A mixture of four parts JI No.2, one part grit, one part sand and one part peat based multi-purpose compost provides a good growing medium for plants of all sizes.Pot on first into three inch and later three and a half inch pots or straight into three and a half inch pots depending on the vigour of the variety.For larger offsets or when the above are well established use two and a half inch pots.For unrooted or small offsets use cell trays or insert them around the edge of a small plant pot.Use plastic terracotta coloured round standard pots.Keep plants tidy and free from rot, giving the plants plenty of fresh air.The appearance of the first frosts of winter cause the plants to go dormant and the outer leaves to turn yellow at an alarming rate Apply a systemic fungicide as a precaution against dank conditions.Re-pot full size plants that were not re-potted earlier in the year taking off-sets to replace the oldest plants and the inevitable losses.Protect from spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms.Īt the time (usually in late August) when summer changes to autumn and the plants grow strongly again.Spray to control any aphids or red spider in the cool of the evening as necessary.Water well but only when the plants are dry.A cold frame is preferred for summer housing. Keep the plants as cool as possible by heavily shading from the sun and providing good air circulation.Re-pot flowered plants either now before the hot weather or leave until the autumn.ĭuring the hottest part of the year, sometimes called the summer!.Pot on rooted offsets and small plants without over potting to avoid subsequent over watering.If seed is not required, remove dead flowers leaving the stems to die off naturally before pulling them away.Follow a similar regime to March except that feeding (other than the late varieties) is not recommended.Shade the plants from bright sunshine and make sure the flowers are fully protected from rain.Prepare any quality plants for the early shows if you have any.Adjust staking arrangements as necessary.Don't feed the alpines (or any show plant that displays flower colour) again until after flowering. Apply at fortnightly intervals liquid feeds of half strength high potash fertiliser.As the flower stalks rise and approach full size, stake them using green plastic coated wire.Keep plants well watered without over watering them.Top dress with John Innes No.2 potting compost.Take offsets (without disturbing the main plant) and if you have adequate stocks of a variety remove all embryo offsets.Remove any loose compost on the top of the pot.Tidy up the plants removing all dead leaves previously missed.Gradually increase watering as growth accelerates. Some time in February when the first signs of spring growth appear
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