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For David Poole
David, can you remember the name of the exceptionally stinky blue flowering
plant we have in the prop. house? Someone gave it to Ray a few years ago and I remember you named it for us last year. It is rather pretty with a trailing sort of habit but the 'scent' outstrips Salvia turkestanica, IMO. I had to move it from its position near the door, right down to the far end, because it was sending out huge waves of the most awful BO on a warm day! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
For David Poole
The message
from Dave Poole contains these words: ay! It is extremely attractive when it forms a mat of grey foliage, smothered with bright purple tipped, verdigris bracts and soft blue flowers as it did here last summer. Unfortunately it emitted such a sickeningly foetid stench (and I mean truly stomach churning) every time it got reasonably warm, that I had to rip it out. Urghh! I can imagine the pong now - dreadful! Sounds like a Revenge Plant. Good for planting on the boundary to noisy neighbours. How hardy is it? Janet |
For David Poole
On 6/2/06 19:25, in article ,
"Dave Poole" wrote: Janet wrote: ay! [Snip] Sounds like a Revenge Plant. Good for planting on the boundary to noisy neighbours. How hardy is it? Believe me Janet, neighbours would have to be exceptionally objectionable for you to put up with that stink. It is one of those smells that once sniffed, seems to remain in your nostrils for hours, nay - days if not months. Lovely plant, but only from the other side of a twin-glazed window. I can cope with stinky aroids that pretend to be 10 day old meat, but this one hits the 'gripe-button' at the top of your stomach and immediately sets off a retching action. Being a Plectranthus, it is South African .. and one of the hardier members of that bunch too. It will take several degrees of frost, but not if accompanied with rain when it warms up by day. The leaves are clad in dense, very short, silvery hairs and are easily waterlogged. If you can provide rain cover in winter, it would probably flourish with you, but could you cope? And would you want to? Its smell is awful, truly vile. I think I'll put it outside tomorrow and hope for a sharp frost. ;-) After brushing against it today, I washed my hands at least three times and still had a whiff of it on my skin a couple of hours later. My daughter was helping me for a while this afternoon and accused the dogs of unspeakable things when she got a scent of it! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
For David Poole
The message
from Dave Poole contains these words: I can cope with stinky aroids that pretend to be 10 day old meat, but this one hits the 'gripe-button' at the top of your stomach and immediately sets off a retching action. I once grew one as a potplant . It was standing on an indoor windowsill of an unused room and the curtains were closed because a neighbour had died and this was the usual social habit of the time and area. So, I hadn't noticed the plant had come into flower. It was also the day the new carpet arrived with a fitter, just as I sat down to nurse the baby, so the fitter just went ahead on his own. About three minutes later he came staggering out, absolutely green, and told me there must be something dead under the floorboards and he could not possibly work in there.... Being a Plectranthus, it is South African .. and one of the hardier members of that bunch too. It will take several degrees of frost, but not if accompanied with rain when it warms up by day. The leaves are clad in dense, very short, silvery hairs and are easily waterlogged. If you can provide rain cover in winter, it would probably flourish with you, but could you cope? Hm, fortunately my neighbours are very well behaved... Janet |
For David Poole
"Dave Poole" wrote in message ... Janet wrote: I can cope with stinky aroids that pretend to be 10 day old meat, I once grew one as a potplant . It was standing on an indoor windowsill of an unused room and the curtains were closed because a neighbour had died and this was the usual social habit of the time and area. So, I hadn't noticed the plant had come into flower. It was also the day the new carpet arrived with a fitter, just as I sat down to nurse the baby, so the fitter just went ahead on his own. Ah you mean the 'Voodoo lily' - Typhonium (Sauromatum) venosum. Yes, they used to sell tubers at Woolies for a few pennies and triumph its ability to produce flowers without any soil or water. Just stick it in a saucer on the windowsill they said. Well, me being a 9yr. old at the time did just that. I marveled at the speed with which the flower grew and when the thing opened, was not unduly concerned about the smell. (9 yr. old boys rarely worry about things like that.) Mother however, caused a considerable fuss when she came into my room and at first I was accused of keeping a dead animal hidden in a box somewhere. The pong was tracked down to the Typhonium and it was turfed out much to my dismay. Woolies never mentioned the smell - small wonder. I have a clump of it in the garden, since the large, 80cms. wide parasols of broad, ribbed leaflets on top of 1.3m. high, maroon spotted silvery stems are very exotic. It is really quite hardy in well drained soil and is a superb 'filler'. 