Monday 10 June 2019

New Garden Plants All The Way From China.

We sent off for some plant seeds a couple of months ago.  I think I mentioned it on here.  You only had to pay for the postage.  We ordered Bamboo, Pampas grass and Maple.  We ordered them through Geek.  Two Euros postage for each sachet of seeds.

About a month later a package arrived.  This is sounding like I am a drug dealer.  We sowed them in some trays and we have had mixed results:  The Pampas grasses all germinated.  

There are TWENTY SEVEN Blue Pampas Grass happily living outside in pots.  I even divided up the plants!  .  I like them and they seem to tolerate living next to the sea too.  Can't wait to see their Blue plumage!
Lots and lots of Pampas grass.
The Bamboo and Maple are a bit slow germinating.  I have even resorted to putting them in the wife's 'magic' window.  It's a NORTH facing kitchen window and everything sitting on the window sill germinates.  I have read that Bamboo need frost to make them germinate.  Even putting them in the fridge for a few weeks.  Anybody else had any experience of growing Bamboo from seed?  

I have seen Bamboo plants for sale for 22 Euros.  What's 22 x 5=?  A lot of pennies.  So the return is good even if the germination is a bit erratic.

We have about five Bamboo plants emerging at the moment and the Maple is starting to germinate.  Anybody else bought some 'free' plant seeds from China?  Or overseas?


28 comments:

  1. 'Free seeds' ......now that sounds like an attractive offer! So I shall investigate Geek, and see what is for sale. Vx


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  2. Hi Vera. You just have to wait a month or so (sometimes sooner) for stuff to arrive. Its great for cheap toys for Christmas. We have had a lot of good things. Well except for that cheap rucksack that the straps broke last year on my Dorset trip. Remember? Ebay sells seeds too. I'm really happy with the Pampas grasses. Happy growing!

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  3. toss them in the freezer for a couple of weeks , ive managed to start all manner of weird tree and grass seeds that way

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    1. Thanks Kate. I suppose the cold snap in the freezer resmbles winter? Thanks for the advice.

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  4. I've grown bamboo from seed some time ago. I doubt a period of cold is needed as most originate from tropical and some from temperate areas. The advice I got was to soak the seed for 24 hours first. They did take a while to germinate (about a month) and only a few came up.

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    1. Makes sense what you say Philip. The slow germination sounds like my experience with Parsnips this year. Pleased with the Pampas grasses though. Thanks!

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  5. In view of my experience with Pampas, wondering if you should include a warning notice on the way they grow.

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    1. Yes perhaps warning notice wpuld be a good idea Valerie. I have a big one in my garden that I am going to split in autumn or next spring. I have split over twenty Phormiums this year. Thanks.

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  6. Bamboo can be very invasive unless the roots are contained and controlled. I think there are scant few 'clumping' varieties so check out your particulars. Happy growing.

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  7. Thanks for the advice Kris. I like bamboo for its screen privacy. I usually propagate my from pieces of root and stick them in a pot of compost or garden soil. Thanks!

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  8. I hope you have better luck than Macron's White House present oak tree. It pegged out after only one year. One reporter said the Yanks have had it burned. They think it had a disease.

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  9. Hiya Gwil. Yes old Top Cat (Trump) isn't a very good gardener is he? When he came to Clare last week. They asked the farmers in the area not to use their tractors to cut silage or spread slurry. He must not like rural areas. My friend in Warsaw tells me its 30 degrees there. Is it the same in Vienna? Thanks!!

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    1. It's the same weather here - most places between 30 C and 35 C and in the night it won't dip below 20 C so it'll be officially a 'tropical night' say the weather people.

      Perhaps they meant the farmers not to spread slurry on the golf course?

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    2. We once visited Krakow in July and it was 36 C. Central Europe gets some very cold winters and some incredibly hot summers.

      Or on the president even?

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    3. The New York Times is going to stop offending politicians. It's the end.

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  10. There would be a few journalists in the UK twiddling their thumbs if politicians started being nice to each other. What would they write about? Gardening, poly-tunnels, running, poetry..? Perhaps they should copy The New York Times Gwil?

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    1. Blog on Dave! Today I've done my bit to keep political cartoons alive. My not the NYT cartoon is duly blogged

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  11. Will check it out Gwil - thanks.

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  12. The pampas grass will be lovely. Will you re-plant them outside?

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  13. Hi Susan. I have potted them on into bigger plant pots and hardened them off and they are with the rest of my potted perennials outside in the veg plot. I will plant a few of them around the garden. Thanks.

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  14. I cannot believe I have a gardening thing to tell you! Be cautious with your pampas. It make take years, but one day they will burst through your front door and own your house. And be impossible to eradicate. Just saying. If you're not prepared to deal with them, best keep them in those pots.

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    1. Thanks for the advice Joanne. Planting Pampas is like planting trees. They need lots of space and not near any building. I saw some Pampas planted at a harbour last week. Right next to the sea and they seemed content. Thanks.

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  15. Dave, the Grass Weaver (Pat) left a comment for you at Zen.

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    1. Yes I have just left a comment Gwil. Good old Caramac.

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  16. It sounds from what Joanne says the day of the triffids is heading your way. Remember them?

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  17. Yes I remembet the book and film Gwil. The people started a self sufficient conmunity on the Isle of Wight. Wonder if they started the Rock Festival? Imagine Triffid plant seeds coming from out of space? Its even farther away than China!

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