The late sprays that we sell are all commercial varieties used to produce cut flower. There had been no experience of growing these plants in gardens until we started selling them to the public. The growing instructions that we have given previously have proved to be a little cautious with regard to the protection needed. From the reports we have received from our customers, and from our own trials, it is fair to say that most people can grow them outside without difficulty. The exception will be if you are in a very cold spot and suffer from sharp frosts in November, when the plants are in flower. If this is the case, you will need to follow our original growing advice, which is printed below. However, you will still get better quality flowers if the plants are grown in pots and moved inside before flowering.
The key points to ensure successful growth are a sunny position and well drained soil. One of the problems with these varieties is that, because they are late flowering, they can get very tall when they are planted early in the year. To overcome this, either delay planting until early July, or give your plants a hard stop in early August, reducing them to 30cms (12") in height. This will ensure short, sturdy plants that will produce good length flower stems.

Late sprays will flower naturally in November, but will need glasshouse cultivation. They can either be planted and grown in a glasshouse, or grown in pots and moved into a glasshouse in the autumn, before any frosts. The young plants should be potted on twice, with the final pot size being 23cms (9"). Use a good quality potting compost, such as John Innes No. 3, and feed weekly with our tried and tested fertilizer, click here for more information. Water moderately, keeping the compost just moist, at all times. To prevent growth getting too tall they should be stopped hard in early August, reducing them to 30cms (12") in height. Remove the terminal (top) flower bud in each break, when it develops, to produce sprays. Stake as necessary. Keep the glasshouse well ventilated, but do not allow the night temperature to drop below 10°C. (50°F.)