<b>shaneystar2</b>

[Aquagility]

Shaney, if you're there,I wonder if you would have another look at my tulips question. It should come up on this link, I hope.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden /Gardening/Question396258.html

[shaneystar2]

I did have a look .. ...if it's not slugs then the bulbs were probably "blind". Would you like any of my slugs ? I have loads ..but I now have a little friend to eat them !

[Aquagility]

He (she?) looks as though he's off a'wooing.
Thanks for advice. Maybe you need some of my chalk.
Aq.

[shaneystar2]

It's a shame they didn't flower . Let the foliage die right back and either lift them,store them hung up to dry , and try them again next year or just pull the foliage off when it's died away and leave them in the pots to come up again ..you can always overplant them with some summer stuff ..busy lizzies or something rather than have them stand doing nothing.
Dear little frog isn't he ? First one I have seen in my garden here in Norfolk which is bone dry as we have had no rain now for 37 days ! So it's a mystery where he came from as I have no pond.I was pleased because we hads loads in the garden in London and I miss seeing them around.I hope all the ruddy slugs are quaking in their boots !

[shaneystar2]

Just a thought ..what sort of compost did you use ? You should use a soil based one not peat based because peat can burn the roots .You could try mixing some sharp sand into the compost as they like to be well drained They hate sitting in waterlogged soil.

[Aquagility]

That's the answer, then, Shaney. They were in peat! Ta.

[shaneystar2]

Peat is a no - no really .We shouldn't be using it in the garden as the more peat they dig the more the ecosystem is being destroyed and this digging is destroying wildlife habitat.It has taken peat bogs centuries to evolve and it takes centuries for them to regenerate . 95% of British peat bogs have been lost this century alone to us gardeners! There are alternatives and soil based is much more environmentally friendly. Another good water retainer and soil aereator is to mix perlite in .Luckily I have my own compost which I mix up myself ...always was a mud puppy ! However here endeth the lesson ...enjoy your garden !!

[jan1956]

glad you've sorted it shaney as I was going to suggest they were either too deep or not deep enough. We have apond so that may help with our slugs etc as loads of frogs/toads croaking about.
hope you sort it Aq as shaney says over plant the tubs with busy lizies or any other summer bedding and wait a while
jan

[Aquagility]

Shaney, I'm not responsible for the destructinn of Planet Earth, honest. This peat was here in a tub when I bought the house just over a year ago - and it was almost certainly sour then! So the poor tulips were probably the victims of my financial "prudence".

[Aquagility]

PS I've bought some Bush Lobelias from the supermarket! Are they annual (chuck away) or perennial (go on for ever)?
And before I get told off, this really is a puzzle.

[shaneystar2]

Depends ..is it a Lobelia Cardinalis..this is a perrenial but it will only lost a couple of years depending on a mild winter.
There is also "Purple Passion " which is a hardy perrenial .
"Tania " is the best one though ..sort of a purpley colour .They should be OK if you look after them and nurse them through the winter. Cut them back and cover 'em up after flowering round about late October .Depends too where you are going to put them .They won't last forever though ..with care two years perhaps three. Why don't you try a bush Hydrangea . Lovely climber and hardy .
We'll get told off soon !!

[Ont-ice]

Shaneystar2.
Hope you don't mind my intruding? I just wanted to say that we use Corn Gluten as a natural herbicide. We also use Alfalfa pellets (which break down after rain or watering) on the lawn and in the flower beds. Excellent results.
And, yes, we do have our own compost.
It wasn't slugs or peat moss that did in my tulips, it was the b....y (and I don't mean bunny) rabbits. They ate the tender buds and left all the leaves.

[shaneystar2]

If you are looking for low maintenance why don't you try these .
Need next to no work ..perhaps a light pruning before they come into flower.Last forever .
Ceanothus Paget Blue
Spirea
choiysia

[shaneystar2]

We don't have many rabbits O Ice ..not in the garden anyway !
Our problem is slugs and snails ..they are swines .
And I have just spent ages uploading some pics for aquagilty only to find they won't let him see them !

[Aquagility]

I've got Ceanothus and Chiosia. Better clear the line! Thanks again.