ONLINE ISSUE 311 DEC 2020

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | www.advertizer.co.uk | December 2020 43
Bridge of Weir Horticultural
Society
During benign October weather, gardeners were able to catch
up with end-of-season chores. Autumn tints were splendid with
surprising flourishes from Springtime shrubs, such as Azaleas and
Rhododendrons. Christmas Cacti owners were remarking that some
were budding nicely and likely to flower for Christmas or earlier!
Bulbs should be planted by the end of November. If not..... check
the recommended depth for each bulb, not just the ‘rule of thumb’
of 2.5 times the depth. Add horticultural grit to the bottom of the
hole, or Vermiculite or Perlite. This helps drainage so keeps the
bulb healthy. The last bulbs to plant are normally tulips. Sometimes
delays occur but bulbs will catch up or fall into dormancy depending
on conditions. For best results, place one type of bulb in a pot and
when they flower, arrange these for effect. ‘Lasagne’ type planters
may be fashionable but are disappointing. Different bulbs pop up
at different times and often the display is sparse because bulbs are
over or yet to come.
Remember bare-rooted shrubs etc., ordered earlier, will be
appearing and need to go in promptly. Give these a good drink,
keep moist in a bucket in a cool shed and plant when the ground is
frost-free. Prepare a hole wide enough to spread the roots freely
over the soil, add compost and mound slightly in the middle to
encourage roots to grow downwards, then sprinkle the roots with
organic Micorhizzal powder and position on the mound. If roots are
too long, this is the time to trim them and will do no harm. These
are the plant’s anchor roots. The fibrous ones are those which suck
up nourishment. Firm the soil to support the plant. If the tree has a
trunk, include a stake to prevent root rock. This should be angled at
45 degrees and point into the prevailing wind. Tie the stake to the
tree lower down the trunk but not too tightly. Movement should be
limited near the roots but allowing flexibility for the trunk to sway.
A little tugging on the roots encourages them to get working!
Find us on Facebook and read our new e-letter with members’
contributions.
Scout’s Christmas Tree Sale
Scout Hall, Barr’s Brae,Kilmacolm, 10am to 2pm
On Saturdays 28th November, 5th and 12th
December.
Kilmacolm Scouts will be bringing some early festive cheer to
end the year by selling our usual fantastic Nordmann non-drop
Christmas Trees.
Due to Covid restrictions the trees will be pick-up only this year
but we can cater for all sizes at prices well below the big stores.
All money raised goes to funds that help provide skills and
adventure for young people.
We will be selling from our Scout Hall in Kilmacolm and
possibly in Bridge of Weir too for those who usually come from
Renfrewshire to buy their tree and who don’t want to break the
Tier 4 lockdown.