On 04/12/2011 18:29, David WE Roberts wrote:

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"stuart noble" wrote

David WE Roberts wrote:
Still flowering and putting out new buds.
What is the best way to over winter them?
Just put them in a shed?

I am reluctant to bring them in until the weather turns really frosty,
but after that I am not sure that a shed will keep them above 0C.

Will they be O.K. in their current pots away from serious frost?


Amazing how damp it gets in a shed, and that's what does for them
IME. I lost all mine last year so I'm trying a plastic cold frame
lined with bubble wrap this time. No condensation so far.

They are best kept on the dry side during cold conditions so you need
to bring them indoors onto a windowsill in a cold room until the soil
dries out then you could put them out in the shed as long as it stays
frost free.
Alternatively take lots of cuttings, pot them up , water them, put
them on a windowsill and don't water them again unless they wilt late
winter.


We don't have nearly enough window cills to fit all the pots and planters.
However we could bring them inside the patio doors to dry out for a bit.
Although they are already pretty dry in drought ridden Suffolk.
I had to water some the other day to stop them blowing around, the
compost was so light.

I think my large shed is big enough to avoid the damp, so I'll try
either that or the garage.
I assume low light should not be a problem.

Cheers

Dave R

Dry cellars or on top of wardrobes used to be the thing, so I guess
light isn't required