Harrogate Bound

This time we are going (me and the three little birds) to the Northern Horticultual Society Autumn Flowers Show. These are held twice a year in the Harrogate Yorkshire Show Grounds.It shares the grounds with Antiques fairs, Toy Fairs, Gem Stone Fairs, and so on.
The Two flower shows are in April and September.
90 Flower Nurserys, and Plant Specialist groups like the Orchid society, or the Bonsai society.

More photos Later...

Phalaenopsis Update

The Phalaenopsis with the new left leaf, and another smaller one growing between the top two leaves.

I repotted the Moth Orchid in a translucent Soup container from Asda, cut down in size, and with lots of holes cut into the bottom.

The orchid mix was a mixture of cut up peat pots and Moss from a hanging basket kit.

Its only watered occasionally and then it is completely soaked with tepid water. The plant food is at half strength. The tepid water runs off the Orchid through the bark/moss mix and out through the bottom of the pot.

Think Tropical rainstorm running through the tree's. The Orchid is Epiphtic, which means it grows on tree's with its roots in detritus that has lodged between the branches. Both the leaves and roots have chlorophyll in them, hence the clear pot so the light can reach the roots.

They are green and growing around the edge of the clear pot. This plant is sat on the kitchen windowsill. It has a large growth which you can see on the right hand side. I dont know if it is an aerial root or a flower spike. I could not find clear pictures of what a growing flower spike looks like..

I bought this plant at half price, and am trying to get it to reflower. It looks suprsingly healthy in this photo. Its a living, breathing project that keeps me interested in plants and trying to mimic its natural surroundings to encourage flowering.

Flower of Scotland

This is the closest photo I have to a traditional

Scottish Thistle. I was looking up the lyrics to Flower of Scotland. To my suprise it has an Autumnal twist within the verses...

"Oh Flower of Scotland

When will we see

your likes again

That fought and died for

Your wee bit hill and glen

And stood Against him

Proud Edwards Army

And Sent him homeward

tae Think again.

The Hills are bare now

And Autumn Leaves

Lie thick and still

O'er land that is lost now

Which those so dearly held

That stood Against him

Proud Edwards army

And sent him Homeward

Tae Think Again"

There is one more verse also. I love the Allegory of the fallen leaves. I love this song and the sentiment. Must be my Scottish Surname Hamilton, although Im English as far as I know.

Its funny when flowers become a symbol of a nation.I have a tattoo of a bird holding a Red Rose in its beak. The symbol of Henry VIII's England, the blood red Rose.

The Scots have the Thistle, along with St Andrews Cross...

A video from you tube with Three pipers playing the Flower of Scotland...with its Autumnal theme in the second verse.

Act Three: Pine cone

Autumn means shorter days, cooler nights, and the approach of first frosts. The Leaves change colours gradually,like multicoloured dreamcoats on tree's and fall. I cant wait to be able to kick my way through piles of leaves and send them flying into the air as I walk through them.
Evergreen trees drop these beautiful pine cones, which have become computer table decorations.
They sit on the tree waiting for the perfect moment to open up the cone to spread its seeds.
My frog collection sits behind the pine cone looking on.
As Summer bedding plants come to an end the question is what do you plant next?
Do you leave the soil bare untill next year...
Suttons suggest Spring flowering plants like Bellis, Polyanthus, primrose, and Wallflowers.
http://www.suttons.co.uk/default.aspx
You can even plant onion sets and lettuces for overwintering ready to pick in Spring. Herbs can be started in pots for the winter. Herbs to grow in your kitchen that they suggest are Parsley, Basil, Marjoram,Mint, and Oregano.
Even as the summer comes and goes there is always new plants to grow, preparation for next year. Browsing catalogues for gorgeous Daffodils, Narcissus, Crocus, Blubells, Snowdrops, Chionodoxa, Hyacinths, and Tulips...
Natures Drama unfolds year after year, with the flowers, trees, and shrubs as the actors, and supporting cast through the four Acts. Spring, Summer, Autumn,Winter...
The flowers bring cheer to all gardeners whatever the weather or season.

Floral Sunshine

My coloured floral sunshine on the windowsill, salmon coloured Geraniums. The Streptocarpus are the only other plants in flower....

The busy lizzys and Fuschias have done appallingly. I think the direct lack of sunlight hampered their flowering.

The BBC this morning reported that the people happiest with a warm april, and heavy rain were apple growers. Im going to Harrogate for a flower show on friday where there will be a display of apples there.

I have slowed down my blog posts too, due to work and lack of energy. Maybe I need more direct sunlight as well. I spent today cleaning up and sorting out the plants.The ones growing in the kitchen seem to be doing better than the rest of the flat. I wandered if the occasional window opening discourages the black mould spores that the rain brought out....

The slug population has increased exponentially with the damp wet conditions from June to August. The hot dry weather will hopefully restore the balance. I bet they have decimated a fair few plants and veg.

September is a month for reflection, for working out what worked, what failed, and what new things you might try next. The gardens I have seen look like they have a hang over from the rioting party of Summer. Spring bulbs can be bought now ready for planting when the first frosts comes.The seasons continue to turn in their annual cycle.I am waiting for the leaves to turn colour so I can photograph Autumn colours :)

Green Corridors and Hedgehogs

Mrs Tiggy Winkle, the famous Hedgehog from Beatrix Potters book.

Beatrix was born in 1866 in South Kensington London. She kept many animals and started studying them and drawing them. She visited places of great natural beauty in Scotland and the Lake District. She enjoyed painting landscape pictures.

In 1902 with encouragement (and her own money) she published the Tale of Peter Rabbit. http://www.visitcumbria.com/bpotter.htm

One of her other books was the Hedgehog Mrs Tiggy Winkle...

I found a BBC article a few days ago about the apparent decline of Hedgehogs in Urban Britain. They were in good health when there were lots of houses with hedgerows. The spread of decking, and patios make the green spaces smaller. Busy roads are now impassable to the snuffling hedgehogs. In fact thats how they estimated population is by the amount of roadkill deaths. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6975945.stm

I looked at hedgehog images as diverse as cuddly toys, ornaments, pictures, tea towels, fridge magents, cups, and characters.. (including Mrs Tiggy Winkle), so I know hedgehogs are a loved British wild animal.

I must have a garden with a hedgerow, and some fallen leaves and logs. Some food on a plate. They are perfect houseguests coming and going unobtrusively.

The article finishes "If you want hedgehogs in your gardens or park, see that they have what they need, shelter and food. Learn about hedgehogs so you can begin to think like them. The Essence of Empathy is that level of understanding."

I wander what peoples favourite wildlife is. I love the English countryside with Foxes, squirrels, badgers, hedgehogs...They have become part of the folk lore, and in storys as old as Aesops Fables, to the Beatrix Potter storys.

It would be a crime if they are allowed to die out because of the changing Urban landscape. Something that we can prevent by making our gardens wildlife friendly.

We need to keep the green corridors open for our wild visitors.

September Sedum

The Sedum in Hils garden was just opening its flower buds on Friday night. The colours are like candy, with pink and white mingling together.

Its Sunday early morning now.I have to get ready for work again tomorrow.

There is an Autumn Flower show next week in Harrogate. I will be going there with my camera in situ. The last flower show of the year. Will be looking for spring bulbs for Fran.

Hope all your Sundays are peaceful and full of Gardening :)