Florist News

I gave you quite alot to do last time so i'll go easy this week. Having said that it still needs doing, so if it rained you need to get on!
Things you should be looking into for this week.

Cut down willows and dogwoods to their base to promote strong new canes.
Finish taking hardwood cuttings from shrubs, trees and roses.
Plant bare-root roses, hedging, trees and shrubs.
Pick off hellebore leaves with black blotches as this is a symptom of leaf spot disease.
Prune wall climbers away from window frames and gutters.
Lift and divide congested snowdrops when in leaf.
Prepare plant supports ready to pop into position to support tall or floppy perennials, such as delphiniums.
Prune roses and buddleia during mild weather but complete by the end of February.
Get out there and enjoy!
Bryan.

Thanks Brian. I have two old medium size apple trees. They need spraying as they have caught disease from next doors apple tree. (the leaves shrivel at the ends) when would be the best time to spray them please?
Your advice is really helpful thank you.

Hi Scarlet,
without seeing it, it is hard to diagonse, apple trees are prone to several diseases and pests. what is the condition of the fruit? most likely it's the Winter Moth.

The winter moth (Operophtera brumata) will leave it's calling card on your apple tree in the form of numerous holes in the leaves - it weakens the tree and leaves it open to other diseases.

The caterpillar stage of the winter moth feeds on the leaves, blossoms and young fruitlets during the spring. The caterpillar weaves a silken thread loosely through the leaves and the small holes made at this stage often go unnoticed. As the leaves develop, the holes enlarge and become noticeable, but the caterpillar has done it's dastardly work by that stage and has gone back down the tree into the soil to pupate into the fully grown winter moth - they will emerge from the soil anytime between November and March.
The life cycle is continued because of a very unusual characteristic of the winter moth - only the male moth's can fly; the female's wings are totally useless for flying. The females climb all the way up the tree trunk into the main tree to lay their eggs again.

Preventative treatment is the only reliable way of controlling this pest. Tie a sticky grease band (available at most garden centres) around the trunk during the period when the females might be making their way back up the trunk - October to April should do the job. One tip - if the tree has a supporting stake, tie a band around that as well! Keep the band clean of leaves and other debris. Remove and burn it in April.

Sorry it's long winded, hope it helps
Bryan.

Oh yes,
If you know what the problem is and have to spray, the best time is when the apple blossom has fallen from the tree.
I'm not a fan of spraying, (especially fruit trees) a beter line of attack is encouraging other insects that feed on aphids.
Bryan.

bryan I have a load of little potted bulbs we didnt sell from the shop last year that I took home after they had finished flowering and I naughtily didnt plant them...they are still there. Will it be worth planting them now or should I just bin em

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Sarah Creating Bespoke Wedding Flowers Cheshire

They should be planted by now sos, but put them out anyway, in a good quality compost. It's always worth a go.
Bryan.

Thank you very much for the advice Bryan. It is very helpful

Yes, they should still come up. i used to do this every year really late as we sold loads of bulbs so kept hanging on til the last minute. It's surprising how quick they catch up.

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If you're not living on the edge...you're taking up too much room!

2 yrs ago my bf had the genius idea of building a composter in the back of the garden...a WEEEEEEE bit too small to handle all over 'stuff'! Anyway, after it filled up with rubbish from the shop-amongst it bulbs that were left over-he covered it and let it settle. Last spring I had MASSES of spring growing out all sides and even from the bottom coming up!!! It looked really cool!!
This year I'm going to continue this trend and throw the cut-offs and not-solds in the far corners of the garden...let 'em come up or die!!!!!!

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~success is a lousy teacher...it seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose~

It's time to make the most of the fine weather,
here is what you should be doing this week.

Prune back shoots on mophead and lacecap hydrangeas to a pair of buds.
Trim all foliage from barrenwort (Epimedium) before flowers start to develop.
Plant lilies in pots.
Prune mahonia, removing old stems to make room for new growth.
Lift and divide congested clumps of snowdrops when in leaf, also known as 'in the green'.
Fix nesting boxes for birds to suitable trees around your garden.
Get petrol mowers and power tools serviced.
Keep indoor azaleas well-watered with rainwater.
Hang a fat ball among roses to encourage bluetits to feed off overwintering pests.
Clear away old plant debris from around the margins of ponds, and scoop out leaves that have fallen into the water.

And for those of you with greenhouses,

Hand pollinate the flowers of peaches and nectarine, with a soft brush.
Cut off hippeastrum flower heads, leaving the stalk.
Sow summer-bedding plants in trays in a heated propagator or in the greenhouse.
Plant dahlia tubers in trays to encourage shoots to develop, which you can use as cuttings.
Pot on houseplants and ferns into slightly larger pots.
Most of all, enjoy it!
Bryan.