Alocasia Amazonica

https://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/alocasia

Rose pruning

Groundcover rose - wait until March:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=174

Climbing rose can be done a little earlier (I have climbers, not ramblers because they flower repeatedly - ramblers only flower once in early summer).

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=189

Late summer sowing

It's the last day of August and I've taken advantage of the fine weather over the past couple of days to weed the veg beds and sow some seeds - this may come to a whole heap of nothing but it's worth a try.  Unfortunately the early onset of the heatwave caused all the pak choi, daikon and mong bok (Chinese leaf/napa cabbage) to bolt and I managed only a couple of lettuces (partly due to my own indifference as well as the heat). 

So, today I have planted:

A couple of rows of daikon.  I might get some smallish roots out of them, not sure if they can overwinter. 
A row of mong bok - again, not sure how big they might grow - I reckon I've only got about 6 weeks, 8 tops before things will start to shut down.
A row of white radish - these grow a bit quicker so may get something out of them before the winter.
A row of pak choi - probably should have planted this a month ago.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I've also put in liberal sprinklings of rocket, mizuna, lamb's lettuce and a 'spicy salad mix' from Wilko.  Got nothing out of them from May's sowing - it all got too hot. 

I've also scattered some of the poppy seeds that I bought from premier seeds direct into the coffin beds.  Not been too precious about these - they're like dust and if I get one or two plants to take that will be fine. 

And I've just had a quick sprinkle of hollyhock seeds into the shady edge of the garden by the compost bin. 

In other news:  The tomatoes are surprising me with their ability to ripen.  Removing most of the leaves from the plants in the gro-bags seems to have been the right thing to do - seeing what Iain did to his cordons in his garden was an inspiration.  I think that I shall save seeds from a posh tesco variety (probably cherry) later this year and sow them, rather than buy a commercially raised plants.  Whilst the harvest has been prolific, the flavour has been lacking on some of the plants, with the exception of the cherry tomato plant that Dad gave me (which I think was grown from shop bought tomatoes) and one of the ones from B&Q (the plant label is in the gro-bag - let's see if I remember to put it in here when I break it down). 

Allium bulb instructions

(from W.S. Warmenhoven)

As soon as you bought the bulbs, unpack them and lay them on the paper bag.  Keep the bulbs until October in a dry place, well ventilated and let them breathe.

Don't plant in heavy clay - if you must, mix the clay with grit.  Well drained soil is the best.  They need water in the autumn to make a good root system to soak up water in the spring to produce the flowers.  Make sure you don't plant the bulbs in a dry spot.

After planting put some bonemeal on top.  Planting depth is 2.5 times the size of the bulb.  If you have a windy garden plant them a bit deeper. 

Don't plant them in pots.  If you do so water them frequently directly after planting throughout the whole winter. 

If you let them make seed heads by the end of the flowering season they will not easily flower a second time.  Cut off the flower if you don't want the seed heads. 

After three years take out the bulbs and let them dry.  Take off the small bulbs and plant them in fresh soil. 

Restios - instructions for care from Sunray plants

Evergreen size from 2ft to 16ft as variety
WHERE:  any normal soil to sandy.  Full sun or part shade even seaside.

Keep well watered until established. 

Container use, always keep moist

Maintenance:  pest and disease free.  Cut out half the old stems at the base in spring after main frost.

Mulch:  bark/wood chip or gravel 3-4" deep around the base.  Feed well

An unusual long lived fairly hard versatile plant.  

Cosmos Sensation

Cosmos Sensation Mix

Cosmos Sensation Mix. A showy and large graceful annual with bright 2-3 inch blooms in bright shades of purple, crimson, pink and white which is sure to make a bold, beautiful statement in your flower garden. Lacy finely cut foliage and silky flowers give an airy touch to the garden flowering consistently from midsummer to the first frost. Very effective when grown in masses as a background planting and informal flower gardens. Makes excellent cut flowers. Tolerates poor soil, heat and dry conditions. Very Attractive to Butterflies. 36-48 inches high. Very easy to grow.

