Sources Tetranychus urticae Female of the red form of the spider mite Scale : mite body length ~0.5 mm Creative commons by Gilles San Martin, on Flickr Chuck Crandall ‘Whats wrong with my plant?’
01.08.2023 - 14:51 / gardenerstips.co.uk / hortoris
‘Fiery’ hardly does justice to this cactus Dahlia.
Often seen as the preserve of competition growers Dahlias are hot and sexy again. I have just restarted the tubers I lifted last Autumn. I use large tubs in a frost free area until the danger of frost has passed. I can take cuttings from new growth and will get flowers in summer and new tubers.
Many suppliers and thus varieties are available at stockists. Sarah Raven the gardening commentator is keen to promote the flowers for their intense, hot colours that they can bring to the garden. She is not far wrong and I increase the number of Dahlias I grow each year.Sarah Raven Selection
Single deep red Dahlias often have dark reddish leaves which add attraction. Track down the various Bishops series.
Cut Flowers Some Dahlias will not last beyond a day whilst other last a week. The selection above should be OK plus the pink Kathleen Alliance. Sear the ends of dahlias in boiling water and do not use oasis. Try using single blooms with short stems in coloured glasses or vases. You can also group the glasses together. One bloom floating in a bowl like a waterlily can be a good center piece.
You may have guessed that I am keen on Dahlias for late summer colour. They will go on until the first couple of frosts when your favourite tubers can be lifted and dried off for winter. Those left in the ground may survive but I find they are later to come into full flower next year even if they avoid frost slugs and other pests.
Other Resources
Royal Horticultural Society RHS ‘Gardening for All’National Council for Conservation of Plants and Gardens ‘Conservation through Cultivation.’Garden Organic National Charity for Organic Gardening.BBC Gardening
Sources Tetranychus urticae Female of the red form of the spider mite Scale : mite body length ~0.5 mm Creative commons by Gilles San Martin, on Flickr Chuck Crandall ‘Whats wrong with my plant?’
There are a lot of things to go wrong with plants in the greenhouse but a red spider mite infestation is one of the most frustrating. This tomato plant in India has had its day.
Strawberry plants are cheap and easy to grow. Strawberries can be picked from spring to autumn if you choose the right varieties.
I am miffed that the Royal National Rose Society has gone into administration (May 2017). Originally formed in 1876 it owns land in St Albans but finds annual running costs onerous. As small compensation here are details about a couple of charitable red roses.
I am going to Madeira for a sunny break before the gardening gets tougher. I hope to sample the orchids that grow on the islands and even bring home the occasional example.
A special Daiseye.
Sorry but I have been to Madeira again on holiday. The gardens, walking and vibrant colours are major attractions
Understanding the soil and natural conditions in your garden can help you organise and plan the type of garden that will be successful. I am going too offer tips on gardens with a sandy soil and in particular where there is a heat trap. To make a colourful impact in a tricky situation chose plants that grow naturally in those conditions.
Now part of this garden is down to crazy paving the Qualcast grass box is needed less and can be put to a different use. It looks like a ‘unibarrow’ has got in on the act to make a feature planter for these pansies.
Red food stuff is a popular trend at the moment. Good leafy crops add vibrancy to a salad and you are probably eating well if you grow them yourself.