The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Welcome to my potting shed! This is the column where I’ll share all my gardening hints and tips – and I’ll try to answer any queries you may have.

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Q I’ve taken some camellia cuttings but they have wilted. – Lucy Shannon, by email.

A Cuttings wilt when they lose moisture faster than they take it up. Cut big leaves in half to remove the surface area and cover your pot of cuttings with a plastic bag, secured with a rubber band, to create a damp atmosphere. After a couple of weeks, snip the corners of the bag, to allow air to circulate.

Collect fallen leaves, pile into wire bins

and leave to rot down into leafmould.

Q What should I do about the leaves on my Brussels sprouts that have turned yellow? – Ian Docherty, South Queensferr­y.

A Bad weather can cause the loss of leaves and it’s important to remove these quickly otherwise grey mould can set in and spread.

Use windfall apples immediatel­y as they

don’t keep in storage, but leave a few lying on the grass as food for blackbirds.

Q Is it too late to plant Amaryllis bulbs for flowers at Christmas? – Mrs N. White, Cumbernaul­d.

A Amaryllis bulbs take between six and eight weeks from planting until flowers appear, so plant before the middle of November.

Auriculas grown in pots should be

divided. Replant into gritty compost and provide protection from autumn rain.

Q I’ve failed to establish Erigeron karvinskia­nus in a wall in my garden. – Linda Saunders, Edinburgh.

A The Mexican fleabane is a gorgeous daisy perfectly adapted to growing on rocky sites, but its roots are brittle, so instead of inserting small pieces of plant into cracks in the wall, try pressing seeds into pellets of moist soil and push into places where you want it to grow.

Scrub paths and patios to prevent moss building up, and stock up on salt and grit for icy spells.

Q The level in my pond fell during the hot summer and since then there’s been a lot of algae growth. – Ben Wilson, by email.

A Cleaning out the pond, removing excess silt, cutting back overhangin­g branches, refilling with rainwater and restrictin­g plant growth to just 50% of the surface will all help to rejuvenate your pond. Leave weeds and plants to be discarded on the edge of the water for 24 hours to allow aquatic creatures to escape.

When digging up perennials in order to divide them, check the roots for weeds and remove these before replanting.

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