In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to
spring are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees
that are more adapted to proper seasons?

On 2014-02-01 20:20:44 +0000, Adam Lea said:

In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I
have noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the
end of October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are
not outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that
have not gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues
up to spring are there likely to be any adverse effects on any
plants/trees that are more adapted to proper seasons?

I have a few dwarf apple trees in tubs, grown on a south facing wall.

They seem to have opening buds even this early in the season. I really
do fear the flowers being completely frosted by a cold spell later this
month.

My geraniums have bloomed all through the 'winter'. While it's nice I feel as if it somehow doesn't really do the natural world any favours? I personally feel out of sorts, like something needs to be 'reset', having not had a proper winter to contend with.

"Adam Lea" wrote in message
...
In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to spring
are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees that are
more adapted to proper seasons?

My fuschia is still in leaf, I don't think I've ever seen that before in
early February. It takes around -5°C or so to 'frazzle' it so it
drops it's leaves but there has been nothing approaching that this winter.

I don't know if this will do it any harm, after all fuschias in Cornwall
must remain in leaf throughout the winter in most years.
Whatever happens I will cut it back to the base in April even
if it's still 'living' wood.
--
Col

Bolton, Lancashire
160m asl
Snow videos:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3QvmL4UWBmHFMKWiwYm_gg

On Sunday, February 2, 2014 7:53:25 AM UTC, Col wrote:
"Adam Lea" wrote in message

...

In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called

winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have

noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of

October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not

outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not

gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to spring

are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees that are

more adapted to proper seasons?



My fuschia is still in leaf, I don't think I've ever seen that before in

early February. It takes around -5°C or so to 'frazzle' it so it

drops it's leaves but there has been nothing approaching that this winter..



I don't know if this will do it any harm, after all fuschias in Cornwall

must remain in leaf throughout the winter in most years.

Whatever happens I will cut it back to the base in April even

if it's still 'living' wood.

--

Col



Bolton, Lancashire

160m asl

Snow videos:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3QvmL4UWBmHFMKWiwYm_gg

I have a fuschia in just about full flower and full leaf. I'll do the same as you though.

On 01/02/2014 20:20, Adam Lea wrote:
In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to
spring are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees
that are more adapted to proper seasons?

My overwintering broadbeans are in the ground, currently about 10 inches
tall
and quite a lot of them are flowering, of course there are no
pollinators about.
I am still getting reasonable crops of chard and the nero kale is already
starting to produce flower heads, far too early! Due to the saturation of
the ground the shallots are looking a bit unhappy and I think that quite a
few of the daffs have drowned.
SE London.



--
Martin

replies to newsgroup only please.

On 02/02/2014 09:21, Martin Smith wrote:
On 01/02/2014 20:20, Adam Lea wrote:
In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to
spring are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees
that are more adapted to proper seasons?

My overwintering broadbeans are in the ground, currently about 10 inches
tall
and quite a lot of them are flowering, of course there are no
pollinators about.
I am still getting reasonable crops of chard and the nero kale is already
starting to produce flower heads, far too early! Due to the saturation of
the ground the shallots are looking a bit unhappy and I think that quite a
few of the daffs have drowned.
SE London.



I have garlic in pots that is about 10 inches tall. I have heard that
garlic needs a cold period in order to bulb properly, so am curious as
to whether I'll get a crop this year.

On 01/02/2014 20:20, Adam Lea wrote:
In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to
spring are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees
that are more adapted to proper seasons?

We still have roses, pot marigolds and pelargoniums outside in flower.
The grass is growing annoying long but the ground too saturated to use a
lawn mower. Snowdrops are out, crocus not far off and the first
daffodils are just turning their heads down - a few fine days and they
will be out. Blackcurrants could be in big trouble if it turns cold as
they broke dormancy and budded up again in December. The unforced
rhubarb is also well on its way (again could be ruined by a cold snap)!

There hasn't actually been an air frost to speak of this year. Enough to
kill very tender semitropical "annual" plants but nothing else. The odd
ground frost has occurred but even yesterday when there was ice on the
roof of the car the grass wasn't white it just had a heavy dew.

I think there may have been about half a dozen white frosty mornings so
far this winter but the air temperature remained positive (just). They
have been sufficiently well spaced that plants have fully recovered.

We may get a plague of aphids next summer like in 1978? as a result
(ISTR a year about then with inch deep aphids).

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

"Adam Lea" wrote in message
...
In my location (SE) we have had virtually nothing that could be called
winter conditions, it has been like a perpetual autumn. One thing I have
noticed as a result is that that the broad beans I sowed at the end of
October have just kept on growing through the winter, and are not
outgrowing their pots. I'm sure there must be other plants that have not
gone into a proper dormant period. If this mildness continues up to spring
are there likely to be any adverse effects on any plants/trees that are
more adapted to proper seasons?

Don't know if you heard it Adam (probably not at 5-35 this morning ) but the
Met man ,forgotten his name ,said 'This winter is like a perpetual Autumn '
There you go ,another first for u.k sci.weather !

RonB

On 01/02/2014 23:41, Scott W wrote:
My geraniums have bloomed all through the 'winter'. While it's nice I feel as if it somehow doesn't really do the natural world any favours? I personally feel out of sorts, like something needs to be 'reset', having not had a proper winter to contend with.


Same here in Wolverhampton, beside my house, south facing wall, I've
geraniums and some sorry looking nasturtiums. I think the rain is
probably drowning the nasturtiums, because we haven't had many frosts.