[mrs bouquet]

Mine is planted in a pot.  I bought it last year, and the seller said they like to be in a smallish space. It was in flower when I bought it.  I potted it on this spring into a 26cm terracotta pot, with the correct soil.

It has 7 flower buds, which are just looking as if they might open, the bud tips were beginning to look a bit brownish, so I have moved it into partial shade.   I water it a little each day.

Will it open out, should it be in full hot sun, or partial shade, and does it need a feed now, and if so with what ?  thanks,  Mrs Bouquet

[mumofstig]

Mine live in 18in terracotta  pots permanently. Every spring I throw some slow-release flower fertiliser on the top and cover with a trowel or 2 of fresh compost.
From mid-Spring they are on the patio so they bake in the heat, but they're watered most days if it is dry. The outside papery flower cover can look a bit dried up before it 'pops' open, but it dies back then anyway, so no harm done.
Before Winter gets too cold I move them against the house wall so they get a little protection from the worst of the weather, that's all the attention they get from me

[mrs bouquet]

Thanks, that has completely answered my questions.  I have noticed today that the papery pod is beginning to split and I can just see blue.  I have moved them back into the full sun now.
What is a good slow release to give them a spring feed.    I used to buy things that looked like lots of tiny pellets all stuck together, they were about  inch diameter and about as long as my thumb.   I used to pop one in each container.  I haven't seen them in the shops now for 2 or 3 years.  Thanks again, Mrs Bouquet

[mumofstig]

I use these
Westland grow-sure Slow Release Plant Food

[mrs bouquet]

Thanks Mum, I have written it on my shopping list and in my personal garden book.  I think the ones I used to buy were Westland.   Cheers, Mrs Bouquet

[mrs bouquet]

Update - 5 flowers now half-open, so thanks for your advice.   Mrs B