BUSY LIZIES

[tooj]

I have just bought a tray of these plants, although a elderly passer by at the shop kindly told me I ought to put them back as they will undoubtedly die because of some disease that was rampant last year. Is their a good chance that it will not happen this year and that I will have some success with them in my baskets?

[vulcan]

All the garden centres and DIY shops that I've visited have not stocked busy lizies this year so they're expecting the same thing will happen.

[pond50]

all our local outlets are selling them

[vulcan]

http://www.telegraph....e-due-to-disease.html

[Robinia]

You have a 50-50 chance of them surviving I suppose...you could plant them in baskets/tubs by themselves so that if they fail you won't have gaps in mixed arrangements.
There are some in a local shop to me but I might give them a miss this year...and I have an uncle who grows his own from seed, I'll ask him how his did last year, he might have some to spare :o)

[starone]

Some sort of virus has been attacking them recently. I don't think I would chance it. Mine last year grew long fleshy stems with no flowers. A great disappointment as I love busy lizzies. I am going to wait until the scientists find a cure for it before I buy again.

[starone]

I am going to buy petunias and geraniums. The make a nice colourful display.

[murraymints]

she was right all of mine in pots perished..they all turned yellow and spindly and just went !!!..still a wee bit early for baskets and annual pots here in Edinburgh..although the garden centre loved selling the same plants several times to the sam customers ! where are you ? if quite south then maybe ok..when I was in Herts and Norfolk I could put things out earlier..but here in Scotland ne'er cast a cloot 'till May is oot !!!

[Nibble]

Current advice from RHS

http://apps.rhs.org.u.../profile.aspx?pid=205

[rowanwitch]

I have a tray of six plants that look pretty healthy with little chance of infection from elsewhere I will chance it