Starting Gladioli and Begonias indoors

[redser]

Hi, I picked up bulbs/corms of these in Aldi. Seeing as its so rotten outside I thought I might start them off in modules of compost indoors, then plant them out after the first frosts. Does anybody do this? Do you think my timing is right or should I wait longer do you think?
Thanks

[WendyC]

My begonias are in the propagator set at about 20 degrees. In case your packet doesn't say the slightly hollow side is the top. As for gladioli I either plant these directly in the soil once it's warmed up a bit (ha ha ) or in pots of compost in the greenhouse.

[Gearoid]

I potted up my begonia tubers a couple of weeks ago. I do them this way each year then plant them out after last frosts. The gladioli just get planted straight out in the garden, usually in April.

[redser]

Thanks folks, ill do that

[redser]

Sorry, when would they flower with those timings? July I guess?
Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

^ depends on the coming weather, Redser. Started under glass, they'll be about 2-3 weeks earlier than outside


I have white hyacinths in flower indoors, and they're only just starting to bud in the garden

[redser]

Thanks TS, this cold cant go on forever

[Snadger]

I also had a trip to Aldi a couple of weeks ago. I have 24 lillies set away in trays, 100 gladioli in trays and 60 Iris in trays.
They are all set in trays of compost and roots and greenery have formed on all.

I haven't prepared the bed for them yet so they will be transplanted when I can break through the permafrost and make a start. These along with my Chrysanths wil be the mainstay of my allotment cut flower beds!

[Thelma Sanders]

Cos of the weather I've just potted up 24 Yellow Crocosmia - they arrived with the advice to plant asap. So I did

[redser]

Thanks for that snadger and Thelma

[redser]

My begonias are in the propagator set at about 20 degrees. In case your packet doesn't say the slightly hollow side is the top. As for gladioli I either plant these directly in the soil once it's warmed up a bit (ha ha ) or in pots of compost in the greenhouse.

Thanks for the tip, just went to plant the begonias and see what you mean about the hollow!

[redser]

The gladioli are about 7 inches high now. have had them inside most of the time but been out during the day for a few hours for the last week. Do you think it would be ok to chance them in the outside beds now? Thanks

[bearded bloke]

My Gladioli went into the raised bed as tubers 2 or 3 weeks ago,all 40 were set 4" deep,they have been emerging a few a day for the last week,this morning there were 18 showing greenery above ground

[redser]

Nice one, thanks BB