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Post by Tel on Jul 23, 2011 7:16:18 GMT
When I picked mine, I worried about the stem being hollow for a little way and made sure it was filled with water before putting it in a vase. The flowers stay looking good for so long, I don't know when they should be picked for showing, so I hope to learn this. That is stunning, just as you said WF. A bit of one to one tuition would not go amiss Cherry.  |
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Post by grindle on Jul 23, 2011 7:25:12 GMT
;D that is a beauty Sue
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jul 23, 2011 8:26:18 GMT
That's a beauty Sue, what's it called please. Are those two little little marks i can see on the bloom, one near the centre and one on the far right, if you spot a mark on a petal 24 hours before a show remove it. The space created by removing the petals will have closed up by show time. No they are little dead flies, I didn't want to damage the flower by shoving my fingers in it to get them out. That is a good tip, I will remember that nearer the time. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jul 24, 2011 19:45:10 GMT
This is how it looks today  The worrying part is when I went down to take the photograph it had disappeared, on closer inspection I found it bent right over and hiding behind the foliage. The stem was very limp and wouldn't hold the flower up. I looked down the stem and couldn't see any damage. All my other flowers and buds seem sturdy. |
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Post by scrumpy on Jul 24, 2011 20:55:07 GMT
Sounds lke you need a high potash fertiliser if your stems are a bit on the weak side.
Never grown RR myself, but a few other varieties i grow need the stems supporting with a split cane along the stem to stop them bending after rain and wind. Or just because the bloom is to heavy for the stem. Usually happens when the bloom is full.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jul 24, 2011 21:20:33 GMT
I've been using tomato feed, which type/brand is high potash fertiliser?
I'd hate to end up with beautiful flowers which flop in the vase.
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Post by Tel on Jul 24, 2011 21:36:37 GMT
I think the problem we have is like what scrumpy has said the bloom can be to heavy for the stem, especially if it is windy or the bloom is wet.
I agree i think we need to place a split cane on the stem when the bloom is coming out just like in your first pick to support the stem, and remove the cane at the show.
If you have any blooms that are too early for the show you could take the cane off when it is fully out and see if it still stands up ok. Chempac 4 is a high potash fertiliser but so is tomato feed.
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Post by scrumpy on Jul 24, 2011 21:46:56 GMT
I use chempak no4, mixed with liquid humus and liquid seaweed extract.
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jul 24, 2011 22:09:01 GMT
What is a split cane? I have loads of bamboo, is it one of these that has been 'split'?
Is it OK to continue with tomato feed? I do have some Chempack but I don't know which one, I bought it to feed my onions with last year. I know you are trying to help Scrumpy but it sounds a little complicated for me just yet.
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Post by scrumpy on Jul 24, 2011 22:24:09 GMT
Split canes are those 2 foot thin green ones. Wilkinsons sell them. Liquid humus and liquid seaweed are very simple to use. All you do is measure 5ml to 10litres of water for the humus, 15ml of seaweed to 10L, and then add your tomato feed to the same watering can. The theory is that the humus makes fertilisers more available, and the seaweed, well apart from the trace elemennts, it makes you think you are on the beach |
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Post by Tel on Jul 25, 2011 4:47:25 GMT
If you can get matching 4 blooms like the one in the pic, that stand up on show day, no contest, i can see the look on their faces now. you will need to dig out that silver polish. |
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Post by Cherry on Jul 25, 2011 5:37:19 GMT
WF. Just to add to this when I shouldn't really. I didn't know what a split cane was until reading this. I think I would have been too embarrassed to ask.  |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jul 25, 2011 6:16:32 GMT
WF. Just to add to this when I shouldn't really. I didn't know what a split cane was until reading this. I think I would have been too embarrassed to ask. Don't worry Cherry, you won't need to ask any questions because I shall be asking them all ;D I know the canes you mean now, I have small ones so I shall pick some longer ones up today. |
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Post by Cherry on Jul 25, 2011 6:18:50 GMT
I have some good news. I have seen Tel's dahlias and his dogs. The dogs were nicer really.
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Post by Tel on Jul 25, 2011 6:20:24 GMT
I have some good news. I have seen Tel's dahlias and his dogs. The dogs were nicer really. ;D |
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Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT
Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT