General Chat

Hello Jean. Following on from your telling me about your Streptacarpus, I have been looking out for them. On the Bank Holiday weekend, we went to a posh garden centre near here, well they think they are posh, and this is reflected in their prices.
I made a bee-line for the streptacarpus, and my heart sank. They were bone dry, and well past their best, and at £8.99 each, OH told me not to buy, because to be quite honest, they didn't look as if they would last long.
Not to be daunted, I realised I had read the suppliers name on the pot, and remembered that I had received a catalogue from them in the past. So, I e-mailed for a current one, and it has just arrived today. They are D***ys in Ruthin, N. Wales.
I am spoiled for choice, and do not know where to start, and which to choose. They range from £2.60 to £4.00 each. I know they will be on the small side as yet, but it is abit different to paying £8.99 each.
Any advice PLEASE
Julia in Derbyshire

Nudged for Jean

Julia, choose the colours that appeal to you and get the smaller ones, they grow surprisingly well. Lots of plant centres are guilty of leaving plants unwatered and they seldom do as well after. I water mine twice a week when its very hot, once a week otherwise, and deadhead them so they dont go to seed.. Good luck!

Many,many thanks Jean. Will have a browse through the catalogue when I have my afternoon cuppa.
Thanks again
Julia in Derbyshire

~~~~ to Jean.... Julia, they have a website, and also just won a gold at Chelsea, it would seem......

http://www.dibleys.com/

I am not sure if I am allowed to put that website up.... but if I am not, I am sure someone will tell me and I shall delete.

Love

Daff xxxxx

Thanks Daff, yes I have got that. There is a collection of the plants that won at Chelsea. Will have to go through the catalogue very carefully, the temptation to get carried away, is very real LOLOL
Julia in Derbyshire

Yep.... I'm being tempted, very very tempted........ now, guttering next month, or streptocarpus???

Love

Daff xxxxx

Daff LOL I am sure they would look loverrly on your conservatory window sills, now you have your 'crops' out in the garden LOLOL
Julia in Derbyshire

mmmmmm but that won't get the guttering done.... and the little drip on the conservatory roof is now a raging torrent so it has to be done.... they came this morning to measure up and price it.... and move all the leaves, moss and Horsechestnut flowers from them as well..... they had buckets full and I had it done twice in the autumn, so I am having those little mesh things put into them, and the one bit replaced... it is the scaffolding which costs the most, though. Always something eating into my plant budget! ;¬))

Love

Daff xxxxx

Daff, if I dont come to the meet, I will ask Jude to bring you a couple of colours if I have them in a fit state to go.

Jean...is this the plant that l have from you?? Its beautiful and doing well:o)

jude

Yes, Jude. See you soon?

Yes....when though:o) lol

Oh Thank you Jean.... you don't have to do that... it is very kind of you.... but you will be coming to the meet??

Love

Daff xxxx

Daff, I am hoping to, but I always have to allow for possible health problems , me or OH. If his sugar is very low I cant leave him. Will talk to Jude when I see her and that will help me to be certain.

Hello Jean, just thought I would tell you that I sent to D*****s for my streptacarpous on 9th, and they arrived yesterday, the 18th, which I thought was very good.
They were beautifully packaged, in a box with plenty of stuffing, and each one was individually wrapped in it's own little plastic bag with a pictured label. I have just potted them up, and they are lovely and healthy.
I will cetainly use these people again, as they have collections of African Violets, in colours that I have never seen in the shops.
I'll just wait now for the outcome from them, two have already got flower buds on.
Off tomorrow to look at a garden which is open for the cancer charities, which we are looking forward to, as they have a brass band playing, afternoon tea, and guess what, plants for sale.
Happy gardening
Julia in Derbyshire

Streptocarpus are lovely, we did have a few years ago but our conservatory was too hot for them I think, it gets full sun and we didn't then have blinds.

I used to grow a lot of African Violets at our other home where I had the space. I also bought a collection, and had several you dont see in the shops. This was over twenty years ago and I still have a miniature one, and what was called a trailing double pink one. It doesnt trail far but has offshoots that come over the edge of the pot.

Julia, are your oleanders flowering yet? Mine are only just showing bud. So much for flowering all summer! Not the only things that are not doing well at the moment. The only flowers are the late spring ones. like some of my dianthus. Peonies are over.

Morning Jean, have just had a walk around the garden. The Oleanders have put on new growth, but no sign of flowers yet. Perhaps, they need to get established for a year, and will flower next year.
Everything else is doing fine. Climbing fuschia Lady Boothby has plenty of growth on and buds. Hope I can keep this one through the winter.
Happy gardening
Julia in Derbyshire