Rehydrating Bulbs

Radiant and bright. That’s the Kaffir lily, not me.

I was cleaning the windows the other day and was amazed at how many spiders were nesting in the eves.  Maybe it’s just the fact that it’s autumn and that’s what spiders do, but it might also the fact that I have hundreds of caterpillars climbing the walls as the look for somewhere to cocoon themselves up and unwittingly finding themselves being a food supply .  I’m being very selective and moving the spiders to pastures new as I wash, i don't want to add to the negative press they are getting, the caterpillars are not getting the same level of attention though.

Talking of autumn things, I was in the beautiful Muff woods this week and noticed the fungi and mushrooms are out in force, leaves are starting to fall and I can’t fathom out if I should just be wearing a shirt, jumper or a full overcoat. We start the days off cool and damp then it turns hot in the sun then cool in the evenings.  This suits me as I can throw the clothes layers off and it certainly suits the fungi, I have never seem such a variety as this year.  

There are other types of plants that enjoy this type of weather and one of them is a new addition to the garden. The Kaffir lily or “Schizostylis coccinea” to give it its Latin name. I was given a clump of these autumn flowering bulbs by my mother in law, all nicely wrapped up in newspaper and ready for planting out just before their flowers came out.  For now I have planted them into a pot until I decide where in the garden they will go.

How to grow Kaffir lily

The flowers remind me of crocosima, or montbretia as they are also called.  The iris type flowers are pretty though and in the evening the flowers close and nod in the breeze. The plants originate from South Africa and enjoy warm wet summers and cold and dry winters so should be at home here.

There are many forms of Schizostylis coccinea. The copper-red 'Major' is the most readily available and a very good performer. There is a pure white form, 'Alba', which has narrower petals. You might see some other types in the garden centres from time to time.

Growing tips

They do survive in dry gardens, but they look miserable and flower poorly, if at all. It is possible to improve flowering by mulching them with a thick layer of gravel in spring after heavy rain. This will preserve moisture and allow them to flower. The gravel also filters winter rainfall. The frosts will kill off the top growth but they will return next year. If you have heavy clay, add lots of grit and put them in a sheltered position against a wall.

The kaffir lily will look good grown on their own, rather like nerines, and could be used along a sunny path or in a border. Position them away from the edge as they tumble forward. Or use them in front of deciduous shrubs and trees because the warm red or clear pink flowers, held well above the foliage, add a touch of freshness just as the leaves fall.

Buying Bulbs

As this week’s article reads like an actual gardening page, I’ll continue with another topic of the month- buying bulbs for spring and summer flowers.  The shops are full of different varieties for every type of garden. Lilies, gladioli, daffs, tulips, muscari, anemone, allium, the list is long. 

Some bulbs, (especially if you are like me and only buy them when they are reduced to sell) will be a bit dehydrated and in need of a bit of care before planting out.  

Amaryllis or lily-of-the-valley, will need  soaking before planting to give them a head start. Other bulbs, when you get them out of the packs, need to be checked over before planting.

Problems

There aren’t many problems to watch out for with shop bought bulbs, apart from checking that the bulbs are healthy to start with. However if you have them stored, pests to look out for include slugs, snails, squirrels (particularly with tulips and crocus) and diseases such as daffodil viruses, grey mould in snowdrops, narcissus basal rot, tulip fire and tulip viruses. Gently squeeze the bulb. If it is mushy or collapses, the bulb is dead. If the bulb is firm beneath your fingers, it's still alive. . Discard any that show signs of disease and rot.

Rehydrate a Dried Flower Bulb

If the bulbs feel a bit dry, fill a container with tepid water and remove any loose husks or dirt from the bulbs. If the bulbs have reproduced, gently pull the small bulbs away from the parent. They should separate easily.

Place the flower bulbs in the water. Soak for three to four hours. You can also soak overnight, but don't leave bulbs in water more than eight hours or they will absorb too much water and rot. Plant the bulbs in well-drained soil roughly twice as deep as the bulb is long. Plant as soon as possible after you get them.

We Have a Winner

On the attack. The cabbage whites have won this time

I’ve lost the battle with cabbage whites.   

There comes a time when you just have to stand down and  admit defeat. This week’s burst of hot weather produced so many caterpillars that I could see the plants moving as they set about devouring every last piece of leaf of the kale and broccoli and leaving me with bare stalks. 

This isn’t just inside the tunnel either; outside plants have suffered the same fate.  Things were so bad in the tunnel that people couldn’t go in without commenting about the smell of rotting plants. This phenomenon came about because of the poo deposits being left by so many caterpillars; it was all dropping on the floor and decomposing.  

Itchy

As I pulled up most of the plants I was getting attacked by the crawling swarm, well I say attacked, I really mean they were falling down the back of my neck and landing on my arms( I am really itching now just talking about it!)  I will save some of the plants that didn’t come off so badly, but the ones in the tunnel are beyond any form of a comeback.

In a moment of panic I went online to see about getting a smoke bomb to fumigate the tunnel.  I’ve only ever used these as a youngster when my friends and I would have telephone box crams. After we found out how many of us we could fit inside the box (the record was 10) we would ignite one of the fumigation tablets and hide and laugh as we observed the reactions of passersby.  

As an adult, a couple of points come up from me now. Firstly the telephone box could have been needed for people needing the emergency services and secondly you can bet your bottom dollar that fumigation in the 1970’s probably contained DDT or some other lethal chemical. Ignorance can be bliss, but not in this case I fear.  

