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Post by bigolob on Aug 12, 2012 17:12:11 GMT
I have just taken 5 cuttings of each of my Penstemon plants (15-20) in the GH where they will spend the next few months until cold weather returns.
I find that taking the cuttings in mid August ensures a good rooting, hopefully so that they can be potted into their 4 inch individual pots before winter stops their growth.
When individually potted, they are taken into the heated conservatory (a warm window sill would do) on sub 45 degree nights and then returned to the GH when conditions warm again to 45 degrees. As most of you will know, Penstemon are not fully hardy in winter and during the severe winter of 2010 I lost my whole stock. Hence the cuttings I now take - last years plants from cutting have flowered very well since early July and will continue until late September, or so depending on the weather.
The same technique will be used in mid September for my ivy-leaf pelagoniums which fill baskets on walls in summer.
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Post by Jasmine on Aug 12, 2012 18:47:52 GMT
Do you find they manage ok indoors Bigolob? I keep my penstemon cuttings in our lobby over winter if they are small but then have to do battle with mildew.
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Post by bigolob on Aug 16, 2012 17:24:03 GMT
Jasmine, I too had problems with mildew last winter on the rooted cuttings of Penstemon but I think it was due to a neighbour giving me a rooted cutting of a pelargonium which developed mildew in February.
It caused me to loose about a third of my Penstemon cuttings so mildew can even arise in a 50 degree heated GH. I would think any cuttings you root will be fine indoors next winter but be very careful not to over-water or losses will be increased due to botritis. Also give them as much light as possible but not too much heat or they will become leggy.
Keep a close eye on them and they should be OK.
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Post by Jasmine on Aug 16, 2012 17:57:49 GMT
Thanks for the advice Bigolob.
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Post by Geranium on Aug 17, 2012 5:59:34 GMT
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Post by Jasmine on Aug 17, 2012 7:41:00 GMT
That would be a start Geranium! ;D
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