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Welshonion


Latest posts by Welshonion

Fruit Trees

Posted: 18/10/2012 at 15:15

Also look at RHS publications.  Older ones used to have a section on neglected fruit trees and how to 'renovate' them.

Buying new apple trees

Posted: 18/10/2012 at 15:13

Are there any Apple Days being held near you?  They are often two day events and they are held all over the country.  You do not say where you are. Are you in a good apple-growing area?

Two bits of advice I will give.  Avoid run-of-the-mill varieties you can buy anywhere; you will be missing out on all the other wonderful varieties. And secondly do not attempt to grow Cox's Orange Pippin; it is the most challenging of varieties, requiring much care to grow good fruit.  Also have a look on Orange Pippin.com for inspiration and the RHS site for good advice on rootstocks.

Pruning to improve centre of tree

Posted: 15/10/2012 at 00:21

Yes, I read recently that if you prune the branches the tree will produce non-flowering vertical 'water shoots'.  But that should not prevent your taking out a branch completely, I shouldn't think.

Only you can tell if this is a wise move.  You will have to live with the result!

Rosemary

Posted: 14/10/2012 at 22:32

Lost mine when it was very cold, though maybe it was the wet that did it.  Either way they died.  Take lots of cuttings and overwinter them in the greenhouse.

Everbearing strawberries still fruiting in October

Posted: 13/10/2012 at 01:12

Don't worry, the first frost will put paid to them.  Strawberries don't ripen once they are picked, they just rot.

James Grieve disease ?

Posted: 13/10/2012 at 01:10

Why not take them to an Apple Day?  They are held all over the country, and they make a nice day out.  There will be an expert there who can help you.

Rabbits

Posted: 13/10/2012 at 01:06

Some tree guards come in a spiral.  But, you have the choice - protect them or lose them.  Simple.

Anyone dismantled and moved a greenhouse before??

Posted: 11/10/2012 at 00:37

If the sections can be moved without taking out the glass it will be so much quicker and easier and you are less likely to break the glass.

We have moved our wooden Alton 5 times and I should think the principle is the same.

Door first.  Then roof sections. Then sides.  Then ends. Have lengths of wood available to brace the bits when you remove sections.  Two people make it simple. Do not do it when the wind is blowing.  Do not leave it incomplete overnight. If the nuts and bolts are difficult to undo, apply oil to them and leave overnight for them to loosen.  Make sure you have plenty of new bolts, clips, etc before you start, so you don't have to go and get some more mid-construction

It is far easier to wash the glass at ground level, especially the inside of the roof sections.

When you reconstruct make sure everything is square.  Start by putting the end opposite the door in place and brace it firmly.  Then off you go.

In my experience it is inevitable you will hear the tinkle of broken glass. But with luck it will only be one sheet.

Uncoppicing

Posted: 10/10/2012 at 20:10

Coppicing, you cut to the ground.  I think what you have done is pollarding. It sounds as though this poor shrub has been incorrectly pruned in the past.

It may be best to cut your losses and start from a new plant. Cytisus are not very long-lived shrubs, I think 20 year + is pretty good going.

Best time to transplant trees.

Posted: 10/10/2012 at 19:56

After leaf-fall, and when there is no frost in the soil.

Discussions started by Welshonion

Swifts

Replies: 6    Views: 73
Last Post: 08/05/2013 at 21:03
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