A Bit of Research

The smoke bombs I found on the internet were cheap enough at about 5 euro for two and the packets claim that no harmful (to human) chemicals are used.

As with most things though I decided to do a bit of research and find out which type are the best.  One comment on a forum forced my decision; someone commented that the best form of pest control is the winter and frost.  They are right. All I need to do is bide my time and revenge will be mine. Any other pupae that survive will get the finger and thumb treatment.  I was also thinking that the smoke probably wouldn’t kill off soil borne pests either, so the 5 euro remains in my pocket as I wait for the cold sharp hand of frosty death to creep into the tunnel.

I’m in the Shops!

I’ve gone retail again!  It’s been a long time since I sold plants, but my fantastic handmade terracotta pots from Carley’s Bridge Potteries in County Wexford have inspired me.  I have been planting the pots up with some choice houseplants and decided to go down the “health and vitality” route and chosen aloe vera and ginseng plants. 

I have chosen these two long lived plants as they don’t require much root space and can withstand a bit of neglect and radiator heat.  The plants and pots should give pleasure for at least a year before the plants need a bit of extra space.  I currently have one outlet at the Legenderry Warehouse No1 in the centre of Derry next to the Guildhall square, but you never know they could be in a shop near you very soon. 

On the Lookout

I am on the lookout for some seasonal plants that are long lived to go into the pots as well. I have seen some succulents sprayed autumn colours to pander to the Halloween shoppers and it won’t be long until the Christmas stock is upon us.  I don’t want to put anything cheap looking into these lovely pots and I would like them to be long lived again too.  I thought of poinsettia but these plants very rarely make it past the New Year. It seems strange to be thinking that far ahead to Christmas, but after saying that I have seen a lot of decorations in the shops already!

How about dwarf conifers with a sprinkling of white powder on them? OK, I’ll stop there

PS. I’ve just found out why I am so itchy.  3 caterpillars down my shirt!

Cacti and Succulents

My new impulse purchase has arrived.

I’ve been online shopping again. The last time I did this I ended up with 600 terracotta plant pots couriered to the door.  This time I have been bulk buying cacti and succulents from Poland. I did have a slight feeling of “why did I do that” but it was nowhere near the same intensity as the pots.  The plants in question were only about 2 cm in width and height so take up very little space. Unlike the pots which take up the garage.

Well Packaged

I ordered 35 small cacti and 25 succulents. They came very well packed in a box half the size of a shoebox. The cacti are about 2 to 3 years old and all have roots, not the largest but enough to secure them firmly into multi cell modules trays that I have. In a way I feel as though I have gone back to my “roots” so to speak as cacti and succulents were the first plants I grew as a youngster. They are pretty robust and can stand the neglect of not watering them every week. In fact from November to March you really don’t have to water them at all unless they are close to a radiator. Succulents have to be attended to a little more often though but as long as the soil dries out in between watering and the roots are not constantly in water, they usually give trouble free displays all year round.  

Soil Mix

I’ve been playing with the soil mixture. Most books and the web all say different percentages of grit, compost, sand and feed. I’m just using what I have around me to come up with what I feel is the best for my plants (cheapest option). This consists of sieved sand to get 2-5mm grit, coir compost, but any will do, and some horticultural grit mixed together, peat is good as it keeps the soil slightly acid which the plants enjoy as it releases nutrients easier for them. I’m not adding any plant food just yet as I think the lack of nutrients will entice the roots to grow faster as they look for food. I can be so cruel sometimes! Some other alternatives would be pumice and perlite to aid soil aeration.

For those of you with an interest in spiky plants (not for the feng shui lovers) here are a few simple tips to get the best out of the plants.

Light

Succulents and Cacti enjoy being kept in a light, airy position all the year round. A south-facing window is ideal for most types, although plants like Aloe will be quite happy in more shaded areas.

In general, to keep looking healthy, a succulent plant should have sunlight falling on it for at least part of the day. Many would be quite happy with either morning or afternoon sun in an East or West window. I have taken to putting my large Mother in Laws Tongue outside this summer and it has really benefitted by a bit of fresh air and rain. I think most succulents would be the same as long as they are taken in when it gets cold and stay well drained.

Water

Rain water is always better than tap water if you have a choice.

Flowers

Once flowering size is reached, they will flower every year and some even twice in one year. Many cacti reach flowering size at two years old, while some take ten years to mature.

To produce flowers, some cacti need a cool, dry, rest period in the winter. A cool bedroom is ideal for this. Given this rest each season, and plenty of sunshine, many varieties will flower on a windowsill, although there are some that produce better results in the greenhouse or conservatory. 

Temperatures

Most of the plants can withstand full sun but leave airflow or they will cook. In the winter, most plants are happy if kept at above 40 deg.F (5 deg.C) if dry.

When to re-pot?

The plants are not too demanding and can be kept in very little soil. But like all plants that will grow better (and happier) if there is a bit of spare compost for them to grow into. Unless you want bonsai plants, repot them every year into a slightly bigger pot.

Propagation

Take cuttings during the active growth period - that is in spring and summer.

Take the cuttings (Stem or leaf cuttings) on a dry, sunny day (So the cut surface forms a callus quickly) Succulents will grow better if the leaves are not put into soil, leave them on a plate. When you see roots appearing on the base (In about 3 weeks), pot them carefully into slightly moist soil. Cacti can have offshoots that can be placed into sandy compost. I have a packet of free seeds from the Polish suppliers. They are called Astrophytum mix. I’m not sure what to do with them so I will have to go online to look. Hopefully I won’t have to go on any sites that are trying to sell me things. 

I have enough to be getting on with!