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Post by Moonlight on Jan 15, 2013 21:27:34 GMT
PS: I'm so pleased you have your "Pirate".....are you going to plant up the tuber or set it up for cuttings.
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 15, 2013 22:56:52 GMT
Speaking of questions Sweetpea I've got a few coming up[/color][/quote] I don't mind questions moonlight, just the answers I have touble with 
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 16, 2013 6:14:41 GMT
Speaking of questions Sweetpea I've got a few coming up [/quote] No not you, I think that you are very clever and I trust you.
It's a bit of mental arithmetic problem.
If each packet of Kerton Sweet Peas contain 20 seeds and I have 7 packets, and my daughter has 1 packet of T&M sweetpeas with 45 seeds. How big a cold frame will I need?
I know that I do not need 185 sweetpea plants. I am going to give some to my sister and I don't want to try and grow everything in one go.
I was thinking if I started 1 pot of 6 per variety. Depending on the results (ie if I can get anything to grow in the 1st place) do a 2nd pot each variety and then from what grows, how much I share with my sister, rather than do a 50: 50 share of seeds.
As per usual I don't know what I am doing.
F.Pink wellies, I was thinking she could plant direct into a bigger pot to stay on the patio and to put a wigwam for it to climb up? (but not the whole packet!)
But I need a cold frame and I don't know what to get.
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Post by Cherry on Jan 16, 2013 8:28:33 GMT
Moonlight, I don't think you have said how much space you can give to the sweet peas. The amount of time you have has to be taken into account too. However, you have a lot of energy at your age.  Six of each sounds quite good to me. What a good idea to encourage your daughter with a large pot and a wigwam of supports. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 17, 2013 14:11:54 GMT
Moonlight, I don't think you have said how much space you can give to the sweet peas. The amount of time you have has to be taken into account too. However, you have a lot of energy at your age. Six of each sounds quite good to me. What a good idea to encourage your daughter with a large pot and a wigwam of supports.  |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 17, 2013 14:29:11 GMT
I've been out with my Dad today, more fleece and 3 bags of compost. I think he thinks I am spoiling them but I did say, 'Well I have not got a lot of plants and I don't want the ones that I have got, to die.' The man serving laughed and said 'Quite right". Funny.I've got a lot riding on those pink daffodils.  I wish that they survive the winter but if they grow and they seem to be good enough to enter the show, then I will have a go for the Novice cup (dream goal). Last year there were joint winners who scored 6 out of the 18 classes and the 3 runners up scored 4 points each. Points awarded 1st= 4points, 2nd=2points 3rd= 1 point & HC=1/2 point. They said at the AGM that the number of entries across the 3 shows was lower than the previous year but the chances are if I have go at it there will be at least 30 people trying for it. Including 3 people who now have novice cup show experience. So I don’t begrudge giving them a thicker fleece duvet.
If the daffodils don’t make then I want to have ago at the vase of a single stem of dahlia and I’d also like to have a go at the mixed flower vase novice class with my sweetpeas but I have no idea what to put in the vase with them.
Anyway dream on JJ better get something to grow 1st.
Tiny steps and embarrassing photos to follow later
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 17, 2013 14:51:53 GMT
It's a bit of mental arithmetic problem.
If each packet of Kerton Sweet Peas contain 20 seeds and I have 7 packets, and my daughter has 1 packet of T&M sweetpeas with 45 seeds. How big a cold frame will I need?
Kertons usually have 21/22 seeds. Discard the smallest or any wierd looking ones so assume you can use 18 seeds from each packet you then sow 6 to each 5" pot (21 pots) as they are 5" diameter you would need a space of about 3' x 18" Easier to work out if you call it 6" per pot.
You can work out how many of the T & M seeds you can use. Add to the first size and bob's your uncle.
I know that I do not need 185 sweetpea plants. I am going to give some to my sister and I don't want to try and grow everything in one go.
I was thinking if I started 1 pot of 6 per variety. Depending on the results (ie if I can get anything to grow in the 1st place) do a 2nd pot each variety and then from what grows, how much I share with my sister, rather than do a 50: 50 share of seeds.
