[VeggieVirgin]

I grew some lupins and hollyhocks from seed earlier in the year. I sowed the seeds in modules, then when the plants were big enough, I potted them on into 3 inch pots. They're now quite a bit bigger and some of them have roots coming out of the bottom of their pots, although they're not potbound (at least, I don't think they are: I took a few out of the pots to have a look, and the pots aren't full of roots wrapping round in circles).

Should I pot them on again before the winter, or leave them in the 3 inch pots until the Spring? I want the plants to grow to a reasonable size before I plant them in the garden, which will give them a fighting chance against the attentions of my free-range chickens and peacocks.

Any advice appreciated!

[Hey Jude]

To be honest I'm not sure if it makes much difference whether you pot them on now, or in spring. As it's now getting colder, the plants aren't going to grow much at all so they could stay in the pots they're in now, but, if you repot, then when it warms up next spring, they've got more room in their bigger pots to have a growth spurt with out being restricted - six of one, half a dozen of the other! Hopefully someone else will give an opinion! Jude.

[mumofstig]

I'd leave them till spring..........but make sure you catch them early, just as they start to grow again.
I have quite a few perennials overwintering in smallish pots, so that's what I'm doing.
Fingers crossed the winter is not too hard.

[VeggieVirgin]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm quite happy to keep them in the small pots, as they're all in those pot-holder tray thingies, so much easier to move around than if they were in bigger pots. If it gets really cold, I can put them somewhere sheltered.

[fatcat1955]

If they are in a cold frame i would leave them in the 3in pots, but if not i would pot them on so they have some soil to protect the roots from frost.

[VeggieVirgin]

If they are in a cold frame i would leave them in the 3in pots, but if not i would pot them on so they have some soil to protect the roots from frost.

At the moment, they are outside on some racking, but I could move them into the greenhouse when the weather turns colder. Would they be OK there in their 3-inch pots, do you think?

[fatcat1955]

Greenhouse should be fine.