Quick Questions
What has happened to my tomatoes?
Catherine W, by email This is a disorder known as catfacing, which occurs around the blossom end of the fruit. It’s due to widely fluctuating temperatures early in the season as the fruit is se ing, with warm days but night-time temperatures below 10C (50F). It’s common in early summer but declines as the nights become warmer. Simply remove damaged fruit. The subsequent tomatoes should be perfect.
What could the orchidlike plant growing in my neighbour’s garden be?
Michael Hamblin, Malmesbury, Wiltshire It’s most likely the exoticlooking annual clary sage,
Salvia viridis. It grows wild in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East to Iran. The flowers are sparse but the brightly coloured blue, white or pink bracts (adapted leaves) makes the plant very ornamental. It makes a long-lasting cut flower or can be dried. Plants will usually self sow.
When’s the best time to move rhododendrons?
Stephen Ewing, by email Evergreens are best moved in autumn, typically the la er half of September into October, once we’ve some autumn rains, or spring, March into April, when the worst of the winter weather is out of the way and before it’s too hot. Avoid at all costs in mid-summer and winter.
Why are my strawberries hard and tasteless?
Michael Barwell, by email I’m presuming they’re growing in containers or growing bags. Both are a great way to grow them, but feeding two or three times a week is too much. A high potassium tomato feed, for example, may inhibit the fruits ability to take up calcium. Once a week is be er and probably once a fortnight is ample.