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A selection of your gardening queries.
September 2005
Q: Best compost for wallflowers
Can you please tell me which type of compost is best to grow
wallflowers in Pots?
A: Usually, when I grow
wallflowers in pots, I mix them with tulips and grow them in an
all-purpose, peat-based potting compost, used for seeds, cuttings and
potting on.. Whether it is the best compost or not I don`t know, but I
get pretty good results..
Q: Clematis not flowering
We moved to a new house just over a year ago.
We have for the first time a garden which is home to several
clematis plants which have yet to produce any flowers.. Could you
tell why and what we can do to help them.
A: Growing clematis
successfully is a vast subject due to the many different types and
their requirements, so instead of guessing at your problem I am
putting a link to the British Clematis Society`s website:
http://www.britishclematis.org.uk/index.html
Q: What do I do with potted lilies when
they`re finished?
I live in southern England and have some lilies
in pots. They stand about 5 or 6 feet tall with large yellow blooms
which have now finished flowering. Could you tell me what I should
do with them now that Autumn is just around the corner?
A: Any lilies I have in pots get
put into the garden after flowering, because they flower so much
better than in containers! You will find your lilies will grow in
containers but will get weaker each year. If you want to keep them
in their pots, allow the foliage to die down after flowering and
just leave them overwinter in a sheltered place undisturbed. In the
spring feed them when new growth starts..
Q: Sunflower leaves dying.
I'm looking after a friends sunflowers while he
is away on holiday, and they are growing well. However, I've noticed
that the lower leaves on each plant have gone yellow and withered.
Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?
A: They are OK, they
are just putting all their energy into making the top growth and
flower heads..
Q:
Powdery mildew on honeysuckle
My honeysuckle has lovely foliage in the
spring but as soon as it flowers the leaves drop off. There is
evidence of a grey mould, is this mildew and how can it be treated,
organically if possible as I don't like using chemicals?
A:
Mildew normally occurs
because a plant is very dry at the roots. Honeysuckles are woodland
plants, so need moisture at their roots. Try plenty of water, and a
really good mulch around the base. Thin the growth out a bit to get
better air circulation. Honeysuckles are happiest in a partially
shaded spot where they can have a decent, moist root run.
Don`t expect your honeysuckle to
improve this year, but next year should see a difference...
Q: Bindweed in our lawn
We had a new lawn laid about two years ago and gradually it has
become covered with bindweed. We have tried Verdone weedkiller which
appears to work but then it reappears, but more so!
A: Bindweed is very persistent, I
would just keep mowing and eventually it will be starved of daylight
and die off.. Have a look at the RHS advice sheet:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0801/bindweed.asp
Q: Flies in my compost bin.
My compost bin has hundreds of small black flies which fly up every
time I open the lid. They are also migrating to the conservatory. I
have tried using newspaper over the vegetable material but they come
back after 2 days. I have resorted to fly spray two or three times
although I know that isn`t the solution.
A: These are fruit flies and are
completely harmless, but of course not pleasant to have in the house.
As their name suggests, they like the fruit in your compost heap...
Bury any fruit or vegetable peelings with grass, so the flies can't
get to it, or cover the top of the compost with a layer of soil.
If you regularly turn the compost heap this will help eliminate the
problem too.
Q: Caterpillars in my mint
My mint plant is
shrivelling up at the ends. Looking closer I saw a little caterpillar.
Could you tell me what it is and how to get rid of it?
A: I am not sure what the
caterpillar is, but you can spray them off with a jet of water from
your hosepipe.. You could use an insecticide, but make sure it is one
that allows consumption of the produce within a certain time of
spraying..
Q: Weedkiller safe to use
around animals
I have two very
naughty bulldogs who will not stop eating the weeds that crop up on my
patio. Could you recommend an animal friendly weedkiller that works as
I cannot find one in my local garden centre.
A: I use Pathclear for killing
weeds on paths and patios.. I keep my dogs indoors until it has dried
and it is quite safe.. Pathclear has a new spray gun system which is
much easier to use than the old granules which had to be mixed with
warm water in a watering can.. That was very laborious and I felt it
was not completely dogproof.. Here is a part of the label instructions
from the Scotts Pathclear Gun!":-
"Ready to use spray weedkiller with dual action: Systemic and
Residual. Systemic action will kill existing leaves and roots.
Residual action kills seedling weeds before they emerge and continues
to control new seedling weeds for up to 6 months. Children & pets
need not be excluded from treated areas. Contains glyphosate &
diuron. Keep away from children & pets.
Previous editions of your gardening
queries:
Please
e-mail me with your garden problems, comments,
or ideas for this section of laterlife.
Click here for previous
editions of Gardener`s
Diary..
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