Plug plants

azzabazza

Quote:
Originally Posted by I have spoken
General purpose compost with plenty of vermiculite mixed in. Pots sized for the tubers, allowing about 3cm all around and planted so that the cut-off top was just showing then covered with a thin layer of grit.
Great, perfect instructions. Will need to get some vermiculite but I have loads of plastic pots, compost and grit. I presume I just water sparingly after the initial dunking.

Would I follow exactly the same method for non-stop begonias?


Above is the advice I was given for planting dahlia tubers. Yesterday I bought Begonia plug plants and will be potting on today into larger cells.

Should I mix some vermiculite with the compost for these or just use compost?

peter_the_piper

We just use a multi purpose compost, peat or peat free, not found the need for vermiculite. The important thing is to ensure they do not dry out and are in good light, full sun can dry them out very quickly.

azzabazza

peter_the_piper wrote: »

We just use a multi purpose compost, peat or peat free, not found the need for vermiculite. The important thing is to ensure they do not dry out and are in good light, full sun can dry them out very quickly.

Thanks. I am going to put the planted cells into our study which is light and is not heated. I don't have a proper greenhouse and as snow is forecast this weekend it will be a bit too cold for my small plastic one!

peter_the_piper

Handle beg plugs with care, they can be quite fragile. Have fun.

azzabazza

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Handle beg plugs with care, they can be quite fragile. Have fun.

Thanks Peter. All now planted as well as some Surfinias and safely tucked up in my cool study! It was very cold out the back when I was potting up.

There is a large family run nursery fairly near me and they grow for Councils, garden centres etc across the UK. They have a cash and carry sale in the Spring every Friday where they sell over stocked trays, part trays etc of bedding plants. That will be my next port of call once I return from holiday in a week or so!

trollopscarletwoman

azzabazza wrote: »

Thanks. I am going to put the planted cells into our study which is light and is not heated. I don't have a proper greenhouse and as snow is forecast this weekend it will be a bit too cold for my small plastic one!

You could try the heater trick with a terracotta pot over the top of a bread tin with those lighted smelly candle type things that people like my mrs have going when having a bath.

azzabazza

trollopscarletwoman wrote: »

You could try the heater trick with a terracotta pot over the top of a bread tin with those lighted smelly candle type things that people like my mrs have going when having a bath.

A good tip - thanks. Wouldn't have thought of that. Will keep in mind for the future. Plants safely tucked in the house where DH can keep an eye on them while I am away.