Latest Bulb Log 2016

[Ian Y]

Your pieris has lovely bark too, another reason to clear the stem!

Yes Anne, we have had sight of some of the lower stem for a number of years the combination of its colour and twisted form make it an attractive feature by itself.

And a characterful, twisted trunk and branches. Ian will work some bonsai magic on it no doubt!

Interested to see a single Cyclamen leaf among the frozen leaves that is untouched by frost. Looks like it might be a seedling, which highlights the variability of individuals and importance of raising from seed.

Yes some stylised pruning and shaping is the plan.
I noted that leaf as I took the photograph and just like you Matt I start to wonder why it has not reacted to the cold in the same way.

Another thought-provoking edition, Ian.
I immediately went on-line to see what sort of engraving tools were available in Australia.
They vary enormously from a few dollars (mostly from sellers in Hong Kong!) to a couple of hundred for the deluxe models with multi-functions,
so I'll need to think about it a bit more!
cheers
fermi

Fermi I got that one in our Lidl supermarket I can't remember the exact price but it was less than £10.

[Maggi Young]

Question received today ..... and my answer.....

> Site name:  Scottish Rock Garden Club
> Referrer site: http://www.srgc.net

> Message:
> I wonder if you could ask Ian young what shredder he pictures on his bulb log this weekend?  It looks a really sensible size?


Glad you like the idea of shredding garden waste - it makes wonderful compost or mulching material.  The machine shown  in the Bulb Log is a Mountford (MTD)  chipper /shredder, powered by a 5 horse-power Briggs and Stratton engine. It's quite old now but still doing a good job.  Shredded material  breaks down really well - and fast, too, especially if one makes a good size of a pile at any one time, since the heat builds up well then to compost the  material.

This machine is big enough to cope with quite a heavy workload of  leafy/twiggy material and will cope with  branches up to about 5cms diameter. We don't ask it to do too much of the  bigger branches these days - it's quite old, as I  said - at least twenty years old , maybe around 25!
We're lucky to have an old coal shed where it is stored  - it's not too big - probably around the  footprint of  two small wheely bins  and is easy to  move around to wherever you want to use it.
We wouldn't be without it, that's for sure. It makes quick work of our  large amount of  hedge clippings every year and would be worth having just for  that, we think.


 Hope this helps,

 Regards,

 Maggi Young
 SRGC WebTeam - and Mrs Ian Young!

[Ian Y]

Check out the latest Bulb Log featuring Galanthus and Eranthis among others.

http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Mar021456920703BULB_LOG_0916.pdf

[KK-Ann Arbor]

Eranthis bynsanensis is beautiful!!

Koko

[Menai]

I recognize your protective cage Ian. Rabbits are an increasing problem for me and all my pots now have to have cages round them and there are a number of wire tents over plants in the ground. They have even grazed off two mature Geranium palmatum right down to the ground. It is very dispiriting.

Erle in Anglesey

[Tristan_He]

Glad you like the idea of shredding garden waste - it makes wonderful compost or mulching material. 

I use the Monty Don trick Maggi - spread it out on the lawn when it needs a cut, then run the mower over it. Chops everything up in no time mixed in with some grass clippings. It can leave the lawn looking a bit messy but then who cares about that (certainly not me)

Anything about about 2cm in diameter gets chopped up and used for kindling.

[Ian Y]

This weeks Bulb Log see the garden carpeted in snow but the bulbs still flower.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Mar091457521118BULB_LOG_1016.pdf

[Ian Y]

In this week's Bulb Log 1116  -did I miss Spring? Feeding the bulbs plus I reveal the results from the Dactylorhiza propagation pots, Video Diary Supplements and much more.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Mar161458126109BULB_LOG_1116.pdf

[berggreen]

I think this weeks white  Muscari is Pseudomuscari azureum "Album"

Joern Berggreen

[Ian Y]

I think this weeks white  Muscari is Pseudomuscari azureum "Album"

Joern Berggreen

Thank you Joern, it could well be that.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Here it is...

[Ian Y]

Thank you for the pictures John.

Latest Bulb Log now online showing lots of spring colour with bulbs, Hepatica and Hellebore all in flower.
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Mar231458734008BULB_LOG_1216.pdf

[Ian Y]

Bulb log 1316 now online - Hellebore and the Colours of Corydalis are among the plants I feature this week.
Includes another new Bulb log Video Diary supplement Link.



http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Mar301459333162BULB_LOG_1316.pdf

[Dave M]

I've been reading the bulb log and skulking about reading the forum long before I came into the light and joined this year. I must say what a cracking read it is and what a fantastic garden you and Maggi have, I am truly inspired. It looks better than many I've paid good money to go into. The colour in the latest edition is stunning, a great counter to those (not I hasten to be found on this forum) who think rock gardens are stuffy, boring, out of date and full of dull grey plants! I've a job lot of polystyrene fish boxes to make up this Easter break if I get time following your new and improved method. I think I might be allowed a few of them around the house without letting 'my plants' take over too much more of the family garden (having already dug up 2 lawns for a woodland border and 2 alpine houses). If only we had some nicer soil to play with - despite no end of grit and well rotted FYM its still acidic heavy cold clay subsoil. Best get on and build another bulb frame 

Keep up the great work, look forward to reading every edition as it emerges!

[Ian Y]

Thank you Dave It is my pleasure to share and hopefully encourage others to fully explore the endless range of possibilities that plants and gardens offer us.

I would warn that once smitten there is no cure but I have never found any one that would want to be cured of a love of plants.

PS. It does sound that such a warning is way too late for you anyway;-))