Saturday, July 18, 2009

Albany ny tulip fest





pollen-flowers posted a photo

lanterns1.jpg
our lanterns - photo by kind permission of Lisa Devlin - lanterns1.jpg




Another yellow flower

Another yellow flower


atheana
DCF 1.0

DCF 1.0



This image and the following 2 lotus pond wallpaper show one and the same pond. Here during dry season in January. The last image shows the same lotus pond during rainy season completely covered by white lotus flowers.
Next to this beautiful pond the little farm house. Imagine you have such an idyllic home - simple but your own and amidst beautiful natural environment. Free leeches treatment when ever you need one included at no extra cost.
In album Lotus flowers

atheana
DCF 1.0

DCF 1.0




Beautiful Cambodian Hibiscus - wallpaper 1600x1200px. Cambodia is a tropical paradise for flowers, fruits and vegetables and of course a truly tropical climate. Hot all year long.
Nature scenery in Cambodia is specially beautiful during or early after rainy season when all nature is lush growing and blossoming.
In album Kingdom of Cambodia Pictures

Crazy looking flower

Crazy looking flower




Flower With White Color, Around...



Asim Shah posted a photo:

yellow



crete

beetography
crabapple-DSC_1716.jpg

crabapple-DSC_1716.jpg


pollen-flowers posted a photo

07430005.jpg
complementing bridesmaids' bouquets - 07430005.jpg

all pictures c ourtesy of lisa Devlin photography www.devlinphotos.co.uk



pollen-flowers posted a photo

latestpicturesgallery074.jpg
our new mirror cube vases on mirror tiles - latestpicturesgallery074.jpg




Keywords:


In Friday's programme Joe Swift and Simon Thornton-Wood from the RHS will talk about their peat policy for future shows and some of the growers will be voicing their concerns. If you're concerned about the use of peat and have a question you'd like to ask, post it here.

disa.jpgLovely Dave Parkinson, grower of the even lovelier Disa orchids, is a grower that's worried about the issue. The dainty, brightly coloured Disa orchids that Dave breeds and grows at home in Goole, E Yorkshire, originate from South Africa, where they grow on the slopes of Table Mountain. They thrive in very specific conditions, wet, acid, low nutrient, peaty bogs and Dave has worked hard to get his growing medium just right. This is where the problem arises, Dave has found that his ideal mix is a combination of 60% peat and 40% perlite and, try as he might, nothing else works as well, or is as close to the orchids' natural environment.

The RHS policy on the use of peat is clear, it fully supports the government target of a 90% peat reduction in all growing media by 2010. This policy extends to all its gardens and it encourages all exhibitors at RHS shows to follow suit.

Exhibiting at flower shows is crucial to Dave's business. Shows are where he showcases his Disas (he has won 7 RHS gold medals), and where his customers can place orders. He is worried about how the RHS 'no peat' rule will affect him - will the exhibitors be policed and possibly excluded for using peat?

Is there a case for limited, responsible use of peat in horticulture ?

There are vast world reserves of peat and the industry does seem to be taking notice of environmental concerns. Canada has 25% of the world's peat supply, they only harvest a tiny fraction of their reserves and would have you believe they are responsible environmentalists.

You can read more about their policy for peat use here: http://www.peatmoss.com/concern.php

The Canadians also claim to be finding ways to speed up the regeneration process after peat harvesting, but it's very hard to know who to believe when so many 'experts' have vested interests.

In this country it seems that gardeners have taken notice of warnings about the unsustainability of peat harvesting and the government target of a 40% reduction in peat usage by 2005, was met. However Defra have admitted that the next target of 90% replacement of peat by 2010 is too ambitious. Practically, that means that 84% of growing media used should be non-peat. This will not be achieved, but it's moving in the right direction, so gardeners and growers are to be congratulated.

It's a pity that golfers in desert countries can't be persuaded to take up beach volley ball or boules instead - that would save a few million tons of Baltic peat. Apparently peat is also used in feminine hygiene products - not quite sure how, but ladies, do your duty - ask for 'peat free' in future.


Info from:

No comments:

Post a Comment