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from the trees, like the urn plants. This particular plant had just finished flowering and it had a long bare stalk, which had dormant buds; these are the future flowering points from which the blooms will develop.
The summer flowers are giving their usual display; the delphiniums are always likely to be damaged by the winds, we tend to leave staking these to the last minute and often spoil the tall stems. Supporting the summer flowers should be done early, it's a job I am guilty of, and I remember to do the job when the stems are far too tall. Sweet Williams are close relations of the carnations; they are good cut flowers and do well on our chalky Rudston soils. Seed can be sown now, in open ground, to be planted into final positions in October. Wallflowers, forget-me-nots, brompton stocks, and other biennials are sown this time of year. We also remember the cabbage for cutting next spring; only varieties known as true spring-cabbage strains should be sown. They are genetically known as short day varieties; summer kinds are not suitable as they would go to seed instead of hearting.
Most gardeners like to root stem cuttings; this is the period when we take half-ripe stem cuttings and root them in a shaded garden frame - the nursery trade root millions by this way. A few we try are lavender, hebes, rosemary, and most hardy species, remembering to shade when the sun shines direct onto the frames. Good, sharp, gritty compost is suitable; this allows drainage and aeration, both essential for a good rooting. For any gardener thinking of planting a new plum tree, I suggest trying a new system of pruning once the tree is well established. It is known as festoon shaping. I have tried it on a three-year-old Victoria these last two years, and have a wonderful crop this year. The idea is to encourage flower buds to form - this is achieved by tying down the young new shoots as they grow, pulling them down towards the main stem using string, to shape the tender shoots into a half moon form. Care is needed to avoid snapping the stems, the young tree looks like a weeping plum, which in fact it really is. Blossom buds shoot from the bent stems, and, given good weather and bees, one can expect a set of tiny fruits.
Gooseberries as big as golf balls? Yes, if you go to the Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry show on the first Tuesday in August; this is a world famous show run by the Society first established in 1800, and still going strong. The berries are treated like Lords, each bush is allowed to only grow three or four, they are fed and watered, and even shaded if the sun is super hot. What about a Rudston Giant Gooseberry Show in our new village hall, an idea for next year?
Dick Robinson
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