大象传媒

Q 鈥� What recommendations do the panel have for growing a Curry plant in the UK?

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Bob 鈥� This variety is Murraya koenigii, it is a small tree that needs a lot of warmth. It likes acid water, a very open compost and it does not grow very quickly. I only get a few leaves a year from mine. If it is from a cutting it might take longer than from a seedling, make sure you do not waterlog it and make sure the compost is Lime-free.

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Matthew 鈥� You could grow Helichrysum italicum 鈥� the other curry plant, not culinary but ornamental and smells like curry.

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Q 鈥� How do I maintain Bulrushes in my 6ft x 6ft (1.8m x 1.8m) pond?

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Bunny 鈥� In a small pond you do not want large Bulrushes because it is too shallow. You can pull them up and then leave them on the side of the pond so that all of the bugs and aquatic animals can go back into the water. Establish something that provides more oxygen to the water.

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Bob 鈥� I would remove them and plant them in a plastic 鈥� lined hole next to the pond so that they are nearby but not invading the water.

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Q 鈥� I have scars on my arms from gardening, someone identified them as being a reaction to Giant Hogweed 鈥� is this the most dangerous plant in Britain?

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Bob 鈥� Hogweeds, both giant and normal, can cause a bad reaction. Another plant that can cause reaction is Fraxinella/Dittany 鈥� smells beautiful. Aloe Vera can calm the skin very well.

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Matthew 鈥� Hogweed can cause a reaction from skin contact with sap and then sun exposure to that part of the body 鈥� Phytodermatitis. Also the Euphorbia species of plant is notorious for the same sap.

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Bunny 鈥� I get very bad burns and your tolerance decreases as you get older. I am particularly susceptible to burns from Euphorbia and Taxus baccata. It can take a week for the burns to develop, I put antihistamine cream on them and also take the tablets.

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Q 鈥� Once the chili plant has grown and the fruit has been picked, why are we told to discard the seeds?

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Bob 鈥� The seeds are very hot and so is the pith 鈥� it鈥檚 a matter of taste.

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Bunny 鈥� Certain chillies like the Mulato isleno (鈥楶oblano鈥�) are not as spicy so you can add the whole pepper. Taste as you are cooking.

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Q 鈥� My local council have been planting saplings in the park but they are not maintained and seem to die within a year 鈥� how can we encourage those young trees to survive?

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Bunny 鈥� Strimming the bark can be very harmful. If they are planted too late then they find it much harder to establish. If it is planted at 90cm 鈥� 120cm (3ft 鈥� 4ft), it is much more likely to survive. Ask the council to plant younger trees and possibly try new species. You could help by watering and weeding around it.

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Matthew - 听You could set up a friend scheme for your local park. This will help to get the council onside and also get the community involved.

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Q 鈥� I have really struggled to grow cucumbers under glass, could you give me some tips please?

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Bunny 鈥� Slugs can be a problem. It sound likes mildew; I have been spraying the leaves once a week with a 1-part water to 1-part milk solution 鈥� that should stop the mildew. It forms a fatty layer over the top, which the fungus cannot get through. They like to be watered twice a day and cannot cope with too much sun. You should create a shady place for your cucumbers. Capillary matting will also help to create a moist and humid environment.

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Q 鈥� What has been the panel鈥檚 most valuable horticultural lesson?

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Bob 鈥� Think through everything you鈥檙e about to do three times and then measure everything twice.

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Bunny 鈥� Not to believe anything horticultural you read until you鈥檝e tried it out yourself. Keep your mind open, always learn new things.

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Matthew 鈥� 鈥�Our gardens are connected to everything else鈥�.听