3: Gardening Diaries ...

[Upsy Daisy]

Just taken this pic from my kitchen window as the sun catches the trees

 

[alp]

This digital age is scary really

I have friends living in lots of other countries.......love looking at their homes too. My theory is that I'm not really nosey.....just intrested in people I like.

I've just had my eyes tested

Very funny!

 

[alp]

My possible harvest compares badly against Logan's! I think not watering them hasn't helped. I have a few blackcurrants, but they are very small. A few raspberries, against too few and too small. Nice to get some inspiration though!

 

[alp]

Just taken this pic from my kitchen window as the sun catches the trees View attachment 39041

I wish I had that many trees to look at. They cleanse the air! Now we can hear people's voices very clearly. Before this wouldn't happen. Just show more and more people are living nearby.

 

[alp]

Yes, @BigC I kept a box of ash from bonfire and it's much better than using pellets and much more effective!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Hi @alp, how many times should I pollinate the lilly, and do I do it every day? Thanks

 

[alp]

Is the stigma wet and moist? I think try it twice, just to make sure. Did you watch that video about lily cross-pollination? For the alstroemerias, it is much more trickier. Perhaps, twice if there is a lot of pollen and the stigma is wet and moist. The pollen amount in Alstroemeria is not that great. But as you can see, lilies are generous with their pollen. Don't stain your clothes or you will cry!

I have given up cross-pollinating alstroemerias as I could never get the pollen. They are meanies!

The reason I suggest repeat doing it was because some flowers are very tricky to pollinate. Irises are very tricky to open the stigmatal lips. It was a nightmare and repeated attempts were recommended. But lilies are a different ball game altogether. I wanted to try to cross pollinate Salvias, but the lever mechanism and the small flowers make it nearly impossible and there is very little literature on it. One video narrated in a SE Asian language drove me insane! Well, I am already quite insane!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Yes it was very sticky. I removed all the stamens very carefully so as not to get the pollen on the stigma then when to another plant and removed some of the stamens and then gentle brushed them against the first plants stigma.....coated it very well.
Should I do it again tomorrow or wait a day or two?
Thanks

 

[alp]

I think you're alright. No need to do it again. Hope they are all pure white colours. It's hard work growing anything from seeds. Have you seen the seeds from lilies? They look just like those of fritillary snakehead seeds! If you get loads of pollen and a wet stigma (i.e. it is receptive), you don't have to repeat the procedure! This messing about can be very addictive. Wish I were young, I would go for propagating and cross-pollinating plants. Shame I am already one foot in the grave!

 

[alp]

@BigC I personally would love ceanothus! At least, it will have loads of blue flowers and can be very attractive with its shiny foliage.

 

[Upsy Daisy]

All pure white No never seen lilly seeds......just sown loads of snakeshead.

No you're not!!!!......you are younger than me!!

Just Googling up on it......I have found a new hobby!!! You can cross pollinate even Snapdragons!! (mind you I haven't got any....I sowed 2 trays of them and the trays mysteriously disappeared!!!)

I am now hooked on this !!!!

Can you mix different flowers or do they have to be of the same family group.....I might create a Frankenstein Triffid!!!

 

[Perki]

Evening all, been busy finishing planting up the summer pots with dahlia and bedding etc. Planted up the two troughs on the fence at the front , doing a little experiment with the two troughs. One has Lidl 40L MPC in and the other Westland MPC both with miracle grow feed, going to see how the Lidl MPC does compared to Westland cause my locla GC has put up there compost so thinking of switching to Lidl now.

 

[Perki]

Here the impostor turn blue now are else

Recent new addition Rose lady of Shallot, she has geranium Rozanne - astrantia habspden blood planted infront of her, saliva uglinosa - phlox lynden bell - delephinium behind with another new addition behind the delphinium - thalictrum Anne with grows to about 7ft

Two trough I planted up earlier, both have similar plants, The troughs are ideal to try and empty the GH, obviously they need to grow in yet

Barrel and two pots by the front door planted up, I have other pots around which I've been doing as well.

 

[Logan]

Morning all and good night @ dirtMechanic sleep tight

 

[alp]

Can you mix different flowers or do they have to be of the same family group.....I might create a Frankenstein Triffid!!!

I always want to make one of those. Supposedly from the same family, but different plants. But I am no expert.

Here, we don't need to sow wallflower, verbascum, snapdragon, chives. They just appear and say hello!

Good morning to all. I have NO more water from any butts. OFFICIAL! Just finished the last 3 watering cans .. Plants will be watered with tears or tap water - more tears!