My violas again next year?

Hello. I'm near Brighton and at 8.25am on Tuesday we seem to be one of the few places to miss the rain. I live in hope. I just wanted to share that!

Months ago I bought from Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre in Angmering some under half-price violas. They have been absolutely fantastic and even now, although unkempt, they're still nicely in flower.

I did hear that it's possible to cut them right back and have them again next year. Perhaps someone would kindly tell me if this is correct; I'd heard the same for geraniums, too, actually.

Thank you!

Neil

 

Good morning Neil,
I have a Viola "Rebecca" that's in a container. This is its second year after a hostile Winter/Spring and has had 2 consecutive flowerings so far .I keep it dead headed and it has spread quite a lot and looks healthy. I think its sterile ie no seed pods, but it looks as though it would respond to bring pegged down to encourage a section to root,
Jenny

 

Many thanks, Jenny. So, would I keep them in the same container and just cut them right back almost to compost level? And when should I do this?

 

I would leave them for now; feed the plant and in November, remove scruffy growth but leave some stems. If you can find a frost free winter place it should regrow next Spring,
Jenny

 

Jenny what size container do you grow this in?

Val

 

In this pot- 12" high x 14" across where it lives with Buddlia Buzz

Jenny

 

Jenny if you keep it dead headed it won't form seed pods, they form after the flowers drop on the same stem.

 

I think Jenny is correct that 'Rebecca' is sterile and does not set seed.

Val

 

OK, but I have a feeling it would quite readily root from a strong joint so I will try an experiment. Dig out a space for a very small flower pot, fill with 50/50 MPC and JI No 2 and peg down a section and see how I get on,
Jenny

 

I stand corrected Val. It's a long time since I've had Viola's, purely because they self seeded everywhere and I couldn't get rid of them.

 

Hi Jens

Easy to root from cuttings , I use sharp scissors, about two inches long nip the growing point out and trim dont pull the bottom leaves off give a good water put a plastic bag over and a stick inside to keep the plastic off the leaves keep in the shade they will root in 3 weeks , 4th week pierce holes in the plastic bag so they get used to being out leave another week take the bag off keep in the shade either leave in the pot or pot on separately

 

OOh , even more plants. Thanks Spruce, I'll try that in the morning.
Jenny