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GQT at Ö÷²¥´óÐã: Rooftop Trees and Frilly Leaves

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts.

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme featuring a group of gardening experts. This week's panellists are the ever-knowledgeable Chris Thorogood, Pippa Greenwood, and Bunny Guinness.

The team marks the beginning of National Tree Week by sharing some potted tree ideas for a rooftop terrace, as well as offering advice for a student science project.

Meanwhile, Bob Flowerdew has some top tips for looking after fruiting plants over winter, and we head up to Edinburgh as Kirsty Wilson tells us about two rather unusual plants, Dead Man's Fingers and the colourful Beautyberry.

Producer - Hannah Newton
Assistant Producer - Bethany Hocken

A Somethin' Else production for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Plant List

Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

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Q – I would like my Year 8 science class to plant some conkers in pots, to see what happens to them by the spring. What can I do to make the experiment successful?

(3 minutes)

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Q – In the Ise of Man we’ve seen lots of self-sown foxgloves grow over the summer. Is there anything we can do to help them along?

(6 minutes 40 seconds)

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Q – I have an established sage in a herb bed, but recently the leaves have been eaten away. How can I treat it naturally as we use the plant for cooking?

(8 minutes 27 seconds)

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Q – I had an east-facing bedroom windowsill in my flat. As someone from Miami adjusting to British winter conditions, what plants can the panel suggest I could get?

(11 minutes 45 seconds)

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Chris –

Anthurium clarinervium

Epiphyllum, Orchid cacti

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Pippa –

Christmas cactus

Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid

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Feature – Bob Flowerdew shares his top tips for taking care of fruiting plants over winter

(15 minutes 50 minutes)

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Q – I’m designing a rooftop terrace of an office building. I’m looking for a tree that will thrive in a pot, in full sun and wind. What can the panel suggest?

(19 minutes 43 seconds)

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Bunny –

Field maple

CrataegusÌý'Prunifolia'

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Chris –

Oak

Whitebeam

Crack Willow

Yew

Olive

Chamaerops

AlbiziaÌýjulibrissin, Pink silk tree

Q – I’ve grown a cauliflower from seed but it’s tiny, about 6cm (2.4 inches) across. Will it grow anymore or should I harvest it now?

(24 minutes 33 seconds)

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Feature – We head to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, as Kirsty Wilson tells us about two lesser known plants, Dead man’s fingers and Beautyberry.

(28 minutes 40 seconds)

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Q – I bought an orange Star of Bethlehem from the garden centre. Will it be ok in a pot in the kitchen on a sunny windowsill, or better in our east facing conservatory?

(32 minutes 10 seconds)

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Q – I moved my tomato plants indoors, and it appears that a squirrel may have buried some peanuts in the pot, as it appears to have grown into a peanut plant. Should I expect to get any nuts?

(36 minutes 50 seconds)

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