"Thanks for the Aloe Vera tip Stephen, they have been sitting in the sun for weeks now and were re-potted up last week, the redish leaves have turned a fab green colour over the week and looking healthier everyday."
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Stephen Shirley
- Male
- Challock, Ashford, Kent
- United Kingdom
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Stephen Shirley's Groups
Stephen Shirley's Discussions
Getting Excited...
Started this discussion. Last reply by Catherine Apr 22. 5 Replies 1 Like
New Magazine...
Started this discussion. Last reply by Stephen Shirley Feb 12. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Thought this new e-magazine might be of interest....City Cottage MagazineContinue
Preparing For Propagation
Started Jan 9 0 Replies 0 Likes
I've put together a couple of clips on my 'top tips'when sowing seed or taking cuttings.Hope they are of use...Continue
Cost of Living More Or Less?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Stephen Shirley Jan 8. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Interesting in the Mail...…Continue
Gifts Received (4)
Stephen Shirley's Page
Latest Activity
Stephen Shirley replied to Kate Sunderland's discussion peas and nets"Spraying at flowering time with a garlic based spray will greatly reduce pea weevil issues.
Just like tomatoes, peas (and beans) are naturally completely self pollinating so do not need any help from our winged friends (though they do like to…"
Stephen Shirley replied to Takashi Sato's discussion Is this a lemon balm?"Indeed it does - years of Latin and Greek taught me that.
But just because Melissa + Honey Bee in Greek it does not make Melissa officinalis Beebalm.There is enough confusion in horticulture with 'common names' (for…"
Stephen Shirley replied to Takashi Sato's discussion Is this a lemon balm?"As tad pedantic as Melissa = Bee is a tad tenuous :-)
There's more to Monarda than just Bergamot - most of them beeing various forms of Beebalm.
"
Stephen Shirley replied to Takashi Sato's discussion Is this a lemon balm?"Actually 'Honey Bee' - but Bee Balm remains Monarda; which specie depends on if you want plain Beebalm, lemon, scarlet or whatever.
The word Orchid is derived from a bastardisation (via Latin) of the the Greek word "Orchis"…"
Stephen Shirley replied to Takashi Sato's discussion Is this a lemon balm?"Whilst it is in the Mint famil (Lamiaceae) it is not generally classed as a Mint - just as Chinese Artichokes (Stachys affinis) are also not generally classed as a mint.
It is, however, definitely not Bee Balm - which is something Lemon…"
Stephen Shirley replied to Takashi Sato's discussion Is this a lemon balm?"Agree (but lemon balm isn't a mint - Melissa officinalis"
Stephen Shirley commented on Petra Hoyer Millar's blog post The Socially Acceptable Kitchen Garden: Fruit & Veg Snobbery"Its very easy to forget that F1 hybrids are not a modern thing - and have been around for well over 100 years now - thanks to Mendel; in fact some of the current 'modern' hybrids are older than most of us!
Personally I think it is wrong to…"
Stephen Shirley commented on Samantha Smith's blog post Pumpkins and Squash Germination"I hope we do somewhat better - today and tomorrow we are sowing Pumpkins (by the thousand) for our local schools competition that we run each year.
Commercially we must be mad as it means we effectively have to shut down any money making…"
Stephen Shirley replied to Donna C's discussion Blasted birds!!!"This morning I had the pleasure of watching a Kestrel in airborne combat with a young pigeon over our back garden - and take him down. I appreciate not for the squeamish - but fantastic to see!"
Stephen Shirley replied to Fred Hogg's discussion THE ULTIMATE GARDENERS CHALLENGE..............?????"No, not from us Fred - we used to about 20 years ago, and imported the spawn from France but now we would not be able to compete on price and so not turn over enough to sell really fresh stuff.Freshness really is the key. A few years ago I saw…"
Stephen Shirley replied to Stephen Shirley's discussion Getting Excited..."I don't think so - a Landscaper friend who sent it to me has drawn things like this before.
"
Colin Robinson replied to Stephen Shirley's discussion Getting Excited..."I like it, is it copyright?"
Profile Information
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- http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk
Stephen Shirley's Blog
More About the Bees - And Chillies !
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 21:05 0 Comments 0 Likes
Molly, Milly and Stephen spend a little time with the bee man discovering what has gone on in the few weeks the hive has been here at the nursery - and how the bees are preparing for Winter.
Apologies for the clip being 'as is' with a little background banter, but Nanny and Granddad and Serena were chatting at the same time!
If you like this video clip…
Continue Apologies for the clip being 'as is' with a little background banter, but Nanny and Granddad and Serena were chatting at the same time!
If you like this video clip…
Bees Arrive
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 14:16 0 Comments 0 Likes
Finally our bee man was able to bring over a colony to settle in here at the nursery.
I'm really look forward to discover a year in the life of the bee - and I'll try to keep the updates coming.
Here's episode 1
And So A Week On...
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 14:13 0 Comments 0 Likes
We could stand the silence no longer and took the plunge of a new pup - Tufty.
We're still all missing PB desperately and I don't think that will change for a long time - if ever.
So this is about where we are now...
And I've managed to crack a rib or two so will be a bit more office based than I'd like to be at the moment!
Comment Wall (7 comments)
- At 7:37pm on February 13, 2011, Jan Willetts gave Stephen Shirley a gift…
Don't want you to feel left out! Appreciate the time and effort you put in to give helpful advice, especially as you are a very busy gardener!
- At 8:43pm on February 16, 2011, Debbie gave Stephen Shirley a gift…
- At 2:20pm on March 18, 2011, Una Bee gave Stephen Shirley a gift…
- At 21:42 on May 10, 2011,
jim perfect said… Hi there Stephen,request accepted.
- At 21:49 on May 10, 2011, jim perfect said…
- I've got light showers at one o'clock through till four,i'm not taking any bets on them turning up.
- At 10:33am on June 02, 2011, Una Bee gave Stephen Shirley a gift…
- At 11:27 on May 15, 2012,
TheLittleBalcony said… Thanks for the Aloe Vera tip Stephen, they have been sitting in the sun for weeks now and were re-potted up last week, the redish leaves have turned a fab green colour over the week and looking healthier everyday.
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