Just caught sight of these, on the left, we have cobra and blue lake climbing beans. On the right we have sunburst and giant sunflowers.
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Grapevines: gripping stuff
It’s not a munty frame, it just looks like one.
There are three vines on the plot, of two different varieties. These would be boskoop glory and madelyne sylvener, red and white respectively. Last year I did try and put builders net between them. This did not prove to be successful, so this year I have put up a cane support framed. I do appreciate that in time these vines could be quite hefty, and that the canes look flimsy. We shall cross that bridge when we get to it.
I have had these vines for approximately two years, so I don’t expect an immediate crop. One of the vines may well have produced leaves last year, another has these rather woody tendrils gripping a cane. Think I’m the only one who has got vines on the site, so I have nothing to compare there. But we do have one at home that produces red grapes and sits in clay. Those grapes aren’t particularly edible.
Dorset Naga #1
This year for the first time, I have entered the Dorset naga challenge that is set by seaspringseeds.co.uk I have never grown these superhot chillies before, so this is something of a huge experiment. These were sown this year, January -February, I think; using a heated propogator. It was quite traumatic at first, with a couple failing to germinate. Eventually, I have three or four, babies, I think. It is only now that the weather has become warmer that they are starting to pick up growth. They are even starting to look like chillies plants now with how their leaves are shaping up.
I reported these yesterday as they were starting to exit their smaller pots. From what I have read, the Dorset naga doesn’t fruit til November. That’s if it actually progresses in the poly tunnel where it will be homed. I plan to do this in about 6 weeks, but they do look a bit on the small side! That may be an indicator that they need feeding. Hopefully that will kick start them a bit. Most likely that these will be transplanted directly into the ground, rather than putting into pots.
There are three or four babies. As they grow taller I will label each one so that we can keep a record of any fruit that might be produced.
Don’t know as much about the related bengle naga, only that is a bit hot too.
So our Dorset Naga adventure has begun!
Argh, allotment challenge Epi one
Oh, I’m not convinced.
As a rule. I don’t watch gardening shows. I have yet to watch a single episode of Gardener’s world; but have listened to the odd episode of gardeners question Time. There is never enough allotmenteering or GYO’ing, and there is always something grandiose and airy fairy about it.
So we started with Radishes. Simple to grow, a kid could do it. I’ve tried, and sort of succeeded; but also failed and faffed. A radish is a radish, how complex and lofty could be they be? Trimmed, blemish free. Was glad to see the moolis, that is good growing and good experimenting. But really a radish is a radish.
Then there were Floo’ers. I don’t mind floo’ers. I can even deal with singing to the floo’ers. ‘Om’ing at them was interesting. Sweet peas are not my bag; but there was a fair bit of faffage. The Hand tied bouquet was not what I would have used as a test.
I’ve seen those ladies before. Ladies from allotment wars?
There were lovely allotment sites, a lot of hard work has even put in. But we didn’t see it, did we? Not much, at least. Where were the weeds, the cabbage whites, all the real dirt beneath the finger nails?
It really was very pretty. But where was the punch?
Don’t think the challenges were valid, or a real testament with the show bench. Not all veg makes it that far, it gets eaten; isn’t that the real verdict?
My verdict?
No proof in the pudding; and has some what lost the plot a bit.
Family trees of the fruity kind
On the eve of my thirtieth birthday, I have taken receipt of planted some family fruit trees. These are Braeburn apple, apple Worcester pearmaine, as well as Rochester peach and Sylvia cherry tree. Ma has always wanted a cherry tree!
All of them are British grown and two years old. Suggesting that they may produce something or nothing this year. Think a couple of them did actually have buds forming. There is now a spine of seven fruit trees down the entire plot. Making the plot somewhat quintessentially English with there also be roses. I do wonder about the Peach tree, can’t say I’ve ever come across a Birmingham peach tree or a Birmingham grown peach. So here’s hoping!
Transfer window: chillies and aubergines
Have taken an epic risk.
The tomatoes are already out in the 4TB, nestled in fleece but at the moment uncovered. Have gone a bit purple stemmed; but have not keeled over.
Since they look greens and leafy; I have transferred some of the chillies and aubergines to the Wendy house. These are sat in tented fleece as it is all a bit precarious still. They look reasonably robust; and will all be going into the polytunnel anyway in about a month to six weeks.
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These are the nine other ones that’s remain. These are significantly smaller, with the two nagas, and two types of scotch bonnet.
Running and climbing: bean waiting y
Ma has made her feelings about running beans-her words, not mine-very clear. And made a request for there to be lots of running beans. For the moment, have sown nine of both scarlet emperor and enorma. In addition, there are French climbing bwans. Two experimental ones, with cobra and blue lake being sown for the first time.
Sinking sunfloo’ers
Once more, I am participating in The Big Sunflower project. Have juggled around the 4TB to start and sink the seeds.
We have a 2 dozen of the single large sunflower, the giant type sown. As well as the same amount of sunburst. These are now sat in the 4TB, so we can observe closely if anything starts coming through.
Taking chances
Am taking chances with the tomatoes and putting them into the 4TB. They will be nestled within fleece, this will hopefully protect them whilst allowing them grow a bit more hardy. I know that they are still quite small, and we may still get a frost. The 4TB does however get quite warm at the moment. Have just taken out a tray of squashes and cukes, they were wonderfully warm. There are still three very tiny tomato babies still being held in side. Will keep an eye on the 4TB over the next few days, just in case.
Slow growing Superhots
I might just be being a little precious. But the Superhots are taking the time growing. I am aware that the Dorset Naga and Bengle Naga won’t necessarily bear fruit til Novemeber. That does feel a very long time away. They weren’t all sown at the same time, so that is one reason that they are still quite small. I did anticipate that they would be moving into the polytunnel at the end of May. Whilst that is six weeks away, I’m not sure how much of growth spurt they will put on between now and then.
Might have to get the Pom poms out and start cheering them on.
horticultural 'obbit 