5 flowers opened at the same time last spring and the combined effect was ... well, if you try to imagine how a long-dead elephant might smell, you'd have a pretty good idea. Luckily, the stench lasts only for a day. I could cut them off when they appear, but they are quite attractive albeit very sinister in appearance. Dave Poole Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C. Growing season: March - November Arum dracunculus grows right outside my front door and has done since I moved here 9 years ago (well drained- south facing) Definitely the wrong plant in the wrong place. It always takes me by surprise every year without fail . Early June and it suddenly opens and the house starts to fill with those big blowflies and other assorted bugs. For the first few hours the thing is an orgy of flies and one or two strange beetles. Smell is rotting fish with a hint of dog poo and just a soupcon of vomit. Smell is gone after 1 day unless you stuff your nose close to it, which all visitors and kids do (just once). Can I assume that Sacha (being a refined Lady) declined to accurately describe the smell of Salvia Turk as that of Tom cat ****? If this is so, then my sense of smell is on the way out because I always smell pineapple (slightly different). |
For David Poole
On 8/2/06 10:45, in article , "Rupert"
wrote: snip Can I assume that Sacha (being a refined Lady) declined to accurately describe the smell of Salvia Turk as that of Tom cat ****? If this is so, then my sense of smell is on the way out because I always smell pineapple (slightly different). IME, refined Ladies are among the most outspoken creatures on the planet! No, I think S. turkestanica smells like the worst possible case of BO. A Swedish friend calls it 'the typists' pool' because he said it makes him think of cheap perfume, wet wool and inadequate deodorant! I did point out to him that men can be secretaries, too........ There IS a pineapple sage but if you think S. turkestanica smells of that - well!! To me, the thing that does smell of cat's pee is Choisya ternata and of course box, en masse and after rain. But to get onto truly heavenly scents, I'm after Matthew and Ray to order some Populus balsamica because the smell of that, after a shower of rain and a warmish day is a transport of delight, IMO. I don't really understand why it isn't planted more because it's wonderful. Is there some drawback to it that other poplars don't have? -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
For David Poole
"Sacha" wrote in message id... On 8/2/06 10:45, in article , "Rupert" wrote: snip Can I assume that Sacha (being a refined Lady) declined to accurately describe the smell of Salvia Turk as that of Tom cat ****? If this is so, then my sense of smell is on the way out because I always smell pineapple (slightly different). IME, refined Ladies are among the most outspoken creatures on the planet! No, I think S. turkestanica smells like the worst possible case of BO. A Swedish friend calls it 'the typists' pool' because he said it makes him think of cheap perfume, wet wool and inadequate deodorant! I did point out to him that men can be secretaries, too........ There IS a pineapple sage but if you think S. turkestanica smells of that - well!! To me, the thing that does smell of cat's pee is Choisya ternata and of course box, en masse and after rain. But to get onto truly heavenly scents, I'm after Matthew and Ray to order some Populus balsamica because the smell of that, after a shower of rain and a warmish day is a transport of delight, IMO. I don't really understand why it isn't planted more because it's wonderful. Is there some drawback to it that other poplars don't have? -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) Salvia Turk--Big sack like pendulous blob before it opens with blue/pink flowers.--not a very eloquent description. It's another one of those "it's biennial no it's perennial plants". I have tried to sow seed but rubbish results. I usually find a self seeder in the most unlikely place. That was a rotten trick asking about Populus balsamica;-) I have had to resort to the almost redundant books and I always get side tracked by something interesting. It's there in the RHS encyclopaedia (P balsamifera ) a couple of varieties. No caveats mentioned. Hilliers gives a good account but apart from lime chlorosis and canker her does not appear to be anything to worry about. Many in this area are coming to the end of their natural life. Unfortunately Poplars seem to have acquired a bit of a reputation as being scruffy, boring and are responsible for structural damage. In it's defence that's because it was used as a "Municipal Tree". Over exposed, planted too close to the new high rise blocks, and a natural and safe play thing for Phase 1 kids, who know that lower branches can be used to build dens, good as a whip, or if you are pushed makes a half decent bow. Phase 2 sees the poor thing used as a climbing frame and by Phase 3 there is not enough cover left have a decent courting session. |
For David Poole
