(Copied and pasted from Outdoor section on the advice of another member)
OUTDOOR UK 2011 grow concerns and questions!
Planted in late April, early May in large outdoor pots, and I've got a lot of nice ladies on the go.
Most are in the early/mid stages of budding. Some of them are not yet budding at all (though they've all shown evidence of their "femininity").
Even those that are budding seem to be doing so later than previous years.
I'm particularly worried about my late bloomers. Some of the plants are very tall, and already the heavy rain and high winds have not been good for them.
I've taken what I can indoors overnight whenever the weather has been very extreme, but I've got too many on the go to build a greenhouse.
Questions to other outdoor growers in the UK:
Have you noticed any difference in the growing-rate of your plants this year due to the crap (cold, wet, windy) weather?
I'm worried about too much rain, wind, potential mold, and the possibility of some of them that aren't yet budding perhaps not even being ready by late-Oct.
I've grown outdoors several times, and have never had to face such bad weather conditions. Any advice, suggestions from other folks in the UK?