Seed Guide 2007 pgs 01/41 - McKenzie Seeds

G R O W I N G I N F O R M A T I O N
From mid June onwards it's usually
necessary to feed with a good liquid
fertilizer once a week, or you can give a
weekly feed of high potash fertilizer to
encourage flower production. Replace
once a month with a high Nitrogen feed
to prevent the foliage going yellow.
Finally dead head the plants regularly,
particularly Mimulus, Geraniums,
Nasturtiums and similar; to ensure a
succession of flowers.
Baskets for Vegetables and Herbs
These need a little more attention but
can be both attractive and productive.
They must never be allowed to dry out
and for this reason wire baskets are best
There are four popular ways of drying
flowers: Air drying, glycerine, moist
drying and by using a dessicant. In the
chart overleaf we have listed the most
usual treatment for each subject. They
will probably also respond to other
treatments. Also there are doubtless
many other plants we offer which can be
dried for their flowers or foliage which
haven't been mentioned here.
Air Drying
Air drying is the simplest method, pick
the flowers with as long a stem as
possible when they are just fully out.
Strip off the leaves and hang them upside
down in bunches of 3-6 stems in a cool,
dark, airy place until fully dry.
Glycerine
Glycerine is helpful in giving grasses a
lovely silken sheen or to retain a plant's
suppleness. Dilute 1 part glycerine in 2
parts hot (boiled) water, mix together
well and stand the plant in a jar
containing 2-3in (5-7.5cm) of the mixture.
Leave for 4-5 days until they change
colour.
Moist Drying
Leave on the plant until the flowers are
fully mature then cut, remove all the
foliage and stand in a jar containing 2in
(5cm) of water.
18
Everlasting or Dried Flowers
lined with polythene. Suitable subjects
are Bush Cucumbers, Chili Peppers,
Lettuce Salad Bowl, Parsley and Tomatoes
and herbs like Basil, Sage, Chamomile,
Chives, Marjoram, Sorrel and Thyme.
Vegetables need more space than
bedding plants and a tomato such as
"Christmas Grape" or a pepper such as
"Jingle Bells Hybrid" should be planted 3
per 14in (35cm) basket, whereas with
cucumbers, like "Straight Eight", one
plant per basket is sufficient. Feed weekly
with a high Nitrogen feed, grow most of
them in a sheltered spot, but provide a
little shade for herbs and shade from
strong sun for cucumbers.
Once this has been used up they should
be left to dry naturally. If the petals show
signs of withering once the water is used
up add a little more water.
Dessicant
This method is useful for the more fleshy
flowers which don't dry easily by any
other method. Use a cardboard shoe box
or similar and cover the bottom with 1/2-
3/4in (12-18mm) of dessicant (silica gel or
similar). Place the flowers on this and
work the dessicant carefully in among the
petals until they are full covered and only
the stem shows. For a first attempt it's
best to start with daisy like flowers which
should be placed face downwards on the
dessicant. Seal the lid on the box with
tape and place in a WARM, DRY place
until dry. The time taken will depend on
the size and texture of the flowers, but it
usually takes around 2 weeks. Lift the
flowers out with extreme care and brush
off any surplus dessicant with a soft paint
brush.
Seed Heads and Gourds
Leave the seed heads on the plant until
fully ripe and bring in and air dry for
several weeks. Gourds should be
harvested when fully ripe, this can be
seen by the fruit changing colour and
becoming hard. Leave them on the vine a
little longer if you are doubtful. Cut the