Mr Grinch's Garden

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Mr Grinch, Jan 14, 2012.

  1. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      We've not had rain for 11 weeks! :rolleyespink:
       
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      • Mr Grinch

        Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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        The Lambs ears are loving it Shiney
         
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        • Mr Grinch

          Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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          Made a start on the new wider path. Moved the chicken run back, knocked out the brick low wall, started removing the type 1 i laid 10 years ago. Horrible stuff this. Good for a solid base on a path but impermeable, nothing can grow through it so must go. The new base for the brick path will be simple broken hardcore blinded with sharp sand which will be leveled. Hoping this will help the flow of water.
          No rain for 11 months, laughing about how dry everything is well now ive started the digging, we have had 2 days of solid rain and its all under 2 inches of water.

          Sods law.
           
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          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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            [​IMG]
             
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            • Mr Grinch

              Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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              Why have my new DA Shrub roses gone leggy. This is their second year and this year they have put on what looks like a spike of growth on certain stems that are now top heavy and flopped over. I did prune so not sure why this has occurred. Dont have any issues with the HT roses.

              Aquilegia been a disaster this year. Buds form but either die before opening of half open then due.

              No idea why.
               
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              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                That's very strange, Mr "G", could it be??,,,,,,,

                AQUILEGIA GALL MIDGE
                Macrolabis aquilegiae

                "“The poor development of flowers on your aquilegia is due to a pest known as the aquilegia gall midge, Macrolabis aquilegiae.This has orange white larvae, up to 2-3mm long, that feed inside the developing flower buds and prevent normal flower development. The midge was first recorded in Britain in 2009. Infested plants have now been found in Kent, Essex, Surrey, Devon and North Yorkshire, indicating that it may be widespread and has gone undetected for a number of years.

                As it is a relatively new pest in the UK, little is known about its biology. However, it is specific to aquilegias and will not affect any other plants. The larval feeding period is likely to be short, occurring over a few weeks in May, after which the maggots go down into the soil to pupate. There is currently no control for this pest other than the removal of infested flower buds before the larvae have completed their feeding.
                 
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                • Sheal

                  Sheal Total Gardener

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                  Do you know what their names are Mr Grinch?
                   
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                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    I'm pleased they're doing well :dbgrtmb:
                     
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                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                      Aquilegias also have a problem with Downy Mildew. It has only attacked them in recent years but they don't have a cure for it. It tends to be more noticeable on the leaves first. We have lost thousands of them in the last few years but we're getting some back now. Zigs and ARMANDII have been helping with disease free ones :dbgrtmb:

                      Here's a link to the National Collection where Carrie has put more detailed info on it. Some of the photos are mine.
                       
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                      • Mr Grinch

                        Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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                        It doesnt look like mildew shiney. The leavs look fine, just the flower heads. I ill be gutted if this will be yet another plant i cant grow because of bugs or disease. I love them.
                         
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                        • Mr Grinch

                          Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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                          Boscobel

                          Lady Emma Hamilton

                          The Alynwick Rose

                          Charlotte

                          Jubilee Celebration (worst leggy one)

                          Desdemona
                           
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                          • Mr Grinch

                            Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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                            Does anyone know a good feed that is high in nitrogen ?
                             
                          • Phil A

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                            Chicken manure pellets :):chicken:
                             
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                            • Mr Grinch

                              Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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                              Again i have issues with Chlorosis but only in certain plants.
                              I have a couple of roses effected, Witch Hazel, Hibiscus, Kerria, occasionally some of the Hellebore, sometimes Buddleia.

                              Ive treated with Epsom Salts, doesnt work. Ive fed general purpose food, doesnt work.

                              Can only leave two reasons. Compacted oxygen light soil or a more specific Nitrogen problem.

                              It could be the soil for sure as mine can get wet and is clay but over the years i have added so much stuff and mulch that if it is that then it would be very disappointing. One effected rose i moved to another spot 10 foot along the border that gets wetter than the spot it was in and has come back no issues. A rose i planted in its place is struggling badly. All the plants are dotted around the garden so not one specific problem area. The Witch Hazel i moved from a well drained spot a year ago where the leaves looked chlorotic all year to the main border where the soil is heavier and wetter, lots of goodness dug in and this year, leafs are the same.

                              I used Fish Blood Bone on the main effected plants a few days ago and foliar sprayed them with liquid seaweed but so far no change. I can understand if it was a problem area but the whole garden ? Other plants no issues. On the whole Herbaceous perennials are fine, Roses are fine ( apart from a couple), Sambucus, Wiegiela, Silver Birch, Dog Wood, Lilac all ok.

                              Annoying.
                               
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