大象传媒

Peter Gibbs chairs the horticultural panel programme from Whitstable. Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and Matthew Wilson answer the audience's questions.

Produced by Darby Dorras
Assistant Producer: Hannah Newton

A Somethin' Else production for 大象传媒 Radio 4

This week's questions and answers:

Q. When is the best time to plant Daffodils?
A. Around now (from September onwards) to encourage a better root system.

Q. Can the panel recommend a variety of Pear tree that is resistant to pear rust?
A. Don't plant Conference Pears, plant Beth or Doyenne du Comice and a Beurre Hardy. Pear trees should not be grown through grass.

Q. How can I create a microclimate to protect my plants from the sea, the salt and the north-easterly winds?
A. You could plant a shelterbelt but it would be a shame to block the sea view. You could plant things that would do well by the sea instead such as the Sea Kale, Crambe Maritima, species of Orchid, Yellow Horn Poppy certain species of grass such as Pampas grass. You could try a sunken garden to protect your plants or a polytunnel.

Q. Why isn't my potted Hibiscus flowering?
A. Perhaps you didn't tease the roots out enough? Try adding some high potash and be patient.

Q. What plants would the panel recommend for making the most of the garden in the evening?
A. Hesperis Matronalis (Sweet Rocket), Night Scented Stocks and Zaluzianskya.

Q. Do the panel have any tips for growing Gladiolus Muriellae (Abyssinian Gladiolis) in the ground?
A. Don't bother trying them in the soil, they grow better and look better in pots.

Q. What is wrong with my Quince Tree? It has curly leaves, lots of flowers but no fruits.
A. There is a touch of mildew and damage from sea breeze. Quinces really like a lot of water. Ideally plant them by a pond in a warm spot. Give them a good thick mulch and keep them watered regularly. Fruit trees tend not to grow so well by the sea so if want to grow edibles try Sea Kale and Asparagus. Alternatively you could try hardy fruit trees such as Sea Buckthorn or a Eriobotrya Japonica (Loquat).

Q. My potted Olive tree is not doing so well, should I plant it in the ground?
A. Keep it in the pot. That way you could bring the plant undercover if it gets very cold. Prune it back a bit. Keep it in a greenhouse over winter (or wrap it in fleece) and repot it in the spring with fresh compost. Give it a bit of a root prune too. Put it in full sun and make sure it is well watered but well drained.

Q. What can the panel recommend planting on the back of clay dragon in a community garden that would be environmentally friendly and resilient?
A. You could turf it over or put Bergenias in or Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker). You could always put logs in the back for the children to run up and down.

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