OUR speaker for the May 22 monthly meeting, Charles Jenkinson, was unfortunately indisposed.

Thanks go to our secretary for his last minute efforts in securing a volunteer to stand in and ably conduct a talk to assist members in growing the cuttings for the competition at the Annual Show. Richard Ainsworth gave a critique of the plants which members kindly brought in this evening.

He revised previous advice given over the years by many speakers, reminding us that there is no secret formula for success, merely common sense with a bit ofluck since conditions during the growing season can vary considerably.

The plants on show showed a wide variation in growth so far but it is not too late to adjust feeding, improve lighting and their environment generally with more stopping of the growing points in order to produce well shaped, bushy plants.

As greenhouse temperatures rise markedly during the day, Richard strongly advises getting plants out of doors to avoid root damage in hot conditions and to avoid the usual mistake of overcrowding plants.

An evening garden visit is planned for early July, members can contact our secretary for details

On Thursday, June 26, our next meeting will see a return of John Freer speaking on Pelargoniums.

This will be at our usual venue, the Harlow Carr Study Centre.

New members and visitors are always most welcome at our monthly meetings.

For further details of the meeting dates and the subjects to be covered, please call Secretary, John Dykes on 01423 862580 who will be pleased to mail you a programme of events.