TOW N.H.Do in May - Garden

johngrimshaw@tiscali.co.uk johngrimshaw@tiscali.co.uk
Wed, 05 May 2004 00:07:28 PDT
Sorry to bang on about this, but I realised that there is another point to
counter in Rand's earlier question:

>I have been told (and please correct this if necessary) that most annual
and dormancy prone plants, in general, consider their job done after
flowering.

NO!!!!!!!

A plant's job is 'done' after SEEDING! Life is about reproduction, and
flowers are merely a means to that end. Annuals will grow, flower and seed
in proportion to the moisture available; if starved and thirsty in a dry
year there may be one small flower on a tiny plant, but even that can
produce a few seeds. Perennials of all classes, once established, can
usually survive an adverse season, and if they miss a year's seeds it is not
a great calamity.

John Grimshaw

Dr John M. Grimshaw
Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens

Gardens Cottage
Colesbourne
Nr Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP

Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rand Nicholson" <writserv@nbnet.nb.ca>
Subject: Re: [pbs] TOW N.H.Do in May - Garden


> Dear John:
>
> Really? Are there studies on this? I am sure that I am not the only one
here that has been deadheading their bulbs faithfully each season, simply
because it is part of the the accepted lore and advice that has been passed
on as gospel for generations. As an intrinsically lazy gardener, I am more
than interested in this statement. I have been told (and please correct this
if necessary) that most annual and dormancy prone plants, in general,
consider their job done after flowering.
>
> Rand Nicholson
>


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