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to prevent it drying out.The exotic striped spathe will form on the side of the leaf stalk and lasts about one week before beginning to fade.AdamAdd loam or John Innes to your compost to improve nutrient levels, and start feeding every week once your plants

Protect tender plants for winterThe trend for growing exotic looking plants in our gardens means that some of them may need protection from the worst of the winter cold and wet. Wrap half hardy bananas, palms and tree ferns with fleece, straw

, as long as they're looked after. Choose a sheltered spot with light shade to enjoy their delicious scent.Petunia surfiniaFor more on late-summer colourVisit Great Dixter, Sussex, for its Long Border and Exotic GardenDiscover the late-flowering exotics

Growing sunflowers from seed indoorsAdvice on growing cyclamen from seedLearn how to raise cacti from seedGrowing exotic plants from seedBrowse poppy varietiesChoose flowers by colour

Saving seed from your garden plants is easy to do and will provide you with plenty to sow next season. Leave a few seedheads on your plants after they've finished flowering, removing the rest to conserve the plant's energy. Alternatively

in large pots or growing them as exotic-looking crops in borders. Sweetcorn seeds or plantsModular seed trays and multi-purpose compost if raising from seed Dibber or pencil Trowellate-May - early June 50 minutes to sow and plantharvest AugustIf growing

Sowing cyclamen from seed is surprisingly easy, but it's not a job for the impatient gardener: grown this way it can take a year or more before you are rewarded with beautiful blooms. To produce indoor plants you need to use seeds of tender large

Growing from seed is a simple and economical way of raising new plants for your garden. First master the techniques by sowing annuals in spring that will reward you with flowers in summer, then use these basic skills to grow perennials, trees

to 2cm below the rim, pushing it down firmly with your fingers as you go. Water in well and allow the basket to drain before transferring it to its bracket.AdamIf you are an organic gardener, add pelleted chicken manure. This will release nutrients

SchizostylisExotic, elegant, yet eminently adaptable, it's time the overlooked schizostylis took a leading role in our gardens.Schizostylis coccinea flowers from late-summer until the first frosts. It has dainty and delicate stems and flowers