Tuesday 20 September 2016

My Arid Bed.

The Arid Bed has been unbelievable this year, I am astounded by just how much everything has grown. Baring in mind these sort of plants are expected to grow in hot dry conditions, it has been anything but hot and dry. But planted in pure gravel in a totally south facing garden they seem to be very happy.

This Agave (forgotten the name) I bought last year. It was planted in the main bed but was looking exceptionally sorry for its self earlier in the year. On closer inspection I found a massive ants nest undermining it, so I dug it out, cleaned off all the ants, then potted it up in a pot.

Its obviously happy as it is now going to flower!!!!  I have mixed emotions about this, as I am excited to see it flower, but sad that the plant will die after, especially as it wasn't cheap!!!! I will keep you posted!


But just look at the rest of them, they are huge!!! This Americana was repotted also this year and has gone totally mental. Every year this has to be lifted in to the heated greenhouse for winter. I may have to relook at my shelving as this has grown so much!!


Another new succulent, bought earlier this year, also decided to flower! I'm obviously doing something right!!


The flower spike has been cut off, hopefully I will get some seed....... but ..... when I first saw the flower stalk growing I took off some lower leaves and tried to root them. Fortunately two have grown roots and have been potted up, so fingers and toes crossed, neglect will help produce some new plants!


Back in June it looked like this, when I bought it the lady who sold it to me said I could only have it if I repotted it as two prickly stalks had quite serious damage to them. So it was duely repotted and ...


you can see just how much it has grown. If you look at the spikes, you can see where they change about 2inches from the top of each, well that is how much they have grown!!!


The Americana just looks healthier and healthier everyday!


This colour is stunning!


Another new Agave, Century, back in June


and now!!

If people tell you these plants need Hot, Dry conditions, then direct them here, they love Hot, well drained conditions!!

Chuffed to pieces!

Saturday 17 September 2016

Biggest and Best Year Ever!!

I have never had such HUGE leaves/plants as I have had this year. Whether it is because I have had a good feeding regime, or whether it has been really good growing weather I have no idea.

The last few weeks have been so hot and humid, interspersed by heavy downpours the result is

 
The Paulownia has easily got to 15ft


The Ricinus must be about 12ft, they have never grown above my height and I'm 5ft 9in but this year they are huge.


Just look at the size of these leaves!

 
One of my Canna, this is the shortest!


This one must be about 7ft, which gives you an idea how tall the rest of the jungle is!




loving it!

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Rain & Humidity!

A great growing combination. What is it about rain that makes the garden grow far better than any watering you do!
This week has been so very humid, interspersed by downpours of rain. You could literally see everything growing in front of your eyes.
Everything is now taller than me!




The plants in the next pictures are mainly annuals, in fact most of the plants I grow start as corms, or seeds. The bananas (Ensete/Basjoo) are rested over winter, then restarted in the spring. It still amazes me just how much plant comes out of a little seed or corm.

Here we have a Basjoo at the back, Canna and Ricinus centre and right.


Yep this Ricinus is way taller than me now.


Canna in between all the Big Leaves!


My stunning Hiniba I planted this right in full sun this year and it has lapped it up, growing bigger than I have seen for years! The red stripe is what makes this.


Just to give you an idea as to how much things grow, this was back in June



Today


June

 Today

All is growing well, can you tell I am trying to keep myself occupied not thinking about my dog!!??






Sunday 4 September 2016

A Tough Week

We found out this week that the lovely Mr Darcy, has a slipped disc in his neck. He is very, very fortunate that it has not paralised him. The vet believes it has happened over a long period of time, hence he is still as 'bouncy' as he is.
But, and there is always a 'but' we have to try and stop him bouncing, jumping etc. He has to be lifted up and down, and only taken on short walks. Mainly because he still slows a lot on his walks. The vet thinks it is something else, I am not convinced. We will see in 3 weeks!






How can you not love him!

Anyway out in the garden all is growing well................




but the biggest surprise has been this cactus, flowering again yesterday


this was back in June.....


Exciting!