Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Strawberry gender decided by two genes, not one
A recent article in the CheckBiotech site by Stephanie Yao reports that new research by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist and her cooperators found gender in strawberries is determined by two genes, not one as previously believed.Strawberry plants possess one of three reproductive functions. Male plants bear flowers that produce pollen but cannot set fruit. Female plants produce fruit if their flowers are pollinated, but cannot produce their own pollen. Hermaphrodites contain both male and female functions that enable them to flower, self-pollinate and bear fruit. Neuters, which look like male strawberry plants, can also exist but do not posses reproductive functions. Read full article at the CheckBiotech site>
Video: How to Grow Ginger
In order to grow ginger, make sure the environment is never lower than 40 degrees, and try to grow it in the hottest and sunniest spot available. Grow ginger, a plant with beautiful red, yellow and orange flowers, with tips from an experienced gardener in this free video on gardening and growing herbs.
Video: Ginger Lily - Dave Bradshaw
Ahh wow the fragrance of the ginger lily.. its too bad you cant smell it there. Ill just linger here while I inhale deeply. The ginger lily is a perennial and its just beginning to bloom you see this one right here has just started. This is going to be blooming from now right on into late, late fall, but early in the morning and late in the afternoon when the dew is around the air is just redolent with that gardenia fragrance.
Plant of the Day - Hedychium coronarium (Ginger Lily)
Hedychium coronariumFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Hedychium
Species: H. coronarium
Binomial name: Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig
The White ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) is originally from the Himalayas region of Nepal and India where it is known as dolan champa दोलन चम्पा in Hindi, takhellei angouba in Manipuri, sontaka in Marathi, and suruli sugandhi in Kannada. The species was introduced to Hawaii by settlers. The native Hawaiians refer to white ginger as 'awapuhi', using the juice of mature seed head as a hair and skin treatment.
In Brazil it is very common and considered to be an invasive weed. It was introduced in the era of slavery, brought to the country by African slaves who used its leaves as mattresses.
In Cuba it is the National Flower, known as "Mariposa blanca" literally "White Butterfly Flower", due to its similarity with a flying white butterfly. This particular species is incredibly fragrant and women used to adorn themselves with these flowers in Spanish colonial times; because of the intricate structure of the inflorescence, women hid and carried secret messages important to the independence cause under it.[citation needed] It is said that a guajiro's (farmer's) house is not complete without a white ginger in its garden.[citation needed] Today the plant has gone wild in the cool rainy mountains in Sierra del Rosario, Pinar del Rio Province in the west, Escambray Mountains in the center of the island, and in Sierra Maestra in the very west of it, but the plant is not endemic of Cuba.
Source: Wikipedia>
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Indiana: Grow Organic clasess to begin
At least 17 instructors will present the course topics, which include history and philosophy of organic gardening, site planning and plant physiology, water and xeriscaping, soil and soil amendments, plant taxonomy, weed control, season extension, pruning, seed saving, seed starting and transplanting, annuals and perennials, insect interactions, plant pathology, genetically modified plants, tree planting and maintenance, composting / vermicomposting, vegetable gardens, and backyard habitat.
Optional Saturday field trips include a trip to an urban farm, a garden that grows medicinal and edible wild plants, the historic garden at Wylie House, and the permaculture garden in Green Acres neighborhood. There will also be a look at predators in the garden, a pruning primer and a lab at IU.
Read more at the Herald Times Online site>
Optional Saturday field trips include a trip to an urban farm, a garden that grows medicinal and edible wild plants, the historic garden at Wylie House, and the permaculture garden in Green Acres neighborhood. There will also be a look at predators in the garden, a pruning primer and a lab at IU.
Read more at the Herald Times Online site>
Two new AVRDC tomato varieties released in China
Sharing techniques and genetic material between AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center and Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the People’s Republic of China is bearing fruit: In late June, Prof. Huang Ting-Ting, tomato breeder at the Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences, announced the development of two tomato lines, F2-21 and F2 X 04-3, that are derived from AVRDC’s late blight resistant inbred line CLN2037, with resistance to late blight, Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and leaf mold. Read full article at the CheckBiotech site>
Discovering soybean plants resistant to aphids and a new aphid
URBANA - This year farmers in the Midwest are growing a new variety of soybeans developed by University of Illinois researchers that has resistance to soybean aphids. However, in addition to the resistant plants, U of I researchers also discovered a new soybean aphid which is not controlled by this resistance. Read full article at CheckBiotech site>
Kansas: Class to offer tips on fall vegetable gardens
With the beginning of August comes the time to start your fall vegetable garden. Fall vegetable gardens can actually be more productive than spring gardens. Come to Room 8 in the Multi-Purpose Events Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20 to learn more about your fall vegetable garden. This class is free. A few of the topics we will cover are location of your garden, soil preparation, weed control, insects, diseases, what to plant, mulching, watering and composting. If you have ever thought about starting a fall garden or already have one and are interested in learning more, this will be a great class for you. Call 716-8610 to register.
