Wednesday 28 August 2013

Deacon Birthday - dwarf zonal pelargonium



Just one of  twenty-six in the Deacon series by The Rev'd. Stanley Stringer of Suffolk in the 1970's.  They were produced from crosses between ivy-leaf pelargoniums and miniature pelargoniums and introduced through the old Wyck Hill Geranium Nursery.   Many of these dwarf plants are compact and self branching, making them ideal exhibition plants.  Indeed, several of them are still shown on the benches today.

Deacon Birthday was introduced in 1978.  It has double orangey pink flowers merging to white and is most attractive.


Monday 19 August 2013

Pelargonium Elmsett - Dwarf gold leaf variety

Dwarf Pelargonium "Elmsett"
With double pale pink flowers spotted and splashed with a light red against gold zoned leaves, Pelargonium "Elmsett" is a dwarf type pelargonium.   Introduced some 30 years ago in 1983, Pelargonium "Elmsett" was hybridised by the late Ray Bidwell, and, as with most of his plants, was named after a village in his home county of Suffolk.  Pelargonium "Elmsett" can still be obtained from Fibrex Nursery and Fir Trees Nursery whose contact details are on listed on the Nurseries tab above.

With autumn fast approaching, and mindful that I am going to be away in France in early September, I am making a start on taking cuttings.  In the past I have used either ready purchased cuttings compost, or lately Fertiss Plugs, but I have been introduced to Coir plugs.   I have found these to be quite successful and hope to continue using them.  They come as compressed plugs and have to be 'awakened' in water.   Quite good value at £9.99 for 100 post free.