Digging and Smilers

Great relief – digging complete but some bulbs still sun drying before being put in wire bottom trays, labelled and housed. Incidentally, the wooden trays date back to the 1930’s having been made for Guy l. Wilson, bought at auction by Tom Bloomer and then passed on to me in 1973 – so they must be 85 years old and still stable and sound. They got an annual dip in formalin at the end of the season to sterilise.

I really must cut down on level of activity – (I’ve been saying that for years!) so lots of unique seedling stocks for disposal this year.

Ref question from Bill Carter – we all slice a few bulbs when digging – a little nick on the round surface looks like a ‘smile’ so we call them’ smilers’ and left to sun dry – I think the sun sterilizes ‘smilers’ and more seriously damaged bulbs – they all seem to recover without application of fungicides. If sun is very strong it can cook bulbs, especially when newly dug and still damp. We use green mesh sheeting to protect if deemed necessary – not often in N. Ireland

Brian Duncan

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2 comments for “Digging and Smilers

  1. Brian, your photos bring back happy memories of the two weeks I spent with you in the shed and field. Warm greetings to you and to Betty.

    Sent from my iPhone

  2. Thanks for your update, Brian. Good to hear and see what you’re up to!

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