Morris Minor Owners Club

amgrave wrote:I'm sure I have read somewhere you can get chemicals to treat this condition but I don't know about dosage or how to apply it

I have some of those chemicals. Their effectiveness depends on root depth, and may take some time to acheive results. On one occasion I applied the chemicals at sunset but observed no discernible difference until I was washing the car the following morning

Applying chemicals to Purple Morning Glory either directly or indirectly can have stunning results. It can also result in a white sticky discharge from the head of the plant and if this happens wilting will almost inevitable follow . I have heard that Miracle Gro either granules or dissolved in water may achieve a good solid stem without wilting or indeed unwanted and unsightly discharge.

You can get a protective film to guard against the sticky discharge and it tends to discourage the birds but it's not what everyone wants

Following Firedrakes advice I've made sure the matted root ball is in good order and given the Purple morning glory a few yanks. This seems to have done the trick and it is now standing upright with no discernible droop or limp. I've also taken Amgraves advice and have been to our local garden centre where I asked the young female assistant as to where I could get the protective film to stop the discharge from my Purple morning glory. She called the security and I was escorted out of the premise and told not to come back. The security guard told me to try boots but I can't think how a pair of boots is going to stop the discharge.

It is not just the Purple Morning Glory that is weeping now! Having read this I am too!

I've had much the same reaction. The folks at my garden centre told me where I should put my Purple morning glory. The idea didn't appeal to me and in any case, a slipped disc makes that kind of exertion pretty much impossible.

John
please can we have an emoticon? with tears of laughter...

It goes without saying that both the ginger bush and purple morning glory should not come in contact with nettles, ants or wasps.

Ahhh, that might be why the garden centre suggested boots

I'm afraid I have to announce that my Rambling Rector has passed away following the sad news about Ginger Bush !

burnham28 wrote:Following Firedrakes advice I've made sure the matted root ball is in good order and given the Purple morning glory a few yanks. This seems to have done the trick and it is now standing upright with no discernible droop or limp. I've also taken Amgraves advice and have been to our local garden centre where I asked the young female assistant as to where I could get the protective film to stop the discharge from my Purple morning glory. She called the security and I was escorted out of the premise and told not to come back. The security guard told me to try boots but I can't think how a pair of boots is going to stop the discharge.

Can I take advantage of the horticulturists on here to enquire as to what is the best position for a Ginger Bush. I thought an open position on a bed would be satisfying but as they are usually found in the shade I'm not so sure it would be the best position for it, might make it a bit too dry as I think someone earlier in the thread stated they benefit from a moist position. Shame as I suspect it would make a lovely display along with some Red Hot Pokers. Any other suggestions would be welcome.
P.S. I think I may have been watching too many Carry On films.

Its my understanding that some variants, usually the more costly, can be bedded anywhere, and have been known to flourish in locations as diverse as sheltered hillsides, secluded parks and even under railway arches if seeding conditions are favourable.

No such thing as 'too many' Carry On films!

The most authoritative guide to positioning and bedding in the Ginger Bush is written by Prof K.A. Masutra of the University of Delhi. He too agrees that a variety of positions, indoors and out are feasible but care is needed with older plants as they are less pliant and flexible than younger specimens - The same is true of the Purple Morning Glory. He advocates that for effective propagation, the limbs of the Ginger Bush should be widely spaced as this allows for access and care. Occasional trimming is fine but excessive defoliation can leave the Bush looking rather sparse.

I used to be acquainted with a woman named Cynthia. She had a large number of such Bushes on her property in south-west London. She always maintained that frequent and often ruthless trimming was essential in order to minimise parasitic infestation which in turn encouraged additional growth among the Purple morning glory also found around her premises.

The afore mentioned protective film helps guard against this but I will admit I have not tried boots. I wonder if you need one or both boots

palacebear wrote:I used to be acquainted with a woman named Cynthia. She had a large number of such Bushes on her property in south-west London. She always maintained that frequent and often ruthless trimming was essential in order to minimise parasitic infestation which in turn encouraged additional growth among the Purple morning glory also found around her premises.

.... all that work must have been a pain (sp)

John

Her Bushes became so well-known that council officials reputedly used to sort them out during their lunch hours.

(Did see her once. Housecoat and matching head-scarf. Broom in hand. Leaning on the garden wall chatting with a neighbour. Reminded me of Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough a.k.a. 'Cissy and Ada')

I understand that in order to increase the growth rate and stem-girth of the Purple Morning Glory, she uses to vigorously stimulate areas of the plant located near the Ginger Bush - This, I believe, gave rise to the expression 'beating around the bush'

Oh dear more trouble. Having examined the ginger bush closely I have found a large sticky willy (Galium Aparine) I think the latin name is Adhesii Penisii. It appears to have fastened itself to the Ginger bush and looks very rampant. I shall have to do something about it before it overwhelms my Purple morning glory.