But in the greenhouse the citrus trees look as unhappy with the cold and wet as I am. The leaves and stems are covered in black mould and I should really go out there and clean them up a bit.
My much cherished Meyer is starting to crop - lemon curd here we come!
I bought an orchid food spray before Christmas. It seemed an empty gesture. But no, they are all in bud and getting ready to burst into flower!
Is that Pussy Willow, I see in the vase ? Is this from your garden or forced bought from a florist ? I live in Central France and there's no sign at all of it . It's not very good weather here either, Drizzly rain most days for over a week. I used to live in Devon before I moved to France 25 yrs ago.
ReplyDeleteThe pussy willow was bought fresh last year, a present from a friend. It's no longer in water and looks as though it is going to last for ever! I live in Somerset and you will recall from your time in Devon just how miserable it can be in January, and February, and March!
DeleteWhat is a Orchid food spray ?
ReplyDeleteI love my Meyer lemon. I has been attacked by some awful grey caterpillars and now the hard freeze.
How big is your tree to get that many lemons. I have mine in a pot.
You said you have a green house ? Lucky you. Please take some photos for me.
If I was somewhere grey and rainy I would fluff up that green house and make sure that I visited it every day.
cheers, parsnip
I'll take a photo my purchase to show you, just a small bottle of liquid feed to spray on both orchid leaves and roots. I didn't have high hopes when I bought it but it seems to be very effective.
DeleteThe Meyer is in a pot, as are all my citrus because I have to drag them under cover every autumn. I've taken lots of greenhouse photos in earlier summer postings and it is a lovely place to be in all seasons except winter. For three months of the year it's out of action and gets virtually no warming sun as the neighbouring trees keep the greenhouse in shade.
Grey caterpillars - yikes!
Hello Rosemary, and thank you for visiting my blog. I have happily discovered yours, and love your garden pictures. The orchid spray interests me too - I have one of those purple ones, but it hasn't flowered for nearly a year. I would love to have a Meyer lemon, but citrus doesn't do well here, too much humidity :(
ReplyDeleteI've got three orchid plants, all brought as presents from different friends and therefore precious. They sat, like yours, without any flowers, looking rather grim for ages, prompting the spray purchase - all are now in flower!
DeleteMy Meyer lemon tree (which is more like a bush) was a present, many years ago, from my father. It struggles in the winter months and I would be devastated to lose it. I would have thought that a lemon tree would relish your climate, perhaps it's worth a try?
Mmmm, orchid spray....sounds good. I am always amazed when my two aging orchids in pots ( in England) flower, yet again.
ReplyDeleteI love the pussy willow photo...gorgeous.
Now what IS gorgeous is your place in France! Can I carry your bags when you go there in spring?
DeleteWhat a gorgeous array of plants and bulbs you have to cheer you through these dull, dark and wet days. Amazing to see the pussy willow:)
ReplyDeleteFlowers are so uplifting, especially in the dark winter months. I'm just back from a grocery shop with a bouquet of roses, eleven lovely stems for £2! I can remember when you had to pay that much for a solitary bloom.
Deletepussy willows! I am living vicariously through yours! None here till at least April! How wonderful your climate is!
ReplyDeleteThose pussy willows are as dead as a dodo but remain looking perky regardless. (War baby - I never throw anything out!)
DeleteMy climate 'wonderful' - get away with you!