My mis-spent youth seems a long time ago. As a teenager I was a keen member of Horbury & District Branch (NCSS as was), which seems to be no more. I can still feel the excitement of meetings, auctions, nursery visits, show day, - and the pie and pea supper, even though I've not thought back to those days for so long.
Anyway I'm now in north west Wales and am just starting growing again - very exciting. I visited the Oxford show recently and was inspired by the exhibits - so much seems marvellously familiar, alongside a few things that were completely new to me. Bought a few plants from the lovely stalls there - more plants than I should, as I've not yet sorted out a proper growing space...
I'm at that stage where I'm vaguely trying to be focussed in what I start to collect and grow, but the problem is I seem to want to specialise in pretty much everything. Asclepiads appeal, especially Ceropegias as they were one of my interests as a youth - as do Euphorbia, Crassula, Dorstenia, and, to my surprise, the smaller Opuntias. If I'm honest I love them all really...
I've got a Stapelianthus decaryi in flower on my windowsill at work, which I think is wonderful but I've singularly failed to get anyone to show the slightest interest!
So this is just a friendly hello really. Are there any growers in north west Wales? I'd love to visit a collection, get some ideas and remind myself of the practicalities. I visit Oxford fairly regularly too.
Best wishes to all
John
Starting growing again after 30 years
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JohnH
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 4
- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
- Joined: 06 Aug 2014
- Branch: CLACTON-on-SEA
- Country: Wales
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rodsmith
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 3194
- Joined: 17 Feb 2011
- Branch: STOKE-ON-TRENT
- Country: UK
- Location: Staffordshire, UK
Re: Starting growing again after 30 years
Welcome to the forum, John and to the succulent fraternity. You'd better get a greenhouse sorted pretty quickly, judging by your likes.
Rod Smith
Growing a mixed collection of cacti & other succulents; mainly smaller species with a current emphasis on lithops & conophytum.
Growing a mixed collection of cacti & other succulents; mainly smaller species with a current emphasis on lithops & conophytum.
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cornelid
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 17 Jun 2014
- Branch: None
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
- Location: Dorset
Re: Starting growing again after 30 years
Welcome, I have also rediscovered the cacti bug after a 30 odd year break, having recently recoverd my plants from my father.
I'm slightly ahead of you regarding the greenhouse though, that was erected earlier in the year, but I still have jobs to do.. an electrical supply before winter arrives must be the first.
I'm slightly ahead of you regarding the greenhouse though, that was erected earlier in the year, but I still have jobs to do.. an electrical supply before winter arrives must be the first.
Re: Starting growing again after 30 years
Thank you for your words of welcome!
Yes the greenhouse is going to become urgent very soon - I'm rapidly coming to realise how small my windowsills are. Luckily the sunniest and warmest one is at work, so i've still got a bit of capacity if i reorganise my desk a bit. It is probably easier than trying to claim more windowsill space at home! I love growing from seed, so that's going to make things even worse....
Best wishes
John
Yes the greenhouse is going to become urgent very soon - I'm rapidly coming to realise how small my windowsills are. Luckily the sunniest and warmest one is at work, so i've still got a bit of capacity if i reorganise my desk a bit. It is probably easier than trying to claim more windowsill space at home! I love growing from seed, so that's going to make things even worse....
Best wishes
John