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24th. May In spite of the recent atrocious weather the plants
are continuing to grow, even without any artificial heating. Potting on
and the taking of basal cuttings continues. Ideally I like to have all my
begonias in their final pots eight weeks before our
Show at Portchester.
This means that Saturday 8th. June is the deadline, they will then have
three weeks before the buds are allowed to develop. Of course this is
only a general guideline, the needs of the plants overrule any set
schedule. |
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1. About two thirds of my plants are now in 7" pots, this is
more than I would have liked as most will be potted on again and
therefore be excluded from being used as restricted pots. At least half of
these are from last year's cuttings.
2. When potting on I like to compress the compost
using the old pot as a former. A small amount of compost (Scotts
Levington M3) is placed in the bottom of the larger pot then the smaller
one positioned on top of
it. Compost is then filled in between the sides of the two pots. I
always premix
water into the compost before using it.
3. The smaller one is then pushed down, compacting
the compost.
4. The annual routine of taking cuttings is
continuing. I am still taking basal cuttings. |
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9th. May Potting on and the taking of cuttings continue. Most
of my plants have now been transferred to the larger of my two
greenhouses (this one is a lean to converted from a shed at the bottom
of the garden). Another year has passed without having to use my
excellent Parwin
electric greenhouse heater. Furthermore I have recently been away
on holiday and left the greenhouse vents and door partially open.
Watering was in the capable hands of Dave Coates. |
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1. Plants in my main greenhouse have all been potted on once and
reduced to one main stem.
2. Even this early in the season buds are
developing, these
must
be removed.
3. I have now taken four trays of basal cuttings,
these early cuttings make the best
plants for the following season.
4. The cuttings are placed in heated propagators
under the staging. After four weeks they have rooted
and are replaced with another batch. |
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16th. April My main tubers are definitely a little behind
schedule (target is our Area Show, 5th. & 6th. August), this is only to be expected with the unfavourable weather over
the past few weeks. However over three quarters of them are now potted on as
are all of the cutting tubers, which were started previous to the main
tubers. I have taken a first tray of new season cuttings.
Pictures of
last year's Show |
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1. Potting on of the main tubers is continuing. A good root
system but before coming pot bound is what I aim for. Sometimes I find
that roots seem reluctant to develop and repotting in the new compost
has the desired effect of stimulation. There is always likely to be the
occasional plant that lacks any new season vigour. The variety
shown is Masquerade which I first grew in 1980 and was a banker when I
used to grow very large pots.
2. This multi-stemmed plant will be reduced down
to one main stem, the strongest growing shoot only being left to
develop.
3. Surplus shoots are just eased off, these
basal
cuttings will be my first cuttings of the new season.
4. Most of the semperflorens are now punneted.
just the tiddlers remain, but none will not be wasted. |
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5th. April At last, something resembling spring, and my
begonias are progressing well. During the day the greenhouse vents are
open, and whenever possible also the door partly ajar. I do not
want excessively high temperatures that will stimulate forced growth. |
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1. Several of the larger cutting tubers are potted on.
2. the top growth is developing in the manner that
I like, compact and sturdy, with the bonus of several plants have more
than one stem giving the opportunity for early cuttings.
3. The root system is vigorous, encouraged by the
half pots standing in a warm moist mixture of sand and peaty compost.
This one is now ready for potting on.
4. The semperflorens are also making good
progress, almost ready to be transplanted into punnets. These will be
for our own use, friends and for charity. |
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19th. March The weather continues to be cold with little
sunshine to warm the greenhouse. Here on the south coast we have however escaped
the worst of the conditions that have been affecting much of the
country. |
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1. Of the 12 small cutting tubers 9 have started and are growing
on well. They are at present seeking refuge in a thermostatically
controlled propagator. The top is replaced at night.
2. Most of the larger cutting tubers are now coming to
life. Ones with T labels are pipping. they are covered with fleece at
night.
3. All my tubers are now started, potted
individually in the larger of my two heated sandbeds. The bed is covered with fleece to retain warmth.
4. The semperflorens are all thinned, a total
of 1038 plantlets in 13 trays of 80. This includes about 30 tiddlers,
the wife does not waste any. The compost is Scotts Levington F2S.
Clear plastic tops cover the trays at night. The greenhouse is
unheated. |
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