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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2007 20:32:43 GMT
Hi. My three year old is really interested in growing things he can eat. He would love an orange tree, but as I have no greenhouse or conservatory, I've had to disappoint him Is it possible to grow grapes in the midlands without them being under glass?
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 21, 2007 6:45:36 GMT
I don't see why not - but make sure you get a sweet dessert variety so he's not disappointed. Could you not think about getting one of those little mini plastic greenhouses to use as a winter cover? Then you could get either a citrus, peach or apricot standard tree and protect it with fleece under the plastic. A grape isn't as decorative as them, although I do have one growing in a pot round a wrought iron obelisk (but sadly the grapes are really sour). Fresh apricots are scrummy!
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Post by oldmoleskins on Mar 21, 2007 9:25:56 GMT
If you have a south (ish) facing wall or fence where this could be done, it was trialled by the great Rivers at Sawbridgeworth in the late 1800's as 'grapes for everyone'...
Set a line of slates along the ground with a gap at the middle of the line. Lean a line of slates against the wall or fence to mirror the ground ones - as near vertical as poss, you may have to run a batten along the top edge to hold upright. Plant a vine in the gap and train two laterals to ramble over bricks on the slates in each direction. Lean old glass against the wall to cover the lot and create a 'greenhouse'. Being down on the ground shouldn't trouble a 3 year old...
Most of the materials can be got from skips as long as you don't live near Chuckles, who will have got there first...and of course these are Victorian materials - modern alternatives might do just as well to create the sheltered environment needed. OM.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2007 12:51:56 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions, chaps! ;D I'll have to do some research into varieties...
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Post by andy on Mar 21, 2007 15:56:33 GMT
RM....regarding the orange tree. Not exactly what you want but next time you have an orange (or any citrus fruit), save the pips and just pop them into a pot of compost and put them on a warm windowsil. They should germinate in about 6 weeks and although they will never set fruit, it's a good bit of fun for the kids.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2007 16:01:42 GMT
Thanks, Andy! By the way, does anyone know whether it would be possible to twin a grape vine with something more attractive just to make the garden look a little better? Any suggestions welcome! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2007 16:58:10 GMT
RM I don't know if this may be of any help. I have a Lemon Tree which I keep in an unheated greenhouse over winter and then it has pride of place on the patio through the summer - I'm rewarded with 2 or 3 small lemons each year!! Wondering if you could keep an Orange Tree as you are abit further south than me........ www.citruscentre.co.uk/I have a small grape vine which the OH bought as a bit of fun and it grows failry well up my pergola (it's on a south facing wall), this is the variey I have - but it wasn't from crocus. www.crocus.co.uk/findplant/results/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=2000003023&CategoryID=It's only been in 2 years and last year it had 3 bunches of grapes - not too bad tasting but full of pips, I did leave most of them for the birds to eat!
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 21, 2007 19:02:58 GMT
Most of the materials can be got from skips as long as you don't live near Chuckles, who will have got there first...and of course these are Victorian materials - modern alternatives might do just as well to create the sheltered environment needed. OM. In Chuckles Steptoe and Sons yard there are slates, wood and glass ;D ;D but it's mine mine mine mine mine all mine. Have some of those lovely Victorian crisscross blue bricks and some edgers with rope effect aswell and there all mine too. You name it I've got it stashed away somewhere ;D ;D ;D for a rainy day idea.
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Post by MamIDdau on Mar 23, 2007 16:20:08 GMT
god chuckles you sound like someone I know!! ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 23, 2007 23:47:55 GMT
god chuckles you sound like someone I know!! ;D ;D OH says I'm like a squirel ;D
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