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Osteospermum question

AlxNicAlxNic Posts: 259
in Plants

Good morning

I have searched the forums and read up previous posts. I don’t want to lose my plants so here are my questions.

Tresco Purple (3 plants)  – do I leave them in the garden (North Devon) or should I did one up and pot it and keep it in the conservatory (no greenhouse and conservatory is unheated)

Apricot coloured one (1 plant) – no name – leave in garden or pot?

I will attempt to take cuttings. Do I use rooting powder and keep them in the conservatory over winter? Do I use seed compost? (sorry, I'm new to gardening)

Any osteo advice welcomed

Thanks

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Posts

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,527

    Tresco Purple is supposed to be hardy but you can still take cuttings.

    The apricot one is probably not but in a mild winter it could get through

    I stick mine in the ground any old how and some survive some don't.

    I have found you don't need rooting powder.You could just dig up one plant and keep in a greenhouse over winter to be on the safe side.

    p.s. I just love Osteospermums!!

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • AlxNicAlxNic Posts: 259

    Thanks Madpenguin - I love osteospermums, too

    Another question - do I cut them back in the spring (if they survive?)

  • AlxNicAlxNic Posts: 259

    Thanks for the advice, Verdun

    I will take cuttings. Just up the road from me someone has them growing along the top of a dry stone wall. They've been there over 10 years and flower prolifically.

    My garden is clay soil - would you suggest I mix something into the soil next year before planting out to allow better drainage? Not sure what. Grit? Vermiculite?

    I think I will be getting some Cannington Roy for next spring.

  • Linny89Linny89 Posts: 47

    Mine didn't survive last year, had the purple and a pink in the ground but I assumed they would die anyway! I'm a gardening newbie too 

    If I get grow them next yr, more than likely I'll pull them up and put in my porch (live near Brecon, its cold!) and take cuttings to be safe and chuck them on the windowsill in the kitchen.

    Everything I have wanted to root, except lupins I took the other day- still waiting, has rooted in plain old water, so I don't bother with hormones..I might just be lucky there though! I'll have to have another go, I love them and all the best with yours!

  • AlxNicAlxNic Posts: 259

    Grit is on my shopping list now, and I will definitely plant some osteos in pots.Thanks

    Sounds like you have 'green fingers' Linny

  • Linny89Linny89 Posts: 47

    hahaha I have to philosophical and I'm not too sure about being green fingered either, I killed off a lot of my stock last year....image 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,085

    And me being me, just pull them up and grow new ones from seed, mine are always a bit woody by the next season.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Linny89Linny89 Posts: 47

    lyn or anyone else have you tried livingstone daisy? I started some from seed and they are still going now, they are in pots and I'm wondering if they are supposed to flop over the sides, its as if they are trailing..nice effect but wondering if its normal I expected them upright :S

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