ASK MONTY
Why did two of my yellow cherry tomatoes produce big fruits?
There are many varieties of yellow tomato – from cherry to beefsteak – and large ones are not uncommon
I was given six plants of yellow ‘Golden Sunrise’ cherry tomatoes, and four produced lovely little fruits. But the other two produced big fruits. Do you have any idea what happened?
Mrs Carmel Thomas, Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Never fear, Mrs Thomas, it is
quite common for tomato seeds to become mixed up, and every batch will throw up a surprise.
There are many varieties of yellow tomato – from cherry to beefsteak – and large ones are not uncommon.
I have rescued four holly bushes from a hedge and want to grow them as standards in pots. I have cleared the main stem in the hope of creating a ball-shaped top, but it has not really worked. Do I need special soil? Also,
should I be feeding them, and if so, when?
Mrs M. Barker, Clevedon, Somerset
Holly is slow to shape into a standard, but it can be done. It hates being moved, so your rescued plants will have been in shock for a couple of years.
However, it sounds like you are doing everything right. Make sure they have a generous pot with good drainage and plenty of compost.
Position them in full sunlight and feed them once a fortnight with liquid seaweed between April and September. Be patient and they will make attractive standards.
When should I prune my magnolia? It was a special gift 20 years ago and is now 9ft
tall and about 7ft wide, blocking the view and light. But it is magnificent when in flower.
Jean Tilley, Uxbridge, Greater London
You do not say what kind of magnolia you have, but it is likely to be either Magnolia
soulangeana, which has luscious big pink and cream flowers in April, or M. stellata, which produces pure white, star-like flowers a few weeks earlier.
Both can be pruned hard because magnolias grow back well from old wood.
The best time to do it is when they are dormant, which is now, and certainly before New Year, as they start to produce new growth early in the year.
If you have any gardening queries, write to Monty Don at Weekend, Daily Mail, 2 Derry street, London W8 5tt or email monty.don@dailymail.co.uk. Please include your full name and address. We regret Monty cannot reply to letters personally.
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