Dicksonia antarctica looks ok after all that time wrapped :) but rather than cut the fronds off I would have bent them down so that they could be retained. I certainly think removal is unnecessary. None of mine have been covered at all last winter, are all in pristine condition, and the knuckles are...

However you do have to consider he is a lot further north than you two. I would unwrap but don't blame me if they snuff it. :lol: There is still time to get some good frosts, especially up north. icon_thumright I also have to consider that he has had a milder winter than in the SE. I have had 5 fro...

Dicksonia antarctica will turn knuckles into croziers and soft fronds during April unless very cold, so if left wrapped you may be writing off this spring's flush. Mine have not been covered at all over the last winter. Musa basjoo is actively growing now. Think your protection overkill, may just tu...

Ooops ! Forecast was for 4C overnight..... actually dropped to -0.9C and Hiniba was out. We'll have to see if it has suffered any damage.

Here is a pic of my one remaining Hiniba after the failed attempt to prop form the other one last year

This pic was taken 13th March and has grown another leaf, plus been moved inside for the frosty nights.

bodster wrote:yes that one does have a reputation of being hard to grow. The thing with proteas is you have to pick the right ones. The most showyy unfortunately aren't the hardiest

Which are the 'right ones'

Not heard of Telopea Martin, I take it similar to Protea ?

Tell us about it

The trunk is there, but just covered with leaves. The more leaves it has the more photosynthesis, so the more energy, so the faster it can grow.

If you are desperate for a trunk, you can cut the lower leaves off, and it time the bases dry and fall off, but may slow it down

It did get cold last night but not as cold as expected, which is a good thing, and we have to take the positives from that. . Stephen, As far as I can see the reliable forecasts were accurate. Its the best start to spring for years , spring is something to enjoy, so i am going to stop reading the e...

I have lavender and an olive tree, recently the new growth has appeared stuck together. When I pull the leaves apart I find little white larvae within that have clearly been feasting on the leaves and causing the new growth to be all stuck together. What can I do to eradicate this menace and what i...

ok enough of the squabbling.

You can't always believe everything you read on the web, but I just looked this up and says Latin word Trachy_ is derived from Greek word Trachus, so you are both right.... It is Latin but originally from Greek.

BBC lunchtime news, weather showed widespread -3 to -6C with some places colder, so has the Met Office been taken over by the Daily Express, or are we in for an extremely cold night

One really annoying thing I've noticed recently since working evenings.. The weather after the late evening news does not give the overnight temps. Instead they skip to 8am as though the overnight low has already happened. :roll: Not working today for a change so will keep my eyes and ears open. :wi...

I've had -2.5C already in 2014. My plants are moved out in stages so near hardy can stay out as can take several degrees of frost. Although new growth is at risk frost at this time of year is not likely to kill large exotics. The sun is as high as in Florida in mid winter, so we are now in a real zo...

Normal Met office forecasting used to only give towns and cities readings until they were crucified by gardeners and growers for the loss of crops. Now they have figures for Towns and Cities, countryside, and cold spots and may differ by as much as 10C. My comment on forecasting, whether the Met Off...