2010 YES!!! The "I'm so happy" thread.

[Maggi Young]

Maggi

Our Omphalogrammas are showing signs of activity, we need to better weather to bring them on.

Brian

Where ours are is all covered with Corydalis at the minute.... I hope they'll show themselves when the Corydalis die back. One of the anxieties with this multi-layer planting is that there is often awaiting game to see which level is next to grow!

[Lesley Cox]

True, but with multilevel planting as you describe Maggi, many plants are safe because the others take away the excess moisture that could be present. Your Omphalogramma is probably much safer with companions than mine turned out to be in a pot, by itself and receiving too much rain last winter.  In spite of other things (Bl...y MAF) I'm very happy that the first of my SRGC seed is through, namely Cyananthus lobatus albus. If it is, of course. 4 so far.

[Paddy Tobin]

I am an engineering genius.

We erected an 8 X 6 glasshouse about twenty years ago, cement block base, strip of wood between glasshouse and base. Fifteen years ago, big storm, lots of glass lost so new glass was secured with clear silicone. The timber under the glasshouse has long since rotted away and a new steel base was purchased some weeks ago.

The problem was to get the glasshouse completely intact, no dismantling,  onto the new metal base.

Several days thinking and planning and two hours today brought success - only one pane of glass broken, well just cracked. Actually, this is the same word my wife uses to describe me but that isn't important.

Am I happy, you bet I am.

Paddy

[Lesley Cox]

Very well done PAddy. What will you grow in the new version?

[Paddy Tobin]

Oh, Lesley,

Only the best of alpines - the strawberries, many pots of a particularly nice French cultivar, will be put back tomorrow. After that, tomatoes.

Man must eat!

Paddy

[Brian Ellis]

Ah Paddy, we celebrate your genius, but what did you actually do to achieve the replacement?

[Paddy Tobin]

Brian,

In the light of a new day it is not as great achievement as my weary bones allowed me to believe yesterday nonetheless it was a tricky job and one where I foresaw disaster.

The glasshouse had been bolted down to a concrete block base with a timber strip between the frame and the blocks. I removed the bolts and the little of the timber which was left and then had to lift and support the glasshouse inch by inch until it was high enough to secure the new metal base underneath and then lower the glasshouse back onto the base. It was a great relief that it went successfully.

I am now available for glasshouse moving, house moving, general building moving etc. Also, you can now add a new floor to your house - under your present ground floor, just call me and I'll be there.

Paddy

[johnw]

Paddy  - Well done.  Do remember to re-bolt it to the frame.  We had a customer who erected a 20 x 40 foot hoop house and was pleased as punch with it.  That was until the first big wind storm.  The hoophouse hit their delivery van and demolished it, it hit their barn and destroyed many of the roof trusses and smashed several frames and of course the plants.   What was surprising was that the whole house was compressed to the point that it was loaded on the back of a pick-up truck for forensics to see if the bracing was at fault - if the simple braces are installed backwards  as big trouble can insue.  Only later did the confession come forth.  Seems her husband forget to secure the aluminium structure to the base, realizing it only when he came across the bolt kit.

I'm sure you would never make that mistake.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

  Only later did the confession come forth.  Seems her husband forget to secure the aluminium structure to the base, realizing it only when he came across the bolt kit.

Is it any wonder the divorce rate is rising?

[Paddy Tobin]

Don't worry, John, bolted and double bolted!

Wouldn't want to risk divorce!

Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

Shouldn't Paddy be drummed out of the Forum for openly confessing to growing tomatoes in his greenhouse?

[Maggi Young]

Shouldn't Paddy be drummed out of the Forum for openly confessing to growing tomatoes in his greenhouse?

The Boss and I have convened an emergency meeting about this important matter: balance of opinion says that since Paddy grows so many great plants in his garden and shares foodie recipes with us, this lamentable lapse in glasshouse use may be overlooked. Not that we would seek to encourage such behaviour in the wider membership!

[Lori S.]

Errr... growing tomatoes is EXACTLY what greenhouses are for here.  Alpines, by contrast, are to be grown out in the elements where they belong!    I guess, given our climatic differences, and gardening preferences, never the twain shall meet though.  

[Anthony Darby]

Who's talking about alpines? I grow Mediterranean orchids and bulbs in the greenhouse. Tomatoes, on the other hand, can be obtained far more easily and cheaply in the local supermarket. If I had 20+^oC guaranteed during the summer I'd perhaps grow them outside in a growbag or down the allotment.

[Lori S.]

Sigh, wish we had 20+ C guaranteed during the summer too!