Cultivation Advice Cosmos Sensation Mix

• Days To Germination: 5-10.
• Planting Depth: 1/4 inch.
• Spacing, Plant: 12 inches.
• Plant Height: 36-48 inches.
• Light: Full Sun
• Sow early indoors / under cover with warmth 4-6 weeks prior to the last frost in individual pots or trays.
• Cover seed with 1/4 inch fine soil.
• Keep soil moderately moist and warm during germination.
• Can be sown directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed through early summer.
• Thin or transplant to 12 inches apart when plants are 2 to 3 inches tall.
• Gradually acclimatise outside after all danger of frost has passed.
• Cosmos grows best in full sun in ordinary garden soil and may re-sow itself.
• Fairly drought resistant, water only when soil is dry for an extended period.

Daikon Minowase

Radish Mooli Minowase

Radish Mooli Minowase . Also known as ‘Japanese Minowase’, ‘Daikon Minowase’ and ‘Japanese Minowase Daikon’. This large pure white radish has a very smooth root that is tender and has little pungency reaching between 12-18inches in length by 2in. The white roots tend to grow out of the ground 2 to 3 inches developing green shoulders. Often seen in oriental markets, Minowase has a unique taste and has brittle juicy flesh. 40-50 days to maturity.

Cultivation Advice Radish Mooli Minowase

• Radishes grow best in cool, moist weather (50 – 65F/10 – 18C). Late plantings may bolt before edible root forms. Avoid sowing in the UK between Jun and Aug as plants will bolt.
• Plant outside in full sun as early as soil can be loosened and worked. Plant 1 seed every inch lightly covering with soil. These plants get large so do not sow thickly.
• When plants have 3 leaves, thin to 2 inches apart keeping weed free. Thinnings can be used for both leaves and roots.
• Best sown at 3 week intervals for a continuous harvest.

Pak Choi

Cabbage Pak Choi White Stem

Cabbage Pak Choi White Stem is an easy and fast to grow, Chinese non-heading cabbage that is 8 to 10 inches long, producing tender, loose, spoon -shaped leaves with thick white ribs. Crisp and mild and great for oriental cooking. Is cold-resistant and grows over a long period of time. Harvest in around 45 days.

Cultivation Advice Cabbage Pak Choi White Stem

• Moderately Hardy, can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked and then throughout until late season. Best direct seeded to a depth of 1/8 inch, and firm soil gently or alternatively start under cover in plugs.
• Germinates in 7-14 days, depending upon soil and weather conditions.
• Transplanting bare root is not recommended, because the plants can go into shock and the plant bolts to seed.
• In dry weather, keep soil moist and during germination.
  Sow every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.

Green Shiso

Perilla Shiso Green

Perilla Shiso Green is slightly spicier than the red perilla and tastes more like cinnamon. The red perilla has an anise flavour.

Cultivation Advice Perilla Shiso Green

• Sow thinly in trays undercover from early Apr through to mid-summer, lightly covering the seed and keeping out of direct sunlight until germinated.
• The growing medium should be free draining as the seed can rot if too wet. Early sowings will need additional warmth provided.
• Germination 14-28 days at 70F. Transplant when large enough to handle and gradually acclimatise outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Best planted out in full sun in free draining soil.
• Harvest leave when young and tender. Both the flowers and subsequent seeds are also edible.

Chinese Leaf - Wong Bok

Vegetable Chinese Cabbage Wong Bok new

Vegetable Chinese Cabbage Wong Bok new. Produces large barrel shaped heads of up to 2.5 kg with crisp light green white ribbed leaves.

Cultivation Advice Chinese Cabbage Wong Bok new

• Produces large barrel shaped  heads of up to 2.5 kg with crisp light green white ribbed leaves.
• Sow thinly from the last frost through to early autumn in rows 2 ft apart covering with 1/4in of soil.
• Germination takes 5 to 10 days depending on soil and temperature conditions.
• When plants are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin or transplant, spacing plants 18 inches apart. Alternatively space at 9-12 inches and harvest alternate plants when young.