Tomatoes You'll Never Plant Again - Part IV
Malcolm Smith
8 years ago
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Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
8 years agoMalcolm Smith
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Which David Austin would you never plant again/
Comments (180)One that really didn't "make it" for me is Spirit of Freedom. It hangs on, and it gives a few blooms a year, that flop, and often ball (people say it likes warm climates), and it is in a rose hedge in NE exposure. But in the sunnier spot, I didn't get one viable bloom. I also couldn't get my two own-root Othellos to take off for anything, but they seem so pretty, I may try again (you can still find them under their secondary name "Auslo"). But I now know that it was "my fault" some of my Austins that didn't make it . Like, for example, thanks to this forum, I learned that it takes a few years (at least 3 years) for many to get going, so I maybe I SP them too soon. When I first started gardening, I put things in the ground, never watered them, and if they made it, they made it, and surprisingly, quite a few of them did, including Lady Emma Hamilton and Claire Austin, which are both 16 years old, and survived a move. But they definitely were not giving the "best" of themselves. When I got a bigger garden, and tried some new Austins, I was really disappointed because I had so few blooms and a few croaked, so I started planting other things, but now am going back to them. Here are a couple of things I have learned from that experience (and thank you to the experts on this forum, among others like the Rose Geek and Darren Harwood, as my roses have never looked better or had buds so early!): 1) Soak bareroot roses longer and harder than most basic websites say (I even resurrected a few that seemed dry and dead in the box by leaving them soaking for days, and wow, did they hit the ground running compared to the ones from years past and has less die back) 2) in my opinon, it's better to get bareroots early in the season, when it's still warm, and plant before winter because the ones at the end of planting season can be dried-out conkers and they may freeze as they begin 3) plant them with good commercial dirt and feed if you have bad dirt in the ground (which I do) 4) and if potted, totally plant them with their dirt 5) to get the best of roses, it really is essential to feed or compost on the schedule experts like the Rose Geek give (In my "worst" exposure, I thought my lack of blooms, at first was due to not enough sun, but if I feed, I even get blooms in late fall, when they only get like an hour or two, and the healthier they are, the fewer diseases they get (like people) 6) DA roses and "baby" (new) roses do need more water than one thinks--this was my worst rookie mistake 7) many DA roses like cool and humid better than hot and dry 8) and, if struggling, don't hesitate to move them from hot to cooler, more or less sun, pot or ground, sometimes they come back in a new spot but sometimes they don't 9) Don't hesitate to put in the compost (or SP) a disease or pest magnet, as, when it's gone, the disease goes, and like jobs and partners, some are just a "bad fit" for one, even if good for others 10) giving roses a "haircut" ( remove leaves and prune) seems to help if massive infestation or disease attack, they will come back, and especially, get rid of leaves during winter prune, and that is how I got rid of nasty fungal attack due to bad experience with Baron Girod d'Ain. Also, in Europe, the DA roses I have are either on Laxa, own-root, or occasionally multi-flora, and they seem to perform quite differently than their US counterparts. Like my own-root Princes are healthy, continuous blooming stars. And my own-root Abes are a real toughies, too. These may be the basics for many people on this forum, but some DA roses are super tricky, and I almost gave up, so here is everything I have learned for those who are as frustrated as I was when I started! (And I am still learning so please take this advice as the imperfect, work in progress, it is! And thanks again to the experts here!)...See Morewhat will you never plant (again)?
Comments (48)Ruellia, lemon balm, Lady in Red Salvia, Malibar Spinach, Morning Glories, Henry and Augusta Duelberg Salvias ......I didn't get rid of the Duelberg's, but have found you gotta keep a pretty tight rein on the two! Also the Flame Acanthus....I won't pull it out but staying on top of the seedlings is a full time job. The hummers love it too much for me to get rid of it though. I bought Preen for the first time ever this year just for this particular plant. I love them, but this year the purple coneflowers seem bent on world domination. I'll thin them more heavily next year. I think that's about it...... FOR NOW, LOL! Kristi...See MoreI've never planted a flower in my life and........
Comments (11)Hi Stephanie, I am so very sorry for your loss and I feel the pain you and your family are going through. I have been there before with a special feline friend that I had for 13 years and it is painful. Currently, I have been blessed with a very special, extraordinary canine family member that I love beyond words. I have had him for 5 years now and he is my best friend and brings me enormous joy. The thought of his passing makes my heart hurt and brings tears to my eyes. I am certain the reality will be completely devastating. Your story made my eyes water. Again, heartfelt sympathy for your loss. The memorial is a wonderful idea...for many reasons !!! I do agree with Barb...don't be in too much of a hurry to get it done NOW. I am also somewhat of a novice, which is how I came across this forum yesterday. RESEARCH is the key to success !!! There are so many factors involved and if you don't do the "homework" chances are good that many of your efforts, not to mention the cost will be in vain. There is alot of information to be had here and I am sure you will get some valuable advice and suggestions. In addition, check the web. Just search for EXACTLY what you are looking for and presto, there it will be...eventually. Ha-Ha!!! A suggestion for you that I found extremely helpful, check out the Texas Cooperative Extension (through A&M) for your area. I can't send you a link, because mine is for Bexar county. There I found everything I wanted to know and then some (finally). Size, color, planting instructions, pests and disease, drought and freeze tolerance, growth habits and pictures too !!! I printed out a page that gave me 30 choices(customized) of flower with all of the pertinent info. included...PRICELESS !!! A few years ago I planted a LOVELY garden in my front courtyard. LONG story short, a lot of thought went into this masterpiece of mine. Trouble was that I was going for the VISUAL. Let me just say that it wasn't nearly enough and the longevity wasn't there and yes, I did use all perrenials !!! So that this loving tribute will last for years to come....do your homework. It will take some time, so be patient. It is spring,I am in a beautiful new home(blank canvas)I want to plant NOW. I learned my lesson the hard way, so now, I am INDOORS doing my homework !!!! Your motivation for your garden is much more important than just wanting to see the pretty flowers, so take your time. That in itself can be a form of tribute too, not to mention therapeutic!!!! Good luck and give updates !!!...See MoreTomatoes You'll Never Plant Again - Part II
Comments (56)This year, the first year, I grew Early Girl, Yellow Pear, Patio, and Husky Cherry Red in 5-gallon buckets. I harvested one ripe tomato from each of the Early Girl and the Patio plants in the last week of May and first Week of June. The Patio produced about 20-25 tomatoes, most of which were unimpressive. The Early Girl has produced and is still producing, but the taste is only somewhat better than the ones at the grocery store. The Yellow Pear and Husky Cherry are both producing ok, considering the EB, pests, beginner learning curve, limited sun, etc. The Yellow Pear is very mild. I don't mind it but I won't grow it next year because the taste isn't my favorite and it is a beast size-wise. The Husky Cherry toms are actually quite tasty, so I might grow one, but it has a hard time with EB. I have one Celebrity that I planted in early June that I haven't harvested from yet. I try to stay with small-fruited prolific varieties because of my limited sun. Next year I'll probably plant Husky Cherry and Celebrity depending on how it does. Based on some of the recommendations here I'd like to try Sun Gold or Sun Sugar. I'm also intrigued by Tumbling Tom....See MoreBen Angotti
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoBen Angotti
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoSeysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
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Ben Angotti