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| My husband got me a small greenhouse, so in August I couldn't stand it and planted seeds. Well, now I have these seedlings of perennials and don't know what to do with them. They're only about 1/2 inch in height and I have them inside in my basement with a florescent light on them. I don't think they're hardy to go outside and freeze, and I'm going to Florida in a month. The only ones that grew taller I planted outside and bugs ate them overnight. So I've been protecting these and hate to have them not make it. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by nuttnhunee 5a (My Page) on Thu, Oct 28, 10 at 9:22
| Okay now the second part of the question is, what to I do with the small plants that I've rooted from the parent? I have these in the greenhouse, some have roots, some don't yet. I was thinking of leaving them in the greenhouse for the winter, and put the greenhouse in the garage, and put a big pan of water on the floor below the racks. |
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- Posted by countrycarolyn 6-7 nw TN (My Page) on Thu, Oct 28, 10 at 10:23
| Oooh those are very tricky questions. Me personally, I would maybe leave them inside since you already did it. If you go to take them outside now you will have to harden them off. Some seedlings will not be hardy to freeze though some will. Have you checked the botanical to see if maybe they are hardy?? If they are you have plenty of time to harden them off before you leave. How long are you going to be gone to flordia?? Did you start the cuttings in water or just a soil based mix?? Cuttings are extremely hard for me unless I actually start them in water. I would be concerned if you have a pan of water and you are gone for a month and those cuttings sit in water they will just rot, especially if they are inside. Some plants grown inside can go quite sometime without water and they are fine. As a matter of fact most people kill plants inside from over watering not under. If you are only going to be gone for a week or so I personally would water decently before you left and turn off the lights and all that and just let them be. That is me though. I personally think they will be fine like that. Though I sure wouldn't leave that pan under them and no light. More light more energy the plant uses more water it needs. |
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| I'm afraid the reality is, if you want to keep them and are going to be gone 6 months, you're going to need to find someone to take and tend them, or come in and supply some water, light as needed. Do you have houseplants anyone will be watching, caring for? I've done it for my SIL when she's going to be gone 2 months, but I don't think I know anyone I could ask (and trust) for 6 myself. |
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| Do your plants have their true leaves, or just their seed leaves? I have a lot of seedlings that have self-sown in my yard, and I am sure some will survive the winter on their own. I would be tempted to plant them out. Watch and water them until you leave. If you will be there for a month, that will give them time to adjust. You could also use row covers for these until you leave. The row covers provide some protection from critters, and also warm things up a few degrees. Becky |
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- Posted by nuttnhunee 5a (My Page) on Thu, Oct 28, 10 at 19:54
| The seedlings have their true leaves but sure seem small yet. I think I'm going to start hardening them off gradually, planting some and take as many with me as possible. I put so much time into these things I feel sorry for them. |
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| If they are in their own pots hardening off gradually and then putting the pot and all in the ground should work. I "plant" pots of small perennials in the veg bed every fall and they survive. I have even planted ws jugs of seedlings that were too small to put in their own pots. Be sure to mulch the pots well. If the cuttings have good roots and are potted you could do the same. If the root system is very small they most likely need to be grown inside. I doubt the rooted cuttings will survive in the green house all winter with no attention. Though indoor plants can sometimes survive short periods of inattention most very small young plants can not survive the amount of time you plan to be gone. I would give the cuttings away or throw them away or leave them and expect they won't survive. Chalk this up to "experience". Many of us have been over enthusiastic and learned from our mistakes. |
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| Nuttn - it seems there are no great options here. But if your perennials are fully hardy in our zone, I would go ahead and harden them off and get them into the ground. I have been planting many small WS'n seedlings since late September. Due to the hot and dry weather we had this summer, I kept many seedlings in their WS'n containers or small pots this summer, because it was easier to keep them watered and alive. Not saying they'll all make it through the winter, but expect that many will. I am still planting too! Including some replacement plants that came from Bluestone last week. |
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