Six on Saturday: Petunia Seeds, Poorly Plumbago and Curry etc.

Although we’ve had some spits and spots of rain this week it was not enough to water the garden which is becoming crisper day-by-day. Our water is metered so it’s always a good reminder to be frugal and use sparingly, or at least try and reuse shower and washing-up water. This week we set ourselves the challenge of recycling grey water from the washing machine. Who knew a washing machine, even on a quick wash, consumed so much water!

1.Abracadabra Rose

I planted this rose last year right before the temperatures shot up to over 40C. Poor little thing nearly died in the heat, so I am surprised it survived. Despite suffering from white mold, black spot, black fly, yellow leaves and a sundry of other ailments it seems to have bounced back!

 

2. Hydrangeas

We have a couple of hydrangeas which, fingers crossed, seem to be doing well.

the pot grown hydrangea, pictured above. I pruned right down to a few inches above soil level and let it rest over the winter. I then gave a good feed of slow release fertilizer in early spring and hey presto!

I pruned this within an inch of its life, covered the protruding stems with a good compost then fed in early spring.. I’d like to add some filings to change the colour to blue, but as yet I’ve not seen these sold in Portugal.

3. Curry plant – Helichrysum italicum

These grow wild here in the Western Algarve and this one took up residence in our garden of its own volition. Unfortunately, it’s grown quite leggy this year as I never got around to pruning it right back in January. Its fragrance – curry of course.

Poorly Plumbago

Passersby used to stop and take photos of this usually stunning specimen. Not anymore. It is dying and we don’t know why. I think it could be fungal so we sprayed it with a fungus spray. I was not happy, but it was either that or let it die. We will see. Any further suggestions as to the cause of its demise most welcome!

 

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5. Piggin’ Petunias

I was so happy to have grown all my petunias from seed this year until I saw the results. These are meant to be trailing petunias. The seed company should be prosecuted under the trade descriptions act. Maybe I planted them in the pots upside down.

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And now they have started to die off due to a sticky covering which turns black causing the leaves to die.

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6. Agapanthus refuse to flower

My Agapanthus are on their final warning. Out of all these plants, only one has flowered.

The plants are now about six years old so if these don’t perform next year and earn their keep, they will be rehomed.

Any suggestions, please?

That’s it for this week, folks. I am now off to check to see if any more lodgers have moved in.

Don’t forget to check out more Six on Saturday gardeners <Here>