The most safe use of insecticides & Fungicides
you having proper equipment & clothing is essentiaL |
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Equipment you need is quality respirator & plastic face mask,
gloves & waterproof clothing including wellington boots. waterproof leggings,
make sure they are over the wellington's & tunic sleeves are over the gloves
Ready to start spraying |
I spray all stock plants & once they are rooted start spraying
every plant every 14 days until flowering. Should alternate you insecticide & fungicide
Spraying plants in cold frames, this should done in the morning when weather permits & allow plenty of air circulation, take frost precautions |
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The selected plants for crossing placed in frame work, notice the corrugated sheets on top |
Covered from 6pm to 8am allowing between 12 to 14 hours
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Black out removed |
These tools you will need |
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I now have a new type of Magnifying glasses , which are very good and different magnifications |
Stamens producing pollen |
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Harry cross pollinating |
Show individual stigma fertilized |
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Stigmas received pollen
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Seed Heads pollinated
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I now place my seed heads under the velux window, they like a dry atmosphere whilst drying out, I make sure once the heads are brown no more water in the jars, watch for fungus appearing
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Husk showing seed |
Fongarid this tip was given me by Dr Barry Machin, many years ago
Perfect for preventing rotting of seed & cuttings this is very good fungicide. I have had Fongarid for years.
I am not sure if it's available now.
I use Fongarid teaspoonful to 1b jam jar top up with water as stock solution then 60 mls to 2 gallons of water
Sterlised
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Germination of seed |
Seedling pricked into trays |
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Three weeks later |
Showing 99.9% rooting of seedlings
Mole hills are sterlised by Pat's old Microwave. This take 3/4 of average plastic bag, well worth the time & effort
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These seed trays are BEF trays over 35 years old
Once they are removed from the propagating bench
allowed to get acclimatised to the greenhouse for 3 to 4 days then into 3.5 pots
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I use 3.5 square plastic pots which ideal for the mushroom trays, I have these BEF pots over 35 years old & still going strong |
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Harry inspecting seedlings |
Seedlings into 3.5 Square Pots |
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Growing nicely these will be potted into 5" pots when ready |
Seedlings by the hundreds
notice white emulsion paint sides on greenhouse
white reflects light |
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Now into 5" pots in greenhouse |
5" pots in cold frame to harden off, notice white lime wash on sides of frames
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These are 2009 seedlings
I grow these one up
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This is my new Tunnel
I bought this last year so that I can manage it with help of Pat & my Son.
I have now put in three portable paths so that I can get around the plants
It takes 120 plants
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Opposite view of tunnel |
I find once the majority are in flower the cover is placed on it with the help of three people is easy
it takes roughly 45 minutes |

Showing new shading, this was made to measure.
Material is linen
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Another view
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7" bud
bag

In final bag & is held in place by 2 canes either side & spring pegs & date when it should of reached matruity
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Cocked head
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Ways to straight cocked head
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