That's what it feels like my garden and I are doing this week. I was away for nearly two weeks, and when I came back, the garden had exploded. I have been picking up the detritus since.
But here's my six this Saturday
1. Staking woes: If vampire-hunters saw my staking abilities, they would disown me. For far too long, I teetered between wrapping plants up like parcels and letting them flop. These days, I try to remember the basics and take the trouble to tie each plant separately. All the same, I am not too good at it. Can anyone recommend a good online plant-staking class?
Before staking:
But there is nothing I can do about these:
2. The bane of my life. Cuscuta is. This year, I managed to get all but one little bit. When I returned home, this is what it had grown into. Need to get it before it sets seed now. Which means I need to balance on a ladder and reach into the prickles. Humph. Grumble. Gripe.
3. Lavender cuttings. I took 20 cuttings this year. And then I left for a week. All but two died. Then I left for two weeks. Now one is at death's door. At this rate, that lavender walk of my dreams is a loooong way away.
4. More woes, but not mine. I might have had a rough week, but the rooster has had a far worse one. Firstly, his eldest son is now grown up, quite handsome in an adolescent kind of way and making passes at the older rooster's wives. And they are not rejecting him either. And at this time when the rooster needs to hang on to every shred of his dignity and handsomeness, he goes and loses his tail feathers. The poor guy.
5. Shimmery grass: All year I nurture these for and wait for when they bloom. But it's well worth it, I think. I could not quite capture the satiny, shiny texture of these flowers, but do try and imagine it please.
And here's a bonus shot of them against the sky
6. Promise. When I returned home,I did not return alone. Mian came back too. With his bag of gifties. Here's what he got for me. So excited about sowing these!
Do go on to The Propagator's Six-on-Saturday series. There's lots of good stuff to read there!
But here's my six this Saturday
1. Staking woes: If vampire-hunters saw my staking abilities, they would disown me. For far too long, I teetered between wrapping plants up like parcels and letting them flop. These days, I try to remember the basics and take the trouble to tie each plant separately. All the same, I am not too good at it. Can anyone recommend a good online plant-staking class?
Before staking:
And here's after staking. And pulling my hair, and grunting, and some swearing.
2. The bane of my life. Cuscuta is. This year, I managed to get all but one little bit. When I returned home, this is what it had grown into. Need to get it before it sets seed now. Which means I need to balance on a ladder and reach into the prickles. Humph. Grumble. Gripe.
3. Lavender cuttings. I took 20 cuttings this year. And then I left for a week. All but two died. Then I left for two weeks. Now one is at death's door. At this rate, that lavender walk of my dreams is a loooong way away.
4. More woes, but not mine. I might have had a rough week, but the rooster has had a far worse one. Firstly, his eldest son is now grown up, quite handsome in an adolescent kind of way and making passes at the older rooster's wives. And they are not rejecting him either. And at this time when the rooster needs to hang on to every shred of his dignity and handsomeness, he goes and loses his tail feathers. The poor guy.
5. Shimmery grass: All year I nurture these for and wait for when they bloom. But it's well worth it, I think. I could not quite capture the satiny, shiny texture of these flowers, but do try and imagine it please.
And here's a bonus shot of them against the sky
6. Promise. When I returned home,I did not return alone. Mian came back too. With his bag of gifties. Here's what he got for me. So excited about sowing these!
Do go on to The Propagator's Six-on-Saturday series. There's lots of good stuff to read there!
5 comments:
You are not alone. I have always struggled to get lavender cuttings to last, dont think I've ever got one through to a useful plant. I am going to add a staking or plant support course to my wish list, it's a good idea. Really you dont want to stake individual plants, rather a grid type structure that the plants grow through. By the time the plant needs staking it's too late to stake. Again, I am rubbish at this as well. Hope to see you next week.
Staking plants is always fun. The secret is to get the supports in before the plants grow. I use very few simple sticks or stakes; rather it's a mix of grow-through rings and frames, coupled with any suitably branching prunings from trees and large shrubs. Tying plants to stakes stops them from moving freely. Looser supports will hold them up but also allow them to move in the breeze.
Aww, poor rooster! I share your poor staking skills and will be listening for the cackles of the vampire-hunters. Bwah ha ha.
Lavender cuttings are tricky they seem very fussy and its difficult to get maintain just the right amount of ,moisture. I have got some to grow to maturity but the success rate is low compared to other plants. That grass looks amazing by the way.
JJ, John- you mean I need to plan staking in advance? oh dear.
thepaintinggardener- We shall show those vampire-hunters someday!
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