Edinburgh and the Lothians 75th Anniversary Show -12th April 2014

[ChrisB]

Just what I wanted to know Cliff.  I think I'll repot it after it's done it's thing and put a few lime chips in the mix to egg it on....

[David Shaw]

'David S' suspects that he finds it tricky to grow because his garden is too dry!

[Maggi Young]

'David S' suspects that he finds it tricky to grow because his garden is too dry!

Well, David, if you will live up there in the Scottish "banana belt"   

[David Shaw]

Maggi, when we came home from Edinburgh the road into our village was just passable because of all the blown soil/sand/silt. It had already been ploughed and there were mountains of the stuff at the roadside. We understand that at one point on Saturday the road was closed because of conditions. That is the basic soil that we garden on and so, after many years and £££s spent at plant stalls I am finally learning to be more selective about what we try to grow.

[ChrisB]

Good grief David!  You must take a picture sometime, I had no idea of those conditions.  Was the stuff blowing off farm land?

[Maggi Young]

That's bad news  David -  I know how prone that area is to these massive drifts of soil/sand but I didn't know it had been so bad lately.

[David Shaw]

This normally happens in March, just after the neighbour has harrowed and seeded the field. For some fortunate reason the sand blows from right to left across the end of our garden and we get to view it but not receive the deposits. We live in an area known for arable cropping rather than livestock, therefore there is little muck to add humus and the fertilisation is purely chemical. The soil structures are crap! Whilst I add humus to our garden to improve the soil, as soon as I stop it rapidly reverts to the fine sands. Peter Korn would love it!

[johnw]

Yes, Maggi, you're right. My wee rhododendron is megeratum 'Bodnant' - thanks to Aberconwy a few years ago. First time it has flowered.
And can I say a big thank you too for all the useful advice and help given to me by other exhibitors and organisers (and George too, of course!)

Oh my that megeratum has made my Spring despite standing on my head  for an hour trying to read the label.  I'd say that deserves the "bosker" descriptive.  Now I wish I had hybridized with it.

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Sandy Leven's Edinburgh Show Report online now :
http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/5Edinburghshow2014.pdf

the Perth Forrest report is on too:                 
http://files.srgc.net/Showreports/PerthForrest2014.pdf     

[ranunculus]

May I just say that Sandy's comprehensive, beautifully illustrated and totally uplifting reports are as eagerly anticipated in our house as the monthly IRG … they are a slice of Scottish alpine atmosphere in a show season sandwich … many thanks sir, very much appreciated and enjoyed!!!!   

[Maggi Young]

I am sure Sandy will be very pleased to hear your comments, Cliff- but he is not in a position to thank you himself at the moment since he is off  today to warmer climes to visit his little  grandson