressive - I actually find it self sows all over the place.

 

Stephen you just made a good point if you like shefflera , you can get one from b&q for £10....and it will die in cold winter or spend around £100 and buy a shefflera taiwaniana and it still only take -10 , same with cactus , you can buy a £2 xmas cactus or spent £70 for a spicement agave .....perhaps we can grow them in pot and move them in the greenhouse in winter.

 

That looks a good plant Stephen, not seen that before.

 

Got one if you need it Pete , it actually reach 3/4 feet and very quick grower.

 

yes Pete and I have plenty of seedlings if you want one.

 

Hmmm, looks like something I have outside so will have to investigate tomorrow.

Closing down now ... boa noite tudo e bom ano novo.

 

I have a few Crassula Ovata Variegata which I obviously can't overwinter outside, perhaps C Sarcocaulis might be an alternative.