Nevada: Vegetable gardening in small spaces class
Judy Holly - Las Vegas Gardening Examiner, points out that University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) is conducting classes on how to grow vegatables in Las Vegas. The class will cover topics on container gardening techniques and practices. For additional information, click on link to the Las Vegas Examiner site> Space is limited and pre-registration is suggested.
BBC Video: Scientists try to boost crop yield
Pallab Ghosh visited East Malling Research in Kent to investigate how they are looking for ways to boost crop production through breeding, water conservation and vertical farming techniques. Watch the video at the BBC Site>
Pruning Tomatoes
In today's Fine Gardening newsletter, it points to an article and video on how to properly prune and train tomatoes to increase yields. Rather than letting tomato plants spread, the suggestion is to properly prune and stake the tomato plants as a single stalk. This approach suggests that the plant will produce larger and earlier crops than when left in a prostrate form. By staking and growing the tomato plants vertically, this allows for more plants in the the same space. Article and video can be found at the Fine Gardening site>
Cut (out) the lawn: Local homeowners forsake grass for ornamental elements
Renee Winkler for the Courier-Post highlights several homeowners that have forgo the traditional front lawn in the gardens for plants that uses less energy to maintain or other ornamental elements. The change also provides space for plants suitable for an area that previously were not compatible with lawns or wet environments. See the full article in the Courier Post site>
Wisconsin: Insight and help for late blighted tomatoes
With incresase interest in growing home tomatoes and other garden vegetables, Karen Herzog of the Journal Sentinel wrote that it may be one of the attributing causes for the spread of the blight fungus affecting tomatoes this year and possibly to potatoes crops. Further contact information is available in the full article on reaching the University of Wisconsin Extension services at the Journal Sentinel Blog site>
Helping threatened plants survive
Karachi: The University of Karachi Centre for Plant Conservation of the Department of Botany is working to save the country’s rare plant species, which are on the brink of extinction and could soon disappear from the planet. The centre’s director Dr Anjum Perveen said, “We are trying to protect the endangered plant species, which are only present in Pakistan. We are using the plant tissue culture technique through which several plants of a particular plant can be reproduced from a single tissue of the parent plant.”
She added that due to the topographical variation of a country, many different species of plants including wild and flowering species are present in the country. However due to loss of habitat, human disturbance and deforestation, many plants species are facing the threat of extinction. It is estimated that the habitat destruction from human activity is the primary cause of risk for 83 percent of the endangered plant species.
Read complete article by Sarwat Ghulam Rasool at the Daily Times site>
She added that due to the topographical variation of a country, many different species of plants including wild and flowering species are present in the country. However due to loss of habitat, human disturbance and deforestation, many plants species are facing the threat of extinction. It is estimated that the habitat destruction from human activity is the primary cause of risk for 83 percent of the endangered plant species.
Read complete article by Sarwat Ghulam Rasool at the Daily Times site>
Video: Pentas Flower
This beautiful butterfly drinking nectar from a penta flower while resisting the wind.
Illinois: Master Naturalist program offered beginning Aug 12th
For the second year, University of Illinois Extension in La Salle County is offering its Master Naturalist Program, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12. Classes will be 5-8 p.m. each Wednesday, and field trips will be on some Saturdays. The last scheduled class is Oct. 28.“We will be starting next Wednesday with a botany lesson at Illinois Valley Community College and have a good variety of topics and a great bunch of instructors,” Malinsky said. “Last year’s class was a big hit and the participants had some great experiences and made some new friends with similar interests.”
There is still room for more people to sign up, he said. The cost is $250 and includes books and handouts.Upon completion of class and field work, students volunteer 30 hours per year in a variety of projects to earn certification as Master Naturalists.The program was offered last year for the first time and had 31 students.
For information, call (815) 433-0707.
There is still room for more people to sign up, he said. The cost is $250 and includes books and handouts.Upon completion of class and field work, students volunteer 30 hours per year in a variety of projects to earn certification as Master Naturalists.The program was offered last year for the first time and had 31 students.
For information, call (815) 433-0707.
