Cutting back my Bridal Wreath

I have one that did very little for the first 3 years but last year it started to take off and this year is really growing well :lollol: Still no flowers though! :cnfs:

 

I read in a Christopher Lloyd book that as they are planted agaunst walls usually-and it is dry against walls, they seem to take ages as their roots slowly reach out for adequate water-once they hit that they're off. So I water mine thoroughly every other day-that might be why it has taken so well.

I think it was in the Well Tempered Garden.

 

I dont so much know, but the first one I planted I watered it like mad. Made no difference !

I think mine growly so slowly is purely the lack of light. Have just taken some photos so start another thread (ideas for climbers lol) so once they have uploaded will post them on here so you can see the growth ... or lack of it lol

 

Large one thats taken a few years to reach that height. Attached to brick wall and thick trellis above ....



The two I have planted this year, attached to cheap expanding trellis which is there as a temp measure until it self sticks to the wall and then I will cut the trellis away which is what I did with the big one.

 

They may be slow but they are in good health Sam-I have just been out and measured the new growth-longest has grown 38 inches. I have bark chippings in with mine too.


Perplexing.

 

Ah-actually-I have fed using a tip from Marley-liquidated chicken pellets.-It stank to high heaven lol.

 

I have bark chippings on all the borders - keeps the dogs out of the mud and easier to pick the poop up lol

The new ones I planted in about April (I think) and they have new growths but barely 6 inches if that! It is a very shady wall though that gets no direct sun ever, so have always expected them to take a long time to grow.

They also dont get many flowers either. Ive always just put that down to lack of sun.

 

How often did you do this ? And can you buy it already liquidated or do I have to do this myself ?

How long does it smell for ? Might have to wip out and do it at midnight lol

 

I did it myself. One of the big buckets you can get-there was a quarter or so of it left from last year and I just filled it up with water gave it a stir and let it stew ( I know-it sounds revolting lol).

After a few days I lifted the lid ( and nearly fainted) gave it another stir.

I use a gallon watering can, almost filled it with water from the butt and added a pint of the mix. I have fed the hydrangea four times with the stuff so far and I will be feeding it again today now that I have just reminded myself.

It only smells for an hour or so-but then again, I immediately found another job at the other end of the garden lol.

Here is the original thread.

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=20845&highlight=foliar+feeds

 

Thanks for that Claire - not sure it would be an option though as no where to store it really. Plus its hard to leave anything lying around for fear of two dogs getting into it .... sure wouldnt want them drinking it ! Shame you cant buy it already done in bottles

 

Well I have cut off as much as I can for today - I now have a blister on my finger :( to match the bruished chin and scratches up my face lol ..... oh and the cut finger !!

Will go into town tomorrow lunch time and get some loppers. Do you think I need to buy decent onces or will cheap wilkos one do a good enough job ? I know with certain things, like secauteurs its worth paying more for but then certain things, the cheap ones are just as good.

Will buy whatever, just dont want to be wasting money - if you know what I mean

 

It depends on how much you think you'll use them. In my tiny postage stamp back garden I've always got by just fine with cheap tools, but when I took on my piece of land I found that cheap tools just bust in no time due to the fact that there is much more work to do, so they get much more punishment.

You can pay an arm and a leg for decent loppers, or you can get some for less than a tenner. I'd aim somewhere in between. Mine cost me about £20 and so far they've played a key role in clearing a blackthorn thicket, about 200 square metres of gorse, and my evil laylandii hedge and they are still going strong.

 

How much use will they get - ermmm - once lol

I dont have anything else in the garden that I will ever use them for apart from this and if i keep it under control each year then there should be no need to ever hack it to death again ... hopefully !

 

Well, after a go with the loppers tonight, this is how its looking (you can see all the cut off branches to the left and right hand side)....






Overall picture - (excuse the mess!)



So question is .... have I cut off enough yet lol

There are a few big stumps at the front bottom, so going to use the saw on these tomorrow to cut them down further. I dont think I have enough arm strength to get the loppers round them!

Have fed with fish bone and blood and watered

 

:thumb:Bingo Sam, were you a bit shaky? It is a lot to go-but it will be the better for it, well done.