Although the Begonia's were wiped out in one frosty night the Alyssum continued on unaffected and continued to flower up until the first week of December 2018.
The Begonia's provided a very colourful and consistent display throughout the summer however they are vulnerable to cold weather. This year they provided an excellent display until a single short over night frost at the end of October. By morning the entire garden display of Begonia's had turned to 'mush'! Although this happens each year it was disappointing that it happened relatively early this year compared to previous ones. The plants did not go to waste. They were gathered up and put into the compost bin to provide part of the 'green' soft part of the mix required. Although the Begonia's were wiped out in one frosty night the Alyssum continued on unaffected and continued to flower up until the first week of December 2018.
0 Comments
After a very good summer in Edinburgh we were hit with some unusual windy weather in the middle of September. Sadly it did a lot of damage to many tall plants including wiping out all my Lupins although they were past their best at the time. Worst of all was the damage to the great display of Begonias i had this year. This picture shows the remains of what was a beautiful upright well shaped plant. The storm force winds literally ripped it apart scattering blooms and plant parts around the garden. However, looking on the positive side the plant should have produced a good corm/bulb by now which will be used to produce a strong healthy plant next year! Like most of the UK, in late February and very early March Edinburgh was hit by a severe cold spell with drifting snow lasting for several days. Just as some plants and bushes were coming out of their long winter break the harsh weather hit. This picture was taken on 1st March showing the Hydrangea bush covered in ice. Some water was dripping from the gutters due to the daytime sun, this then froze on contact with the bush and the ice already formed rapidly building this ice sculpture. Hopefully the cold weather will not do too much damage to the buds that were just starting to open and the Hydrangea will make up for lost time when the weather starts to pick up....hopefully! Over the past month the seedlings planted in early May have developed well. In this picture some of the planters and pots can be seen. There are French Marigolds, Lobelia, Petunia and Begonia's in planters and individual pots. Click here to see progress of the back garden plants this year. The front garden borders have developed well over the past month after a slow start. The Petunias are in full flower. The Begonia's are developing well particularly in the past week. A few of the Lobelia's have shot to seed so i will probably replace these with some spares i kept back. The watering hose is visible in this picture. So far this year it has only been used twice. Click here to see progress of the front garden plants this year. The path plants have also developed very well. In this picture one of the planters is shown. the Petunia's and French Marigolds have developed well. The Dahlia's on the ground are starting to flower and fill out well. Click here to see progress of the path plants this year. Last week most of the front garden was planted with seedlings developed on propagators and the greenhouse. The north bed was planted with Petunia's, Begonia's ('Tom Foolery') and Lobelia along the front. I have left the rear of the bed clear at the moment as i intend to put something taller there.
The Fuchsia's are doing well and will soon be put outdoors. I am experimenting this year by taking cuttings from these young plants and propagating them to see what success rate i can achieve. Some of the best developed Lobelia, Begonia 'Tom Foolery', Petunia's and French Marigolds have been put outside to harden them off. They were put on this stand to protect them from the destructive effects of the slugs and snails! These plants will be used to plant up the garden borders and planters.
The garden at the caravan was not a great success and many of the plants did not develop as rapidly or to the size i had hoped in great part due to the relatively poor summer months in the Scottish Borders. They did develop later in the summer when the weather was much improved. Click here for more information. Now that the first frosts have arrived the dahlias are finished and it is time to recover them and store them for the winter. Click here for more information on how recover, store and germinate dahlia tubers so that they are ready for next year. As the first frosts have arrived all the begonias are finished for the season and it is time to harvest the tubers. As each pot or planter faded, they were moved to a sheltered position and allowed to dry. The tubers were then removed from the compost which was carefully removed from around the tuber. click here for more details on how to harvest, store and germinate begonia tubers. The progress of the plants in the greenhouse has been good. The second 'wave' of Begonias which were planted in January 2016 have developed well and are now in individual pots. The first 'wave' which were germinated on a propagator in December 2015 were planted in the front garden and pots and planters in early June 2016 and are progressing well. I was also able to sell off the surplus begonias which will help to recover the cost of the compost and electricity to heat and light the greenhouse and propagators. although the heating required this year was minimal. |
AuthorAllan Faulds is an Electronic Design Engineer who develops Hardware and Software on a professional basis. He has a strong interest in applying his design and development skills to his areas of interest such as bicycle lighting and plant growing and greenhouse and garden control technology. Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|