Video: Growing Pentas Plants
months out of the year. Learn about growing pentas plants from a horticulturist in this free gardening video on flowering and bedding plants.
Plant of the Day - Pentas
PentasFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Pentas
Species: See Text
Pentas is a genus of the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants. Pentas lanceolata is a particularly popular species. The plants have dark green, lance-shaped, somewhat furry and deeply veined leaves providing a backdrop for prolific clusters of never-ending, five-petaled flowers. These may be red, white, lavender, purple, or shades of pink. Some are two-toned. All are extremely attractive to butterflies, and the red and dark pink varieties delight hummingbirds. Also Pentas is compatible with the dry soil and intense heat of the Floridian sun. Lastly It can withstand full sunlight with little to no care. They look great in pots, baskets, and borders.
Source: Wikipedia>
Source: Wikipedia>
Monday, August 10, 2009
Identity theft: Geraniums reclaim their name
Joan Morris for the Bay Area News Group recently wrote an interesting article, with historical references, on the differences between Geraniums and Pelargoniums. A very common mistake that she pinpoints attributable to the father of plant taxonomy, Carl Linnaeus, who "decided there was no reason to divide the geraniums, the plants you only thought you had, from the pelargoniums, the plants you most likely do have".The complete article is available at the Mercury News site>
Unusual duel of blooms & bees - Horticulture and honey mission cross swords over pesticide use
Kohima/New Delhi: It is a strange duel in India’s Northeast — between organic honeybees and inorganic flowers — that threatens the “organic label” and exposes the growing rural-urban divide.On the one hand, is a small village on the Myanmar border that is a model for exploiting a multi-crore rupee honey market abroad.
Away in the big towns of Nagaland, the rich and famous want capital-intensive floriculture to be the mainstay for the state.
The result is a clash between a pioneering Nagaland Honey and Bee Mission and the government’s obsession of some years, floriculture. Read more of the article by NISHIT DHOLABHAI at the Telegraph site>
Scientists devise efficient way of learning about complex corn traits
There's no "silver bullet" gene or gene region that controls so-called complex traits in maize, commonly known as corn.
Instead, in two research papers published this week in the journal Science, North Carolina State University crop scientists and colleagues show that lots of small changes in a number of gene regions affect complex traits – like flowering time or reproductive ability – in corn.
Finding out more about the mechanisms behind complex traits like flowering time – as well as even more difficult-to-map traits like yield or drought tolerance, for example – has the potential to help plant breeders build the best traits into tomorrow's corn plants, says Dr. Jim Holland, NC State professor of crop science, research geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) and one of the lead authors of the Science papers.
Read complete Press Release>
Instead, in two research papers published this week in the journal Science, North Carolina State University crop scientists and colleagues show that lots of small changes in a number of gene regions affect complex traits – like flowering time or reproductive ability – in corn.
Finding out more about the mechanisms behind complex traits like flowering time – as well as even more difficult-to-map traits like yield or drought tolerance, for example – has the potential to help plant breeders build the best traits into tomorrow's corn plants, says Dr. Jim Holland, NC State professor of crop science, research geneticist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) and one of the lead authors of the Science papers.
Read complete Press Release>
Britain’s first vertical farm opens in Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon, has launched Europe's first commercial vertical farm, and the world's first vertical farm within a zoo.The VertiCrop garden, which was developed for use in urban environments where farm land is in short supply, uses hydroponic and aeroponic technologies to sustainably grow crops such as lettuce, herbs, wheat grass and barley without the use of soil or pesticides.
The zoo will use the garden to provide fresh crops for its animals, and help cut down on the need for food deliveries to the zoo.
Read more>
August is fruit-tree pruning time
Ciscoe Morris writes, in the Seattle Times, that "August is the best time to prune fruit trees. Thinning out shoots and crossing branches this time of year allows more air and light into the tree, which reduces disease and promotes earlier ripening of the fruit. Pruning fruit trees this month can also help prevent rampant sprout growth next spring. That's because pruning removes many of the little food factories (leaves) that transfer energy in fall to be used by the tree for growth in the spring."
The garden writer also covers the following topics in his article: selecting Scleranthus uniflorus to give your garden a mossy look; and heading out to the 10th Annual Fronderosa Frolic! at Fancy Fronds Nursery in Gold Bar.
Read article from the Seattle Times>
The garden writer also covers the following topics in his article: selecting Scleranthus uniflorus to give your garden a mossy look; and heading out to the 10th Annual Fronderosa Frolic! at Fancy Fronds Nursery in Gold Bar.
