So now it is February and there have been some piercingly bright days slicing the grey and the gloom. The light is lasting for longer and although the nights have gone back to cold and some mornings to frosty, seed sowing now seems more justifiable. In the only very faintly heated greenhouse the cuttings and seedlings which seemed to have been holding their breath dormant for months are now gradually breaking into life: putting on fresh green growth and shoving white roots vigorously through the bottom of their pots. Increasingly difficult now to ignore the seedlings which are elbowing each other in their overcrowded trays.
First of all and starting in the shelter of the greenhouse, there is optimism in the survivors from last Autumn’s propagation workshop at Derry Watkins’ Special Plants.Yes, the pelargonium cuttings have been under attack from the tiny slugs sheltering out of sight under the lip of the pots, but they still seem robust enough.
Second are the the Jamaican Primrose cuttings, taken from Derry’s garden on a wet and windy Autumn afternoon, which are definitely outgrowing their pots. Just hope they can keep this up until some warmth creeps back.
Next are the Thalictrum seedlings which are unfurling their fresh greenness very prettily.
Number 4 (and last in a quick final look round the greenhouse highlights) are the unexpectedly healthy looking cuttings taken from Salvia nachtvlinder – perhaps the most loved out of my many loved (but often neglected) salvias.
Outside the door, entirely exposed to the worst of all the weather are some of the autumn planted cornflowers – blue, black or lacking a label. Probably should be potted on or out, but for now they are marooned there waiting.
And 6 can be the lovely fat buds growing on the clematis around the apple tree at the end of the garden which have survived the dog’s raids on the squirrels.
Not a day for being outside with its mean, bleak mizzle. Or even inside the cold greenhouse. Better to light a fire and catch up on everyone else’s Six on Saturday – thanks to The Propagator.
thedevelopingplot 
It’s always encouraging as the babies in the greenhouse wake up. I once read an article that said that sowing hardy annuals like cornflowers in the ground in autumn was ok but if they were sown in pots, they shouldn’t be planted out until after the frosts. Something to do with the way the roots develop – in the ground they go a bit deeper and can survive the ground freezing; in pots they stay shallow. So you may want to move them into a cold-frame to prevent them freezing in the pots as we get to the very cold period..
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Definitely think I should do that and will do today if I don’t forget again! Definitely frosts coming this week.
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Every time I read a #sixonsaturday post I remember something I didn’t do. Thalictrum seeds is this week’s. They look great, When did you plant them?
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In the Autumn and I am surprised they have survived my neglect, but they seem to be pretty sturdy.
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Really nice to see all your autumn seedlings that have arrived. I didn’t know the Salvia Nachtvlinder but its color must be fantastic! And Thalictrum : I must grow that here too.
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We’ve a move in our near future, so there are no seedlings in pots in my garden. Yours make me twitch to propagate. However, your dog & squirrel story made me feel right at home. Whenever I move to a new garden, I wait until the dogs establish their paths before putting things in. Even so, there’s always carnage. Always. Good luck w/all those lovely babies!
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Good luck with your move. I brought quite a bit with me in pots – removal men not best pleased!!
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Yes, some removal men have trouble dealing w/anything that’s not rectangular, but others are gems. Work moves us every few years, so at the moment all my pots are taken by trees, garlic, some of my favourite shrubs, the roses I stole in Paris (don’t tell anyone). That leaves only trays for seedlings & I’d rather wait until March than risk a spilled tray of babies. Like Thomas, I’m doing vicarious pleasures at the moment.
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I have sown thalictrum seeds recently I am looking forward to seeing them come through. Well done on your autumn seeds, mine have nearly all been hopeless. I sowed them a bit late I think and they weren’t beefy enough for the cold. They might come back from the roots,we’ll see.
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Just looked up the Salvia. One to get I think 😀
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It’s truly lovely!
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Always exciting to see things stirring in the greenhouse, that’s something I do miss but wonderful to live it though other blogs like yours
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