Saving cuttings indoors over the Winter

I have read with interest members' ways of keeping their Geraniums safe over the Winter. It seems that keeping them on the dry side in a frost free environment sounds a good way to go. But I haven't got a shed or a greenhouse and I feel that to keep them in total darkness in our garage wouldn't be right so the good old bathroom window sill comes to the fore again. I was given a cutting of a pink one that I admired in a neighbour's garden . It grew a few roots but also a flower stem that I felt was giving it the will to survive - so I left it on.

last night, on impulse, I went out and grabbed 3 cuttings from my Frank Hedley. I'm so fond of it that I felt I must try and keep some over Winter. The impending Monday storm will not suit my patio collection and I reckon this is the beginning of the unkind episodes that our plants will be facing from here on.

And finally Salvia Amistad which is still in bloom outside but I have a youngster that will spend the Winter on the good old bathroom window sill.


There's plenty of good light and it's not hot or humid in the bathroom,
Jenny

anyone else got precious little cuttings tucked away in a special place?

 

Mine are on the mist propagating bench in the greenhouse

 

lucky you and lucky cuttings Kristen..

 

Need to see if any are well enough rooted to need / want potting on before the winter.

Contrary to sensible advice (to keep them under-potted in winter, to reduce cold, wet feet and risk of rot) I prefer to pot on now so that in the spring they can get away at will - I never have enough time for potting on in the spring. other snag with potting on now is having enough space now - and if space now then maybe not enough in Spring as a consequence - I kinda rely on the hardy stuff being able to go out in Spring to make room for tender things. Its nip&tuck though, as you might imagine

 

I'm over wintering cuttings and young plants for the first time this year, like Kristen they are in the greenhouse. I'll be keeping a keen eye on some young Fuschias that are now out of cutting stage and they will be brought in if needs be. I bought the 'mother' plant for my mum about fifteen years ago as it was so unusual. The flowers are about the size of my small fingernail, so tiny and delicate. If they thrive and they look as if they will, there will be cuttings on offer next year hopefully. Sorry, I don't know the name of it.

 

Fuchsia microphylla maybe?

Me too if it is borderline. I like the extra insulation by keeping the roots away from the sides, especially on larger plants which are sat on newspapers on the floor of my shed.

 

I've had a scout round the internet Longk, at the moment I can't find anything that looks the same and they all seem to grow tall. The eventual height of the one I have is less than 3ft. There are a couple of flower buds on it and instead of nipping them out I'll let them open and take pictures for id.

 

This is mine Sheal.

 

Nice Fuschia Longk. Mine is red and if I remember right, the flower is a lot different to that. I'll have to be patient and wait for it to open.

 

I've been patient enough - is it open yet!!!!

 

Sorry Longk, I'd been busy and went out there on Friday and the flower had already dropped. No panic though, there are another couple forming so I'll make a point of checking on those every day. I daren't bring the plant indoors as the heat might have a diverse effect. Hang in there!

 

For Longk
Have I had trouble getting these shots! With a 50mm lens on Macro was the best I could do. The flowers are so small the lens just kept 'baulking' trying to get close up! Anyway, here's the best of a bad bunch. My husband held the 5P piece as I couldn't hold the camera steady at the same time.

The flower is a deep pink, almost red, which doesn't show here.

 

Fuchsia microphylla then

There are many cultivars of it, some low growing, others tall growing, various shades of pink or red etc. I believe that there is at least one white one too.

 

Free cuttings on offer next year if you're interested.

 

That's kind! If I kill mine I may have to take you up on it!