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I've finally got round to repotting the dwarf apple and plum trees which I bought last year. I've used plastic containers rather than terracotta ones as terracotta tends to dry out quicker. Plenty of crocks were placed in the bottom of the containers to help with drainage, as well as providing a bit of weight to help the pots stay upright in windy weather. I used John Innes No.3 compost, which doesn't dry out as quickly as multi purpose, though I did mix a little multi purpose in with it. I didn't get any fruit from the trees this year but I'm hoping that I might manage something next year.
The wind is starting to get up here, though the forecast isn't as bad as it is for some parts of the country over the next day or two. I hope everyone stays safe in the approaching storms.
Are they buds on your peach tree? It's looking very healthy.
ReplyDeleteStrong winds down here already. Just been round the garden and collected up as many pots and other potential missiles as possible. Just waiting for it now! Good luck everybody.
They are buds on the tree, it's covered in them. I don't know if it will produce any peaches next year, but it's certainly in great condition. It's windy here, though I don't think we're in for quite as bad a time of it as you are in the south. Stay safe.
DeleteI see Shieldbugs on the plot. There are at least a handful of different types.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that you get some fruit next year.
I hope so too. Flighty xx
I think they change colour and shape throughout their life cycle, so it's probably only a couple of types your seeing, but at different stages of their life. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for fruit next year, but the trees are still young so I'm not banking on it. Hope the storm doesn't cause any damage for you.
DeleteSee these little fellas quite regularly at the allotment Jo. Nothing to do with them but wondering what happened to Green Shield stamps. Fingers crossed that repotting stimulates your trees into producing fruit next year. Hope that the forecast storm is not as bad as some of the media is suggesting.
ReplyDeleteI've seen quite a few over the last few years but don't remember seeing them at all before then. I'm glad someone has mentioned Green Shield stamps as they always remind me of them too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for fruit next year, just an apple or two would be nice. I find that the media do latch on to news like this and paint the worst possible picture, so I too hope it's not as bad as has been suggested.
DeleteThe first shield bug I came across was climbing up the back of my neck!
ReplyDeleteEeek! I wouldn't have liked that one little bit.
DeleteYour Green Shield Bug looks rather handsome in the photo. It has been very windy in Northern Ireland today and I'm watching as my plants are battered outside.
ReplyDeleteHe's certainly camouflaged. The winds have got steadily worse here throughout the day. I hope your plants, but most importantly you, are safe.
DeleteI see those green Shield Bugs in my garden occasionally too. Never more than the odd one or two though. Did you have many Ladybirds this year? I had hardly any at all, which is very unusual. Still, we had loads more butterflies than we have had for several years.
ReplyDeleteI only see odd ones too. I don't mind any sort of wildlife providing they're not doing any damage to my plants. I didn't have many ladybirds this year, nor butterflies, except for the Cabbage Whites, I saw more of those than normal. It's funny how sightings differ from year to year, all down to Mother Nature I think.
DeleteGreat info on the bugs Jo...I had no idea there was one here from Europe!! I have just checked our forecast and it seems that the winds aren't going to be very bad around us now either..I guess only time will tell. Stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteThey're fascinating little creatures, aren't they? I'm hoping we miss most of the storm but all those people who are in the midst of it are in my thoughts. Stay safe too.
DeleteI've not heard of these bugs, I will look out for them now I know a little more about them.
ReplyDeleteThey're easily missed becaust they camouflage themselves. I bet you see loads now you know about them.
DeleteI have loads of green shield bugs on my raspberries, especially later on in the season. They've got quite a grip, they're hard to dislodge than you'd imagine! Hope your fruit trees do well. I've usually got one or two in pots - at the moment a dwarf apple and a Morello cherry. Hope the storm doesn't hit you too badly.
ReplyDeleteThey must like raspberries then. I haven't tried to dislodge one but it sounds like they cling on for dear life. I've had a Stella cherry in a pot for a few years now, but I added to that with two apples and a plum last year and a peach tree this year. I'm hoping for fruit from them next year. I hope the storm misses you too.
DeleteI have never seen green stink bugs. In my country, especially my garden, there were a lot of stink bugs. I really hate them.
ReplyDeleteThis is our native Shield Bug. It doesn't do any harm to the plants at all so I just let them be.
DeleteStink bugs damage gardens here in the US. I kill every one I find, but there are always more! I have a flat rock in my garden and another one nearby to squish the bugs between them. They really do stink something awful!
ReplyDeleteSaw storm reports on the news - Hope you are safe.
Lea
I think we're lucky here that we don't have a variety which damages our crops, though the non native one may become a pest in the future. I know they can secrete a smelly liquid but I've never smelt one, thank goodness. We've been very lucky here, just lots of rain.
DeleteI never knew they were called Stink Bugs, but I've obviously not challenged one enough to see that side of its character. Quite beautiful creatures.
ReplyDeleteHope you stayed safe - very windy here and lots of local damage but not to us or our house :-)
I've never smelt one either, and as I'd rather not, I think I'll keep my distance in future. We were very lucky in the storm, we had mainly rain, which didn't cause any problems.
DeleteI have seen these in my garden, is that a pic of the native or non-native one? I saw this very one on my runner beans which had large holes in some of them.xxxx
ReplyDeleteThis pic is the native one as far as I can tell. They all suck the sap from plants, but the native ones don't do any damage. It makes you wonder though, there's so many pests that I'm sure these will become one too in the not so distant future.
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