Allotments 4 All

Thank you Juliev, not exactly wonderful, but at least something. 

@Galina, I have one seedling of Green Spindle (out of 3 or 4 seeds).

@Jan, you can count me in for the seed circle 2026.

I had a report of no germination of tomato Green Spindle.  I hope this was a one off and not a bad batch to the seed circle generally.  Has anybody else started these this year?  After hearing about this, I will obviously now also start some here with my next batch of tomatoes, although I hadn't originally planned on growing them this year.  Too many new exciting tommies to try.

Comments please if you have started them. 

No, it would outgrow a pot rather quickly.  It is perennial, but dies back with a few aerial roots as absolute insurance.  It is quite tameable in a greenhouse or poly, but there is no need for that, the space can go to plants that need it.  A 5ft fence to scramble up is quite suitable. 

I would start the little aerial roots indoors in a pot and the resulting plants will grow away strongly outside after frost.  The flowers smell very pleasant, before the little aerial tubers develop.  These tubers can drop rather easily and if you don't pick them up, they can sprout and you could end up with far more plants than you wanted.  But they are easy to recognise and weed.  The adult plant will resprout from the ground, if you leave the storage tubers in the ground.  These tubers will get bigger in their second and further years.  Both the flavour of the aerial tubers and the storage tubers is pleasant starchy, chestnutty after a short boil.  No peeling needed, just wash and steam or boil. 

I have another question. This time about the cinnamon vine. There are quite a lot of warnings online about it being potentially invasive.
So my first question is whether that's likely to be the case in an east of England climate.
Secondly as a perennial climber it presumably needs something to climb up. Would it cope with grass competition ultimately, as growing it up my veg garden fence (5' at its highest) is what I would have in mind.
Also, would it be practical and a good idea to keep it in a pot for a year or two?

Hi All,

Just to say that i have had the heated propagator going in unheated greenhouse for two weeks now and pretty much all of the plants have started to Germany nothing big enough to put on yet but we're getting there. I'm slowly working on refilling tomato pots and getting things cleaned.

Bit to wet to do much this weekend but hopefully next week i can get some fences painted and bit of garden pressure washed.

cam

congratulations xx

Thank you, Vetivert, for drawing a distinction between Mirabilis longiflora and Mirabilis jalapa.I hadn't appreciated that we have two distinct species. I've altered the Airtable base accordingly.

Are you able to say more about their differences? Also a suggestion from either or both of you as to how you situate your plants? How much space do they require, and do you support yours? I'd be interested in any information!

I've never soaked or scarified the seed. They need light to germinate, so I press into moist compost about half-way, cover with cling film and keep at the same temp as for beans. The root comes out of the narrow end, looks a little creepy.

MR donated M. jalapa, which is a little different. But if I recall correctly they also need light to germinate.

Pretty easy and trouble-free in my experience.

That's excellent news, Galina, that you are hoping and intending to take part again.

On last year's seed contributions, we were lucky to receive Mirabilis longiflora (Angels Trumpets, Four o'Clock Flower)from two participants. Thank you Markfield R and Vetivert. It was new to me so when I came to sow it yesterday I looked up information. Apparently the advice is to nick the hard seed coat first and then soak in lukewarm water.

I was wondering whether our donors - who obviously had success! - had done that, and how generally easy to germinate they are. Any other tips with that one?