A POTTY TIP
I always double pot all my Pelargonium plants in the greenhouses, I found that it halved my watering. Plants do not dry out so quickly especially in the summer, and helps to keep roots warmer in the winter.
UNIQUES & REGALS
Below you will see a unique called Polka, I removed some of the bigger leaves to let in more light to the leaf axils. This helps the new growth coming through, makes them stronger and new leaves will soon help the plant to make a nice shape.It also helps air to circulate through the plant in winter, my regals get the same treatment.
POLKA WITH LEAVES REMOVED
LIFE OF A SHOW PLANT
Something I get asked a lot is how long do I show a plant for,
well that depends on what type of plant it is. On average It is between 3 & 4 years, after which they are used in the garden or dumped. The Oldbury Duet in the photo was 3 years old when it won the Best in Show at BEGS 2008, I cut it back and as you can see it has come back really well.
Fingers crossed it's looking good enoughto be back on the show bench in 2009, when It will be 4 years old.(it was grown from a spring cutting).I grow Angels and Regals on a 2 year cycle so I take the cuttings in the spring, and they are not allowed to flower until the 2nd year.
I have found over the years that a plant grown this way, will be larger and therefore produce more flowers.
3 YR OLD OLDBURY DUET
22 MONTH OLD PLANT OF ORIENTAL DELIGHT
The plant of Quantock Kirsty below shows the sort of plant I aim for, It is in a 5" pot and stopped to get a round shape.
QUANTOCK KIRSTY
I have used the 2 photos of Bold Carmine, to try to show why I prefer to grow on a 2 year cycle.
ONE YEAR OLD PLANT OF BOLD CARMINE
As you can see a 2 year old plant, can have up to twice the amount of bloom.
A 2 YEAR OLD PLANT OF BOLD CARMINE
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