大象传媒

Eric Robson is in the Potting Shed at Sparsholt College for a correspondence edition of the horticultural panel programme.

Chris Beardshaw, Pippa Greenwood, Christine Walkden and Rosie Yeomans answer questions sent in by post, online and via social media.

Produced by Howard Shannon.
A Somethin' Else production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

This week's questions and answers:

Q. Following past suggestions from the panel not to walk on garden beds when the ground is wet so as to avoid compacting the earth, I've put planks down. However, I find these provide cover for moles and slugs. Can the panel suggest a better way of accessing an entire plot?

A. Only put the planks down when you're using them. Lift them up when you're not using them. Or you could put a bark path down. Even stepping-stones could work.

Q. I've been growing a grafted, hybrid Wisteria - Lavender Lace, in a concrete container planted in John Innes number 3 and training it up the south-east facing front of my house for about 18 months. Midway through the summer, the leaves started turning brown and new shoots died. I've increased watering and feeding which helped, but some of the old leaves are looking bad again. The garden is cemented over so planting it in the ground is not an option. What would the panel recommend?

A. Wisteria likes a good root run, so it won't be happy in a container. Try to curtail the growth by pruning it hard. This will keep it to a size proportional to the container. Limit the total upward growth to a single stem and then train horizontally to about two meters of length. Put in a timed irrigation system.

Q. I work in an office six meters square with no windows and air conditioning. What potted plants could I grow to put a bit of colour into my life?

A. Install some lighting that mimics natural light. LED lights are an option. Start with Spider Plants, Kalanchoes, Fatshederas and the Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese plant).

Q. I'd like to grow a show-stopper of a climbing rose up a south-facing wall in a large pot. What would the panel recommend?

A. Go for a handful of roses. Try 'May Gold', 'Madame Alfred Caraway', 'Paul's Scarlet', 'Paul's Himalayan Musk'. The bigger the container the better. Look through catalogues now, as you want to get the roses in while they are dormant.

Q. Vine weevils are plaguing my Heucheras and the roots are disappearing. What's going on?

A. The vine weevils are eating them. Use nematodes to get rid of them. Make a moat around the plants to prevent the weevils getting to them.

Q. I'd like to plant a bed of red flowers to celebrate a ruby wedding anniversary. The bed gets a fair amount of sun and has good soil.

A. Try early-flowering Chrysanthemums - Schizanthus or Hesperantha. Try Roses, 'Ingrid Bergan' and 'Ruby Wedding'. Hebes would be good, try 'Ruby Mound'. Try Gladioli. Get a Clematis, 'Rebecca' is a lovely one.

Q. We have a bamboo planted within a black plastic water tank in the ground. We want thicker stems, how can we get them?

A. Water and feed it more, but the bamboo won't grow much more because of the way you've restricted its growth.

Q. I've planted some Sunflower Seeds and Sweet Peas in my greenhouse, they've started growing already. How can I protect them from the winter cold?

A. Get them outside into a cold frame or a greenhouse, or put them in a bright windowsill. They need to be kept cool but make sure they get plenty of light.

Q. When I had raised beds built eighteen months ago, they were filled with spent mushroom compost. The level has dropped and I want to add something. Should I go for more of the same or good quality topsoil?

A. Go for good-quality topsoil or loam. Mix mineral bulk with organic matter to avoid this kind of reduction.

Q. How can we restrict the growth of our Corylus Avellana (Hazel Nut) tree?

A. Coppice the tree. Raise the crown to prevent the tree from hindering the growth of the surrounding plants.

Q. Can the panel suggest any plants that can be spun into a yarn?

A. Nettles can be used. Sisal and Phormium could also be used to make rope. Cabbage Palms are also a possibility.

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