As per usual I don't know what I am doing.
F.Pink wellies, I was thinking she could plant direct into a bigger pot to stay on the patio and to put a wigwam for it to climb up? (but not the whole packet!)
But I need a cold frame and I don't know what to get.
Why buy one? I never have. Scrounge some wood, breezeblocks or bricks and build your own. Fashion the two sides so that it slopes to shed rain and cover with glass or plastic held in place with some string attached to small hooks. The lid can be off for most of the time anyway.
You don't need a high sided frame for sweetpeas. 18" sloping to 9-12" is enough.
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 19, 2013 12:35:37 GMT
Been out shopping, girls got theirs and I've got mine to
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 19, 2013 14:15:56 GMT
My husband thinks I am mad because has just read that you don't grow potatoes until March I don't know it just said to collect children's potatoes in January in the Newsletter & Society Handbook.
"Was there any need to go out there when it is freezing cold, you are not supposed to start until it gets to 5 degrees March. Madness.... Crazy.... now we have got to find somewhere to store them."
In my defence I'm not the only person I have seen buying seed potatoes from there.
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 19, 2013 14:46:28 GMT
Children's potato challenge instruction sheet says:
"Best planted before April"
Tiny Steps, must remember tiny steps...
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Post by steve on Jan 19, 2013 15:00:41 GMT
No probs Moonlight, they will be on sale in Wilko's too later this month. You can 'chit them' this means stand them in egg cartons with the eyes to the top and in a few weeks time shoots will start appearing, this gives them a good start for when you plant them and will take the time up from now until march  |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 19, 2013 17:16:57 GMT
I bought Maris Piper x5 & Golden Wonder x5 and 2 Patio Potato Planter bags and Steve I've got my egg boxes. Need to get 2 more for the girls. I am going to hide them in a cupboard in the shed for a while before I start to chit them.
He has decided to read up on things before I go garden shopping (with something in mind), interestingly he and Pirate Yellow Wellies were talking about a garden organiser that they had seen and quite liked (when we were at home and all dance lessons danced). Everything was very rushed Pirate Yellow Wellies said she felt sick and because we needed to rush back to so that Fairy Pink Wellies could have some lunch before flying off for ballet. So I missed the moment with regards to the garden organiser but next time I'll remember to ask if he saw anything interesting.
Whilst on the subject, I need to explain an alternative title. I don't like using OH abbreviation, so I thought 'Mr Boots' might be a suitable alternative as the girls I'm referring to as 'Fairy Pink Wellies' and 'Pirate Yellow Wellies' (& I've got my purple pair) but I've been asked why can't I just be HH like I am elsewhere. So there you are hence forth no more Mr Boots back with HH (aka  Harry Hedgehog).
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Post by Cherry on Jan 19, 2013 18:04:56 GMT
I hate the term "OH". My husband is not my other half, nor is he a better half.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 19, 2013 19:43:05 GMT
Ooops! Sorry - it's just 'shorthand'.  I can only type w ith two fingers. |
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 19, 2013 21:18:42 GMT
No need to apologise Geranium....I often say OH....its quicker than saying Husband or his name....not everyone wants to say their name...dunno why...less personal I suppose. Must say I don't favour the term "partner" when you are married pS: apologies for hijacking your thread Moonlight...  |
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Six of each sounds quite good to me. What a good idea to encourage your daughter with a large pot and a wigwam of supports. 
I wish that they survive the winter but if they grow and they seem to be good enough to enter the show, then I will have a go for the Novice cup (dream goal). Last year there were joint winners who scored 6 out of the 18 classes and the 3 runners up scored 4 points each. Points awarded 1st= 4points, 2nd=2points 3rd= 1 point & HC=1/2 point. They said at the AGM that the number of entries across the 3 shows was lower than the previous year but the chances are if I have go at it there will be at least 30 people trying for it. Including 3 people who now have novice cup show experience. So I don’t begrudge giving them a thicker fleece duvet.
I can only type w ith two fingers. 
