Busy Lizzie Plugs

[Old_Geezer]

My woman bought some of the above in plug form (some normal size, some jumbo). I was tasked with getting them into a tray with compost, which I did. They're now in the garden, but looking very sorry for themselves. Unsure if it's under or overwatering, or whether the nights are proving too cold for them. Any likely causes anyone can suggest, and how to bring them back to ok ?

Actually her house plants are also wilting and going brown, and refuse to buck up. But that's another story.

[Maydup]

Twearly probably.

If they are in a tray, you could either bring them in to a shed or conservatory, or pop some fleece or bubble wrap round them and protect them from the cold. Until mid May when they can go out into their flowering baskets or containers.

[Prudie]

I agree much too early, bedding plants normally don't go out until May when all reasonable chance of frost is gone. Especially these baby plugs. Bring the tray into somewhere warmer.

[Old_Geezer]

No greenhouse, no conservatory, no shed. Is a dark garage.
Just wrapped thick polythene around the tray.
Wonder if she'll agree to them being on the dining room table ?

Thanks both anyway.

[Tilly2]

Spare room?

[Old_Geezer]

None clearly spare, unfortunately.

Our lack of gardening experience showing here. She was hoping to plant them in their final position immediately; I figured they ought to be outside now frost was unlikely until they were more established. Seems neither is right.

Have to try bringing them in and seeing if they recover.

[Tilly2]

It's going to be cold tonight, OG. Minus temperatures for parts of the country.

Stick 'em in the bathroom.

[Togo]

Far too early for plugs to be out I'm afraid Geezer. I would also have planted them up individually in their own pots, and made sure I had somewhere to keep them under either glass for a week or so or inside where the temp. is above 10C. It may not be too late to save them of you can, using old timber and say clingfilm, make a little cloche to keep them in. I would certainly not be overwatering them and, if they needed it only water the compost/soil and not drench the growth. Plugs do need a gentle touch. You will find that weeds of any variety are hardy and tenacious and can resist all efforts that mankind can devise to destroy them. I would bring the plug trays indoor for now. Next weekend looks warmer. Then it is time to worry about the gardener's nightmare...……..wind.

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks all. Now on a sheet of plastic, on two chairs, in front of the patio doors. Fingers crossed they aren't ruined.

[malagabob]

Way to early to go out. It surprises me all the supermarkets are selling the bedding plants.

[Maydup]

Well done OG. Do you have something over them as well as under? Even a carrier bag or some split open freezer bags will help keep the frost and cold from those delecate leaves. You will need to take them off for an hour every couple of days to allow some air in, but I'm sure the plants will reward you with a riot of colour come the summer!

[Old_Geezer]

They are inside (not without some moaning from some quarters) so ought not need further cover, I assume. Just hope they recover, there are 64 of them and they cost a bit. All advice I can find from websearches say out when no risk of frost, which I thought was finally the case; no mention of a month. Also says later to harden them off by putting out in the day and in at night. Can't see that happening, even if we get that far.

Bit of a mistake getting them I suppose, but I don't recall this being made known in the catalogue. Perhaps worse, I've plugs of different plant species (Petunia Tumbelin & Coleus Canina) out at my place, and I won't be getting back for days. Just hoping they're more hardy.

[Prudie]

Buying plug plants is a very popular way to go - because they are much cheaper than buying later from garden centres when more developed but most people put them in a greenhouse or similar until at least May. We have had several frosts in the last week and that's way down South.

[Old_Geezer]

Shall give the BA for being first with the right answer (I hope :-) ), but all posts greatly appreciated.

[Maydup]

Thanks OG. I suggest you put them outside in their trays, on the patio, at the end of the month. that'll do for hardening them off. Then plant in their final position in mid May.

[Old_Geezer]

Vast majority are still not looking happy, they look worse than before we brought them in ! Could be £30 down the drain. Here's hoping it's just expecting them to revive too soon.

[i](Still not been back to check on my plugs yet :-( )[i]

[anotheoldgit]

This type of thing is useful if one wants to by early bedding plants.

https://www.capricornradio.com/applying-greenhouse-plastic-home-depot/mini-greenhouse-plastic-home-depot/

[Maydup]

They might be beyond it OG, but give them a chance! If they are going to come back, you might expect to see some new shoots in about a weeks time.

[Maydup]

How are those little plugs doing now OG? Did they make it?

[Old_Geezer]

The vast majority look dead. Maybe 5 or 6 might make it. They were just determined to carry on deteriorating after bringing them in.

Distressing. Not just the money, but the effort, and the death of the plants. All because of vague instructions everywhere about "after risk of frost is over" rather than stating a date. Can only put it down to experience now, and never buy plugs when there's no greenhouse to keep them in.

On a better note, the plugs left out on the patio at my place, that I only got back to look at late late night, seem to have faired better on their own. The petunias are not looking brilliant but neither are they too bad, the coleus seem fine.

[Maydup]

Sorry to hear they didnt pick up. Maybe your patio at home has a very slightly warmer aspect. Sadly it was probably just one cold night with a sudden a drop in temperature that got them.