Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Black_Cat2

I can see why you want to keep the plant for yourself D, very nice, although it benefits you both unless you are kept away from that part of the garden lol👌

F and g, agreed with the stamp thing, also can't believe the prices now.  I think RM make their money through amazon (other sites available ofc) deliveries mostly.  Seems the world has gone more online and less letters etc.  Was always something nice about receiving a hand written letter,  doesn't happen anymore - well at least for me 🐈

Apodemus

re RM, I had a "lol" moment recently when the lady in the Post Office tried to explain why "Guaranteed next day delivery" actually meant 48 hours and "48 hour delivery" takes three days! 

Davesnave

We have shares in RM which I wish we'd sold about 3 years ago when they were worth something. However, the interest we get is much better than the bank would give us, so it's not so bad.

The posties here mostly have second jobs, yet our mail service is OK overall, so I don't know what the problem is elsewhere. We have had a rash of East European independent parcel people in the past 3 months, none of whom has had much idea about the local geography or English pronunciation, which has led to interesting discussions. One guy was definitely just sticking things in anyone's post box and leaving the owner to sort things out. That works, but only if the real recipient is on speaking terms......

As predicted, staying indoors day today.

Farway

And it's rain again, at least I managed to get my cards written and ready to post

I was up at daft o'clock because I couldn't sleep, watching You Tube on yet more roses from seed.

Looks like if lucky they flower in first year, which will be nice if it happens, then I can clear out any obvious grotty ones, and isolate the world beating super rose that will surely emerge

Due to yesterday's weather I was trying out an old lens on my camera and took this picture of seed head from "Shoo Fly" [Nicandra physalodes ]

I have them growing form seed in the volunteer border and I'm these saving seeds for 2021

This picture is indoors against light from window, the head is held upright by a couple of clothes pegs

Davesnave

Nice arty picture Farway! I remember shoo-fly; it didn't shoo many as I recall, but it grew fast, looked impressive and the blue & white flowers were nice. I think it self seeds too.

Farway

Davesnave said:

Nice arty picture Farway! I remember shoo-fly; it didn't shoo many as I recall, but it grew fast, looked impressive and the blue & white flowers were nice. I think it self seeds too.

It certainly does in the right conditions.

I remember one of the old Gardeners' QT panel, Bill Sowerbutts era, saying the reason it was called "shoo fly" was because once established there wasn't any room for flies

Black_Cat2

😹 Nice pic F.  Googling 'shoo fly'...

Rhs website shows a shoo fly plant and it looks purple in colour with lantern type flowers.  Reminds me of a plant in our garden when I was very young which had orange lantern type flowers (or fruits) which has got me reminiscing.  Funny how things from long ago get triggered in your mind by seeing something else 😸

goldfinches

BC I think you mean what was known as Chinese Lanterns in our garden when I was about 7 or 8.
I was astounded to encounter them in the greengrocery section of Sains*by's in the early 90's under the name of physalis and chagrined upon finding that I loved the flavour. They have a sweet/sour taste like lemons, passion fruit, limes, tamarinds etc. If I'd known as a child that they were edible I'd have munched them and encouraged them to spread too. 
I hope to be able to grow some of the myriad varieties that abound in America under the name choke cherry or ground cherry and start making salsas and sauces with them when I finally get my own garden.

Black_Cat2

Yes! That is it!

Don't remember seeing one since I was a kid although I don't get to the garden centre much and it may be there lol 😊

Farway

goldfinches said:

BC I think you mean what was known as Chinese Lanterns in our garden when I was about 7 or 8.
I was astounded to encounter them in the greengrocery section of Sains*by's in the early 90's under the name of physalis and chagrined upon finding that I loved the flavour. They have a sweet/sour taste like lemons, passion fruit, limes, tamarinds etc. If I'd known as a child that they were edible I'd have munched them and encouraged them to spread too. 
I hope to be able to grow some of the myriad varieties that abound in America under the name choke cherry or ground cherry and start making salsas and sauces with them when I finally get my own garden.

I suspect at that time nobody ever thought about eating them, I certainly didn't.

Not surprising really when even Runner Beans were initially grown as a flowering climber, actually eating the pods was unknown

Same even further back with Tomatoes. Tales from my Granddad

I did try growing Physalis to eat years ago in the 80s  and failed miserably.

I think I was carried away by T & M catalogue hype at that time, I even tried soya beans as well, with similar waste of space non success

I may try Physalis again if I spot a free postage offer or suchlike

Dry at last here