Hello all,

I have a variety of pelargonium (zonal) called Mrs JJ Knight. I've been trying to get it to grow for a while now and had many cuttings of the plant bought from a nursery that no longer appears to sell it.

The problem is that they are always so thin and leggy, they never seem to bush out and develop like many of the popular varieties. I wonder if that's why it doesn't seem to be sold elsewhere...that being said I think a lot of it is due to my management.

What can I do to encourage the plants to fill out and develop well? Can I put them back into the greenhouse (I brought them in when the heater failed and frost hit them)? They are in a John Innes number 2 with sand mixed in at the moment. Is there a better mix I could use? When should I feed them? As they are so leggy at the moment, should I cut them back and take cuttings? Or is it too early in the year?

I'm keen to make this variety grow this time as it doesn't seem easy to get hold of and the flowers are gorgeous