Cringleford and Eaton Horticultural Club Meeting 8th April 2008

It has been cold the past few days with sleet and snow, none of it settling because the ground is too warm, but not very pleasant for gardening.  And a worry for those with fruit trees in early blossom.

Our table show was much admired for the flower arrangements and early rhubarb and also a special display of Narcissus amazingly untouched by the harsh weather.

Our speaker Martin Davey is a horticultural lecturer at Easton College.  He demonstrated plant propagation with great skill and good humour, and members asked questions freely about the intricacies of plant cuttings. Plants are amazing things as you can cut bits off, encourage them to grow roots and so grow several new plants from one parent. First Martin emphasised the need for clean pots, cell trays or jiffy pellets etc.and suitably fine potting compost.  He found coir compost (cocoa fibre) is best as it keeps its open structure when wet. Other cutting composts can be made more open by adding perlite.

From March to June you can take Softwood Cuttings from plants like fuchsias, sedums, pelargoniums etc.  Take the cuttings in the morning and put into a damp  plastic bag.  Cut them at a leaf node, remove the lower leaves and push firmly into the compost. Cover with a plastic bag.  Hardwood Cuttings are taken late in the year from shrubs such as forsythia, willows etc.
 These must be pencil thin, about 12" long and can be thrust straight into sandy ground.

Martin also demonstrated Leaf Bud Cuttings (clematis, ivies and camellias), Leaf Cuttings (Stansevieria [Mother in law's tongue], Begonia rex and African violet) and Root Cuttings (oriental poppies, horse radish, Japanese anemones, phlox).

For the interested amateur he recommended the RHS book on propagating plants or the Which Guide to propagation.

Our annual outing is on 3rd July to Houghton Hall, which has a 5 acre walled garden divided into garden 'rooms' and includes a formal rose garden with over 150 varieties. Ł13 covers the cost of coach and entry to both hall and gardens. There's a good restaurant, or you can take a packed lunch.  If interested  please contact Marry Muff or Hilary Reid by 10th June.

Our halfday outing will be on a Sunday afternoon later in the year to the Old Vicarage at East Rushton.

Everyone is welcome to attend our next meeting on 13th May at 7.30pm at Cringleford Church Hall. Eric Hill's subject is Stickmaking.