January Trees

The arrival of new seeds to plant is always a  treat, especially in January. This year it is a packet of six non-dormant Monkey Puzzle seeds (Araucaria araucana). I hope they will germinate and add to the collection of small trees growing away, including the Giant Sequoias. I have also taken cuttings of the Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa' (corkscrew, tortured or my fave, dragon's claw willow). I have found the easiest way with these is simply to push bare stems in a pot in winter and watch them grow away in Spring.
I have planted my lovely Christmas gift of a Glastonbury thorn in a pot for now, until a permanent site can be found in the garden. Growing trees in containers, whether Bonsai or just small trees, is a lovely way to find a life-long connection to nature if space is limited. If you make one gardening resolution to keep this New Year, make it to grow a tree.

January frosts

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Dragon's Claw willow and Californian lilac

More frosts...

Monkey Puzzle seeds

Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi Review

Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi 12A

Director: Rian Johnson
Website: Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi

This movie really opens up the marketing opportunities. New toy space ships, teddy bears, costumes, milk drinks... That said, if you can get past the marketing and rebooting opportunities, it is a chance to bid a very long, nostalgic, fond farewell to the original three Star Wars films and cast.

Without giving away too many spoilers, think Battlestar Galactica meets Mary Poppins. There are a couple of stand out WOW! moments, a couple of  WTF! moments and an awful lot of angst from the two main protagonists, Kylo Ren and Rey. See it because, after all these years of being a fan, it would be rude not to.

Three out of five galactic stars.
*****

Meanwhile, on the small screen...

Halt and Catch Fire

(Amazon Prime)

Four seasons of this great series based around the intertwined lives and careers of four people riding the wave that was the computer boom of the 80's. Not to be missed. Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, Kerry Bishé and Toby Huss head up the cast.
Five out of five shift key eights.
*****