5th NOVEMBER
2016 – CENTRAL PORTUGAL
The cold and wet of
November have descended with a vengeance in the last two days. After the
halcyon ‘Indian Summer’ of October it was rather a shock when the temperature
last night fell to 1 degree C. with the prospect of a maximum of 10 degrees
during the day and with continued very low evening temperatures until the end
of next week forecast. The panic to protect all those tender semi tropical
plants that pretend to enjoy the Beiras, but only really tolerate the summers,
now begins.
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| Beautiful trumpets carrying on until it gets too cold! |
What will survive and
which will fail after a few days of low temperatures? Most soft stemmed grasses
will need to be watched. Bananas, tamarillos, bougainvillaeas, dahlias, geraniums (Ivy
Leafed variety are much ‘Hardier’ than the soft leaved Pelargoniums),
Tibouchinas, non-hardy fuchsias (large flowered and usually from Australia - small
flowered varieties much more resilient to cold) will be the first to suffer in
the cold.
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| Fuchsia and geraniums/pelargoniums still bright and cheerful on a dull day |
They all tend to first wilt, then the leaves turn black and then the
terminal stage commences when the stem turns soft and slimy, which marks the end. Some of
these tender plants will survive under the soil surface all winter. However, the
smallest amount of ground penetrating frost will see their permanent demise.
They can be protected in situ if too
large to move. Fold up the leaves and wrap with string, cut off the top third
and wrap the resulting tube with sacking, old carpet or with a specialist and
expensive garden protective fleece. Fill in the top with straw and cover to
prevent ingress of rain and damp (the arch winter enemy of the semi tropical
genre). Those smaller plants in tubs and pots should be moved to undercover
protection, preferably high up (first floor of a barn is excellent as the low
grade frosts of Portugal seldom rise above one metre to become air frosts). Cover
lightly with a garden fleece and leave. Water sparingly every six weeks until
March or first signs of new life.
Summer flowering bulbs,
lilies, gladioli, orchids and tuberous dahlias etc. also need frost free winter
quarters. Lift the bulbs and store in dry sand, peat or old newspaper in boxes
kept clear of water or damp ingress (if wet they will rot very quickly) and
away from mice - they enjoy a Christmas
Feast of plump bulbs. Take out of winter store in late March and place in the
spring sunshine to firm up prior to re-planting
Ensure you also plant all the small bulblettes as they will be ready to
bloom the following year.
Last winter’s Amaryllis (hippeastrums) having been
kept in the dark on their sides for the last two months, are now ready to
re-pot for a splendid festive flowering in late December and early January. Simply
place the bulbs upright in new compost buried to a maximum of one third of bulb
height, add water sparingly and place inside in a sunny spot away from the
window as the night cold slows their flowering cycle dramatically.
 |
| Hoping for a similar display of Amarylis and orchids in a couple of months |
Leave roses and
trailing vine plants to flower till they finish. Many will continue to bloom
throughout the winter months as will miniature Cyclamen (their larger summer
cousins will not stand low temperatures). Heartsease and the larger pansies will
flower profusely throughout the coldest periods. Remember to give a mild feed
to all winter flowering varieties to ensure a continued glorious display.
The first signs of life
will start to appear during the next weeks in the tulip and daffodil tubs planted
at the end of September. Keep the shoots free from damp fallen leaves (these will
damage the growing tips of the bulbs), ensure the compost is moist but not wet (this
also rots the bulbs), give the tubs a mild feed now and around the first week
in December for splendid results. Cuttings taken now from budded hydrangeas,
placed in moist compost and brought into the house warmth, will flower at the
end of December early January.
Winter lettuce are
performing well. The current rain precludes watering (but if very dry for a few
days give them a splash). First leeks are ready for the table. Not much else is happening as not a fan of
cabbages, turnips and potatoes and really too early for carrots, broccoli, khol-rabi
and spinach, and kale should only be grown for the colour the stems bring to
the winter garden!
Decided o build a large
cloche for the ever increasing cacti family. Will place on the Belvedere in
full light for maximum winter sun and hope the interior temperature is
maintained above ‘Cold’. They should survive if kept short of water, only time
will tell?
HG seems very pleased
with the progress of the holly bushes (which are covered in berries, currently
yellow but hopefully will become more ruddy and festive). Cold wind causing
cold hands, nose and feet.
Coffee would certainly be of assistance.
There goes the ‘Bell’
that pleases –
must dash, see you soon
Stuart.
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