| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Leo |
FTGH Paulownia tomentosaI have 4 cuttings from last year that are surplus to requirements.3 are aprox 18" tall in 6" to 8" pots, and 1 smaller. They are all showing buds, but are not quite in leaf yet. I wouldn't like to try posting them, but perhaps the DS courier service could oblige? I am happy to hang on to them for a while if that helps anyone. |
| Leo |
Oops, forgot to say; location Todmorden, West Yorks. |
| Tavascarow |
Beautiful tree if you have the room.
Do they do OK that far North? I thought they where marginally on the tender side. |
| Hairyloon |
I can give them a home if nobody else wants. |
| Jamanda |
I would like one please, or possibly a seed if it's inconvenient to get the tree to Devon.
Anyone near Todmorden going to the skills share? |
| Sally too |
Would one survive in N.Ireland? Guess postage is impossible too? Do bees like this tree? |
| Hairyloon |
You can get seeds on ebay.
Don't know how hard they are to grow though. |
| yummersetter |
My favourite tree. The ones I used to enjoy looking at when walking the dogs in London were large trees, pretty tall. I think it needs a lot of space around it so that you can stand back and enjoy the flowers, and sadly I've not got an empty quarter acre! |
| mochyn |
Can I just say these are fantastically beautiful trees. Commonly the Foxglove tree because of the pale lilac flowers. I've seen them thriving in Graz, in Austria, which is quite chilly...
If there's one left and anyone's coming between there and here at any point I'd love one. While I was at Powys Castle a few years ago I heard a very loud crack. When I got round the corner I saw a large branch which had clearly just fallen from the Paulownia! Fortunately not onto a path. |
| Cathryn |
And if one can be got to Mochyn and there is one left then I would like it please. |
| mochyn |
Is anyone coming from That direction to any of the events planned in Wales this summer? There's one in early May, the Fibre Frenzy in early June and the skill share in July. I'll be at all three. |
| Hairyloon |
Reckon Leo best take some more cuttings. 
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| wildfoodie |
I have some space for one as well... cambridge area? |
| Leo |
Ok folks, no idea so many would want one!
I have had mine for 6/7 years & it's pot grown, & is not big enough to flower. Came from south Wales, grown from seed. Lots seen as BIG trees up as far north as Cheltenham. Mine stays in a pot because we're hoping to move south, soon (please). I've been trying to get it to have 6ft of clear stem, before it branches. Each summer it manages this, but (even in the greenhouse) it suffers die back of a couple of feet each winter. Have heard that they are a bit tender whilst young. Last winter I wrapped the bare stems in coir fibre, & the stem is now shooting from the top. These spare plants come from the shoots I remove from lower down the stem, they root easily. Info I have says that they need well drained, loamy soil, in sheltered position, & grow very big. There will quite possibly be more cuttings to go this summer. Don't know if this info helps any of you decide if it's a good idea or not. |
| Hairyloon |
I have heard that they grow so fast you can sit and watch them... probably not so in a pot though.
Was it easy to grow from seed? |
| Leo |
It wasn't actually me who grew it from seed, a relative found seeds from a tree growing locally & grew a batch. I don't remember them saying it was difficult. Another relative has done the same; does that make us a family of seed thieves?
I gather that the trees are quite a sight when in flower, although they are massive. The leaves are huge. I think our season here is a bit short for getting the new growth to harden before the winter. Also think we are a bit 'soggy' to risk planting out. Never seen one this far north growing outside. |
| Luath |
Mine is doing very well here in Dorset - flowering for several years now. Huge leaves are great for shade, and the flowers are, indeed, beautiful. Bought mine for £10 reduced from £45 at local garden centre - I think too big for most folk maybe. It's ow I got most of my special trees, in the reduced section, always worth a look. |
| Torreya |
Probably the 'frost pocket' in which we live (!!) but we can't grow them here in Sutton Coldfield (just N of Birmingham) yet friend N of Leek has got a beautiful specimen about 5 or 6 metres (15-20') tall!!
I did try about 6 plants over the course of 15 years from various parts of the country, but obviously wasn't meant to be  I have the same prob with autumn Gentians. G. verna, the spring Gentian is great! But I only manage to keep the sino-ornata types for a year or 2 before they turn up their toes....
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| Hairyloon |
If they grow so well from seed and from cuttings, can we be sure that we're not about to start a plague to rival that of rhododendrons... |
| Leo |
Should I just hang on to them for the time being, until someone can get here to collect? |
| Hairyloon |
Should I just hang on to them for the time being, until someone can get here to collect? |
Sounds like a plan.
I could take some to North Wales or London next time I go. I forget how many you've got and where they are wanted...
Was it easy to grow from seed?
