Stellar Pelargonium "Kelly Brougham" and a visit to RHS Gardens, Wisley

A miniature gold leaf stellar raised by Brian West and introduced through Sulman’s Nursery.  The double flowers are a very pale pink, almost white in colour.  This is a cross between Mini Diane and Arctic Glitter.

The following are some photo’s taken at our visit to RHS Gardens, Wisley last weekend.

This is Melasequoia glyptostroboide - a cyprus from Central China -

- which has wonderful and fascinating bark

A view across the pond

Nerine's in the Glasshouse - most were nearly over, but I found these looking good.

Just two pelargoniums in the Glasshouse - P. ionidiflorum

P. transvaalense

Cactus and succulent displays

 Beautiful ferns unfolding

 Orchids

 Some views across the gardens

The Alpine House

Wordless Wednesday - 28/10/15 - Regal Pelargonium "Elaine Ward"

"Elaine Ward" - Regal pelargonium

Dwarf zonal pelargonium "Milden" - cuttings and bubblewrapping

This striking dwarf zonal was hybridised by Ray Bidwell and introduced in 1981.  The flowers are single, white with red splashes and stripes and look stunning set against gold and zoned foliage.

I have had this bottle of rooting gel for a couple of years now but never used it.   I usually use either the Fertiss plugs – now almost used up and not able to purchase more – coir plugs, or seed and cutting compost.    Just before my sister arrived from Australia in mid September I needed to take some cuttings but worried about striking them in the usual way.  We were also going to be away for several days and my husband would not have a clue as to how to deal with them.    So ….I opened the bottle of rooting gel.   I had some empty bio drink bottles and poured in a small measure of the gel into two. I prepared four zonal pelargoniums in the usual way, just a little longer,  and just inserted them into the gel, two in each bottle.  I left the two bottles in a shaded corner of the conservatory.    Earlier this week I gently pulled the cuttings from the gel and was delighted to find they had roots.  The instructions say they can be left in the gel until ready to pot them, but as soon as the roots are a bit longer I will pot them up in the usual way.    I removed the stipules from the end of the cuttings, but left the ones at the top as I usually do if they are still green.  I noticed they had turned brown which they don’t when rooted as normal.   So, when I took a few more cuttings this week I removed all the stipules.   I will use this gel again - it is useful in situations when going to be absent from home and needing to take just a few cuttings, but it would be expensive if used solely as a means of rooting pelargoniums, or any other plant for that matter.   The bottle of rooting gel was purchased at RHS Wisley Gardens Plant Centre, so when I am next there will see if I can get another bottle.  

Roots after four weeks

Roots a week later - these cuttings are now potted up.

I've also bubble-wrapped the greenhouses in readiness for the cold winter weather.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - 21/10/15 - JIPS PEDLARS LACE

Zonal Pelargonium "Ursula Key" and a holiday

Ursula Key – named for one of the owners of Fibrex Nurseries and introduced by Sam Peat before 1969.  This dwarf zonal pelargonium has coral-salmon double flowers with an attractive white reverse to the petals.  The leaves are gold coloured with a chestnut zone which is darker towards the centre of the leaf.

My sister from Australia  has been visiting for three weeks and during her stay we went to Fibrex Nurseries. Most of the plants had been cut back for the winter, so the National Collection house looked rather sad.  However, many of the species were still in flower. There were still plants for sale in the sales house.  It was interesting to see the nursery being 'put to bed'.   My sister was able to take many photographs for the Facebook Page of the South Australian Geranium and Pelargonium Society and their own website.

Plants for sale still

Getting ready for next year

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - 14/10/15 - RUSHMOOR BONDI BLUE

Wordless Wednesday - 07/10/15 - Santa Maria Centenniel