On 8/2/06 12:35, in article , "Rupert"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message id... On 8/2/06 10:45, in article , "Rupert" wrote: snip Can I assume that Sacha (being a refined Lady) declined to accurately describe the smell of Salvia Turk as that of Tom cat ****? If this is so, then my sense of smell is on the way out because I always smell pineapple (slightly different). IME, refined Ladies are among the most outspoken creatures on the planet! No, I think S. turkestanica smells like the worst possible case of BO. A Swedish friend calls it 'the typists' pool' because he said it makes him think of cheap perfume, wet wool and inadequate deodorant! I did point out to him that men can be secretaries, too........ There IS a pineapple sage but if you think S. turkestanica smells of that - well!! To me, the thing that does smell of cat's pee is Choisya ternata and of course box, en masse and after rain. But to get onto truly heavenly scents, I'm after Matthew and Ray to order some Populus balsamica because the smell of that, after a shower of rain and a warmish day is a transport of delight, IMO. I don't really understand why it isn't planted more because it's wonderful. Is there some drawback to it that other poplars don't have? -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) Salvia Turk--Big sack like pendulous blob before it opens with blue/pink flowers.--not a very eloquent description. It's another one of those "it's biennial no it's perennial plants". I have tried to sow seed but rubbish results. I usually find a self seeder in the most unlikely place. That sounds rather like it! http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=...O-8859-1&hl=en That was a rotten trick asking about Populus balsamica;-) I have had to resort to the almost redundant books and I always get side tracked by something interesting. It's there in the RHS encyclopaedia (P balsamifera ) a couple of varieties. No caveats mentioned. Hilliers gives a good account but apart from lime chlorosis and canker her does not appear to be anything to worry about. It's surprisingly 'hard to find'. Goodness knows why. And yes, I should have remembered that 'balsamica' was the lazy description of it! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
For David Poole
"Sacha" wrote in message id... On 8/2/06 12:35, in article , "Rupert" wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message id... On 8/2/06 10:45, in article , "Rupert" wrote: snip But to get onto truly heavenly scents, I'm after Matthew and Ray to order some Populus balsamica because the smell of that, after a shower of rain and a warmish day is a transport of delight, IMO. I don't really understand why it isn't planted more because it's wonderful. Is there some drawback to it that other poplars don't have? -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) snip That was a rotten trick asking about Populus balsamica;-) I have had to resort to the almost redundant books and I always get side tracked by something interesting. It's there in the RHS encyclopaedia (P balsamifera ) a couple of varieties. No caveats mentioned. Hilliers gives a good account but apart from lime chlorosis and canker her does not appear to be anything to worry about. It's surprisingly 'hard to find'. Goodness knows why. And yes, I should have remembered that 'balsamica' was the lazy description of it! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) Poplar aint Popular. On a more helpful note have you tried Bowhayes Trees Ltd www.bowhayestrees.co.uk email: Ottery St Mary, Devon Tel: 01404 812229 Contact John or Monica Spanton (Might be Stanton) --bloody Devon Accents:-) |
For David Poole
On 8/2/06 16:38, in article , "Rupert"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message id... snip It's surprisingly 'hard to find'. Goodness knows why. And yes, I should have remembered that 'balsamica' was the lazy description of it! Poplar aint Popular. On a more helpful note have you tried Bowhayes Trees Ltd www.bowhayestrees.co.uk email: Ottery St Mary, Devon Tel: 01404 812229 Contact John or Monica Spanton (Might be Stanton) --bloody Devon Accents:-) Thank you for that info. And there's nothing wrong with Devon accents, my loverrrrrr - not to be taken literally. Good old Devonian expression, along with 'my maid' and 'my man' for spouses but sadly falling out of use almost entirely. There are a few nurseries in the Plant Finder so I'm going to ring all of them and hope it's the Duchy nursery that has it because we want to go down to the Turner Exhibition in St Ives and it would all fit in nicely! Otherwise, it's a trip to Ottery St Mary! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
For David Poole
"Sacha" wrote in message id... On 8/2/06 10:45, in article , "Rupert" wrote: snip Can I assume that Sacha (being a refined Lady) declined to accurately describe the smell of Salvia Turk as that of Tom cat ****? If this is so, then my sense of smell is on the way out because I always smell pineapple (slightly different). IME, refined Ladies are among the most outspoken creatures on the planet! No, I think S. turkestanica smells like the worst possible case of BO. A Swedish friend calls it 'the typists' pool' because he said it makes him think of cheap perfume, wet wool and inadequate deodorant! I did point out to him that men can be secretaries, too........ There IS a pineapple sage but if you think S. turkestanica smells of that - well!! To me, the thing that does smell of cat's pee is Choisya ternata and of course box, en masse and after rain. But to get onto truly heavenly scents, I'm after Matthew and Ray to order some Populus balsamica because the smell of that, after a shower of rain and a warmish day is a transport of delight, IMO. I don't really understand why it isn't planted more because it's wonderful. Is there some drawback to it that other poplars don't have? -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) Slightly OT, but on the subject of putrid plant odours I simply have to mention the durian. This tropical fruit is like a big conker case any size from "grapefruit" to "bigger than your head". Inside are huge seeds, resembling, not surprisingly, a huge pale conker. Each is coated with a thick film of yellow stuff like custard skin, which is the only bit you can eat. The nearest I can get to describing the smell is something like an onion that's been in the fridge drawer until it goes runny with blue fluff, then sloshed in Jeye's Fluid. The taste is similar but with toffee as well. The pong lingers for days. In Malaysia I once travelled for 2 hours in the midday heat in a non-airconditioned van full of these things, just me, the durians and some inch-long ants with jaws like crocodile-clips. Despite this, I got quite a taste for them (durians, not ants). They are better if they have fallen naturally than if they are cut, and the best ones I had I ate under the tree as a guest of the tree's owner. In hindsight, this may not have been the safest place to be sitting. I think I was a bit of a curiosity as a European who actually liked them. Duncan |
For David Poole
On 8/2/06 22:02, in article
, "Duncan" wrote: snip Slightly OT, but on the subject of putrid plant odours I simply have to mention the durian. This tropical fruit is like a big conker case any size from "grapefruit" to "bigger than your head". Inside are huge seeds, resembling, not surprisingly, a huge pale conker. Each is coated with a thick film of yellow stuff like custard skin, which is the only bit you can eat. The nearest I can get to describing the smell is something like an onion that's been in the fridge drawer until it goes runny with blue fluff, then sloshed in Jeye's Fluid. The taste is similar but with toffee as well. The pong lingers for days. In Malaysia I once travelled for 2 hours in the midday heat in a non-airconditioned van full of these things, just me, the durians and some inch-long ants with jaws like crocodile-clips. Despite this, I got quite a taste for them (durians, not ants). They are better if they have fallen naturally than if they are cut, and the best ones I had I ate under the tree as a guest of the tree's owner. In hindsight, this may not have been the safest place to be sitting. I think I was a bit of a curiosity as a European who actually liked them. You know, Duncan, I am really SO grateful you did that for me and saved me from having to find out for myself! ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
For David Poole
The message
from Sacha contains these words: On 8/2/06 22:02, in article , "Duncan" wrote: snip Slightly OT, but on the subject of putrid plant odours I simply have to mention the durian. This tropical fruit is like a big conker case any size from "grapefruit" to "bigger than your head". Inside are huge seeds, resembling, not surprisingly, a huge pale conker. Each is coated with a thick film of yellow stuff like custard skin, which is the only bit you can eat. The nearest I can get to describing the smell is something like an onion that's been in the fridge drawer until it goes runny with blue fluff, then sloshed in Jeye's Fluid. The taste is similar but with toffee as well. The pong lingers for days. In Malaysia I once travelled for 2 hours in the midday heat in a non-airconditioned van full of these things, just me, the durians and some inch-long ants with jaws like crocodile-clips. Despite this, I got quite a taste for them (durians, not ants). They are better if they have fallen naturally than if they are cut, and the best ones I had I ate under the tree as a guest of the tree's owner. In hindsight, this may not have been the safest place to be sitting. I think I was a bit of a curiosity as a European who actually liked them. You know, Duncan, I am really SO grateful you did that for me and saved me from having to find out for myself! ;-) Don't pass up the chance to eat them, they really are good and for some reason you don't smell it as you eat.. Even though airlines and hotels in durian-areas tend to have off-putting signs like "No durians allowed in rooms/baggage". Janet |
For David Poole
On 9/2/06 9:17, in article , "Janet
Baraclough" wrote: The message from Sacha contains these words: On 8/2/06 22:02, in article , "Duncan" wrote: snip Slightly OT, but on the subject of putrid plant odours I simply have to mention the durian. snip the best ones I had I ate under the tree as a guest of the tree's owner. In hindsight, this may not have been the safest place to be sitting. I think I was a bit of a curiosity as a European who actually liked them. You know, Duncan, I am really SO grateful you did that for me and saved me from having to find out for myself! ;-) Don't pass up the chance to eat them, they really are good and for some reason you don't smell it as you eat.. Even though airlines and hotels in durian-areas tend to have off-putting signs like "No durians allowed in rooms/baggage". Hmmmm. The opportunity has never come my way but unfortunately, I'm easily put off food by its appearance originally and I suspect the same could be said of that kind of scent. I'm very squeamish about eating squid, for example - just cannot bring myself to do it. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon ) |
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