Gardening Mistakes

[dandave]

I stole this idea from the GW boards, but thought it might be fun here on the Dis, too.

OK, I'll start. I fed and fed and fed my wisteria with mostly nitrogen based fertilizers, so that it grew up into the very tip top of my unknown variety oak tree. Then, I learned that wisteria does not like to be fed- oops, too late! It's a huge bare vine now, but it won't flower for heck or high water. I think it's starting to leaf out, however. Anything is better than a huge, naked, twining vine, though.

Weeds. I've grown more than a few, thinking that perhaps they were the result of some seed that I had planted and forgotten. One grew to well over a foot tall with my help, before I figured out that it didn't belong in that particular pot. It was almost sad to wrench it out after feeding, watering, and pampering it for so long. Tricky things those weeds can be!
I have either a weed or a sunflower right now that is about 6 inches tall. I watered the little sucker today, as a matter of fact. If I find out I've been taking such good care of a weed again... Well, I'll probably just pretend it never happened and pull it when no one is looking.

Compost bins. Compost bins need owners who know what they are doing. Owners who do not know what they are doing should not start compost bins. Enough said.


Next!!

 

[marydmjj]

Heehee. Very funny. Great thread too.

Hmmm, where to start. I bet my brother (a landscaper) that this puny little wisteria I bought would grow up and over my arbor by the end of the season. I just happened to plant it in a planter full of grow-co and it burned the cr@p out of it. Needless to say I lost the bet.

I worked long and hard getting what I thought was the perfect spot for a rose garden ready. Planted bunches and bunches of roses, tended to them, pampered them, sang to them, blah blah blah. Each and every one contracted black spot, mildew, aphids and some other unknown slug like attachment. Obviously, my perfect spot did not have enough sun. So I've moved them all to different locations or moveable pots and they are very happy now.

 

[Snowwark]

We made a very similar mistake, Dandave, except it was with our lilacs. When we first got them, many years ago, we fertilized them like crazy, and they bushed out like they were on steroids! No flowers though, not a one. We learned, stopped feeding them so generously, and they finally bloomed. Thank goodness, because they are one of my favourites.

Glad to hear your roses are much happier, Mary!