Sowing Indoors

Almost fill 12cm (5in) pots with moist seed compost. Sow five seeds, evenly spaced, per pot and lightly cover them with a little more compost.

Water well after sowing, but not again until seedlings have emerged. Place in warmth 10-15C (50-60F).

Sowing Outdoors

Sow seeds in pre-watered soil 2cm (1in) deep, 10cm (4in) apart. Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge.

Growing on / thinning

Grow on in unheated conditions, ideally in a cold frame. Pinch out the growing tips of plants produced from Jan-Mar sowings. Plant out 20cm (8in) apart from March onwards.

Aftercare

Support young plants with canes, netting or trellis to about 180cm (6ft). Pick the blooms regularly to ensure a continuous supply.

Special note

Do not chip the seeds nor soak them in water before sowing. Sept/Oct sowings produce the most vigorous and earliest flowering plants. Seedlings are best over-wintered in a cold frame or under cloches.