Gardeners Tips

Corms of Acidanthera or Gladiolus callianthus are sold as summer bulbs but they flower best in autumn. Less colourful than other members of the Gladioli family these white flowers have a dark purple eye and look stunning in late autumn sunshine.

Acideranthera Facts and Growing Tips

• Acidanthera are scented with flowers arching from a long pollen tube with tall green pleated leaves.
• Can flower up to 36-48″ high.
• Not hardy enough to be left out in winter they dislike waterlogged soils.
• Great in well drained sunny situations, these were planted in my garden wall.
• Acideranhtera are also called the Peacock Flower
• Water and fertilise when flowers begin to develop.
• Plant 4 deep in clay soils or upto  6 deep in other soil.

Read more about Gladioli in 100 days from planting.

Begonias provide lots of colour per plant.

• Begonia Semperflorens is probably the most widely grown begonia and is also called “wax type” because of the waxy look to the leaves. They are grown from seed mostly as bedding plants and annuals and last until frosted.
• The larger flowering Begonia tubers are currently bringing summer to a colourful finish. The tubers can be dried and stored for next year
• The indoor Begonia rex are demonstrating some strange and colourful leaf shapes. These are Rhizomatus types.
• Cane or Angels wing Begonias are a bit out of favour but make a robust house plant.

Growing Begonia as Annuals from Seed

• Begonia seeds are very small, so it is best to mix the seeds with fine sand and sow onto the top of the moist compost.
• Do not cover the seeds with more compost but cover the container with cling film.
• Place the container in a shaded or dark position at 68 – 72F.
• Check the seeds daily for emerging  seedlings, this normally takes about two weeks.
• As soon as the seedlings appear remove the polythene and place the tray in a light position. Seedlings require a great deal of even bright light.
• If the window sill is cold cover the container with a cardboard box at night.
• When the seedlings are large enough to handle  prick them out from the seed tray and pot them on into 3 inch pots.

A useful none commercial resource is Brads Begonia guide.

Thompson & Morgan supply a wide range of seeds. The normal colours of red white and pink have now been extended by orange and yellow additions and at the last count there were 50 products to consider growing. Thompson & Morgan