I Left t'other Half in America and went to work in Africa
It's always been my idea of a dream job to work in one of those greenhouses in parks, and t'other half (John) likes to do something different, so we had no hesitation when Peter asked for volunteers to help with the Wythenshawe Park project (detailed in the last magazine). I was a bit worried that, as relatively new members, we wouldn't have enough experience and was told,
"Oh, as long as you can dig a hole and stick a plant in the right way up, you'll be fine. Wear some warm clothes that you don't mind getting mucky. Bring some gloves, a big spade, a packed lunch and anything else that might be useful."
So, on a cold dark morning in January we set off for Manchester with our bag of tools and sandwiches, wearing a few extra layers and a good dollop of industrial strength hand cream. An hour later (it was 52 miles) we had found Wythenshawe Park and the greenhouse complex was signposted near the car park.
Peter, John and Brian were already there, treating a bad case of mealy bug. It was warmer than expected as the new heaters were working - padlocked in cages for security although it beat me how someone could have made off with the last one when they were the size of a fridge.
Each of the beds in the large greenhouse was set out with plants of a particular continent. South America had been done previously (see last two photos) but America (Central) was lying empty, apart from landscaping rocks and the gravel laid out ready for us by the park staff. The first stage of the job was to remove the rocks and fork in the gravel ready for planting.
Pictures 1 & 2 - the Central American section (backdrop previously painted by ?)
after digging over but before planting
On a previous visit, the others had already sorted out the plants they'd been able to salvage, and laid them out on benches in a neighbouring greenhouse, but it was sad to see the remains of magnificent specimens which hadn't made it.
We'd been given complete freedom by the park supervisor on the layout of the plants, but there were common sense considerations like placing taller plants at the back and ensuring that cacti with long spines were far enough from the walkways to avoid catching on the clothes of passers by.
Photos 3 & 4 - the Central American zone after we had finished
With such large plants to manoeuvre in a restricted space, it was thought that three people were enough so I left t'other half in America and went to work in Africa along with Peter (see pictures below). Although much work had already been done here, some more succulent plants had been donated to fill the gaps and some tidying up was needed - of plants which had been knocked over or damaged..... and then there was the ongoing battle with the Oxalis weed which was coming up within spreading plants like Stapelia, where it could get established under cover before showing itself. Peter pulled up a barrow load of a spreading succulent which was in danger of taking over.
Photos 5-8 - Some of the cacti put in the American Zone (many Ferocacti with some Mammillaria, Coryphantha, Echinofossulocacti and the odd Opuntia)
We worked steadily and were surprised by how much had been done by the time we stopped for lunch at 12.45 - but with the aim of finishing before the light went, we had to press on. By 2.30 there were just a handful of small cacti to plant in America - so we all took a few and got it done. The landscaping rocks were put back and there was some clearing up of pots and unwanted plant material - but after a sweep of the walkways, it was finished.
Some of the young student gardeners trooped in to have a look and I heard one of them say,
"Oh, isn't that fantastic! I really love cacti," which was very gratifying.
Photos 9-10 - the South African Zone with Oxalis removed, and plants 'freshened up'
Photos 11-12 - the previously done South American Zone - with some large Cereus, Opuntias, Gymnocalyciums etc
Wythenshawe Park is open February to November and is free. Please have a look at it when you're next down there