Trafford

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Peter –

Silene stenophylla, Narrow-leafed campion

Christine –

Soldanella Alpina

Ashley – 

Snowdrop

James – 

Opuntia, Cactus

Q – After the winter frost, my cordyline has black, wilted leaves. How can I stimulate new growth? 

(3 minutes 49 seconds)

Q – My bathroom orchid has ugly grey roots sprouting out the pot, can I chop them off?

(6 minutes 45 seconds)

Q – I’ve been using a terracotta rhubarb forcer with no success, what am I doing wrong?

(9 minutes 20 seconds)

Q – If I’m using commercial nematode slug deterrent, should I avoid growing tagetes nearby?

(12 minutes 3 seconds)

Christine – 

Tagetes exotica

James –

Tagetes minuta

Huacatay, Peruvian black mint

Mycorrhizal fungi

Q – What are your preferred potato varieties?

Christine – 

Charlotte potato

James –

Peruvian potato

Ashley – 

Anya potato

Q – My potatoes look great on the outside with no obvious signs of damage, but when I cut them open, they’re black and hollow. What could be the cause?

(24 minutes 16 seconds)

Q – Which luxury fruit would the panel recommend to grow in a northern allotment?

(26 minutes 12 seconds)

James –

Rosemary 

Sage

Salad

Raspberries

Blackcurrants

Gooseberries

Ashley – 

Pineapple sage

Wasabi rocket

Christine – 

Melon

Q – I want to bring some summer colour into the garden so it attracts bees. Which flowers should I grow in my shaded flower bed? 

(30 minutes 10 seconds)

Ashley – 

Schizophragma

Christine – 

Pittosporum tobira

Q – What is the best way of using spent tomato compost? 

(32 minutes 24 seconds)

Q – Except for hostas and ferns, which plants with flowers can I grow under the shade of trees? 

Christine –

Aquilegia

Aconitum

Scilla peruviana

Chionodoxa

Whatsonia

Cyclamen 

Ashley –

Astrantia

wood aster

epimedium

James –

Tulips

fritillaries

Lunaria

cow parsley

(34 minutes 47 seconds)

Q – How do I get my wife to spend more time on the allotment?

(38 minutes 9 seconds)