Read article from the Seattle Times>
Iron blight and yellow trees may need treatment
Richard Snell, Barton County Extension Agent in Kansas, starts his recent article with a funny anecdotal story of what was called Iron blight when he was a kid (see article).
Richard explains that iron chlorosis occurs on trees, lawns and field crops. "In our area the trees and soybeans get it the worst. It seems to be more obvious when you have good soil moisture and we have had that the last month. My focus today will be on the trees and we will address other chlorotic situations in the coming weeks."
When iron in the soil is either deficient or unavailable to trees, iron chlorosis can occur. In most Kansas soils, iron is plentiful, but unavailable to trees. Iron is readily available to trees growing in soils with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. In soils with a pH of 7.0 (neutral) and above, iron changes to an insoluble form that is not as available to trees. Many locations in our area have soils with a pH of 7.5 or above and thus are said to be alkaline or sometimes called calcareous or basic.
Read complete article at The Fence Post site>
Richard explains that iron chlorosis occurs on trees, lawns and field crops. "In our area the trees and soybeans get it the worst. It seems to be more obvious when you have good soil moisture and we have had that the last month. My focus today will be on the trees and we will address other chlorotic situations in the coming weeks."
When iron in the soil is either deficient or unavailable to trees, iron chlorosis can occur. In most Kansas soils, iron is plentiful, but unavailable to trees. Iron is readily available to trees growing in soils with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. In soils with a pH of 7.0 (neutral) and above, iron changes to an insoluble form that is not as available to trees. Many locations in our area have soils with a pH of 7.5 or above and thus are said to be alkaline or sometimes called calcareous or basic.
Read complete article at The Fence Post site>
Organic Carbon Compounds Emitted By Trees Affect Air Quality
A previously unrecognized player in the process by which gases produced by trees and other plants become aerosols—microscopically small particles in the atmosphere—has been discovered by a research team led by scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Their research on the creation and effects of these chemicals, called epoxides, is being featured in the journal Science. A summary of the findings is available at the Science Daily site>
Their research on the creation and effects of these chemicals, called epoxides, is being featured in the journal Science. A summary of the findings is available at the Science Daily site>
Print your own seed packets
The following link provides a quick and simple template to print your own seed packet labels:
http://www.gardensablaze.com/SeedsPacket.htm
This is a great solution for the avid gardener who collects their own seeds.
http://www.gardensablaze.com/SeedsPacket.htm
This is a great solution for the avid gardener who collects their own seeds.
It's time to save those seeds
Vivian Shoalts is a master gardener and an accredited horticultural and floral design judge. With the arrival of August, Vivian shifts her attention in a recent article to the traditional practice of collecting and saving seeds from the past growing season."This is not rocket science. It just takes a little attention to detail for the reward of pleasure one gets from watching new plants grow from seeds saved last year" says Vivian in her article. The article further describes the need to understand a plant's lifecycle, in order to collect seeds at the appropriate time, the proper cleaning and storage of seeds.
Once collected, "Spend some time during the winter reading up on the best way and time to start them for spring."
Read full article at the Welland Tribune site>
Restoration of native plants gets a boost
The Oregonian's Abby Haight spotlights a little nursery, staffed by one manager and volunteers which harvest and propogate wildflowers, grasses and wetland plants.
The Native Plant Center is managed by Marsha Holt-Kingsley and is quoted saying "We're imitating nature," through their painstaking work.
"The knowledge that I'm helping this region that I love so much is fantastic," she said. "I no longer have a garden, but I can garden for the world."
Read complete article at the Ashland Daily Tidings>
The Native Plant Center is managed by Marsha Holt-Kingsley and is quoted saying "We're imitating nature," through their painstaking work.
"The knowledge that I'm helping this region that I love so much is fantastic," she said. "I no longer have a garden, but I can garden for the world."
Read complete article at the Ashland Daily Tidings>
Video - Tiarellas
Another fantastic perennial that performs well in the shade. They have great foliage, great flowers and they can handle the wind!!!
Australian native trees course offered at the Australian Correspondence School
THE AUSTRALIAN Correspondence School (ACS) holds an Australian native trees course, within its plant varieties and horticulture courses.According to ACS, the 100 hour course is designed to identify Australian native trees, in addition to seed propagation and germination.
The course covers the range of uses for Australian native trees, and how to better utilise them for landscape applications and biological control of pests and disease.
ACS says the course includes planting and establishing techniques for the trees, in addition to soils, feeding, watering. Participants will learn tree identification and the general characteristics of Australian native trees.
