Fact Sheet Twenty Six
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THE GARDENERS DIARY
WEEK 26
27th March 2005
THE DIARY THE FLOWER GARDEN: Plant finished bulbs in between shrubs.
Indoor bulbs that have been forced on to flower for may have finished flowering now.
A big question is what to do with them?
Well why not scan your borders and shrubberies and plant them in areas lacking spring colour.
Remove them from their containers and then plant into position.
Once planted remember to feed well with a fertiliser that is high in phosphate and potash to encourage the bulbs to develop and give you a better show of bloom.
IN THE GREENHOUSE: Re-pot Cacti.
Cacti need to be re-potted this week.
It can be a painful job if you don't use this technique.
Push the plant out of its pot using a pencil or pen through the drainage hole.
Make a handle out of a strip of thin card and place it around the cactus and once it is tight enough lift the plant out of the pot.
Loosen some of the compost around the compacted roots of your cactus.
Re-pot the plant up one pot size up using specialist compost.
Slowly settle the plant into its new pot using a spoon to place the compost around the root-ball. Firm it in and then place in a saucer of water and leave it standing for 10 minutes.
Return to the newly planted cactus. If any water is still left in the saucer pour away and then place some horticultural grit on the surface of the compost.
Of course once potted remove the strip of cardboard.
FRUIT & VEG: Figs need feeding Figs need feeding this month with a high potash feed. Use a granular or liquid form preferably feeds which you would use for roses or tomatoes. Before feeding remove any winter damage from the plant and If they are badly damaged follow right down to the point of origin and remove. Cut back some older shoots down to one or two buds from their origin. This will help stimulate some healthy young shoots and help the plant to rejuvenate itself. If you have fan trained your plant, tie in the new stems and space them well. PEST PROBLEM OF THE WEEK: Watch out for Apple Suckers. These flattened, pale green insects are up to 2mm in length, they resemble a winged aphid and can be found on trusses of apple blossom in the spring. If they are not contained they can cause irreparable damage by killing the flowers and of course this will then deter the fruit setting. It will also stunt the growth of the young leaves by deforming them. The larvae cause the most damage by feeding on the blossom during the flowering period. To control this varmint you should spray with a contact insectiside as the buds start to break and green-up. Listen to The Gardener's Diary with Luke Ashmead on BBC Three Counties Radio every Sunday afternoon at 2.00pm Contact The Gardener's Diary Here BBC Three Counties Radio 94.7, 98, 103.8, 95.5 and 104.5FM | 
