Tropaeolum speciosum propogation?

According to the RHS Encyclopaedia of Plants, it can be carefully divided in early srping

I was going to post a question about this plant - now I hope you can answer! - I planted two of them in July, but they have hardly grown. How long did yours take to get going?

This is one of those infuriating plants that either likes you or doesn't!
Either you will struggle to get it going or it will be rampant and you'll wish you'd never planted it. The further north and west you are in the UK, the more rampant it is (in principle). Mine took several years to decide whether it liked me, was growing well two years ago buthas not even made an appeance this year.

My concern is actually about whether to take vegetative cuttings, root cuttings or grow from seed from someone else's stock. Sadly, I don't have it, but would love to have it. I have some seed and I expect to sow it about next February or March, but should I freeze it first, I don't know. (Or I could go and buy the plant and see if it decides to grow away). Sorry i can't answer your question.

to AndrewR - the nursery where I got the seed (free) has it growing up through a conifer hedge where he established it close on 20 years ago. It is growing well on the south side of the hedge, even better on the north. He said he established it through root cuttings which he'd tried in other places on the site, but that was where it has succeeded. The conifers are 12 foot high and are trimmed, so they must have an extensive root system, so I'm surprised any plant is competing so well in there.

I bought mine from Wisley, planted them as per instructions to climb through conifers (having seen them at Sissinghurst doing just that). We are in Somerset, so should be OK for being west!! I am so disappointed they have only grown about 8 inches each and don't look happy. Fingers crossed they'll survive the winter and maybe do something next year... PS - do I have to protect them during cold weather? If so, how?

Spritz, apparently they are acid loving plants. You might want to check your soil pH

Funnily enough, I had it tested only a week ago - it came out at 7, so neutral. However, in the light of needing an acid soil, what do you think is my next step please? Dig in some ericaceous compost round them maybe?

I don't think you need to dig in ericaceous compost, Stockton Bury garden it grows rampantly through Yew hedges . The whole garden is rich Herefordshire loam. Like most people ,say if it doesn't like you it will not survive,it's a funny old plant!!!

All the above show that plants can't read! Ideally, it needs a moist, peaty soil but it will grow in less than ideal conditions (or not at all in ideal ones!). As for winter protection, I give the roots a dry mulch before the first frost (something like old fern fronds or unrotted material from the compost heap is ideal). A top dressing of ericaceous compost or peat in spring would do no harm if your soil is neutral.

Thanks - will have a try to keep them alive, maybe there's hope for next year...:-)