PUSHING THE BORDERS

Woke this morning and thought we had got away with it as the grass wasn't white but later couldn't get the car doors open so it was definitely cold! how have you all fared?

A few days of hard frost here. All the buds on the tree dahlia, dahlia campanulata and Tetrapanax now a soggy mess. I’m hoping I’ve got everything which needs protection under cover. As I get older I hate the cold more and more.

Weds night lowest was -2.2C. Last night stayed above freezing but there was a hard frost. One more night tonight then milder and wetter.

Of course my central heating/hot water system has started to play up - woken up to no heat or hot water the last 2 mornings :roll: Once up and about it is an easy temporary fix to pump up the pressure but I need a new bit that is a few days coming. Not massively convenient as I due in hospital wednesday after last month's cancellation.

Past two mornings frost on car, this morning on grass as well, but already warming up by 0800 hrs.
Dahlia campanulata, D excelsa, D imperialis in the ground all fine.

I had a couple of nights of about -3c but no damage yet seen. What's left of my more tender potted plants, such as bougainvillea, are tucked up in the greenhouse. My new gas heater played up on the first bad frost last winter and I lost loads. This winter iI am using paraffin so hopefully no problems imminent. So far it's been pretty mild but we never know when a bad cold spell will arrive. Currently mild again.

Paul I am sorry to hear you are are still waiting to be sorted out by the NHS. I keep hearing this from friends and relations who have had medical procedures postponed.

John

Had two nights down to -2c, still have yucca, canna and an agave flowering...no sign of damage...even the ensetes are still fine. In fact, tradescantia, aptenia, gynura and other bits not been too bothered by all this cold stuff. The daytime recovery temps have helped.
Really must think about putting me tenders in the greenhouse this week!

What I really dread are 'ice days'!

We’ve really had a week of very cold weather. Anything semi hardy has been frazzled or turned to mush, even the hydrangeas. Greenhouse and the side of it are getting packed with plants. I’m hoping that my Caleolaria pavonii might flower. Loads of buds on it. What are the chances Charlie? My first time with this plant and it has settled in really well but not sure if the flowers need warmer, earlier good weather.







Understand how you feel about the NHS. When it does work it is great but for me it hasn’t been great this year. Told I might need a heart procedure earlier in the year, causing months of waiting and worry. Stumbled across a letter on my app only the other day which had gone unnoticed saying that my GP had misread electrical interference on the ECG as a heart issue!!! It beggars belief. Months of worry for nothing. Now I’ve had 4 months of daily headaches, stopping me from doing my hobby, referred between various people: neurology, neurosurgery, the stroke team etc etc and 4 months on still no diagnosis. Let’s hope Paul we, and everyone else, get sorted sooner rather than later.

If the Calceolaria is under glass it should flower all winter, I generally cut it back in April, it still has flowers but is so huge by then other things need to be given a chance! Outside I found that its flowering period was always marred by frosts and although it didn't usually die it wasn't earning its space.

Great. Thanks Charlie. It’s already massive reaching the roof of the greenhouse which I aim to keep frost free so hopefully I will see flowers soon!