Ask John Negus John will reply personally to all your gardening questions every week
I’m in a dilemma over my regal lily bulbs
Q Can I leave my regal lilies in a pot over the winter, or should I store the bulbs in a greenhouse tray during the colder months?
Rebecca Anderson, Somerset
A Your regal lily (Lilium regale) bulbs are best left undisturbed in their pot of compost over winter, but you must shorten their dead and dying stems to within 4in (10cm) of the base.
Then, if you have room available, move them into your unheated greenhouse and leave them to ‘sleep’ from now until early spring.
They will be dormant, so do not water them as the compost will remain soggy and the bulbs may rot.
In March, when new growth becomes visible, remove bulbs from their container and replant them in fresh John Innes No3 compost. Position them in good light. Ideally, set them outdoors in mid-spring to flower freely in summer.
Why are bay leaves starting to curl?
Q The leaves of my bay tree are starting to curl and go brown, though I care for it well. What is the problem?
Jason Hughes, via email
Your bay is showing signs of an aphid-like pest called bay sucker that feeds at the leaf margins and causes them to thicken and curl, providing their eggs and
