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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2008 12:24:03 GMT
Hi all,
I've never had huge success buying bare-rooted perennials; some I bought last year just never showed, e.g. Alstromeria. I've always planted them in the open ground, and was wondering if it would be better to bring them on in a pot and then transplant them - what is the general view? Or is the my high failure rate just the price you pay for them being so cheap? ... cheers ...
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Post by beanie on Mar 8, 2008 17:14:54 GMT
I grew alstromeria from seed and have found it to be almost indestructable. It's in a warm well drained border. the roots are brittle and resent being disturbed and take a time to settle in.
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 8, 2008 18:37:33 GMT
Alstroemeria range from thug to Prima Ballerina. Some of them are tender and don't like being handled. Others take over the border. As Beanie says, the little white tubers  are very brittle, and must be handled carefully. You could place them in peat pots until they show growth, then plant the whole thing in the border. I used to buy bare root from Bressingham when they had their big mail order, and they had been dug up and wrapped in clingfilm. Those went straight into the ground. But if you are talking about the boxes of dry perennials from places like B&Q, then I would advise potting them up till they start growing. Some of them can be pathetic little specimens which do need a bit of nurturing. I have just bought some Phlox from Lidl, at 49p for two. I cold hardly find them in the compost, but I daresay they will grow. ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2008 10:54:21 GMT
Thanks Beanie and Wee .... I must look out for the take-over-the-border Altromeria ;D Yes, I was talking about the dry perennials, specifically Astilbe and Geraniums from Lidl ... cheers ...
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 10, 2008 19:21:46 GMT
Hi CC, I bought three packs of the Phlox from Lidl. At the price, I don't suppose they are too bad, considering the price of rooted cuttings of other plants. I gave mine a wee soak for an hour, then potted them up. If they are a success, I'll post a photo. Will you?  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2008 14:01:47 GMT
Drat!!!! I potted them up yesterday, and didn't think to soak the roots  .... but I did give the pots a good soaking after planting (three pinkish/purple hardy geraniums, two white Astilbes) .... but yes, I'll certainly put up a pic if anything happens/grows ... cheers ... |
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Post by Jonah on Mar 11, 2008 14:04:23 GMT
I must admit, I have decided to pot most of my bare roots for the time being, possibly for the first year if I can keep up the watering. I've lost a lot of youngsters in the past, either through the soggy ground rotting them, or the dreaded slugs and snails.  |
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 11, 2008 14:23:37 GMT
I bought some bare rooted Black Hollyhocks last year and wished I'd potted them on, one popped it's cloggs quite early and the other is not showing any signs of life yet  I don't buy many bare rooted but must admit any potted young plants I buy nearly always get a year in a pot before planting, sometimes two ;D You know the ones you buy but don't quite know were they can go  It does give them chance to get a good root system going and give you time to ponder on a home for them  I was told to nip the flowers buds off so energy went to making roots. TBO I'd rather buy the cheaper smaller ones for a couple of pounds and bring them on than pay through the nose like £4-£10 and more for a more established plant, I'm just tight |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2008 14:28:36 GMT
TBO I'd rather buy the cheaper smaller ones for a couple of pounds and bring them on than pay through the nose like £4-£10 and more for a more established plant, I'm just tight A woman after my own heart, Chuckles ;D |
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 11, 2008 18:38:49 GMT
And mine. Obviously. Don't worry CC, soaking not in the least necessary. |
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Post by Auricula on Mar 21, 2008 22:03:25 GMT
I plant them out when I can see a bit of top growth - smother with slug pellets - try not to confuse them with weeds and hope for the best!! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2008 12:53:27 GMT
Well, a hardy geranium and two lillies-of-the-valley, bought a while back from Lidl and planted in the open ground, are up and happy .... nothing yet from the later ones planted in pots (could be that they'd been hanging around the store to long) ... cheers ...
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Post by Weeterrier on Mar 31, 2008 9:13:43 GMT
Well done CC. No sign of anything from my Phlox, though the weather has been so cold.
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Post by borderbabe on Mar 31, 2008 13:26:57 GMT
I usually pot up bare rooted plants from shops i.e Wilkinsons before they go out into the garden - saves me looking for something and it doesn't appear - the neighbours wonder why I'm, peering into the soil!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 14:47:56 GMT
Well, one of the potted geraniums is up .... nothing from the Astilbes yet ... cheers ... |
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are very brittle, and must be handled carefully. You could place them in peat pots until they show growth, then plant the whole thing in the border.
It does give them chance to get a good root system going and give you time to ponder on a home for them 
I was told to nip the flowers buds off so energy went to making roots. 
