Topic: saving plants over Winter

[tomatoada]

In past years I have put all my annuals on the compost heap, but this year I wondered if it is worth saving the fushias and geraniums.  I have an unheated greenhouse.  Would they survive in it.  I can find advice for dahlia tubers but not for the above.  Is it worth it or should I compost them and buy the plugs again next year?  Thanks.

[wardy]

I compost my geraniums.  The fuschsias might be worth trying to overwinter.  I used to manage to overwinter in my garage  :)

[Rosyred]

I've got geranuims from previous years and they stayed outside just under a cover so in your greenhouse should be ok.

[Doris_Pinks]

Think it probably depends where you are.

I save both in my bubblewrapped non heated greenhouse, the geraniums are susceptible to mould, but seem to pull through by the spring.

Give it a go, you ave nothing to lose :)

[Icyberjunkie]

...or take some cuttings and leave them on a windowsill overwinter to root and provide next years plants!

[Rosa_Mundi]

If you keep them in the g/house, remember that both need to be kept virtually dry to prevent rotting. Fu*hsias may well lose all their leaves, too, but will get a fresh show in spring.

[beejay]

As Rosa said , keep them dry, but it's also a good idea to cut off the freshest greenest growth  because that is what is most likely to rot. You can also keep them in some where like a shed, they don't require any light as they are more or less in hibernation.

[jennym]

I repot my fuchsias and pelargoniums into separate pots, cutting down the growth to about 8" now, later I cut a bit more. then I put them onto a bright windowsill for the winter (unlike beejay). I find that if I feed the geraniums, they sometimes flower about Christmas too, which is a bonus. Then about May next year. I'll put them out again. The fuchsias drop all their leaves and look like sticks only. Come spring, I cut these right down, and plenty of fresh growth emerges (about April.)