New home for a Lapageria collection

[charlie]

Liz and I are hoping to be fetching back some Lapageria plants in February, all the way from California! although we have done this before the scale this time is somewhat daunting a total of 44 to try and relocate.

A lot of preparation work has been ongoing at both ends, in California much untangling and pruning of well established plants is under way, later will come the trimming cleaning and root washing followed by the actual inspection for the Phyto certificate.

Meanwhile we have been busy preparing at this end, as seen in another thread first we had to trim a large sycamore tree

crown lifting sycamore 010 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Next recovering of our 64' poly tunnel, first the trenches had to be dug out prior to removing the old cover

old tunnel cover 002 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Once off we could renew the hotspot tape and replace with a nice new clean cover (last did this 13/14 years ago)

new tunnel cover 007 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Next job was to tackle the area we are intending the Lapageria to go, first we had to remove many hundreds of plants that were in the way, not to mention taking away all the accumulated junk that seems to breed in any vacant space!

017 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Once clear and benches dismantled, I could build the raised beds that the pots will stand in, this to protect the roots from cold while the poor plants try and recover from the relocation, The tunnel cover plastic has been beefed up with bubble wrap to insure a degree of frost protection should it still be cold when we return.

001 Lapageria beds by charliepridham, on Flickr

All in all starting to look quite purposeful, just the hinged windows and door to sort so it can be closed off if required

004 lapageria beds by charliepridham, on Flickr

[Paul S]

Ever considered retirement, Charlie? Pipe and slippers by the fire etc?

[AndyC]

Ever considered retirement, Charlie? Pipe and slippers by the fire etc?

Yes, I'm sure you've mentioned before about passing on the business to the next generation?
Your pictures have made me nostalgic for my old polytunnel and prop bench such a great space for messing about in.

[charlie]

Just back from California to fetch the plants

103 by charliepridham, on Flickr

We spent a day with Carlos near the beginning to help remove any suspect leaves, Carlos had spent several weeks getting the plants down from the various trees they were growing up

104 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Seeing the plants for the first time in 10 years I realised it was a bigger job than I had been hoping for!

101 by charliepridham, on Flickr

102 by charliepridham, on Flickr

It didnt help that the weather was cold and wet

100 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[charlie]

Two weeks later and we were back at Carlos's place to clean the root balls, very hard on the hands and fingers

456 by charliepridham, on Flickr

These were some of the easier ones!

454 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Once cleaned they were bagged ready for the plant inspector

470 by charliepridham, on Flickr

28 bags in all so we moved them under cover as more rain was forecast

468 by charliepridham, on Flickr

586 by charliepridham, on Flickr

After 2 days hard work by the 3 of us the certificate issued and I could start to relax

img096 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Finally after passing inspection all could be packed into 4 suitcases

585 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[kGarden]

after passing inspection all could be packed into 4 suitcases

reminds me of my Mother going ona package holiday back in the 60's when that was a New Thing. She saw some material she liked for the spare bedroom - Curtains, Counterpane [remember those? Pre Duvet :) ], Valence (and those!, now you get under-bed-drawers instead ...), Headboard cover ... came to quite a bit of cloth :) so she wrapped all her clothes in brown paper and mailed them home and brought (just) the bolt of fabric back in her suitcase :)

[charlie]

It was quite a phaff! we flew with BA so not bad luggage allowance but I still had to buy 2 additional suitcases for the return journey so 4 large cases in total, our personal stuff went in the carry ons (which we also had put in the hold) we bought second hand cases from charity shops while out there.

[charlie]

Last picture for a while, all now planted up, just got to keep fingers crossed there are not too many losses, at least the original 28 has turned into 36 as some plants were able to be split.

002 by charliepridham, on Flickr

(The empty pots will hopefully in due course have layers from the plant behind in order we have two of each)

[kGarden]

Looks absolutely smashing Charlie. Best of luck with the project :)

[charlie]

For anyone interested who hasn't already found it here is a link to the Lapageria section of our web site http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk/climbers ... ageria.htm