P637 CEEFAX 637 Tue 1 Oct 20:31/45 GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME 1/5 Aloe Vera plants: The sap of the newly-crushed leaves give this plant its healing properties. It is a succulent, evergreen rosette which grows best in the Mediterranean. To cultivate, use a gritty calcareous compost. Maintain a temperature of 50F- 55F (a conservatory or window-sill during winter should be adequate). Growing olive trees to produce fruits: It needs to be a good age before fruits appear. Bring indoors during winter months. 630 Radio 632 Radio 2 634 Radio 4 Next Page Radio Radio 1 TV/RadioP637 CEEFAX 637 Tue 1 Oct 20:44/05 GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME 2/5 Small shrubs giving colour and flowers in a windy seaside location: Senjcio maritimum; lavatera maritima; lavjndjr Hidcote; Helianthjmum (sun roses) - Ben Nevis, Red Dragon, Ben More or Ben Ljdi; Hebe Margaret; Potentilla - Tilford Cream or Manchu. Snails in the garden pond: Alleviate this problem by using a filter over the inlet pump. Introduce more fish into the pond and float lettuce leaves over the surface of the water occasionally. 630 Radio 632 Radio 2 634 Radio 4 Next Page Radio Radio 1 TV/RadioP637 CEEFAX 637 Tue 1 Oct 20:42/25 GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME 3/5 Growing Capparis spinosa (capek plant) Use a soil-based John Innjs seed compost, sow seeds in spring in the shade. Keep under cover in winter. A minimum night temp of 55F is needed. Sow on in separate pots; pot-on when they are about 3-6" high. Creating an alphine house: Give Alphines ventilation and light. The bench should be made of fine gravel or a 6" mixture of \ sand, \ grit and of stout staging to bear the weight. For compost details, consult a alpine plants book or contact: The Alpine Garden Society, Lye End Link, St Johns, Wooing, Surrey GU21 1SW. 630 Radio 632 Radio 2 634 Radio 4 Next Page Radio Radio 1 TV/RadioP637 CEEFAX 637 Tue 1 Oct 20:43/40 GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME 4/5 Topical Tips Lift gladioli bulbs, cut off flower heads and top of foliage. Leave to dry. Separate baby corms for potting in the New Year. Check for faults and carry out maintenance on any greenhouse heating equipment. Net your garden pond to avoid the problem of falling leaves. 630 Radio 632 Radio 2 634 Radio 4 Next Page Radio Radio 1 TV/RadioP637 CEEFAX 637 Tue 1 Oct 20:35/15 GARDENERS' QUESTION TIME 5/5 Fact Sheets If you would like copies of Gardeners' Question Time fact sheet, send a RAE to: GQT, BBC, PO Box 450, Manchester M60 1FZ. Please mark envelopes with the relevant fact sheet number. More Successful Gardening Cassette This costs £3.75 (inc postage and packing) from: GQT, BBC, PO Box 27, Manchester M60 1ST. Make cheques and postal orders payable to Gardeners' Question Time. 630 Radio 633 Radio 3 634 Radio 4 Next Page Radio Radio 1 TV/Radio