BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS!

16^th MAY – CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Still HOT! Daytime temperature is in the low ‘Thirties’ and no lower than ‘Eighteen’ over night; hope it lasts and doesn’t dissolve into wild thunderstorms and worse still, hail storms’.  Living at the top of the first hill in Portugal after 4,800 Km. of sea from the U.S. Eastern Seaboard does create the odd climatic anomaly now and then.  No real Oklahoma ‘Twisters’ - just thunder storms which revolve around the hilltop (700metres above sea level) for hours with the ice crystals continually rising in the clouds and getting larger with each cycle.  They usually fall out of the ‘cycle’ around the size of a black bird's egg.  This has a devastating effect on large leafed trees, such as ‘Catalpas’ (Indian Bean trees) with their broad, very green, and delicate leaves.  

 

stunning flowers on the Catalpa (Indian Bean Tree)

 They can also remove growing tips from tomatoes and cucumbers, and ensure minimum olive crop as the flowers or embryo fruit are destroyed. Umbrellas work well as protection for the low growing plants if put out early enough and in sufficient quantity (only 2€ each on the weekly market - get in before stocks go!).

 

Stunning mature fuchsia in full bloom

Fuchsias are all looking good this season and just about to burst into splendid bloom (which will last from now until Christmas, if well fed and watered). The choice is most extensive, ranging from the small flowered ‘hardy’ varieties, good for even the most ‘frosted’ English garden, to the ‘Big, Brash, psychedelically  coloured’ Australian Giants - just about ‘hardy’ in Portugal but best given protection from cold in January and February (they don’t like freezing temperatures, must be something to do with being from the ‘Antipodes’). Take cuttings now and place in pot half submerged in water. Roots will form within three weeks and the ‘cuttings’ will bloom this year.

and another lovely fuchsia

Still fighting the battle against the ‘Garden Terrorists’ and, after trying the much vaunted ‘Eco Friendly’ armoury, have decided to return to the more positive weaponry of really effective ‘chemicals’(will at least have some tomato plants left after the ravages of ‘Cut Worm’ have been stopped at the last terrace ‘Tomato’ wall). Greenfly have enjoyed a mild damp winter and are now ready for a summer break on anything that gives them a breeding ground - roses, geraniums, lemon and orange trees to name a few. To witness the results of extensive spraying with the latest effective ‘Killer’ mix, next day is most gratifying. Note: Must keep an ‘eye out’ for the advances of ‘black fly’ on the beans and ‘red spider mite’ on anything which enjoys full sunshine.

Petunias are as always giving of their best in these warm dry conditions. The ‘Serfinia’ strain  (shame they are ‘Registered’ as a brand in the EU and US, seems that even nature can be ‘organised’ by those dreadful men in ‘Grey Suites’, is there a scent of discord in the air?), continue to produce magnificent pillows of blooms. Pink is bit ‘Dusky’;  however, the ‘Reds’ and ‘Purples’ are vibrant and the ‘White’ is ethereal.

vibrant red petunia

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Must get back to make the ‘Bean’ and ‘Tomato’ support trellises before my absence and lack of effort is sensed by the Head Gardner. Remember – on a hot day,  gardeners don’t ‘sweat’, they simply ‘glow’ with the pleasure of their effort.

Must dash, see you soon,

Stuart.