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Post by Lou78W on Jan 13, 2013 9:01:00 GMT
OMG  ....that poor plant. Good luck with getting that muck off it....it looks a bit like an echivera (sp) |
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Post by steve on Jan 13, 2013 9:13:31 GMT
If you can't get it off without damaging the plant I think it has enough new leaves appearing in the centre to make chlorophyl and eventually the new leaves will expand and be more prominent with the old glittery leaves just forming a low collar
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Post by Cherry on Jan 13, 2013 12:02:38 GMT
You just could not help yourself Moonlight.  The poor thing is thick with glitter, which does not make it look prettier or Christmassy. Yes, I think it will grow out of it and show gratitude for the good home you have given it. |
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Post by Geranium on Jan 13, 2013 12:37:17 GMT
I'm glad you gave it a good home - but I agree - poor plant! That's 'Plant Abuse' I reckon.   |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 13, 2013 15:16:07 GMT
'Fairy pink wellies' had her Birthday party yesterday but we agreed before hand that as it finished quite late she would open her presents from her friends today (even if her birthday had past). After all the excitement of yesterday everyone woke up late when F.Pink wellies came in I asked her if she would like to go collect the potatoes for the potato growing competition and then when we got home start opening her presents. Now if it had been me at her age, it would have been forget the potatoes, where is my presents but no, she decided potatoes first. Good girl. When we told Daddy aka Mr Boots (for here ) he said that on the way home we should pop to shop and buy food for packed lunch tomorrow and then home to presents... She thought about it, was keen on the potatoes but a lot less eager about the shopping. Don't blame her either but she chose potatoes, shopping and then presents. (Rather surprised).
Got to the horticultural shop to discover that the children's potatoes are not arriving until Thursday and so have to wait until next weekend. I suggested that F.pink wellies waited until Friday for her packed lunch treat, (i.e. so not shopping delay) she understood the logic, so we went home. Before we went home Mr. Boots spotted the snow shovels, so we came home with one of those plus some fleece after 'Pirate Yellow wellies' started panicking that the snow would kill all the bulbs that we have planted. Fleece was 45p a metre, I was going to get 1 metre but Mr Boots said get 2, so it was 2 that I bought (I think the fleece was cut on the generous side of 2 metres). Set off home and said that the packs were better value at £4.50 but as we didn't need that much, it made more sense to get some cut from the big roll and was told by Mr.B that should have gone for the roll at that price. He is happy with his shovel said that he would rather support the local h. society shop than homebase.
Presents were opened as the sky looked ominously black but it is lighter now but I am going to still wrap the fleece round the tubs. It will stop me worrying to. Poor things should have been planted last year. Fingers crossed they will make it. Lunch finished, girls chilling, Daddy gone shopping to get the oil for our roast dinner and me, I'm off to do some wrapping. Wish I knew what I am supposed to be doing just going to make it up as I go along. Fingers crossed.
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Post by Cherry on Jan 13, 2013 15:55:50 GMT
Moonlight that fact that shopping was well down the list suggests that you are bringing up your daughter with admirable priorities. It isn't just FPW who is very good. What a great week of birthdays.  |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 14, 2013 1:31:32 GMT
We moved the tubs nearer the house with help from Mr Boots 
Fairy Pink Wellies went to check on the bulbs that we left out for signs of life. A very excited FPW discovered some with signs of life - green! As mad as it sounds the girls and I had made a deal, if any of those bulbs showed any signs of life, we would plant them. So we potted them, in the cold, yep in January with snow imminent according to the weather forecast. We didn't finish until it was dark, as shown in the photo. I just hope that the fleece works. Whatever happens to the January pots, we have done our best and if our naked bulbs were showing signs of life, hopefully there will be some in those tubs.
Yes it really was that dark when we finished.  cold, happy, dirty and excited Fairy Pink Wellies and I went in.
Pirate Yellow Wellies on the other hand stayed in the warm playing Moshi Monsters on Daddy's computer. Don't blame her either.
Fingers and toes crossed and tiny, tiny steps...
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 14, 2013 10:39:40 GMT
Dahlias
Now then this is where the gardening gets serious, well slightly less frivolous (as in the bulbs and as in poor Sammy Sparkle - nb I don't include the sweetpeas in the frivolous catagory either)
This year with a lot of Dad's help and guidance and moral support here, I am going to try and grow the following dahlias.
Downham Royal,
Clearview Jenny
Clearview Arlene
Weston Pirate
In an ideal world, these would be the ones that I would be growing:
Downham Royal,
Candy Jane but I could not get hold of it
Weston Pirate
Happy Halloween.
Dad tried to get Downham Royal for me last year but the wrong variety was sent. He is ordering more from else where. I have been tempted to order Downham Royal from Sarah Raven and I also tempted to buy Happy Halloween because I like the colour and the fact that it is supposed to be a newer variety. Problem is £4.50 a tuber plus I think it was £2.95 postage, I don't think I can justify the price but on the flip side is it more likely to be the real Downham Royal if it comes from there? I don't know. Realistically I don't need the tuber, I just want the plant and if Dad can give me one, that is all I need. I think buying a tuber is a big responsibility to grow right because of all its potential but then the flip side of that I don't actually know what I am talking about.
Dad asked me ages ago if the reason why I like Candy Jayne was because of the name, I explained to him that it isn't, I like the colours and to me it looks like someone has thrown a can of paint all over it. I like the colour splat factor.
