Morning all - very cold here although sky is brightening.

Thanks Hicky - I think I'll just bring the pot in now until spring - I can put it in the potting shed.

I wasn't sure whether you had more than one sister Moots- although either way, it's a worrying time for you! I'm sure if I was expected to give injections, I'd need some training and advice.

I've gone all chilly now Honey thinking of you in cold water trying to do aqua aerobics!

Pleased for Scarlett, she seemed genuinely shocked to have won. I really enjoyed IAC this year, lovely people (most of them) and good trials.

Hello all


I was thinking that if it did regrow, I could have a bird table arrangement on the top of the old trunk. I've got to do something - I must be the laughing stock of the block!

Afternoon all.

I am completely confused about the trees.

So, if I cut off some massive branches this week, will they grow back,or not?

There's a large tree trunk in our garden - tree cut down before we moved here but it's at least 2 ft across. Every year lots of shoots grow from the base, they grow up around the stump and unless you cut them back, you can't see the stump. We had a concrete manhole cover cover at the old house - it's a planter made of concrete in the shape of a manhole cover if you see what I mean! We plant it summer and winter with different stuff - it's only about 3 ft-ish tall though, your might be too tall Moots??

Hi JoJo, yes, if the potting shed stays above freezing the tree should be ok, most aren't too effected by the frost unless it's a real bad winter.

She supplied us with a very good IAC this year, so pleased for her.


Hi Moots, thats fine, just let the growth go round the table, it mustn't be too big though or that won't happen.


Hi Honey, most trees will try and grow back, but normally you should always leave a branch to use the sap in the spring if you don't want to kill the tree, then when you get new growth you cut the last branch off.

Oh gosh it seems very heartless. What i want is to severely curtail the growth, but without killing them.
I like having them covering the garden,and giving the shade i need,but its getting like Rapunzel, you know, when the prince has to chop his way through and gets blinded?

Good Morning Everyone.:+)))))))))))))

A cool day here, going to be warm tomorrow.
7c today 13c tomorrow.
Cloud all day by the looks of it.


Hi Honey, some tree really come back strong when cut down, one by me that was cut down to 5ft sprouted about 40 new shoots, much to my dismay, and 2 small logs that were left behind in the school grounds have grown as well, the branches are now 6ft tall.

If you just want to regain control of a big tree get a tree surgeon in, it's an hours work and he will do whatever is best for you and the tree.

Most people don't think that trees need some form of control, they just leave them growing as they please, they think these big trees will control them selves, but if a tree stops growing it means it's dead probably.

hello peeps

Can someone explain the meaning behind a dream I had last night I was lost in a strange town with an incontinent small dragon under my arm..... At least I wasn't driving a car with bad brakes this time...


I can just picture this, Honey!!

I cut back my mulberry tree (well, a tree surgeon did) in Autumn 2015. It didn't produce any fruit this year, so I think I should have let it have its head.

Hi Moots.:+)))))))))))))

The moral of the dream is, don't carry dragons under your arm, or next time put is down and exit stage right.

If you over-pruned the tree in one go the shock may stop it fruiting. also they shouldn't be pruned when the temperature is too cold as the wound can't heal and disease can enter, normal light pruning is done in the spring like most soft fruit.
Summer light pruning is normally done in August to take off the years growth to keep the tree at a constant height.

hello Hicky

I'll remember that the next time I feel the need to carry a dragon around! It was rather cute though, and veyr obedient, unlike certain chihuahuas I could nameI

I think I must have overpruned the poor tree...

I did have lots of gorgeous figs from my fig tree though!

Good morning you lot.

It's so mild, 11c already. And nice and bright.

Good Afternoon Everyone.:+)))))))))))))

A warm dull day here, 14c, not bad, saw a glimpse of sun before.

Got a real shock to here Nico Rosburg has retired from F1, not that i liked him, i didn't, it leaves Mercedes in a tight spot for 2017 doesn't it, should be a very interesting season next year then.


Hi Moots, Yes, anything without a nappy on when in your arms is a risk.

Another problem with overpruning is that you will get tons of water shoots that need cutting off close to the trunk, leaving a few mm for the wound to heal.

I find it so frustrating taking the 2nd crop of figs off in the autumn an binning them, in warmer countries the figs never stop producing, it must be a continuous thing but here the overwintering baby figs that are barely noticeable will be the ones that ripen next year.

I've got 3 fig trees now but one needs re-potting this winter as those in pots need re-potting every 3 years, the roots are trimmed by cutting a few inches off all round and the root length is cut as well, my fig trees are in large tubs with a built in water tank that holds about 10 gallon of water


Good Afternoon Eddy.:+))))))))))))))))))

The sun is out now, 14c is lovely, but you need the sun for it to feel good, the cloud earlier made it so dark indoors.

Big Blagger ‏@bigblaggeruk 14m14 minutes ago

BREAKING NEWS: Celebrity Big Brother returns with a LIVE Launch show on Tuesday, January 3rd at 9pm on @channel5_tv #CBB

Thank you.

Yes i was shocked, just as he got on terms with Lewis and set up an all Champions team for next year which would have been a real head to head - he quits!

Mind i can see in one sense why he would go now, as he said he's aim as always been just to be champion - he wasnt interested in trying to repeat it once he got it or multiple ones and he had a young daughter. So makes sense to go now while he is at the top rather then carrying on until the inevitable slide down the order starts and another year head to head with Lewis was not what he wanted or needed!


Thanks Richie, so as predicted then I won't get my hopes up for anything resembling a decent series so that then i won't be dsappointed !

Looking at who is rumoured and at the theme, looks like it's more of the same from this show

And on a side note, there is NO Big Brother Radio show for this January series but Doc will be uploading the episodes on his site and he will be back with the show for the regular series

We cant afford tree surgeons unfortunately, so I will give it a good chopping in the spring.

The dragon represents feelings of anger, conflict,or being out of your depth. Because the dragon was under your arm i am guessing it is about the chihuahuas fighting or something?

It is hard to look forward to what sounds like a rehash of what we have seen before, but I expect I will enjoy it when the time comes.

Hi guys


Thanks richie! I hope there won't be too many fauxmances, and profanity this time. Fat hope I know..

I think you may be right there Honey, as this dream came right after the recurring one in which Amy-Louise escapes from the front gate and disappears from view.

I am otherwise very fond of dragons when they aren't incontinent...

I had a nightmare yesterday that Nobby weed on my best memory foam pillow and Pippin chewed yet another bra.

Oh ,hang on. No. It really happened.

I've been trying to draw green smilies but the forum won't cooperate.

trying again...

You know what happens when you try to take pictures of wild animals - well not this !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoJTbfnCVkA

That was incredible.

er was that a lady seal???

Good Morning Everyone.:+)))))))))))))))

Another warm day here 13c but very cloudy, some rain expected as well.


Thanks fo that richie, can't wait, love how we get all the negative comments before it's even started, typical of the UK it seems, we sure know how to pull things apart before they are even built.
But we were very surprised with the Jungle, so never say never.


Hi Barra, what a great video, they sure had a crush on him didn't they.

Good afternoon everyone.

It's still very mild here. Nice and bright here today.