Monday 23 August 2010

Another species and watering pots


P. abrotanifolium pictured at Wisley on Saturday - a shrubby species with slightly scented short feathery leaves which can be seen in the background.  This plant can be found widely in South Africa, often on rocky outcrops.  The flowers are small, and can be pink, white or mauve and in the wild the plant can grow to one metre.   I had this growing in a pot, and it never grew more than about three inches high.


Before it rained yesterday I watered the pots, wall and hanging baskets outside in the garden.  However, whilst watering I found the first signs of the dreaded botrytis on some the lower leaves in the pots.  This is not surprising as we have had several days recently with drizzle and mild temperatures - ideal conditions for this disease.  Botrytis can be recognised as a powdery grey dust on dying leaves.  It spreads very quickly and many of the leaves on my plants had already rotted.  In view of the weather forecast all I could do was remove as many of the affected leaves as possible and I will keep an eye on the pots and baskets over the next few weeks.   Fortunately, I only found this on the plants growing outside.


I have not been into the greenhouses much today - we looked after our four years old grandson this morning.  We took him to the garden centre as I wanted to get a few more clay pots in the sale.  This afternoon B and I went into town.   I have put some Fertiss plugs in their trays to soak so that I can take cuttings tomorrow afternoon.

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