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From The Archive: Container Gardening

Kathy Clugston has a rummage through the GQT archives for advice around gardening in containers.

Kathy Clugston lifts the lid on the GQT archive, in search for some advice on gardening in containers, pots and hanging baskets.

Gardening in pots and containers has become more of a hot topic in recent years and the GQT panellists have dished out their fair share of advice on it.

The programme's horticultural experts share their knowledge on the potted plants that can be grown on the roof of a narrow boat, the type of pot that can prevent frost damage to a plant, and whether liquid sheep manure is a sufficient feed for tomatoes and pot plants?

Later we hear a fiery debate between Bill Sowerbutts and Dr Tom Rochford on the differences between houseplants and potted plants.

Producer: Bethany Hocken
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod‹
Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for ±«Óătv Radio 4

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42 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Jun 2024 14:00
±«Óătv Radio 4

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Plant list

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Q – What’s the difference between houseplants and potted plants? (0’50”)

Q – What plants could I have in my window box that will bring some colour into my life? (3’13”)

Alan Gemmel

Petunias

Tagetes

Aubrieta

Ìę

Fred Lodes

Chlorophytum, spider plants


Bill Sowerbutts –

BegoniaÌęPendula

FuchsiaÌę"Tennessee Waltz"

Ìę

Q – What potted plants would the panel recommend I grow on the roof of my boat?Ìę It must be stable, seagull proof, and very weatherproof (07’56”)

Ìę

Pippa Greenwood –

dwarf sunflowers

balkon geraniums

Ìę

Bunny Guinness –

Pelargoniums

Ìę

Bob Flowerdew –

Sempervivum, Houseleek

Q – Could you recommend a container for a small pond, and what could I grow in it? (11’47”)

James –Ìę

Colocasia esculenta,Ìęelephant ears

Canna "Taney"

NymphaeaÌę'Pygmaea Helvola'

Ìę

Q – Five years ago I bought a smallÌęCallistemonÌęand each year I’ve potted it on in John Innes, watered it, fed it and overwintered it.Ìę But it isn’t producing the ‘bottlebrush’ spikes I’m looking for. What am I doing wrong? (14’48”)

Ìę

Q – I have a terracotta pot, which is not advertised as frostproof, what is the best way to guarantee protection from frost, if indeed that is possible? (19’53”)

Q – Is there any research on growing vegetables in vertical containers? (35’38”)

Ìę

Fred –

French beans

Bush tomatoes

PhaseolusÌęvulgarisÌę'Pickwick', bean (climbing French”) 'Pickwick'

Tom –

Garlic

Petrosilenum crispum, parsley

lettuces

turnip

rooted radishes

Q – Does the panel think liquid sheep manure is a sufficient feed for tomatoes and pot plants? (27’23”)

Q – What’s worse for hanging baskets and plants in pots – overwatering or underwatering? (27’23”)

Q – What shrubs are suitable for going in pots in a south-facing courtyard garden? (33’31”)

Matt –

AlyogyneÌęhuegelii, lilac hibiscus

Pelargonium,ÌęFragrans Group (Sc”)

Coprosma

Pippa –

Japenese Acers

ArbutusÌęunedo, strawberry tree

Q – After all the years the panel have been getting their hands dirty amongst the creepy crawlies, is there anything that they would rather not see when turning over a flowerpot? (37’50”)

Ìę

Ìę

Broadcasts

  • Fri 7 Jun 2024 15:00
    ±«Óătv Radio 4
  • Sun 9 Jun 2024 14:00
    ±«Óătv Radio 4

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