Geranium Blotch

Incessant wet weather is a real problem for containers. Most geraniums (pelargoniums) showing signs of leaf blotches on several leaves.

Although not absolutely certain (see update), don't think this is disease. Concentric scorch marks indicate sun scorch caused by hot sunshine shining though rain drops (which act as a lens).

Never seen them so large before, so not ruling out disease. But normal leaf blotch does not have the scorch rings. Shall have to wait and see.

Sprayed with 'Dithane' just in case. Might help. Hope it clears up soon (the weather, I mean).

Caterpillar Alert

Butterflies look very attractive as they flutter from plant to plant in a garden. Watching them on a summer's day completely belies the fact they are high up on the gardener's list of arch enemies.

Eggs laid in rows on the underside of the leaves of many flowering plants soon hatch into little monsters capable of devouring these leaves seemingly within hours (. . . well. . . days).

Dahlias are particularly susceptible. Beware.

The new 'Provado' spray in the yellow bottle (active ingredient 'Thiacloprid') seems to work well against them.

Basil Update

Although basil has been growing steadily all season, it's now time to harvest the crop. Project not really been successful, despite final size of plant.

Extremely slow growth combined with the susceptibility to pests (now having trouble with caterpillars), make it unviable as a commercial proposition - far cheaper and easier to purchase from a supermarket; this variety, 'Sweet Genovese' is the same one they sell.

If you have followed the story, you will know that I selected basil as an easy plant for a beginner to grow. Nothing could be further from the truth. I would definitely not recommend basil cultivation to new growers (nor old ones either, for that matter).

Keeping Them Blooming

Removing fading roses before they start setting seed will help keep them blooming (you should do this for most plants).

If you have several roses clustered on each stem (I do mean stem, not plant), cut off each rose as it fades. Once each cluster has finished flowering, remove its remaining branches by cutting below a good leaf bud lower down on the main stem. This will give stronger growth to the next flush. I know you really need a photo of flowers, not buds, but unfortunately I cut all my roses off before I thought about telling you this. Hope your imagination is better than mine.

Fuchsias Survive Downpours

Covering the fuchsia pots, at least for some of the time, has allowed them to survive about 75 mm (3 inches) of rain within 24 hours (plus much more (we've had about 200 mm (8 inches) since the weather broke)).

It is surprising just how much water flowering plants can tolerate, especially as the leaf canopy thickens. Some leaves are arranged like tiles on a roof and turn almost all rainwater. You need to be aware of this when watering. You might find that certain pots are drier than expected.

The geraniums (pelargoniums) seem to have fared worst. If this wet weather continues much longer, I shall have to start covering these, as well. But all plants are doing well for now. And it looks like being fine today.

Getting the Blight Protection

Recent hot humid conditions ideal for the fungus diseases 'tomato (and potato) blight'. Sprayed tomato plants with 'Dithane' as a precaution. The fruit can still be harvested, when it appears.

Tomatoes Roll Their Own

As you can see, I'm still having trouble with the original tomato plant. A tomato grower told me that rolled leaves are a sign of health, especially in young plants. I don't believe it - not in these, anyway.

However, tomatoes do roll their leaves when they are too cold (Cold? Come to think of it, mine do have a bluish tinge - I Wonder. . .. It's definitely not the warmest of spots). Yet the weather hasn't been particularly cold. And 'Ailsa Craig' can be grown outdoors. And why are the younger side-shoot cuttings doing so well, without any curled leaves - even in the same sort of pot? Another mystery.

The good news is that the second truss has set some fruits, which are starting to swell. Hurray!

Corky Scab

Plants kept in soggy compost and low light often produce corky scab-like growths on their leaves. This potted geranium (pelargonium) had been left out in the rain cramped up in a container.

These will not appear on new leaves once the compost dries out.

Feeding the Growth

I don't know. Someone must have it in for me. Every time I feed the lawn with liquid feed, we get un-forecasted torrential rain (I mean, it's enough to give one a complex). Consequently, because this rain has come down too heavily to be completely absorbed, much will have run off along with some feed.

This is the start of the second spurt of growth, as far as lawns are concerned. And because heavy feeding leads to the production of less thatch at this time, and because the lawn needs building up after the dry weather, I want it growing as fast as possible (hence extra feeding). Was hoping that two feeds given at weekly intervals would have done the trick. Now not sure. Still, if worst comes to worst, can always give some more, even in dry weather. This the beauty of liquid feeding.

The lawn is showing some sign of 'dollar spot disease' (at least, that's what I think it is), as suggested by these small round brown patches. It can deteriorate very quickly at this time, as they coalesce together.

But it seems to come back quickly, especially after receiving some autumn treatment which is coming soon. Did I say 'autumn'? How time flies.

The recent liming and application of ammonium nitrogen do not help from a disease point of view. But no alternative at the moment - between a rock and a hard place. Raking should soon restore the turf. But it's still a bit too soon - and we need some time for the feed to take hold.