[adri123]

Hi.

I've just built a new heated greenhouse and want to grow my own bedding plants for some borders I'll put in soon. 

Given that I have the heat when and what would be good plants to go for?

TIA

Adri

[Kevin67]

Forgive me, but I think you've tackled your gardening the other way round.

Normally, I would select what I want to grow and then make provisions for heat - if that was needed.

So as a starter, go for 'exotics' that would be grown in warmer climes, perhaps even orchids or Venus Fly-traps? Am I assuming correctly you might want high value plants given the high cost of heat?

[mumofstig]

There's a big difference between the heat needed for bedding plants, which the Op was thinking of, and what is needed for exotics
Orchids for example, require daytime temperatures of about 21C 

Something like petunias need that kind of temperature for germination (in a propagator) but can them be grown on at a lower temperature about 15/16C should be fine. The most important thing is to keep them above about 12C at night.

[Kristen]

I've just built a new heated greenhouse and want to grow my own bedding plants for some borders I'll put in soon. 

Given that I have the heat when and what would be good plants to go for?

You also need light, and we haven't got that yet (unless you also use a lighting rig).

Some ornamental seeds takes a while to germinate, and some grow very slowly - particularly things with very small seed, such as Petunias, Lobelia and Coleus, so I start anything in either of those two camps first.

The sowing date on the back of the packet will help - i.e. indicate which need starting early, and which late. You might be starting even-earlier, but I would still do the Early ones before the Late.  Things that tend to be started later usually grow like Blue Blazes, so if you start them too early your next problem will be how to accommodate them at the size that they quickly become!

[fatcat1955]

Taking in the cost to build and run a heating and lighting system you would need to grow a vast amount to justify the outlay. Garden centres and B&Q are virtually giving bedding plants away in June/July.

[Kristen]

Taking in the cost to build and run a heating and lighting system

Mine gives me something to do during the Winter though   Not really a replacement for Gym Membership after Christmas excess, in the way that Spring and Summer gardening is