Newsletter

October 2008

September Members Meeting

Roger Claydon, assisted by his wife Gill, spoke on the topic of Dahlias.  He is a National dahlia judge, President of the Essex Dahlia Society and both are Essex dahlia judges so we were expertly informed in detail about the propagation, growing and exhibiting of all classes of dahlia.  Their slides showed a wealth of colour and the huge variety of different shapes and sizes.  Also various techniques were demonstrated on the examples they brought in and all our questions were answered. 

Roger Claydon’s tips included the following:

After the first frost cut plants down to 6-9” and hang upside down to dry for 2-3 weeks in the greenhouse.  Trim up the tubers and coat the cut stems with flowers of sulphur.  Store at 50-55 degrees throughout the winter having bedded up into trays of standard compost making sure each is labelled.  For exhibition work you must start with a brand new cutting.  Prepare ground for planting out at end of May – seal the ends of supporting canes to deter earwigs and watch out too for slugs, caterpillars, greenfly and blackfly – use spray and pellets!  Cuttings are stopped in first week of July to allow 3 shoots only, those at base of plant.  Feed with Vitax Q4, Chempak No 4 or Phostrogen for extra potash and allow 3 feet between plants for Giant dahlias and 6 feet between rows.  Take the seed pods off to keep the plants flowering.  If seeds are dried they will produce plants but will not come true to type.

Janshaven Cup  Our first meeting after the summer break bought four entries for the penultimate meeting for this year’s presentation of the cup (November will be the prize giving).  1st prize was won by Glenys Hopkins with a Dahlia called "Alves Cream", 2nd was Linda Lister with a dahlia and 3rd with a rose called "Madam Shalise" was Mrs Willmott.  Don’t forget - you may still be in with a chance of winning so bring your entries to the AGM and the November meeting.

        Annual General Meeting - Tuesday 14 October 

To be held on Tuesday 14 October in the URC Hall, Market Hill at 7.45pm.  This is an opportunity to air your views, put forward any suggestions or ideas you may have, or even volunteer to join the committee!  There will be a report by the President, the Chairman and a financial report, so a chance to hear all that has been happening during the year and anything new that may be planned for next year.   All this serious business does not last too long and is followed by FREE cheese and wine. 

During the course of the evening the winner of the ‘Tallest Sunflower’ competition will be presented with their prize.   Also the ‘Halloween Highlights’ fun competition will be held at the AGM.  For the Pumpkin carving competition you do not have to have grown the Pumpkin yourself - just carved it yourself.  So with a little bit of imagination you could show your talents and we could have a great display!  For the classes for the Squash and Gourds they should have been grown by you in your own allotment or garden, any size, any variety.  Bring them along on the evening and come and have a glass of wine with us and enjoy a chat with likeminded friends and members. 

10 lb Heaviest Pumpkin Competition 

All of those lovely pumpkins out there are just waiting to be weighed and one waiting to be given the 10lb prize.

Bring them along and we will weigh them for you and find out the winner.  There is a trophy to be won!   

MHHS Meetings

Tuesday 14 October                     MHHS AGM / Cheese & Wine, URC Hall, 7.45pm

Thursday 16 October                    MHHS Committee Meeting, Moot Hall, 7.45pm

Thursday 13 November                   MHHS Committee Meeting, Moot Hall, 7.45pm

Tuesday 18 November                  MHHS Members Meeting, URC Hall, 7.30pm

Tallest Tomato?

The prize for the tallest sunflower will be awarded at the AGM but has anyone got any other plant that has grown unexpectedly tall?  I have a tomato plant that I neglected to pinch the top out and unnoticed it has grown up through a winter jasmine and golden hop and is now producing cherry tomatoes at 7’ high!

Planting By Design 2008/9

A lecture series by professional horticulturists and designers to be held at Writtle College at 7.30pm in The Northumberland Lecture Theatre, between October 2008 and March 2009. 

Christopher Bailes – Curator, RHS Rosemoor

Tuesday 14^th October - Pedigree Plants; Dogwoods in the Garden 

Tom Stuart-Smith – Designer

Tuesday 11^th November - Contemporary Planting in Historic Landscapes 

Fergus Garrett – Head Gardener, Great Dixter

Tuesday 9^th December - The Exotic Garden 

Michael Marriott – Technical manager, David Austin Roses

Tuesday 20^th January - Breeding and Using the English Rose 

Tony Kirkham – Head of Arboretum at Kew

Tuesday 24^th February - Plants from the Edge of the World 

Robin Templar Williams – Designer

Tuesday 17^th March - A Personal and Professional Perspective 

The full series is £42, cheques made payable to ’Plantsmen at Writtle’

Tickets and further details from:

James Hearsum, Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR

Tel: 07817 268 593 (eve) e-mail: james.hearsum@writtle.ac.uk

Any items for the newsletter, comments or requests please contact me on 01621 858624 or email karenhutchings@hotmail.com