Christmas rose

[rikita]

Got a christmas rose (helleborus niger) as a present a few weeks ago... Have it in the kitchen so far (which is the coolest room in my appartment) but just researching now, it looks like i should rather put it onto my balcony? The shame then would be that I barely get to see it because I don't really go to my balcony when it is cold out... What do you think?

Also, I am wondering what time is good to repot it, as it is in a tiny pot - but I suppose while it has flowers probably isn't good? Should I repot it in early spring, like other plants, or rather in fall, before it starts to have flowers?

(Am also googling about this but though I should ask here too, maybe someone knows...)

[Deleted]

I had to look it up to see what it was.

[bixaorellana]

I didn't answer because I've never grown them. I was waiting for the Brits to weigh in, although I think Bjd may have grown these.

[mickthecactus]

I've not grown them either.

Cheerypeabrain might have though...

[bjd]

Yes, I have some in my garden. I'm less of a flower expert than most of you, but it seems to me you can repot it even if it's blooming. The blooms last for a very long time. They are often sold here in bloom, so I expect they can be planted in gardens or in bigger pots right away.

Despite their name, mine haven't bloomed yet -- rather in early spring.

[rikita]

i read a bit more about them now too... i think there are different types, some already bloom in november, some only in spring...

still have mine in the small pot, whenever i repot it i will probably use quite a big pot as i read they don't like being repotted too often...

i read that the ones from the shops are not as used to cold weather, so i want to get it used to the balcony slowly, in spring... but i still have to think about where to put it next winter, so i also get to enjoy the flowers...