AFTER THE RAINS - WHAT'S HAPPENING

22 January 2014.  Central Portugal

Still wet, rained every day since 18^th December 2013;  however, according to my four weather ‘Forecasters’ on the ‘web’, there may be sun at the end of the tunnel. Not much happening in the ‘Veg’ patch - winter lettuce and radish doing well, ‘chilli’s’ have finally turned red on the ‘Bartlett Bonnet’ plants;  herbs are having a fine old time but then they love the rain.  

 Oranges, Tangerines and Lemons are coming up for early morning picking and squeezing.  The hot dry summer has sweetened and ensured less, though larger, fruit.

Just a small part of our orange crop

Limes are coming into flower early and there would seem to be signs of growth in the new Grapefruit tree. Now is the time to’ FEED’ and mulch fruit trees. Apricots coming into flower, keep frost away if possible.  Peach blossom will be out by late February. Have found that Peaches, Apricots and Plums in the valley bottom get caught by frost two out of three years but on the third year the crop is amazing.  (Patience is a virtue they say)

Orchids, in their many forms are keeping my attention just now. Difficult to believe that it is possible to grow such fantastic blooms on my terrace. Cymbidiums are the easiest to grow and flower each year, (tolerant to cold, down to 5 degrees C.), take little care or attention when dormant in the summer and produce the most wonderful varied colourful sprays of up to twelve flowers in January.  ‘Moth Orchids’ (Phalanopsis) are also in full bloom just now -  not as easy to grow as Cymbidiums but very impressive and long lasting(Flowers last two to three months).Dendrobiums are just starting to bloom, a  bit more difficult than previous two mentioned , require minimum 15degrees C and moderate humidity to do their best.  Colours and shapes are amazing and often produce thirty or forty flowers per spike in ideal conditions. So on to the patio with all your Orchids in May until November, 12 hours sunshine each day for the summer and a light bright place until the flowers arrive.(if you want cheap orchid stock plants wait until April and every garden centre is ready to ‘Off load’ the previous unsold plants now without flowers, just waiting for you to work your magic for January’15 and take a chance on flower colour!).

 

a selection of our beautiful orchids

Must dash -  Chilli seeds to plant in propagator for early South American varieties. The rains stopped, maybe it’s the end of the ‘Monsoon’ season in Portugal, ‘Brollies’ away and spades out, let the new season commence, may your Pumpkins be bigger than ever this year.

Back soon, 

STUART. 

PS I may have spelled some of the names of orchids incorrectly - not my strong point!