Summer bedding

[Dr Bill]

I am trying growing my own bedding plants this year so I have sown Cosmos, Nicotiana, Begonia and Impatiens this morning - peat free compost with added perlite all in the heated propagator in the greenhouse. I'm hoping to save a considerable amount of money as well as getting the enjoyment from doing this so I hope it all works out.

[Rosefriend]

I think it is a great idea DrBill - I am more or less doing the same. Dahlia's, Geraniums, Impatiens, Asters, Ageratum and some others. My OH said the other day that I should buy them and not have all the mess work.

Well, yes I could but I actually do enjoy sowing seeds and growing things. I probably go over board but even that is fun!!

RF

[andy]

Good luck Dr bill. I grow a few things from seed every year. Just about to put my Ricinus in then mid march, the marigolds and night scented stock will go in.

I usually buy my blue (gorgeously scented) petunias as plugs from the GC and also buy my sweet peas as germinated plants.

Also got statice to sow and will probably sow a few other exotics too.

Can't wait !!!

Andy

[Cheerypeabrain]

I always grow my summer bedding from seed DB...it's so rewarding. My problem seems to be that I sow too many seeds of too many varieties....I just get excited and keep going because it's SO wonderful to see those tiny seeds grow from little specs into big beautiful plants. I do grow plants for my Dad's garden and for my sisters and friends.... So far I've sown;

4 types of impatiens
echinacea purpurea
agastache liquorice blue
verbena 'crown jewels'
verbena 'violet perfusion'
dahlia 'bishop of llandaff'
Begonia 'queen series white'
dianthus elegance lavender
heliotropum x hybrid marine


lots more to sow in March too... ;D

[maggy]

20 years ago I wouldnt have dreamed of buying plugs or trays of plants but now I cant be pestered and I blame my hands being arthritic for not pricking out!! thats my excuse and Im sticking to it! mind I have done sweetpeas and sunflowers but they arent getting pricked out they are in loo rolls. ;D

[Chuckles]

I'll be looking at what seeds I have left from last year, off the top of my head Geraniums, Lobellia, Cosmos, Nicotiana. Petunias I usually buy as fully grown plants or plugs. Last year I bought a few small plugs and nurtured them quite succesfully. Maggy, I can't be doing with all the pricking out just because it is so fiddly and time consuming. I try and use the small single cell trays (40 cells) that fit inside a seed tray, then just pot on into 3" pots or whatever.

[maggy]

Sounds like a good idea Chuckles I do want to plant some Cosmos so Ill try them for a change.

[Dr Bill]

Cosmos are germinating already - five days!

[Ladygardener]

Excellent Dr. Bill, hope mine do as well I sowed them a couple of days ago. Hopefully the rest of your sowings will soon follow suit. It's a great idea to grow your own bedding from seed. I can't remember when I last bought summer bedding, it's so rewarding to grow from seed.

[Dr Bill]

I've pricked out the Cosmos into individual 3" pots today. Nothing else is big enough to handle yet

[Auricula]

Thanks for the reminder - must prick out the cosmos before they get too leggy ;D

[Ladygardener]

I pricked my cosmos out the other day.Only have about half a dozen but it'll be enough with everything else. I've also managed to prick out the anthirrniums (sp) and get quite a few. i was sure I'd kill them all as they're so tiny but they have their own leaves. Dahalia are coming on well and the Cerinthe are doing great. All pricked out now.

[beanie]

most of mine are now pricked out. the only failures have been the Gazanias and the Cleome, no sign of them so far

[Auricula]

Pricked out over 120 cosmos ( I gave up counting!!) for the cut flower bed - they'll have to go out soon 'cos I'm tripping over them in the greenhouse ;D ;D

[isabella]

I always prick out 3 Cosmos seedlings to a square 4" pot

This year I need loads of white Cosmos so I have sown 3 pkts and also a pkt of pink

[Tig]

My summer bedding plan is more haphazard - throw sow and go ;D

I don't think I will ever have the patience to be colour co-ordinated ... unless my long term perennial plan comes to fruition

And if it does I will probably find it boring!

I admire those who can get it right though

x Tig

[Auricula]

I like a variety of colour combinations - I'm feeling in a blue and yellow mood so far this year

[andy]

Apr 1, 2009 23:11:53 GMT Auricula said:

I like a variety of colour combinations - I'm feeling in a blue and yellow mood so far this year

I go for this most years....i always grow dark blue petunias for their scent and i grow them mixed with orange and yellow marigolds. I somerimes dot a few silver dust in among them too !!!

[Auricula]

Ooh - that sounds good Andy - I might pinch that idea
Only problem might be....if we have a wet summer - am I not right in thinking that petunias go all slimy then ? I've always avoided them because of this, although I am tempted to give it a go

[Ladygardener]

Gosh I never really think of colour schemes or really what plant goes with what. I just pop things in wherever I have room at the time. I try to think which part of the garden is most suited to it sunshine/shade wise.

[Auricula]

I've got better at trying to place plants - I found I was moving plants so often that they were suffering from travel sickness!! ;D ;D

[andy]

I do usually try to plant with either contrasting or complimenting colours. One display i remember planting on Brighton seafront many years ago was a mix of yellow and pink Antirrhinums. A disgusting mix when you think about it but boy did it look good.