Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier!

Raymond
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 2, 2015 13:14:30 GMT

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Post by Raymond on Mar 2, 2015 13:14:30 GMT

Thanks Moonlight Debby I liked it lets see. Did your dad find it a big small ? I wonder if it would make a medium ? I only plan to grow 3 or 4 . if nice then more next year .

I am going to get stakes for Sundance. This might be quite comical ! This giant yellow blooming triffid in the garden . Hehehe

I was looking on les and viv I liked the look of some the narrows they had. I also liked skipley bonanza An incurve cactus. Going to order narrows Sonia from ryecroft. Next year I would like to try snoho Doris and sir Richard Amongst many.

Thanks for info on medium for tubers using peat based multipurpose does have sand but not much. Working so far.

Moonlight Top Member Posts: 4,922	Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 5, 2015 23:42:09 GMT grindle and SueA like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Moonlight on Mar 5, 2015 23:42:09 GMT Pirate's been busy I was told to put this on Garden Friends

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 6, 2015 0:33:35 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 6, 2015 0:33:35 GMT

Went round my Mum and Dad's this morning. Mum is still on bed rest which really goes to show how bad her leg has been. She is bored and down. Still I made her laugh and I took her some more books to read. She got her laptop which is the same as mine, HH and I wanted to get her the same as me, so that it would be easier to help sort it out, if there were problems.

Dad has taken some cuttings and done more digging. These photos might be boring but they mean something to me and that's the point, I guess.

Dad named our garden path the M1 when he 1st made it.

This row of canes along the was were he grew his 2nd and 3rd year seedlings. The majority of the 2014 were grown at the bottom of the garden with the anemone furthest back.

The wooden stakes are from his covers. That part of the garden hasn't been dug for over 30 years, when he stopped growing dahlias.

Off to get another couple of sacks of manure.

Moonlight Top Member Posts: 4,922	Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 6, 2015 0:44:32 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Moonlight on Mar 6, 2015 0:44:32 GMT Mar 6, 2015 0:33:35 GMT Moonlight said: Same spot with full tree perspective.

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 6, 2015 0:51:03 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 6, 2015 0:51:03 GMT

(Linking to posts in Dahlia forum re. seedlings.)

Mar 5, 2015 13:31:00 GMT Tel said:

Mar 5, 2015 11:07:47 GMT Moonlight said:

Dad has been planting his 2-3 inches apart because it was the only way that he could fit them all in. Hence all the digging to extend his seedling space. 6 inches would be much better and he would be a lot happier with 6 inches because the closer they are the less likely they are to flower. 1 foot would be a luxury to him and would be a better choice.
However although packs them very closely he is very ruthless anything that doesn't look up to scratch doesn't get to make a 2nd flower. Where as I know that you have had some where the 2nd bloom is significantly better than the 1st. Dad doesn't give them that chance - so they do end up with more room because he is so picky and ruthless. Big softy that I am kept all of mine last year even the hideous ones. I may end up paying the price for that this year, if the bees crossed my rejects with the decent blooms. Another learning curve I feel. Some of Dad's had limited light as they were in the shade from the trees so didn't flower - which why the trees are going this year. These include some my Staleen Condessa seedlings however with his and mine, those tubers have been kept for a try this year.
So in summary he packs them as close as he can but if he had more space they would be larger and grown straight up. So they grow tall and thin, 2nd year Seedlings have more space but I didn't ask that.

I'll put some more photos in my Diary which will hopefully make sense or else a lot more likely to make sense than what I've just typed.

Mega Fingers crossed

for everyone that has collected seeds last year, especially anyone who is doing it for the 1st time. This is only my 2nd year and I loved it but as my Dad would often tell me, no matter how many seeds you collected, you can't expect many to germinate. Of those that germinate only a few may develop into plants. If you expect nothing from your seedlings then you won't be (as) disappointed if you don't getting anything half decent.

Good Luck to All,

Moonlight

Thanks for that info moonlight, Like your dad short of room, now its a case of less seedlings spaced 1ft apart. or more seedlings spaced 9in apart, then fingers crossed they flower.

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 6, 2015 1:04:23 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 6, 2015 1:04:23 GMT

Mar 5, 2015 11:07:47 GMT Moonlight said:

So in summary he packs them as close as he can but if he had more space they would be larger and grown straight up. So they grow tall and thin, 2nd year Seedlings have more space but I didn't ask that.

I'll put some more photos in my Diary which will hopefully make sense or else a lot more likely to make sense than what I've just typed.

As promised or er as thread

Dad said that as they are close together it makes them harder to pull out without disturbing the other dahlias - not that it stops him.

roofgardener Top Member PLanting Chillis Posts: 2,378	Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 6, 2015 22:54:54 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by roofgardener on Mar 6, 2015 22:54:54 GMT Mar 5, 2015 23:42:09 GMT Moonlight said: Pirate's been busy I was told to put this on Garden Friends LOVE IT ! Please inform Pirate that he is a genius !

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 6, 2015 23:44:57 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 6, 2015 23:44:57 GMT

Mar 6, 2015 22:54:54 GMT roofgardener said:

Mar 5, 2015 23:42:09 GMT Moonlight said:

Pirate's been busy

I was told to put this on Garden Friends

LOVE IT !
Please inform Pirate that he is a genius !

