"Bob Hobden" wrote in
:

Talking to a friend with 6 allotments(!) who has been growing veg for
ever in a very professional way he thinks it's not so much the cold
but the lack of light and sun this year, it has been dull. He also has
plants sulking so I don't feel quite so bad.

Makes me feel better too.

Our first early potatoes are good, we planted Amandine and Leontine
this year because we couldn't get any of the other ones we like, and
are rather impressed with the yield, flavour and size. All the other
ones (Kestral, Victoria, and Celine) are looking superb and healthy,
nice thick hulms with lots of flower so I will be annoyed if they get
blight. Like you, our cherry trees are also covered in blackfly on the
young tips despite being sprayed 3 times.

We can prune off the young tips that have blackfly I think, when the
temperature rises. Or not? I hate even looking at them now, they look very
flea bitten and scabby.
The day I bought the trees I met a chap who also bought some. and we have
become friends. His have no blackfly but this years growth looks like it is
dying, looking like autumn leaves but hanging on, not dropping. The stems
are yellow/orange.

Whilst the money is a concern it's all the work put into the plot with
little yield that really ... annoys me.

Nicely said.......bet you were thinking other words! I know I have.

SIX allotments? How does he/she get away with THAT? Is there a waiting list
in your area? Anyhow, no buisiness of mine.

Heres hoping you have a bit more luck.
Baz