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Post by andy on Jul 8, 2011 19:49:36 GMT
Went to Wisley today and was absolutely blown away by the different colours, sizes and varieties of these wonderful plants.
Anyone keep them ? if so, can you please enlighten me and give me advice on keeping.
ta muchly
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Post by Amber on Jul 8, 2011 20:33:15 GMT
I have one dwarf plant that I have had for about 15 years...they like the sun....and don't cut the dead flower stems back....pull them gently and they will come away.....and they keep on flowering for ages and ages..  |
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Post by Auricula on Jul 9, 2011 8:01:39 GMT
I grow lots of them Andy. In fact, I am building up a collection  I have dwarf ones, but don't like them much as the flower heads are too big for their bodies if you see what I mean ;D I grow the tall ones and the medium ones, in all the colours. Although you can get the dry tubers to grow successfully, the quickest and surest results come from buying living plants. They like sun, but will tolerate some shade.They can be "leaners" and the tall ones may need some support. They don't like being moved after their 3rd year, but can be successfully split. As Amber says, pull the dead flower stalks away and they'll rebloom.It's better to cut the stems from newly planted plants though, or you might dislodge the whole thing ;D They are hardy, but I mulch them with garden compost in the autumn.Slugs like the new growth, but after that they are trouble free, and flower all summer Sorry to have gone on sooo much - but, as you can see ( along with penstemons) they are a great passion of mine, even though I am no expert. Do get some - they're great P.S. I was lucky enough to get a photo of some of mine chosen as POTM and it's on this month's calendar |
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Post by carolann on Jul 9, 2011 9:16:37 GMT
They grow like weeds in my garden and I yank them up for fun but they are nice I just try and keep them in check ;D If you start them off from dry roots they can take a couple of years to flower but are well worth it, I leave mine to their own devices and they come through our winter OK up here one thing though they can be very invasive and tend to throw stems up here there and everywhere when they like where they are. Good luck.
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 9, 2011 9:21:06 GMT
Have you been reading a certain article Auricula   ;D |
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Post by andy on Jul 9, 2011 9:45:06 GMT
Thanks everyone, Auricula...million thanks, that's just what i needed to hear and the boss will now be presented with a list !!!!....i did like the little princess series and the medium sized ones too.
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Post by Auricula on Jul 9, 2011 10:49:20 GMT
I have been Jas Also, Viv sends you info when you buy Only some of the tall orange ones are really invasive Andy, the rest just bulk up nicely ( unless you live with Carolann) ;D
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 9, 2011 11:41:08 GMT
If you had to pick 3 which ones would be your favourite Auricula?
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Post by Auricula on Jul 9, 2011 12:45:20 GMT
Ooh, I'll have to get back to you on that one Good question though  |
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 9, 2011 13:50:52 GMT
I've had a little look at what Viv has to offer and I quite like the look of Bonanza, Evening Song and Celine - there were a few others that caught my eye but they were out of stock!
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Post by Auricula on Jul 9, 2011 14:07:36 GMT
My favourites, of the moment are.....
Bolero ( magenta)
Inca Birdy ( yellow with flushes of red and orange)
Inca Exotica ( orangey)
Evening Song ( burgundy)
we are obviously somewhat like minded...........however..........in time.........I may have them all ;D ;D
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 9, 2011 14:19:55 GMT
I'm sure you will! ;D
I just want to be sure they are really bunny proof before I spend any money.
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Post by andy on Jul 9, 2011 14:57:12 GMT
Who is this "Viv" one talks about ? ;D
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 9, 2011 15:07:50 GMT
Viv Marsh - don't look Andy! ;D
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Post by Auricula on Jul 9, 2011 18:58:12 GMT
Viv Marsh. He has a nursery called Viv Marsh Postal Plants. He specialises in alstroemerias and holds the National Collection................he is online. I am quite friendly with his assistant ( possibly partner) Lamorna, because she comes from near me in Cornwall  |
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Post by Tig on Jul 10, 2011 0:14:32 GMT
They would make a lovely colourful display Andy, and once they are established they are no trouble at all (apart from the one that Geranium wants .... the invasive orange one, which was my first purchase and ended up taking over a 6' x 6' border and sent it's seed pods bursting over another 6' invading one of my veggie plots!!! :  I've bought some bare root plants this year, Planet types. And I potted them up as soon as they arrived in spring, planted them out when the weather was bit warmer and so far three of them have flowered and two more are in bud ... this is what I've got    I also bought Princess Fabiana, love the variegated leaves, but as Auricula said the flowers are big for the height of the plant, nonetheless she's lovely  You may find that ladies want to pick the flowers .... ;D x Tig |
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Post by Auricula on Jul 10, 2011 8:43:03 GMT
Love the red one Tig. Did you get any joy with the red seeds I sent you? I didn't  |
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Post by Tig on Jul 10, 2011 10:07:37 GMT
I didn't get one to germinate Auricula, but a mystery one germinated in one of the penstemon pots! Then promptly died  x Tig |
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Post by Barbara on Jul 11, 2011 6:47:39 GMT
I bought a little one yesterday it's called Andes, I'll take a pic. later.
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Post by Auricula on Jul 11, 2011 8:32:31 GMT
Ooh, what colour Barbara, is it mainly red?
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Post by Barbara on Jul 11, 2011 10:57:19 GMT
 No, it's mainly white. |
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Post by Tig on Jul 11, 2011 23:19:50 GMT
I adore the white ones, well done Barbara, that's a stunner!!!
x Tig
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Post by Amber on Jul 12, 2011 6:35:53 GMT
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 12, 2011 6:38:58 GMT
That's gorgeous Barbara!
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Post by carolann on Jul 12, 2011 7:59:53 GMT
Oh Barbara thats a little beauty well done there, is it a small growing one or a taller one? I just love White flowers.
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Post by Barbara on Jul 12, 2011 19:39:33 GMT
It's a small one Carolann. |
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 23, 2011 19:40:41 GMT
I had an email from Viv earlier saying one of my alstroemeria choices was out of stock and did I want a replacement. They suggested one and I checked with our resident Alstroemeria Guru whether it was a good swop ;D Isn't it handy being able to do that!! ;D
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Post by Auricula on Jul 24, 2011 9:38:20 GMT
 hope you don't mean me - I know nuffink Tessa is fine though, she performs well for me in my border and will soon be joining my "collection" ;D
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 24, 2011 11:08:33 GMT
Yes I do mean you! ;D
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Post by Auricula on Jul 24, 2011 11:24:01 GMT
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;D
