PREPARING FOR THE WORST AND HOPING FOR THE BEST TO COME

5^th 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.

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.

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.  

BLUE SKIES AND ORANGES

14th DECEMBER CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Abundant Orange Crop

This year there is little need to decorate Christmas Trees in the garden as nature has already looked after the  task with the usual commodious efficiency. Every Orange, Tangerine and Mandarin tree is weighed down by a ‘bumper’ crop of bright orange fruit, problem is they are nearly all ready at the same time and there is only so much juice that can be drunk or fruit that can be eaten. The citrus family in general seems problematic when it comes to preservation? After the mass production of Marmalade, Lemon Curd, Lime and Ginger Preserve, bottled Mandarins and Glace Orange and Lemons what can be done with the 95% remaining?

Tangerines in the toes of Christmas Stockings used to be very popular but today the demand of youth seems to be for Chocolate Oranges. Tried the Tudor  solution of Orange pomanders (Orange liberally pierced by cloves) which can be hung by the fire (look a bit ‘naff’ by the radiator for those without a fireplace), only problem is they smell almost acceptable for a few days and then slowly dry into a dark red lump.

During the last ‘Glut’ of Tangerines (around five years ago after a very wet ‘fall’ as this year) decided to pick and squeeze large quantities for freezing , the result when defrosted was appalling - looked as if  it had been supplied by a horse that was ‘No longer fit for work’ (you’ll have to use your imagination here). Later was advised that to ‘freeze’ juice successfully various forms of ‘alchemy’ are required to ensure sterile conditions prior to entombing in the ‘freezer chest.  Now limiting efforts to freshly squeezing sufficient for two large glasses with breakfast each morning  (with the added congratulations that if this was being enjoyed in an up-market London hotel the charge for each glass would be at least 10Euros (for the world market 15Dollars,8 Pounds and possibly 100Roubles)
.

Still picking Chillis.  When will they stop flowering? ‘Piri Piri’ plants being used as decorations (vibrant red and dark green leaves great substitute for Holly which, as always, is in very short supply in Portugal),’Scot’s Bonnet’ plants now three metres tall and still covered in fruit ranging from pale green to ripened ‘Dark’ red (when do they become ‘HOT’?  Currently fruit very mild).

Piri piris make seasonal decoration

Phaleanopsis (Moth) Orchids now in full flower and quite magnificent, the Orchid family give the most ‘value for money’ of all ‘House’ plants. Have Orchids which stay in bloom for ten months each year with minimal care and attention and there is nothing more ‘fascinating’ than spotting the potential flower spike on a Cymbidium (as you will appreciate life can be very quiet in the ‘Beiras’ of Portugal in winter)

Expecting these flowers of phaleanopsis to last a long time

Cyclamens, Pansies (the flowering kind), the odd Rose and Brugmansia’s  (Angels’ Trumpets) are still going strong.  Impatiens gave up the ‘ghost’ with the first frost (well nearly ‘frost’- temperature fell to 3 degrees C one night last week). However, the lovely colours of ‘Polyanthus’ are vibrant and profuse in the cool mountain air.

pretty little cyclamen under the orange tree

very cheerful faces of the pansies and a pot full of primulas

Angels' Trumpets getting ready for the Festive Season

Mini rose giving us lots of vibrant colour

Just checked the overwintering Geraniums in the barn;  still flowering (although severely cut back in November. Don’t be persuaded to water as this cause premature termination in the current weather conditions).

That sounds like a ‘bell’; can’t be from a reindeer yet so must be a summons from the Head Gardner. Will just apply a little soil to the trouser knees and ‘mud’ to the boots (must at least look as if gainful employment has been achieved) and put on gloves and hat before reporting for duty at the kitchen door.

Must dash, see you soon,
 

Have a ‘Good Christmas’ (or ‘Festive Season’ for the non-committed).

Stuart and the Head Gardener.

Note from Head Gardener - also giving flowering pleasure are fuchsias and this lovely "Easter"! Lily.  Knifophia about to bloom and a cordyline trying very hard to "get out".

This fuchsia just won't stop flowering

Peaceful and graceful Arum Lily

Red hot poker, warming up the winter weather

We'll keep you posted on whether this flower comes out in the cold!

 

AUTUMN TASKS IN THE PORTUGUESE GARDEN

 Autumn Tasks in the Portuguese Garden

After first eight days of the Portuguese Monsoon Season, 380mm of rain so far, and gentle wind from the south west at a constant 22degrees C., the weeds and grass in the orchard are beating all previous growing records, “Strimmer” time looms again if it’s not to be waist deep by Christmas. The wells got water again just when it has little use, yet another burden for the weary gardener’s shoulders, but very wet ground rules out ‘digging’ so some relief.

The Peppers and  Chillis are still enjoying a strong spell of  production -  seems the ’HOT’ chillis got mixed up during planting earlier in the year so careful ‘nibbling’ required to ascertain their position on the ‘Scoville’ chilli heat scale.  Currently three varieties in the pleasant to moderate category with two in the ‘AARGH’ level, but the colours are spectacular. Still awaiting the tasting of the purple ’Cardinals Hat’ variety, grown from Portuguese produced seed by a ‘Mrs.Bartlett’, which is claimed to have a ‘Scoville’ rating of 650,000.  Piri Piri is 150,000  so she has a remarkable sense of humour or must come from Gois

Basket full of a variety of peppers

 The early cuttings of geraniums, fuchsias, hydrangeas and roses all seem to have taken.  The recent rain has made further ‘Snipping and Sticking in’ even more viable.  Remember this is the time of year when you visit your friends’ gardens equipped with’ Secateurs and a Plastic bag’ to gather ‘plunder’ cuttings, much cheaper than the garden centre.

Fuschsia full of prospective cuttings

Daffodils need planting in tubs now if you want an early show, tubs are better than direct into the ground as this avoids feeding the mice throughout the winter months on expensive ‘Dutch’ treats. Make sure your compost has lots of sand and ‘Vermiculite’ for drainage as the bulbs will drown in the heavy rain.

Pinch out the middle of the Coleus you planted in late August for a good Christmas show. Bring in the ‘Over-summered in the garden’ Cymbidium Orchid plants. To encourage the flower spikes place plants in good light and keep moist but not damp. If you have a ‘Begonia Rex’ - that’s the Begonia with

dark red, pink and grey leaves and’ awful’ flowers -  cut a good leaf and ‘pin out’ on good compost in a tray or plant pot, cut the leaf veins,water and  you will have a pot full of new plants by next January.

Remember everything needs feeding NOW

Latest on the Angels' Trumpets - just look at it now!

Even more flowers out since this was taken last week

The sun's come out and the sky is suddenly blue, Ah! The pleasure of being a gardener in Portugal.

Must dash, bet there’s lot to do after the rain,

See you soon.

                       Stuart