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| Schizanthus | Common name; Poor man's Orchid |
A colourful plant, that can be grown as either as an indoor spring flowering pot plant or a border plant.
It grows to around 300-400mm (12"-16") high.
The orchid-like flowers (hence its common name) come in many colours, and flower from June to October (outdoors) and early spring (indoors).
Week 11; Sow the seeds intended for summer borders in pots/trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 18°C (64°F).
Germination should take four or five days.
Week 14; Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle into cell trays or 75mm (3") pots and gradually harden off in a cold frame until planting out time.
Week 21; Plant out 200- 300mm (8"-12") apart in a sheltered sunny site, preferably in soil enriched with organic matter.
n.b. They also grow quite well in hanging baskets.
Week 33; Sow the seeds intended for indoor plants in pots/trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 16°C (60°F).
Germination should take about a week.
Week 35; Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle into 75mm (3") pots.
Grow on outdoors or in a cold frame until late autumn then fetch them indoors.
Grow on in full light, but not direct sunlight.
Pinch out the growing tips of young plants when they are 75mm (3") high, and also the side-shoots when they reach the same length, to encourage bushy branch formation.
Pot up plants as required.
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