Saturday, 21 October 2017

Six on Saturday

At every meeting of our gardening club, members bring examples of plants which are currently in their gardens for the display table.
Here are six of them:
1.
Sheila’s Stapelia asterias was purchased as a small, single stem in Ikea about 20 years ago.  Here it is in flower, the third time it has flowered 

 2.
 On the usual route of her dog walk in The Hollies, Jenny picked up the branches and seeds of the deciduous Sequoia tree which had been blown off by the wind
3.
 
Kate’s container included Parthenocissus henryana, Arum Marmoratum, Salvia, Dahlias, Euonymus alatus, Callicarpa, Persicaria campanulata, the fragrant climbing rose Blush Noisette, Saxifrage Wadas form and Fuchsia Hawkshead
 4.
 
If you look carefully, one of Trevor’s Dahlia Striped Ambition has half the flower a darker shade than the other

 
5

 
Beware of Ann’s charming Halloween display – very poisonous!
6.
 James had to transport his exhibit on the roof rack of his car!  To give some idea of scale, the flower of his phormium, which he cut down about 2 ft from the ground, towers above James who is about 6 ft
 

Harvest Forum 2017



Harvest Forum
  
 
 And the winners are ... Peter, Ann, Sue G and Margaret

After the effort of working out the cryptic clues to the now traditional Harvest quiz, we were glad to sample the variety of dishes provided by members.

If you want to try out these dishes, some can be found on our recipes page.
Display Table
Sheila’s Stapelia asterias was purchased as a small, single stem in Ikea about 20 years ago.  Here it is in flower, the third time it has flowered 
 On the usual route of her dog walk in The Hollies, Jenny picked up the branches and seeds of the deciduous Sequoia tree which had been blown off by the wind
Kate’s container included Parthenocissus henryana, Arum Marmoratum, Salvia, Dahlias, Euonymus alatus, Callicarpa, Persicaria campanulata, the fragrant climbing rose Blush Noisette, Saxifrage Wadas form and Fuchsia Hawkshead
 Gill’s seasonal display
 
If you look carefully, one of Trevor’s Dahlia Striped Ambition has half the flower a darker shade than the other
Beware of Ann’s charming Halloween display – very poisonous!
 

 

 Judith’s display
 James had to transport his exhibit on the roof rack of his car!  To give some idea of scale, the flower of his phormium, which he cut down about 2 ft from the ground, towers above James who is about 6 ft

James also brought this echiveria cutting which he acquired from a talk on succulents at a local nursery


Notice Board
In the new year, Rose intends to step down from her role as a terrific membership secretary.  Paxton is seeking another volunteer and Rose has offered to assist initially.





Next Meeting
3rd November:  Presentation by Pat Hutchinson

Saturday, 7 October 2017

People, Plants, Pleasure and Passion



Don Witton’s presentation,People, Plants, Pleasure and Passion, was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining talk with humourous anecdotes and colourful slides.  Don, who re-invented himself after a long career as a teacher, is a specialist on euphorbias and we heard his amusing tales about the TV crew filming him for a Gardeners World programme.  More information can be found on his website. http://euphorbias.co.uk/
Display Table
Sue G’s assorted Salvias for late Summer colour, although tender, include Amistad, Joan, Black and Blue, Super Trouper,Mexicana, Patens
Carol brought her biennial Tragopogon (Salsify) which she grew from seed and the attractive Gladiolus murielae
Ann’s container of  orange and red included Persicaria Fats Domino, Golden Arrow, Dahlia Charlie Dimmock, Tithonia, Hersperantha, Erysimum Apricot Delight, Antirrhinum and Rudbeckia.

Kate brought some Anemone Blanda, wondering which way up to plant them
 Caroline brought our attention to this publication
 
 Kate’s vase contained Persicaria campanulata Orange Field, September Spires and Firetail.  Salvias Amistad, Verbena bonariensis and rigida, Begonia Claret Jug, Astrantia Buckland and Shaggy, Rudbeckia Goldsturm, Aster frikartii Monch, Phlox Graf Zeppelin and Calicarpa
 Judith’s Fuchsia Genii
Notice Board
A few Friday Forum members have successfully applied Thelma’s tip for propagating from basil plants bought at the supermarket.  A delicious, fresh and free addition to Italian cuisine.

Save landfill sites by recycling household waste at the Kirkstall waste recycling site which  has now re-opened and accepts a wide range of unwanted goods for its shop selling recycled goods.

 
Next Meeting
20th October:  Harvest Forum.  Please bring prepared food for Members to taste which will be one of the various activities scheduled for this meeting.  An indication of allergens and vegetarian/vegan would be helpful.