General Chat

The garden is as confused as we are.

Hi All
Whilst it's not exactly gardening weather I managed to get out yesterday.
I was cutting the seed heads off my wallflowers when I noticed that the plants are beginning to flower again.
Also my neighbour's Virginia creeper is beginning to turn red, my Japanese anemones are in bloom and my grape hyacinths are coming through.
Me thinks the seasons are all to pot this year.
Take care
Von

these plants are now getting quite threatening - taking over the conservatory and drinking pints of water - I'm sure I can hear them guzzling it!!!

well I just checked and these are all girls!!!!

think the outdoor variety are still called ridge cucumbers ,but some are usable indoor or out,and THESE ones need checking for male flowers where ever they are situated.
I like the all femals ,but the seeds are sooooo expensive,that i buy a packet of both sorts ,and plant 2 of each ,leaving four seeds for the next year.
Ours are coming on well now ,three cucumbers forming ,the missus is ready with her knife ,and i am having to fend her off the plants yet a while ,lol :-D

thanks Lesley - will examine them in the morning!!!

Ann Cardiff not really an answer to your question but this might be of some help.

Taken from BBC Gardening

Removing flowers

Many varieties have both male and female flowers on the same plants.
Both should be left on outdoor varieties, but pinch off the male flowers when they appear on indoor varieties to prevent the fruit from becoming bitter.
The flowers are easy to tell apart - the female flower has a swelling beneath it that will become a cucumber. Alternatively, choose all female flower varieties. x

thanks Ann - much appreciated <3

OH was suitable impressed with the number Ann, he said he'd be inclined to let them grow a bit then pick the first ones when ripe but still quite small.

:-S :-S :-S :-S :-S

waiting for some advice :-D

well my cucumber plants are reminding me of Quatermass!!! the leaves are as big as dinner plates now - tendrils everywhere - they are taking over my conservatory - between the two plants there are nearly fifty little cucumbers - should I take some off as if when they all start to get a bit heavier they are going to make the plants collapse

Sounds lovely Ann, shall have to remember if we are ever that way. :-)

got mine where I get all my garden stuff - The Secret Garden at Mamhilad, just outside Pontypool - good prices and an interesting selection - a lovely place to visit if you get the chance - beautiful restaurant serving home made food and desserts to die for with a view out over the countryside. They have housemartins in one of the barns where they keep various garden items - the birds nest in the roof and are in and out all the time - very noisy in there. The other birds come in to help themselves to the packets of birdseed - cheeky little monkeys they are

Chickens pecking around your feet as you walk around, fresh eggs from a local farm - a delightful place to visit

ann, today OH bought his 4th cucumber plant. One he previously bought is thriving, two just dies for no apparent reason, both bought from the same garden centre. Fingers crossed for the latest one. Last year we had loads of cucumbers, so many I made relish.

:-D :-D :-D

I bought some baby cucumber plants about four weeks ago - they were about 2 inches high - put them in a large pot on the table in the conservatory and today they are like triffids - I have a feeling that if I fall asleep downstairs they'll creep in and strangle me!!! they drink gallons of water and have stacks of little cucumbers on them - if I'm missing they've eaten me!!!

K congratulations to your friends.

Puss Nicotiana is an annual although it can self seed. Ours never did, haven't grown them for a while but love the smell in the evening. (when it is warm and dry!!!!)

Yes Ann I think the slugs were transported in veg or salad :-(

Well done to your friends K :-)

Better put some beer out to catch the ugly critters Lorraine :-D

Nicotiana is just an annual plant but beautiful while it lasts, If we get some better weather the taller ones can smell lovely on a summer evening

PS - Great joy - Despite the weather, with plants rotting, not flowering and everyone shivering in the polytunnel at times, friends have just won a good medal for a show garden at Hampton Court Flower Show. They do deserve it