Sunday 16 May 2010

It's Pinocchio

Do you remember last October when I mentioned that my daughter was taking part in a bulb growing competition at Wyevale Garden Centre? She could choose three bulbs of either Pinocchio or Red Riding Hood tulips, and then had to write a diary and record how they grew. We couldn't remember which variety she chose, but once they were in bloom we were in no doubt that they're Pinocchio. My daughter decided to plant them in a container and topped the container off with bellis, which the tulips grew through. She handed in her diary last weekend and was thrilled to find out that she had won the competition. The prize was supposed to be a growbag with a tomato, pepper and cucumber plant, but they had also added to the prize with a watering can, some hand tools and some seeds, which was very generous. I'm quite intrigued by the pepper plant she was given as it's a grafted plant, which is supposed to make it more vigorous and it's supposed to produce up to 70% more fruit. We'll wait and see.

We had a lovely day out yesterday at Lotherton Hall where there was a garden show on. I picked up a convallaria manjalis - lily of the valley, which has been on my wish list for quite a while, but which I never get round to buying, and also a hesperis - sweet rocket plant, which is good for attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects. This will go in my wildlife border. As well as horticultural displays and trade stands, there were other attractions such as a sheepdog display, a shire horse display and a reptile and exotic animal house where the kids got to handle a tarantula, lizards, a baby meercat, a barn owl and a huge tortoise amongst other things. It was a great day out, and on our doorstep as Lotherton Hall is only about four miles from my house.

16 comments:

  1. congratulations to your daughter. how nice to get the bonus goodies too :) her pot looks lovely :)

    oo, i planted lily of the valley recently and it seems to be doing ok. fingers crossed it establishes itself well. i hope your does well for you.

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  2. AnonymousMay 16, 2010

    Well done! What a lovely theme for a competition to have and her tube looks lovely, I hope your daughter is proud of herself!

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  3. sounds like you had a wonderful day out and I am pleased your daughter won the prize for her gorgeous tulips. I feel sorry for the children who's parent can't be bothered to participate in activities as such of these with them.

    Tell your daughter well done from me and i hope she enjoys using her prizes!!

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  4. AnonymousMay 16, 2010

    Congratulations to your daughter! Pinocchio tulips are beautiful. Those are very generous prizes, I have never heard of a grafted pepper. I always thought that only perennials are grafted.

    Lily of the valley is one of mine favourites. I still don’t have it in my garden, but it is on my list. I have read that it is poisonous, is that true?

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  5. AnonymousMay 16, 2010

    Like mother, like daughter, I suppose. Well done.
    Lily of the Valley is poisonous, and also spreads like mint does - I just bought one from Horley Country Market (see www.country-markets.co.uk for a market near you) and have been told to plant it in a pot.

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  6. Well done to your daughter Jo- her planter is most cheerful. What a good prize. Lily of the valley is just coming into flower now here and such a pretty and scented flower. As far as I know it is toxic if ingested but then so are a good number of other garden plants.

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  7. Jo, What a great job your daughter did ... her planter is gorgeous! Congratulations to her! I'm glad you got your lily of the valley at last. Enjoy! Pam

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  8. AnonymousMay 17, 2010

    Well done to your daughter, she's obviously got the magic green-fingered touch! Such a good prize as well.
    It sounds like you had an enjoyable day out, with the added bonus that it was so near to home! Flighty xx

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  9. a big hearty slap on the back and "well done you" to your daughter. I lovely display and a great prize!

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  10. Your daughter must take after her mum.

    Watch out for slugs on the lily of the valley as they love to shred the leaves!

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  11. Congratulations, they look great, well done to your daughter, soon you'll be able to sit back and let her take the strain!

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  12. How wonderful, well done and such a colourful pot. I love Belis, its so pretty. It's great that she enjoys gardening as much as you.

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  13. Congrates to your daughter, I have heard about grafted tomatoes and aubergines but never about the sweet peppers, so I look forward to hearing about how the grafted sweet pepper plant does.

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  14. I've been wanting lily of the valley for a long time, Steph. It's one of those things that I've never got round to buying though, so I'm glad I managed to pick it up.

    My daughter was very proud when she found out she'd won the competition, Poppy. I think she did well with her container too.

    It is sad that some parents don't participate in things with their children, Tanya. The saying goes that you only get out what you put in, and that's true with children too.

    I believe that lily of the valley is poisonous, Vrtlarica, but there are many other plants which are too, including such innocent looking flowers as daffodils.

    Lily of the valley can be invasive, Elizabeth, so I will be taking measures to keep it under control. Thank you for the link, I will have a look to see where my nearest market is.

    I think the prize is super, Anna. My daughter certainly thinks so. There are so many poisonous plants, but I don't think we realise just how many.

    I think my daughter did a good job with her planter too, Pam. I'm really pleased that she enjoys gardening too, it's nice to have a hobby which we can share.

    Thanks, Flighty. It was a lovely day out, and the weather stayed fine for us too. It's always a bonus when you don't have to travel too far.

    Thanks, Carrie. I'll pass your well done wishes on to my daughter.

    I didn't know that slugs are partial to lily of the valley, Green Lane Allotments. Thank you for pointing that out, I'll take precautions.

    My daughter often helps me plant things, Damo. She know's what she's doing too, so I know that I can leave her to most things.

    I'm really pleased that my daughter has an interest in gardening, Amanda. Even if she grows out of it, it's always something that she can go back to at a later stage.

    I'm really interested in the grafted pepper plant too, Kella. I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs, and I'll keep you informed.

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  15. AnonymousMay 19, 2010

    Beautiful tub ;0)

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  16. Thank you, Lynda. My daughter enjoyed planting it.

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