RURAL RIDDLES
manage to keep an orchid alive for several years as a house plant! On one I’ve recently noticed what appears to be a tiny new plant appearing halfway along the flower stem. Would you happen to know whether it could be removed and potted up to make a new plant – or should I just cut it off and discard it so that it isn’t taking goodness from the parent plant? Lorraine Ward
SHOOTS & ROOTS Q
I seem to be one of the lucky people who
A
Personally, I think it is always worth having a
go at taking cuttings from any plant (maybe it’s my Yorkshire childhood and the county’s reputation for getting something for nothing?!). Rather than a true orchid, I suspect that you might have a ‘phalaenopsis’ which is the type often on sale in garden centres’ and shops.
Something for nothing! If the shoot in question
has good root structure as it appears on the parent plant, cut it off (with a sharp blade so the stem tissues don’t tear) and plant it in a little pot containing orchid compost. Place a clear plastic bag over it for the first few weeks (this
‘pigeon lamp’… back in England, a friend of ours keeps racing pigeons but, showing him the photo, he had no idea as to its purpose – other than suggesting that it might possibly have been used for fumigating loſts to get rid of parasites and disease? Richard Baldwin
A
of great value to the pigeon-keeping enthusiast when it comes to controlling parasites – your photo is actually nothing to do with such things! The name arises because of its inventor – Charles-Joseph Pigeon – a Frenchman who developed this type of household lamp in the late 19th century. From what I can see of the photo, your
particular lamp is not, however, a genuine ‘Pigeon’: if it were, there would be an emblem of a pigeon on its body. It is also missing a small glass shade which would intensify the light given off. However, for the princely sum of €5, I don’t think you’ve been robbed as it looks an interesting artefact!
LET THERE BE LIGHT! Q
We found this item for €5 at a brocante recently. The stallholder said it was a
While there are both old and new apparatus that do indeed do as you suggest – and are
will act as a mini-greenhouse or propagator) but occasionally open the bag for ventilation otherwise it may rot as a result of too much moisture. Supposing the plant
thrives, it will, however, be perhaps a couple of years before it flowers.
Heard it through the grapevine A
‘Gangs’ may travel from vineyard to vineyard
during harvest time (generally September to mid-November, depending on location), but if you just want some opportunities locally, then try the personal approach and go knocking on the doors of a nearby vineyard. Smaller places are probably best as they’ll most likely pick for themselves and/or a co-operative. I’m not sure about the
‘romance’ you mention but it is great fun. It’s a surprisingly speedy activity too – until you get your eye in (some bunches of grapes seem to delight in hiding behind the leaves!) you might be left behind a bit as the other pickers (or ‘cutters’) make their way down the rows allocated to them. You could offer your services
A Pigeon lamp – but no birds in sight
for nothing although pickers often get paid. At the least you ought to be provided with a decent lunch (with wine, of course) – and working with a team of locals certainly helps improve your French!
GET IN TOUCH! If you have any ‘rural riddles’ for Jeremy, contact him by email at
jcjeremyhobson@gmail.com Jeremy Hobson is a France-based writer who specialises in all country matters
j-c-jeremy-hobson.co.uk
FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024 103
IT’S A VINE LIFE
barrel as the saying has it, to the Maine-et-Loire. All around are vineyards and, having seen the ‘romance’ of grape-picking on countless TV programmes and films, we would like to give it a go. Do you know if there’s an agency which employs teams of pickers? Katie and Dennis Webber
Q
We are excited to have moved, lock, stock and
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