Plants and news 2026

[Phil11]

Re Chimonanthus praecox. In the early 1960's, my mum planted this in our front garden in mid-Sussex.
My experience was that it always flowered well, and was often brought inside the house as a cut flower.
Last time I passed by the house, it was still doing well, although it was summer, so just a green blob.

Good to check in.

[charlie]

Thanks Phil, I may give it a whirl if I see a decent plant of it!

[MartinNicklin]

Well after a very up and down 2025 with brain and heart scares which persisted over many months I was looking forward to a better 2026 and lots of plans for new plants. However, at the age of 57 and following a random PSA test suggested by my doctor, I have just been told I have two tumours with prostate cancer. So, a little plea to all the fellas who read this forum. Get tested. I had no symptoms at all. If it can be cured I owe a great deal to my doctor because I would never in a million years have put myself in for a PSA test at my age.

[charlie]

Noted martin :shock:

[Paul S]

Good luck wherever this takes you, Martin.

[NigelJ]

Good Luck Martin.

[BenC]

So sorry to read this, Martin. All the very best to you.

[Glen in BC]

Martin,sending my heartfelt best wishes to you, who have brightened the forums for many years. I hope for many decades more of chatter with you. As my family have a history of prostate issues...this has been something that I closely watch...the "C" word can strike any of us at any time unfortunately! I also know personally the shock of hearing this news :cry:

If anything a bit positive could be said, it's that you happen to have one of the more treatable cancers...as your medical folk will be communicating to you I'm sure.

[MartinNicklin]

Thank you all for these kind words which mean a lot to me and Glen your comments brought a tear to my eye. Very kind. I’ve had lots of explanations and advice from others who know who they are but all of this has helped a great deal. The view is that with a swift radical prostatectomy there will be a cure, assuming it remains confined but there is a bit of a complication with the way the cells are behaving so it needs to be sooner rather than later. I’m hoping to hear from the consultant this week and I’m certainly hoping, later in the year, to be getting back to my hobby with a passion. Thank you all again.

[KLaban]

Martin, here's wishing the very best to you!

Keith