The Gardeners Almanac

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Thunbergia

Common name: Black Eyed Susie

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Week Numbers

Compost

Containers

Frost

Hardening Off

Heating

Pricking out

Seed sowing

Overview:

Yellow flowers with a black button

White flowers with a black button

Thunbergia is a climbing / twining half hardy annual that can grow to around 3metres (10ft) high.


In all but the mildest and sheltered areas of the UK it should be grown under glass.

The flowers with dark brown eyes (hence its common name) appear in late June to September.


Cultivation:

Week 11:

Sow seeds in pots / trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 18°C (64°F)

Germination should take five to seven days.


Week 13:

Prick out when large enough to handle into 70mm (3") pots of potting compost.

Pot on as required up to a final pot size of 200mm (8")


Week 22:

In the milder areas of the UK plant outdoors when all fear of late frost has passed.

Alternatively, leave plants in their large pots and place outdoors for the summer months.