Reports from Member's Meetings

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society May Member’s Meeting Dave Stains gave a colourful talk on Begonias on 19th May at Moorlands.  Dave introduced his subject by saying that both begonias and fuchsias were discovered by a monk, Charles Plumier in Brazil, fibrous begonias firstly in 1690 then later fuchsias.  There are now thousands of species of Begonias identified, many being hybrids, there is continual ongoing development.  

They have different methods of propagation, some tuberous and some by seeds. The tubers are hardy and can be saved year on year, but the seedlings, either indoor or outdoor, are not hardy and are usually discarded after flowering: there are also winter  flowering ones. All varieties require the same basics, ventilation and moisture and light and must be kept above freezing point. 

The meeting was treated to a slide show of a huge variety of colours and types, grown in different conditions and different rooting types. The displays were from public gardens, and the many various shows where Dave has shown his plants among others with different types of foliage and colours.  At home they can be grown in the open garden, troughs and pots. . There is continual ongoing development. 

Questions from the floor about what growing medium  to use, and  taking cuttings brought the talk to an end with plants for sale also. 

The meeting ended after the raffle and a reminder that the next meeting is on Thursday June 16th.   

Mike Davey gave an enjoyable talk on The National Botanic Garden of Wales and Gardens of Aberglasney near Llandeilo. Nearby the pretty area of the Gower and the estuary area at Llansteffsan are good walking areas accessible by car, railway and bus. Altogether well worth a visit. 

The National Gardens were opened in 2000, to contribute via science, to conservation of plants, education and creation of a good relationship with the public. There is a research unit, conference rooms and a children’s area.  Many of the features from the old estate remain today, even a ruin – the old peach house. The gardens are extensive and buggies are provided. 

The Broadwalk is Europe’s longest herbaceous border; the borders of the numerous lakes and cascades are left to grow wild and a long rill winds its way through the grounds.  There are primitive and modern plants, a 300 year old oak tree, also honey produced on site for sale. The most prominent feature is the giant domed glasshouse with plants from all over the world, kept warm by the earth bank in the hillside, panes of glass open automatically.     

At Aberglasney the original medieval estate was bought by a Restoration Trust bought in 1995 and eventually opened to the public.  A unique feature is the Cloister garden, which is kept simple, including lavender and pool gardens and the Yew walk Within the upper walled gardens box has been replaced by holly; with swathes of wild Solomons Seal with a stream and a sunken garden; primulas and epimediums cover damp areas. 

The audience gave their appreciation and the meeting ended with the raffle and notice of the next two meetings, May 19th and June 16th    

Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society Members attended an information packed talk given by Darren Myers entitled ‘Sweet Peas’. 

Darren has been growing and showing for 40 years, his first at 10yrs old! Fancy equipment is not necessary to get excellent results. Darren gave points to consider on all aspects of sowing, potting on, planting out also on showing. 

Sowing in January, consider room temperature, compost, no need to soak, chit if coat thick, to give a consistent germination rate. Use of a seed dressing and growth accelerator to get rid of mildew and fungus helps if overwintering. After 2-3 wks prick out when good roots; transparent plastic cups are better than root trainers. Water once daily. Wind is worse than cold, can go down to -5deg but need to thaw slowly if frozen. If cold east winds outside cover with fleece. 

Nip out tip(watch weather)at 2 pairs leaves. Beginning April when green healthy plant out using soil/ compost aim for pH 7, feed – med-high potash. Planting out 6-7 inches apart, cover soil beforehand. Take off tendrils. Mid May use white polythene to reflect light. End May, damp down in full sun, morning, not at night. 

Flowering usually finished for showing after 3rd week July; follow RHS rules. Prepare at home, keep air as still and cold as possible, away from ethylene gas. consider what judges might look for. 

Meeting finished after the raffle at 9.15, reminder that from April onwards meetings night is 3rd Thursday at 7.30.  Next meetings are April 21st, May 19th, June 16th 

On a wet evening the society held a well attended AGM followed by a raffle and a Gardner’s Question Time session.  

The chairlady announced a change to the members meetings, which will now, starting in April 2022, will take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month, at 7.30pm.  The meeting scheduled for March 15th will be as usual. 

There will be a newsletter produced in March. 

The raffle followed the AGM and the meeting finished with a lively Gardner’s Question Time session which included diverse subjects such as pruning of Apple Trees, use of sulphate of potash, growing courgettes, runner beans, cherry trees and blight in potatoes were discussed. 

The meeting finished at 9.30pm. Next members meetings are Tuesday March 15th and Thursday 19th April. 

In November members had an informative talk from Rod Young titled The Art of Bonsai. Rod explained  that contrary to popular belief the art started in China in 200 BC, mainly to remedy a lack of green space round people’s houses so they could enjoy green landscapes with grasses, trees, with rocks. 

Zen Buddhists later introduced it to Japan, with more natural landscapes using trays. Juniper, pine, and cherry were later introduced into the west being displayed in Paris World Fair and at Crystal Palace.  

Clubs, societies & associations now found in many places.  Almost all tree varieties can be used, always grown outdoors. Hawthorn, small flowers; crab apples, small fruit are good examples, maple, for colour, can easily be air layered off larger plants. With a basic tool kit similar to a pruning outfit, you can start in an hour. 

Step by step, how to start was described. Coconut coir is good substitute for peat, use grit with the compost. Use wires for shaping, a thick trunk is useful; with growth they need changing and roots checked. Start quite big, enterprising people can make own pots too. 

Usual precautions should be taken against infection, also vine weevil deterrent. A watering system is useful if away a lot. In winter, wind is worse than cold-cover and put fleece around pots. 

The talk finished with a slide show of examples and the meeting showed its appreciation in the usual way, finishing with the raffle, with reminders of tickets for the Christmas party also no  meeting in January. 

 A well attended meeting had a talk by Sheila Over on Looking Forward to Spring and Summer in the Cottage Garden. 

Sheila included some of her experiences from time spent during the lockdown spanning 2020-2021 too. She had previously been to Felley Priory in Nottinghamshire and concentrated on her experiences during the second lockdown when upon offering her services as a helper she spent time in what is essentially a cottage garden. The work was rewarding and a bonus was personal learning for instance about unusual plants and tips on care; cuttings of hyacinths, and the cutting right down of agapanthus plants. 

This is an established garden and looks after itself, the year beginning with snowdrops, hellebores then daffodils and after that, bluebells. The herbaceous border then comes into its own. Hellebores can grow anywhere, and can be propagated from seed, generally regarded as promiscuous as do tend to self seed. Can be prone to aphids, leaf spot and sometimes vine weevil; divide and then mulch in autumn is good preparation for the spring. 

There are 4 distinct flower types also doubles and spotted varieties, best displayed on high if possible because of their nodding habit. Purple seems to be favourite colour. There is a splendid rose garden, and an evergreen Magnolia. 

The grounds are open to the public Tues-Sat and 1st/3rd Sundays. 

The session finished with a lively QandA time and members showed their appreciation in their applause. At the end there were some plants for sale, followed by the raffle and reminders of forthcoming meetings.

Next two meetings are 18th November and the Christmas party on 16th December, MEMBERS ONLY WITH TICKET apply to Susan Susan Gray. 

Please note there will be no members meeting in January as Moorlands is to be closed for refurbishing.