Tippety Top Daffy Down Dillys


Regular Veg Plotting readers know I'm rather partial to a bunch of Cornish daffodils at this time of the year. I find January and February really hard going, so they're one of the ways I ensure there's some sunshine around no matter what the weather's doing outside.

I've been uneasy about the daffodils for sale nowadays as they're displayed in boxes rather than the vases of water they'd been in previously. The shops concerned have tried to reassure me everything's OK, but I've had my doubts a) because the flowers don't seem to last as long in the vase as they used to and b) the flowers on sale quite often are showing a touch of yellow, rather than remaining tightly in bud.

One of the great things that's happened since the flower farmer day 2 weeks ago, is they're having a regular forum on Monday evenings between 8 and 9pm on Twitter. I'll miss most of these as I'm at choir, but this week I was able to join in:


So there you have it. Not only did I have my question answered within minutes by two friendly flower growers, I've also had an insight into the way they treat their flowers and I know exactly what to look for when I buy my next bunch of daffodils :)

If you can't join in or follow the #britishflowers conversation on Monday evenings, then it's also worth looking out for Georgie's blog the day after or so. She puts up a summary of what's been discussed, together with topic suggestions for the next get together. I may not be a flower farmer, but I'm learning loads. I usually prefer my flowers to be outside in the garden, but I'm encouraged to try and bring them indoors a bit more from now on.

Comments

  1. Anonymous30 January 2013 at 11:48

    Like you I prefer my flowers to be outside so tend to only bring daffodils home from the plot if they've been blown over.
    This interest through Twitter for British flowers is good to see and I must try to remember it on Monday evenings.
    Thanks for an interesting, and informative, post. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. VP30 January 2013 at 12:13

    Hi Flighty - it's great to see the momentum of the first flower farmer meet up being maintained via Twitter :)

    I've also suggested that there's a campaign to label shop flowers with their country of origin. I suspect many customers aren't aware of where their bunch of flowers comes from. My husband was very shocked and angry when I told him. Wiggly Wigglers said on Monday that the UK buys 17% of the world's production of flowers, but of that percentage just 10% is grown in the UK.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gardeningbren30 January 2013 at 13:23

    Thank you for the twitter information! Excellent. I did buy some potted up tete a tete's the other day. They seem to last forever in the house and then, it's out to the garden later on. I too, need dafs to get me over the January Feb hump!

    ReplyDelete
  4. VP30 January 2013 at 13:27

    Hi Bren - you've reminded me, I have some daffodil bulbs t oplant!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Margaret30 January 2013 at 14:18

    I like to buy lots of daffodils at this time of year too. i always wondered if they should be in water. The supermarkets often sell them in sealed cellophane. I've been taking an interest in the #britishflowers chat. I'm thinking of having a cutting bed this year in the garden, as I may have a spare raised bed

    ReplyDelete
  6. Janet/Plantaliscious30 January 2013 at 17:58

    First daffs of the year are always really precious, good to have the tip about how to make sure they are good quality ones.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Helen/patientgardener30 January 2013 at 21:46

    My mum bought me some daffs last weekend and they are just opening, love their bright jolliness

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Diligent Gardener31 January 2013 at 16:31

    Had our first daffs in the house this week, courtesy of my neighbour who knew I had a bad day the day before. Came home from work yesterday to find a bunch on my door step!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen - Artists Garden31 January 2013 at 18:08

    What a lovely spring-like image VP - in the garden my daffs are poking up but no flowers for months (Yes I planted daffs this Autum, only a few, and only small ones!) :)
    Thanks for the reminder on twitter regarding the flower farmers
    K

    ReplyDelete
  10. ricki31 January 2013 at 23:52

    Maybe I have been a little hasty in dismissing Twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Helen1 February 2013 at 02:39

    I just bought a small bunch of white tulips for the same reason. They're not as sunny as daffs, but they light up a windowless room. Thanks for the daffodil buying tips!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Angie2 February 2013 at 18:07

    That display is really refreshing! A recent convert to yellow daffodils, bought my first bulbs (in the green) last week. They are however dwarf varieties - maybe one day I'll get round to beauties such a these!
    I've only ever visited Twitter once, to comment on a discussion that was taking place on the radio. Maybe I should take a look around next time I've a question to ask!

    ReplyDelete
  13. VP4 February 2013 at 09:23

    A warm welcome to The Diligent Gardener, Ricki and Angie :)

    Margaret - I try not to buy them in the cellophane if I can - less to throw away.

    Janet - glad you found that useful :)

    PG - me too!

    Karen - I think you'll find it really useful for your new project this year :)

    ricki - it has good and bad points

    Helen - hmmm - windowless rooms, I must ponder that one

    Angie - my local garden centre has a freebie pot of tete a tete on offer today, so guess where I'm heading...

    ReplyDelete

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