I've gone with Clearview Jenny because it has the paint can splat factor but from the photo I don't like it anywhere near as Candy Jayne. Won't know until I see it and the randomness of the dahlia appeals to me, from what I understand some of the blooms might be one colour.
I went with Clearview Arlene because I like the colour but I've already been told that Dad has grown it previously and was not all that fussed on it. Still Dad is Dad and is more of a perfectionist, knows exactly what he is looking for, while I am me, purple wellies, don't know what makes a good dahlia but likes a dahlia for just being pretty and that's enough for me which is enough for my Dad for me, he has not knocked me in anyway he has been very encouraging (if that makes sense, and I love him all the more because of it). Nobody would ever guess that we talk about dahlias all the time, it is a very exciting shared intrest.
Dad told me last night that he has ordered a Weston Pirate for me, it is a tuber and it is going to be all mine because he does not want to grow it himself (could not even tempt him with a cutting). Very scary because I already know that it is a very good dahlia. (I've seen the photos and it has been recommended here ) I really hope that I don't kill it or Downham Royal because they are the two special ones.
I am also getting anxious (if I am really 100% honest) that more and more real dahlia, real dahlia experts are on the dahlia forum. I've gone from feeling excited that their sleeping beauty's are waking up and showing signs of life; to realising that I really don't know what I am doing. On the flip side of this, is the fact there is a Beginners thread to read (which obviously the whole point of having one) but I like reading about the tubers.
Still tiny steps, it is just it is a huge responsibility to nurture my dahlias (feels a bit weird saying 'my dahlias') but I must be brave, tiny steps, tiny, steps.
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 14, 2013 13:40:51 GMT
You are doing well Moonlight..don't be fazed by the number of "experts" on the forum. You will find they will all protest that they are not experts....but "enthusiasts"....with a bit of expertise ....I've always thought an expert is someone who "knows everything"....but there is always something new to learn about this fascinating plant. ;D You will certainly pick up lots of hints and tips....our guys are very generous with their help if you have a problem....the old threads also make a marvellous reference library..... You will also find amazing generosity if there is a dahlia you fancy and mention it on the forum.....you will more than likely be offered a rooted cutting. PS: I'm so pleased you have your "Pirate".....are you going to plant up the tuber or set it up for cuttings. PPS: You are sooooooooooolucky having your own "expert" at your elbow.... |
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Post by Tel on Jan 14, 2013 20:21:34 GMT
Like Lou say's the members on here are very generous with sharing their knowledge with others. I looked in at the old forum, after seeing it in the Garden News at the time. there was a small section on Dahlia's, i was not sure if i should become a member or not. After reading some of the posts on dahlia's, i had to stick my nose in and have a say. To my surprise i was made to feel very welcome by the members. Maybe they thought i would make a few postings then disappear, or hoped i would. ;D I do not know of any other Garden Forum that has a dedicated section on my favourite flower the dahlia, like this one. |
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 14, 2013 21:13:13 GMT
Like Lou say's the members on here are very generous with sharing their knowledge with others. I looked in at the old forum, after seeing it in the Garden News at the time. there was a small section on Dahlia's, i was not sure if i should become a member or not. After reading some of the posts on dahlia's, i had to stick my nose in and have a say. To my surprise i was made to feel very welcome by the members. Maybe they thought i would make a few postings then disappear, or hoped i would. ;D I do not know of any other Garden Forum that has a dedicated section on my favourite flower the dahlia, like this one. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 15, 2013 0:19:29 GMT
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Post by Tel on Jan 15, 2013 8:11:25 GMT
There is also different coloured cauliflowers to try. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 15, 2013 20:42:47 GMT
You are doing well Moonlight..don't be fazed by the number of "experts" on the forum. You will find they will all protest that they are not experts....but "enthusiasts"....with a bit of expertise ....I've always thought an expert is someone who "knows everything"....but there is always something new to learn about this fascinating plant. ;D You will certainly pick up lots of hints and tips....our guys are very generous with their help if you have a problem....the old threads also make a marvellous reference library..... You will also find amazing generosity if there is a dahlia you fancy and mention it on the forum.....you will more than likely be offered a rooted cutting. PS: I'm so pleased you have your "Pirate".....are you going to plant up the tuber or set it up for cuttings. PPS: You are sooooooooooolucky having your own "expert" at your elbow....  He is standing at the back, his face is partially hidden by the lady's head in front. He has never been about the glory of winning, its always been about the dahlias. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 15, 2013 21:07:03 GMT
Like Lou say's the members on here are very generous with sharing their knowledge with others. I looked in at the old forum, after seeing it in the Garden News at the time. there was a small section on Dahlia's, i was not sure if i should become a member or not. After reading some of the posts on dahlia's, i had to stick my nose in and have a say. To my surprise i was made to feel very welcome by the members. Maybe they thought i would make a few postings then disappear, or hoped i would. ;D I do not know of any other Garden Forum that has a dedicated section on my favourite flower the dahlia, like this one.
Speaking of questions Sweetpea I've got a few coming up |
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....that poor plant. Good luck with getting that muck off it....it looks a bit like an echivera (sp)
The poor thing is thick with glitter, which does not make it look prettier or Christmassy. Yes, I think it will grow out of it and show gratitude for the good home you have given it.
cold, happy, dirty and excited Fairy Pink Wellies and I went in. 
He is standing at the back, his face is partially hidden by the lady's head in front. He has never been about the glory of winning, its always been about the dahlias.
