Re: Propogation Seeds

Not Gene, Walter, but re: the Hellebores...do you have a spare plot
where you could line them out in the ground?  If you don't have a
greenhouse, they'd probably do better in the ground than in a pot
sunk in the ground.  They make pretty massive root systems, even as
youngsters.  I lined out over a hundred seedlings of assorted sizes
late last fall and didn't lose one of them over our very hard
winter...also had an outdoor seedbed with some very tiny seedlings in
it who seem to have come through winter fine.  

Personally, I think Hellebores do better in the ground than in pots. 
I've got nearly another hundred seedlings in pots and mean to line
them out in the not too distant if I can figure out where to do this.

Have not grown Hydrangeas from seed, but think it would depend on the
species as to how to winter them over.  The H. macrophylla are not
always bud hardy for me even in z. 7...so maybe their babies need a
bit more coddling?  I'd say cold frame rather than open ground,
myself.

Of course you need a greenhouse:-)  Tell your wife if you make it
large enough, she can have a nice chair in there and pretend she's
vacationing in some exotic climate come winter:->  That will work for
the first year - after that, it will be too crowded for a chair:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: OXFORDWALT@aol.com
> 
> Hi Gene:
> Thanks for your comments.  I potted up Hellebore x hybridus seeds
in March 
> 2002, watered, kept in shade in a plastic bag and then sunk the pot
in the 
> veggie garden for the winter.  Now have a bunch of neat little
"Hellies" that I've 
> potted up from a mother pot to 3 incher.  Love success!  
> My question is do I winter over the same way?  in a pot sunk to
ground level? 
>  
> Also have a few Hydrangeas that were treated the same way.  All
seeds from 
> the Hardy Plant Society.  I'm about to pot up the Hydrangeas but
only have 2/4 
> per variety/pot. 
>  Do think I need a greenhouse.  Any ideas on how I break that news
to my 
> wife???
> No, Honey, we're not goin to Europe....cause I'm buying a
greenhouse.  I'll 
> have to think of cpmparable advantages.
> Walter in Bucks County, Pa    
> 
>
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