Limpy Plants

Stephen Cornish

I've grown some lavender and carnations from plug plant size to what you see in photos below. I've only just put them into the larger pots you see yesterday, but I'm worried that both plants seem to like growing horizontally. The carnations I've had to prop up with a stick currently.

Am I doing something wrong or will they gradually find their feet as they get more rooted into bigger pots?

Hortum-cretae

Looking at the situation, I suspect that they've not been in a sunny enough position so they've become etiolated (drawn up and elongated), needing better overhead light.  The carnations may not recover to become chunky plants but the lavender, given a light trim and kept in a light position, should bush up and be stronger.  I wouldn't pot them on again this year or they'll struggle in soggy compost over the wetter winter months and rot.

H-C 

Stephen Cornish

Verdun says:

Stephen

pinch them back and grow in the sun.  Don't water too much....I think you may have been watering generously! 

See original post

 

Every day I'm watering  There was no specific growing instructions other than potting them up as they grow, so I've been rather clueless on any tips and tricks

When you say pinch, what exactly should I do?

Stephen Cornish

Hortum-cretae says:

Looking at the situation, I suspect that they've not been in a sunny enough position so they've become etiolated (drawn up and elongated), needing better overhead light.  The carnations may not recover to become chunky plants but the lavender, given a light trim and kept in a light position, should bush up and be stronger.  I wouldn't pot them on again this year or they'll struggle in soggy compost over the wetter winter months and rot.

H-C 

See original post

 I've not got any sunnier position that's inside to put them

Hmm, I'll look to do something with the lavender. I'm worried my carnations might always need support

Fairygirl

They should be outside Stephen, not indoors. That won't help them either as they'll just be 'soft' plants and unable to withstand normal conditions, which then means having to keep them undercover all winter. 

Just get them outdoors,  keep them somewhere sheltered and let them acclimatise. They'll grow better and be sturdier. 

Fairygirl

Snap Verd!  

treehugger80

pinching out - count five or six leaves up from the soil level and snip of the growth above a leaf, you'll prob remove half of the plant - do not panic it will be fine!

then move them outside into full sun and only water when the compost gets dry to the touch

Last edited: 27 July 2016 15:12:08