He is a She. She is Pirate Yellow Wellies but we call her Pirate for short. Fairy is Fairy Pink Wellies but we call her Fairy for short. Far less boring than Daughter no.1 and Daughter no.2.

but not as exciting as a being an International Secret Agent

...Your secret is safe with us, well unless you mention anything in your Blog...

roofgardener Top Member PLanting Chillis Posts: 2,378	Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 7, 2015 8:56:11 GMT grindle and Moonlight like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by roofgardener on Mar 7, 2015 8:56:11 GMT Please inform Pirate that SHE is a genius. I may use her photo as the basis for my disguise on my next mission !

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 8, 2015 0:54:57 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 8, 2015 0:54:57 GMT

Mar 7, 2015 8:56:11 GMT roofgardener said:

Please inform Pirate that SHE is a genius. I may use her photo as the basis for my disguise on my next mission !

I have absolutely no idea why but I have just tried to turn the photo of a caterpillar into Andy Warhol pop art.

Reality stepped in and I guess I ought add a bit of an update.
Dad's order from C.V. has been on it's way since Wednesday.
His order from Clacks will be on it's way next Monday

I add my own update at some point tomorrow.
Night All

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 8, 2015 23:12:56 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 8, 2015 23:12:56 GMT

Wow! In a Greenhouse
The girls want to make one of these?

?

Oh my gosh where on earth do you start? How on earth can it be kept manageable?

There was me thinking that my drip feed water hose was going to make growing the dahlias a little less complicated, save time and money.

Oh my gosh, mental note to self never show the girls anything beautiful and colourful.

Pirate wanted to know if Esther was famous...

Lou78W
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 9, 2015 8:03:10 GMT

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Post by Lou78W on Mar 9, 2015 8:03:10 GMT

Mar 8, 2015 23:12:56 GMT Moonlight said:

Wow! In a Greenhouse
The girls want to make one of these?

?

Oh my gosh where on earth do you start? How on earth can it be kept manageable?

There was me thinking that my drip feed water hose was going to make growing the dahlias a little less complicated, save time and money.

Oh my gosh, mental note to self never show the girls anything beautiful and colourful.

Pirate wanted to know if Esther was famous...

You can tell Pirate YES.! Esther has been on a gardening television programme; her garden has won first prize in Woking in Bloom (for several years now) and she writes articles in a Gardening Magazine......I would call that "famous".

Born and bred in Northumberland!!

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 9, 2015 10:30:34 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 9, 2015 10:30:34 GMT

Mar 9, 2015 8:03:10 GMT Lou78W said:

Mar 8, 2015 23:12:56 GMT Moonlight said:

Wow! In a Greenhouse
The girls want to make one of these?

?

Oh my gosh where on earth do you start? How on earth can it be kept manageable?

There was me thinking that my drip feed water hose was going to make growing the dahlias a little less complicated, save time and money.

Oh my gosh, mental note to self never show the girls anything beautiful and colourful.

Pirate wanted to know if Esther was famous...

You can tell Pirate YES.! Esther has been on a gardening television programme; her garden has won first prize in Woking in Bloom (for several years now) and she writes articles in a Gardening Magazine......I would call that "famous".

Mar 9, 2015 8:19:17 GMT esther said:

Hello Moonlight

. I am not famous - I do love my greenhouses though!
I don't find watering a chore and enjoy it so I don't have any watering systems in place - sorry to be boring

esther you are too modest, you have been well and truly rumbled by Lou78W.
Credit where credit is due, if you inspire my girls to do a bit more in the greenhouse or garden itself I think you are great.

You wait till I tell Pirate. She and Fairy will both agree with Lou78W and I - yes your fame has spread beyond Garden Friends. Nothing wrong with a bit of fame and modesty - fame and conceit now that's another thing.

Thank You - I think it is time I got my finger and tackled the den of weeds and old tomato plants. Even with all the spiders.

p.s. Thank You Lou!

Moonlight
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Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 9, 2015 11:41:07 GMT

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Post by Moonlight on Mar 9, 2015 11:41:07 GMT

Took the girls to the park yesterday.

I say I took, what I mean is they went on their bikes and I followed walking.

Went past the duck pond - not sure if it is quite big enough to be a lake.

We looked at the residents...

...they stared back with a look of 'Humpf you didn't bring any food'.

Girls found (another) Pooh bridge and you have to...

...play pooh sticks

Girls had a great time and I enjoyed seeing the back of their coats! I saw some daffs and nests etc. but still mainly winter shades of browny grey (rather glorious autumn leaves) spring hasn't yet got going here. It was just the 3 of us poor Daddy was poorly.

In fact every one in my family including my Mum, Dad and Sister - has been ill in the last couple of days.
Dad hasn't done any gardening at all for 4 whole days. He must have been ill.

Tel Top Member Posts: 7,992	Purple wellies, tiny steps - Getting muddier! Mar 9, 2015 12:06:22 GMT grindle and Moonlight like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tel on Mar 9, 2015 12:06:22 GMT That top picture, I can just imagine mum having to run to keep up with the Pirates.
	Terry, in Bradford Yorkshire