cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68 
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Post by cici on Feb 1, 2015 22:18:06 GMT
Yes, my avatar is how I regularly thanked my mail lady that was so thoughtful in bringing tons of trade tuber packages to my porch last spring instead of letting them freeze in my mailbox. I've been growing a bit over 200 varieties each year, with 350+ plants, way too tight together that form delightful hedges that allow me to try lots of different ones each season. I keep on intending to make a designated show bed, but somehow I run out of space and still jam them together.  My first show I entered resulted in me sweeping the novice table with my entries, and my Nick Sr. making the head table, taking me out of any future novice category in US shows. Really too bad, as my entries still come nowhere close to challenging the big boys at the shows. Last year's shows highlighted how obviously lacking my cultivation skills and growing style is for show. |
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cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by cici on Feb 1, 2015 22:35:02 GMT
I purchased Sir Alf this year, and am a bit nervous about it as so many growers have told me how finicky it is to grow and keep... But how can you not eventually try such a gorgeous cultivar and show-stopper such as this? Any tricks, other then making lots of cuttings before the season starts? Any sure-fire number of laterals to allow, etc?
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Post by Raymond on Feb 1, 2015 23:24:57 GMT
Fab display of colour cici . I tried sir Alf but mine got ravaged by spider mites so it got Incinerated. I am sure one of the growers on here will tell you how to grow him . Tel and scrumpy have grown some great sir Alf. I personally don't like it that much It is a big plant and a huge flower . More small and mediums for me prefer cactus and semi cactus. |
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cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68
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Post by cici on Feb 2, 2015 2:14:08 GMT
One of my favorite semi cactus is AC Ben, which gets to a respectable size...  Is there a place for incurved cactus in the shows or in your garden? Seems like I've only seen the very precise forms in UK show picts. Two of my favs for growing, and do well in the shows (but not for me, yet!)   |
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Post by scrumpy on Feb 2, 2015 8:51:46 GMT
I purchased Sir Alf this year, and am a bit nervous about it as so many growers have told me how finicky it is to grow and keep... But how can you not eventually try such a gorgeous cultivar and show-stopper such as this? Any tricks, other then making lots of cuttings before the season starts? Any sure-fire number of laterals to allow, etc? Sir Alf grows tall and very thick stems. No more difficult than any other giant. Just keep it well watered. As to laterals, I grow 3 up, and if it is going to flower too early you can grow it off a wing bud as shown below. Bloom won't be as big, but it looks a lot better and longer thinner stems.   |
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Post by Raymond on Feb 2, 2015 9:09:07 GMT
One of my favorite semi cactus is AC Ben, which gets to a respectable size... Is there a place for incurved cactus in the shows or in your garden? Seems like I've only seen the very precise forms in UK show picts. Two of my favs for growing, and do well in the shows (but not for me, yet!) You see much more straight cactus in the UK show benches. ian would be the best person to ask on this as he is a top judge in the uk as well as twice national champion. In our directory you can have incurved but is not seen that often I think. Would look great in the garden very exotic looking I have run out of space now to increase my show numbers . They would look great alongside lacinated/ which we call fimbriated over here. I am doing 2 single fim one's show n tell and nenekazi . @markymate has grown some very nice fimbriated last year In his display Nenekazi being one of them. If I had more room would have done Hapet perfect , Jean Ellen and white lace. |
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Post by MarkE on Feb 2, 2015 12:58:28 GMT
Anyone suggest a Medium Dec to try have always had charlie two but wouldn't mind some ideas for something else!?
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Post by Tel on Feb 2, 2015 15:15:01 GMT
Dikara Moon has done well last year. MarkE |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 15:18:28 GMT
Anyone suggest a Medium Dec to try have always had charlie two but wouldn't mind some ideas for something else!? Mark, I saw Westerton Harry at the trials, and thought it a great looking flower, good form, and did well on the bench last year. Halls have sole release, they also have a good selection of other mediums. I tried to get Askwith Roger from them, but they took it off sale as Berwick Wood was very similar to it. David said they will look at Roger again this year, to see which one is better. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 16:18:36 GMT
Just thought I'd let you know Moonlight, that we do have a toilet at the allotment, and I must say, it's kept very clean. So you are welcome any time you're in the area  .
And for all you lot who told me to hand dig and weed.... Thanks a bunch... BL***Y KNACKERED!!!! |
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Post by Lou78W on Feb 2, 2015 16:48:35 GMT
Just thought I'd let you know Moonlight, that we do have a toilet at the allotment, and I must say, it's kept very clean. So you are welcome any time you're in the area .
And for all you lot who told me to hand dig and weed.... Thanks a bunch... BL***Y KNACKERED!!!! Lucky you having a loo !! That hand weeding will be the making of you btw....you don't need to use your hands to dig....a spade/fork is much better...  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 17:47:13 GMT
Just thought I'd let you know Moonlight, that we do have a toilet at the allotment, and I must say, it's kept very clean. So you are welcome any time you're in the area .
And for all you lot who told me to hand dig and weed.... Thanks a bunch... BL***Y KNACKERED!!!! Lucky you having a loo !! That hand weeding will be the making of you btw....you don't need to use your hands to dig....a spade/fork is much better... Very drool Lou, very drool  |
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Post by Lou78W on Feb 2, 2015 18:59:22 GMT
Lucky you having a loo !! That hand weeding will be the making of you btw....you don't need to use your hands to dig....a spade/fork is much better... Very drool Lou, very drool  ..  |
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Post by Moonlight on Feb 2, 2015 19:12:38 GMT
Lucky you having a loo !! That hand weeding will be the making of you btw....you don't need to use your hands to dig....a spade/fork is much better...  p.s. The fork needs to be big enough to stamp on rather than rest on your plate... |
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Post by Tel on Feb 2, 2015 19:32:09 GMT
Just thought I'd let you know Moonlight, that we do have a toilet at the allotment, and I must say, it's kept very clean. So you are welcome any time you're in the area .
And for all you lot who told me to hand dig and weed.... Thanks a bunch... BL***Y KNACKERED!!!! Is that tired or worn out. |
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