I think it’s time to clear this up. Wrigley & Flagg are well respected authors on Australian Native Plants books. Please note the bit about overhead watering and also August here is February where you are. Hope this helps.
As a member of the Tena-lady club (thank you for that, Hostafan1!)
"I've never claimed the term as my own, I merely repeated the term"
Bit of a shame that you felt the need to repeat that piece of nastiness. It is rather demeaning to women...of any age.
I didn't feel "the need" to repeat it. I referred to his fans as "ladies of a certain age" It was the female staff at the bookshop who coined it. Maybe they have a more self-deprecating sense of humour than some of the more sensitive forum member we have. I meant no offense by the term and apologise if any has been taken. I used the term once, It wasn't me who used it today. Can I repeat there is a handy "ignore" feature on this forum.
@Pat E. Thanks for clearing up the Tree fern buisness. I think it is a shame that the original author of this thread felt the need to besmirch Monty inappropriately.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
As a member of the Tena-lady club (thank you for that, Hostafan1!) I love watching and listening to Monty. I could do without the dogs, but Monty can prattle whatever rubbish he likes and I lap it all up. I just want him installed in my garden so we could muddle along together.
Thanks for that @Hazel 1. I used the term once, months ago. I really don't see the need for outrage and faux indignation directed at me now, given that it was used by someone else. hey ho.
I have just watched the episode on catchup and I agree with others that Monty didn't give wrong information. He does say they need watering every day and it's the editing that doesn't show what length of time he did it for. Long may Monty host GW! I didn't need to defend him after all. Beware of misinterpreting, ad-libbing, omitting please, it can stir up bad feeling against somebody totally innocent. We all have a love of gardening in common and there's not one of us that hasn't made a mistake at some time anyway, whether we're amateur or professional, so we should all be humble and respectful of each other. On that note thread starter, you are forgiven for YOUR mistake and let's move on.
I'm sorry about this, I know I paraphrased Monty to a bit of an extreme, but I've been a professional gardener for 23 years and I know how people in general interpret instructions, ESPECIALLY regarding watering. They need very specific instructions in full detail. And even then they often do not get it, even after a long time.
Regarding Dicksonia antarctica, Monty says:
"It's one of those plants that it is important to keep moist." He doesn't qualify how you do this, or exactly what it means.
"You're not watering the base of the plant, you're watering the roots on the trunk and the leaves." Dicksonia antarctica develops a dense rootball in the soil. It is important to water both the soil it is in and the trunk. The roots associated with the trunk are 95% inside the trunk. Watering the leaves is almost completely a meaningless task.
"Normally I always say that it's better to water once a week really well, well with tree ferns better to give them a misting every day.
Right, that'll do ya."
One short misting every day, that will not really do anything, apart from tempt the plant with the promise of a wetted trunk, only for it to dry out in minutes
Not all tree ferns appreciate having a wet trunk.
I have an established Dicksonia antarctica, and all year it often only gets a thorough watering once a week, with some very unpredictable and variable water during the week, and it is absolutely fine, it is thriving.
I like Monty Don, I enjoy his passion, and his ability to convey it and present.
I am very passionate about horticulture and nature, but I am also passionate about facts and accuracy. We need both types of people.
It is good that you like facts, but your original post was not correct and appeared, maybe not intentionally, to make it look as though Monty was advising people to do the wrong thing. It is a TV programme, and 10 minutes spent watering a plant, would not engage many people
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Posts
Please note the bit about overhead watering and also August here is February where you are.
Hope this helps.
Maybe they have a more self-deprecating sense of humour than some of the more sensitive forum member we have.
I meant no offense by the term and apologise if any has been taken. I used the term once, It wasn't me who used it today.
Can I repeat there is a handy "ignore" feature on this forum.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I've apologised already.
It is noteworthy that the book does not comment on moistening the trunk of established plants. It just says "Ample moisture is essential".
I really don't see the need for outrage and faux indignation directed at me now, given that it was used by someone else.
hey ho.
Regarding Dicksonia antarctica, Monty says:
"It's one of those plants that it is important to keep moist."
He doesn't qualify how you do this, or exactly what it means.
"You're not watering the base of the plant, you're watering the roots on the trunk and the leaves."
Dicksonia antarctica develops a dense rootball in the soil. It is important to water both the soil it is in and the trunk.
The roots associated with the trunk are 95% inside the trunk. Watering the leaves is almost completely a meaningless task.
"Normally I always say that it's better to water once a week really well, well with tree ferns better to give them a misting every day.
Right, that'll do ya."
One short misting every day, that will not really do anything, apart from tempt the plant with the promise of a wetted trunk, only for it to dry out in minutes
Not all tree ferns appreciate having a wet trunk.
I have an established Dicksonia antarctica, and all year it often only gets a thorough watering once a week, with some very unpredictable and variable water during the week, and it is absolutely fine, it is thriving.
I like Monty Don, I enjoy his passion, and his ability to convey it and present.
I am very passionate about horticulture and nature, but I am also passionate about facts and accuracy. We need both types of people.
It is a TV programme, and 10 minutes spent watering a plant, would not engage many people
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border