Ask Derek

[Cat]

Hi derekbrooks, thanks for directing me here. The information re netting brassicas is really helpful. I will look at reducing the height a bit. Also just to say, I have leeks sprouting I think! Thanks for the tip to keep them moist from start it really has worked. Will be planting more with luck in my new greenhouse. Have a great week

[Deleted]

Hello Derek, managed to join the forum finally. been reading the diary with interest. First question of a million... Trying some Glads but not sure about the timings. How long from planting the corms to blooming? Will a month between plantings give me a good enough 'spread' for Aug/sept?

[derekbrooks]

Hi David
Glad you have finally got on the forum. The glads that I grow take from about 12 to 16 weeks from planting to flowering. Different varieties obviously take different times. I don't stagger the planting. I plant them all at once about the third week in May and last year I showed them every week from our show on Aug 23rd to Edenfield on Sept 20th. If you want to show any earlier in August you could try planting some earlier in May. It is a bit of trial and error to begin with but I keep a record of all my sowing and planting and harvesting dates , not only for glads but everything else as well and it certainly helps.

[Deleted]

Thanks Derek, I already planted some in 1 litre pots a few weeks back so I'll follow up with more in a few weeks. Got Roma and Lakeland to try. Was hoping to have some for the Culcheth early show in July but looks unlikely now.

[derekbrooks]

Hi David. I,m judging Culcheth shows this year but I have never been there before. The July show is a bit too early for gladioli and dahlias. I would imagine most of the flower exhibits will be roses and sweet peas and perhaps perennials. Anyway if you tell me which are your exhibits I will give you all the prizes . By the way David, don't you dare beat me with your dahlias again or there will be trouble. No, I'm only joking as I was about giving you the prizes.
To put you all in the picture, David is a relative newcomer to the show circuit but at our show last year he won the dahlia silver medal with Ruskin Myra. It's good having new exhibitors coming along like him to give old stagers like me some competition
I hope you do well again, David

[Deleted]

Thanks Derek, I noticed your name on the show schedule as well as Mr Booth! The early quietish, the late show very good standard. Not quite on the scale of our show. In fact Steve Burns off here showed his Dahlias there the last couple of years. Top class blooms naturally. My Dahlias not doing so good Derek, had so many damp off this year, may just have some for the very late shows. Taking lots of Fuchsia cuttings in the coming weeks, I have a hardy single cultivar you could identify for me when I see you next, (took cuttings from side of the road) red sepals, purple corolla upright.
By the way I will write my exhibitor cards in red ink so you know it's me haha I'm kidding too!

[derekbrooks]

Hi David
If you took cuttings of a fuchsia by the side of the road it is likely to be fuchsia magellanica. This is the most common one found growing wild. You seem to be interested in fuchsias so I am wondering if you would like to come to Salford and Bolton fuchsia society. I go as often as I can. We meet at Clifton cricket club on the third Monday each month. Experts there have identified varieties for me sometimes.

[Deleted]

Hello Derek, I grow my Tomatoes on deep soil beds. (sterilised annually, changed every few years) Always have a good crop but it's drying out rapidly and I want to mulch it. I thought of grass clippings but the high nitrogen in it could be a disadvantage. I'm thinking either shredded bark, Bagged manure or peat. What would you recommend?

[Deleted]

Another question Derek haha! Ok I'm growing some ornamental gourds for a fruit dish display. Though they were ok grown at ground level last time ( many had that pale area where they were on the ground) What kind of structure would I need to get them off the soil and would they be ok trained up a net? (that would save space) By the way I have 18 plants if you want any.

[derekbrooks]

Hi David
I can't understand why your soil is drying out so quickly. Digging in manure would help to retain moisture . If you want to mulch the bed I suggest manure to be the best. You cold dig it in at the end of the season.
I have never grown gourds but I will try one if you want to bring me one. Can you not put something under them to keep them off the ground. I put pieces of builders damp proof material under marrows to keep them off the ground. I don't see why you shouldn't try them growing up netting though. It would save you some space.

[Deleted]

Ah Derek, a couple of questions for you! Concerning onions. Do I really need to wait for the foliage to brown before lifting? I have some Globo and Sturon looking a respectable size but getting early signs of mildew on the green foliage, one or two starting to fall over. The Vento 250g looking ok but still a lttle small. I'm aware Onion specialists stand their onions in sawdust but what talc do you put on them? Pure talc or the stuff with starch in? Baby powder is cheap but scented.
Last question for Mr Brookes, do you know of any shows mid August? Not too far away or Harrogate type standard!

[derekbrooks]

Hi David
You don't need to wait till the foliage dies down before lifting onions. Obviously the longer you leave them the bigger they get if the foliage is still green. Once the foliage starts to die down they won't grow any bigger then. If you want them for the 8oz. classes at the shows you need to lift them when they are the right size before the foliage dies down or they will get too big and be disqualified. You get to know the right size by experience but I reckon about two and a half to two and three quarter inches across . Why not get one up and weigh it but don't forget they will lose weight a bit when they dry out. If they are showing signs of mildew you had better lift them anyway. If you just want them for the kitchen you can lift them any time when they are a usable size. You don't need to lift them all at once. Lift some when you need them and leave the rest to grow bigger. As regards talc I don't think it matters very much. I think it's baby powder I use.
Now about shows in August. Edenfield on the 8th, Knowsley on the 9th. Salford and Bolton fuchsia society show is on the 8th and 9th. Don't know of any the following weekend but it's Southport on the 20th. Don't know any on the 22nd but of course it's ours on the 29th. If you want any more details about these shows you can phone me or ask me at the hut .

[Deleted]

Thanks Derek, think I'll lift the onions and keep my eye on the Vento. Long since lifted the Shallots. The Jermor are respectable looking but could have got them better I'm sure. Had a big crop of peas (Hurst green shaft) and hoping the second planting will be ok for Edenfield.
Don't think I'm up to Southport standard as yet Derek but would have been good timing for my Dahlias. Potted up 130+ Fuchsias cuttings earlier, including some of the mystery Fuchsia!

[Deleted]

Derek, question about our show schedule. In members vegetables (no.85) collection of 4 veg. Is there a size limit eg 18" x 24" and does it have to be on a board? This seems to clash with (no.114) Garden news top tray. Surely you would only do one or the other?

[derekbrooks]

Hi David
There is a size limit of 24in by 18in for the top tray because this is specified by the sponsors. We have boards made ready for this. For class 85 we mark out the bench about 24 inches across and the depth of the bench. No boards needed for this. I will be doing both classes and so will some other people. Don't forget entries have to be in by 8.30 tomorrow
Derek