This is my first year growing hydrangeas, so I'm probably the lowest tier answer, but I might have a little information that's relevant. I have two Everlasting Revolutions in full sun, and they are doing quite well-- they've never wilted except once when the pots got completely dry (before I put them in the ground). The Revolution, like the Ocean, is also supposed to be full sun-part sun- part shade (which is one reason I chose this variety). I can't seem to find any pictures of the "bark" and the leaves are too thick right now for me to get a picture, but the Pistachio has a very green stem, while the revolutions have very sturdy, woody stems. They also have smaller leaves, which I think makes them more sun-tolerant. The other hydrangea variety I have (Horwack) was wilting regularly when I had it in full sun (I had the pots stationed together at first to ease watering). So, yes, I agree with the far more experienced Springwood that your planned planting strategy is probably the best for the varieties you have. I hope they do well, and good luck!

Hi rockgnome You know, I've been pondering this question all year. At the time these bloomed, I didn't necessarily think they were ugly, but they were not what I had in mind. So I dug them up and pitched them (all except a couple that my mother wanted). However, there are two that I pitched that I'm wishing I hadn't... The blooms were rather small, but they were really unique. One had dark purple falls that looked just like velvet. And, of course, they were awesome multipliers. I LOVE the new, big, full looking iris and make orders every year. But for our climate, sometimes I need to look at what's going to make it year after year and bloom reguardless of what mother nature gives it (as every year I lose a few that I've previously bought). So I think from now on, I may find a spot for some of these seedlings that don't quite make the mark (or what I had in mind when I made the cross), just as long as they bloom their heart out for me and I see something neat in them. I also love oldies, which may be why I'm struggling with throwing these seedlings that are far from modern looking... Thanks for bringing up this old thread. It got me back on the GW iris forum. I've been away too long. :] Heidi

Hello! I recently started growing flowers for fun and because I like to do everything the difficult way around I decided I would grow them from SEEDS. Goodness. So I have successfully planted, germinated and kept alive (woohoo) about 200 helichrysum (straw flower) seeds. They are currently about 1 inch in height BUT the problem is, they're crowding. They are not yet big enough to transplant (which I don't know how to do either, so any help there would be appreciated too). All I want to know is, how long can I carry on growing them feasibly before overcrowding will kill them? It doesn't seem to be bothering them too much at the moment, they're still soldiering on and getting new leaf growth every day. They're on about their third or fourth set on new leaves if I had to guess. Questions I have include: I'd like to grow all the seedlings in pots, which size pots should I use? I don't really have a garden at my disposal sadly so I must grow in pots as much I can but I have space for BIG POTS, so any size pot recommendation would be great. Is there any special way of keeping little flying bugs off of my helichrysum? They don't eat the plants, they just annoy me. Maybe something DIY... they're like little flying bug mite things. Think they're attracted to my fluorescent indoor growing light. Is there anything I could do to help their growth? I've potted in Canadian peat moss to start and mixed in very little seedling food, sprinkled with a layer of compost over the top. I gave them general organic liquid plant food a few days ago with their water. How often so they need to be watered at this size?So many questions! Thank you so much.

stevie, in earlier comments on this thread, I explained that the plants are being grown under a a four tube grow light fixture. The T5 lights in this fixture are designed for growing plants, providing the proper color spectrum for strong plant growth, and I do grow the seedlings right up under the bulbs. I do not believe the problem, in my current situation, are the lights nor the placement of the seedlings under the lights. The stems on these seedlings are sturdy, it's just the height of the seedlings that caused me to think I might not be growing the specific dwarf tomato 'Red Robin'. I grew this tomato for the first time last year but didn't take photos so I've nothing to compare to this years growth. I began to question if the seed purchased as Red Robin this year is producing a Red Robin tomato plant so asked for a another set of eyes to take a look. Thank you for your interest. I learn so much from contributors here in the forums. Your advice regarding the conditions for growing good strong plants under lights is spot on but I don't think it applies to this situation. Mary