Marigold Durango Mixed 40 Plug Plants

Still a great deal even with postage

On arrival carefully remove all packaging. Place the plug tray carefully in your conservatory, greenhouse or sunny windowsill in the kitchen. Check all plants for water, if any of the plants have dried out in transit then water them gently. Small plants like these are not suitable for planting straight outside. Before they stretch, pot them on into small pots or bedding plant packs in multi-purpose compost. Water them in carefully but thoroughly. Protect from frost at all times – remember that we can get significant frosts in most of the country until late May especially in the countryside. These frosts can penetrate an unheated greenhouse or cold frame. Begonias, Marigolds and Impatiens are particularly tender and really need a minimum temperature of 10C. Ideally grow these on a heated tray until they have rooted round the container – warm roots are happy roots. Petunias, Geraniums and Lobelias are a little less vulnerable: 6C is enough for these but they’ll do better up to 20C, and Antirrhinums are actually quite tough and can go down as low as 1C. Keep them moist at all times but don’t over water. More plants are killed by overwatering than underwatering. Ventilate greenhouses on sunny days. By April the sun is strong and the temperature can rise very quickly under glass or polythene. As they get bigger and the days lengthen they will need watering more often. Once roots appear at the edge of the container feed once a week with a balanced liquid fertiliser according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When the plants have rooted round the container so that they can be handled without the compost falling apart they are ready for planting into tubs, baskets or your flower bed, but wait until all risk of frost has passed. Antirrhinums, being much tougher, will be safe outside from late April.