Topic: Honey Bush - 'Melianthus major'

[cambourne7]

Hi Guys,

I did not cut this plant back and its was fine till 2 weeks ago when a frost seamed to take it back a little.

Do you think i am now 2 late to cut it back?

http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/results/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=78311&CategoryID=

HELP

[ACE]

Well mine has defied all that it is supposed to do. It is in full flower at the moment, it has had a mild frost once this year, it grows les than a quarter mile from the sea and I moved it in january but never planted it back in the ground for a few days.

I would leave it alone but if you are where it is likely to get chilled next week, wrap it up warm. Or if it has wilted bad just take off the bits that are affected.

I have entered some of the blooms arranged with that wicked spikey stuff, fresh picked kiwi fruit, african daisies, and purple hebe  for the village show tomorrow. That will make the judges scratch their heads.

[manicscousers]

ace, you should win 'most exotic' for that lot  ;D

[cambourne7]

Ace you must have great weather in cowes

thanks for the help

i am going to spend some time tomorrow re-wrapping my gingers and i will pop some flease around my honey bush.

I think its one of my fav plants in the garden  ;D

[ACE]

ace, you should win 'most exotic' for that lot  ;D

No, but just had a phonecall that I am needed for a press picture. Best in show!

[coznbob]

well done.......................!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[lorna]

Wow, don't forget the pics Ace. Congratulations.
Lorna

[cambourne7]

ace how have your honey bushes fairig?

Mine have got brown bits and i am tempted to get the sissors out

[ACE]

Thriving and in full bloom, so are all the others I have seen lately. Did yours get hit by a cold wind?

[cambourne7]

dispite being wrapped in fleece i think so.

i am going to take some photos this weekend and i will let you know what it looks like.

[Rohaise]

This is one of my favourite plants !   some say the leaves smell of "a cup of warm milk at bedtime "  (and it does ! )   some say it smells of freshly shelled peas ( and it does ! )   wonderful .     Here in Cornwall I dont protect it unless a serious arctic blast is predicted .  Mine is quite large 4ft xabout 5ft. I have both cut it back and had it cut back by cold winds ,it always comes back as fresh as anything. ...and I have taken pieces of it,s roots with me on moving house and they grow away with no trouble . If I lived in a cooler zone I would take root pieces off it to bring on in a cold frame or greenhouse JUST IN CASE I should lose the mother plant . It is a lovely exotic looking thing and everyone always asks "What is that plant ?!"   I hope you can all get yourselves a piece of this lovely plant. All the best.... Rohaise  x    :)

[cambourne7]

what amazes me is that the plant looks prickly but its quite soft to the touch

[barkingdog]

oh dear, I cut mine back about a month ago :(. Do you think it will be okay? It's in my greenhouse wrapped in fleece at the mo!

barkingdog

[cambourne7]

take it out to enjoy the sun :-)

[cambourne7]

I fear that i will have to cut the plant back, as apart from a bit of the growth at the top all the leaves on the stem are now brown.

What do you think?

[Leopoldo]

They're normally reshooting from the base at this time of year (my two are). Is that the case with you? If it's all brown it'll be very straggly this year unless you encourage new growth from the base. So yeah, I reckon cut it back - I always do if mine get pretty frosted.

[cambourne7]

thanks will do tonight before i water and will add a feed...