Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

I'm saying nowt. You'll get me into trouble, you will.

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

I have visions of Mellors and Lady Chatterley .....

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

Ooo arrr missus!

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

Shush Annie, he's saucy enough without any encouragement.

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

Percy thrower used to say that watering around the plant is almost a waste of time. My solution is dig a hole with a spike next the base and put in a plastics funnel, so the water encourages the deep down roots to grow. here is another point of view...

http://www.bigblogofgardening.com/wa...g-a-heat-wave/

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

Thanks Dobra that's a very good article. Explains why my sweet peas are going yellow despite watering.

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

I lost quite a few plants in the greenhouse, despite shading and leaving the door open.
I moved most out into the shady parts of the garden.
I can't wait for the storms! I'm gonna run about naked in the garden, first sign of rain!

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

Ooh Tess! Is that allowed in the Steampunk handbook?

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

I was listening to Gardeners Question Time a couple of weeks ago and one of the panellist was saying a bit of watering every day can be harmful (not seedlings) .

Apparently it encourages plants to grow roots near to the surface instead of deep roots which can seek out water.
So if you miss a day of watering the surface water will have evaporated and the plant will wilt badly .

This seemed to be the case with my Geranium sanguineum planted this spring . I missed a day of watering and the first hot day it collapsed in a heap
Now I have stopped daily watering it is fine .

it was suggested better to give a good watering at the roots of established plants every few days

Re: Wilting flowers and struggling shrubs

I have had a big problem with my hydrangea , it looked very ill a couple of days ago with leaves that seem to curl and brown overnight. Hydrangea are usually pretty tough plants.

I am wondering if the late frost which damaged many leaves at the time has in some way made the remaining leaves weak and susceptible to harsh weather conditions .