Source: Landscape Design News>
Australia: ACS provides gardening, landscaping and horticulture courses
THE AUSTRALIAN Correspondence School (ACS) says it offers over 150 gardening courses, from short amateur courses to long professional qualification courses.According to ACS, it has been working in horticulture, gardening and landscaping for the past three decades. Staffs include a dozen qualified and skilled horticultural experts, from across Australia, the UK and New Zealand.
The courses can cover around 100 hours for topics such as growing fruit or vegetables at home and landscaping home gardens.
ACS says the landscaping home garden course is designed to teach you how to design or renovate a home garden and then, how to maintain it. The subjects covered are relevant to both small and large landscapes, suitable for developing a new home garden, or improving an existing one.
The principal of ACS, John Mason is said to have been editor of for garden magazines and is an author of over 40 gardening books.
Source: Landscape Design News>
Plant of the Day - Tiarella (Foamflower)
Tiarella or FoamflowerFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Tiarella L.
Species: See below
The Foamflowers (Tiarella) are a popular species of wildflower and garden plant. They belong to the Saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). Some species are:
Tiarella cordifolia (Heartleaved Foamflower)
Tiarella trifoliata (Threeleaved Foamflower)
Tolmiea (piggyback plant)
Many hybrids are known and cultivated
Tiarella trifoliata (Threeleaf Foamflower) is a dicot in the family Saxifragaceae. It is a perennial herb that grows in the late spring. It is endemic to the low to moderate elevation moist forests of western North America.
The flowers are bell-shaped, white, solitary from an elongate, leafless panicle. The calyx lobes are 1.5–2.5 mm and petals are 3-4 mm. Basal leaves are 15-80 mm long and up to 120 mm wide, trifoliate or palmately 3- to 5-lobed. Cauline leaves are infrequent and much smaller.
Source: Wikipedia>
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Namibia - Horticultural Production Up
While a major part of local demand (up to 80%) is still through imports, Desie Heita writes in the New Era, that the percentage of fruits and vegetables grown locally within Namibia is increasing as horticulture is promoted by the Government to achieve targets of 60% of domestic consumption to be sourced by domestic horticultural farmers. Certain crops have exceeded these targets to a point where Namibia is able to export certain horticultural crops to neighboring countries such as tomatoes, onions and watermelon. Read complete article in New Era>
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Ben Lomond, CA: Class: How To Start a Winter Vegetable Garden
Tuesday, Aug 18 9:00a to 3:00p at Love Apple Farm, Ben Lomond, CA
Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden. Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate. Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage. We will discuss over 20 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant. read more
Price: Tuition: $55 Materials: $20
Phone: (831) 588-3801
Age Suitability: Teens and up
Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden. Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate. Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage. We will discuss over 20 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant.
Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden. Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate. Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage. We will discuss over 20 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant. read more
Price: Tuition: $55 Materials: $20
Phone: (831) 588-3801
Age Suitability: Teens and up
Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden. Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate. Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage. We will discuss over 20 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Illinois: Colorful flowers fill annual show
Chris Johnson, Ogle County News, reports on the upcoming annual flower show. Flowers of all colors and unique floral arrangements filled the basement of Polo’s Town Hall Saturday for the second annual Polo Women’s Garden Club flower and garden show. For more information on the show, follow link to the full article>
Pictures from the Taunton Flower Show
Pictures from the BBC site on the Taunton Flower Show that runs from Friday, Aug 7th to Saturday, Aug 8th. Click on link to BBC Pictures>
Using floral preservative for fresh flowers
Floral Design writer for the Examiner, Susan Fogwell shares about the use of floral preservatives in prolonging the life of cut flowers. This applies to both bought flowers as well as fresh cut flowers from the garden. Floral preservatives serves dual purposes, providing food to the cut flowers in the form of sugar, and to prevent bactarial growth in the vase water. Complete article a the Examiner site>
Monkey Flower named Claremont's official flower
Michael Escañuelas, Correspondent for the Contra Costa Times reports that the City Council for the city of Claremont has named the Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus, its official city flower. Follow link for full article>
Raindrops drive flower evolution
Matt Walker, Editor of Earth News for the BBC writes about how the humble raindrop may have played an important role in the evolution of flowers, scientists in China have discovered. A study of 80 species has revealed that flowers evolve different shapes and structures in part to prevent their pollen getting wet. Other flowers get round the problem by evolving waterproof pollen.The finding may help explain why so many species in rainy areas either have droopy flowers or close their petals. Follow link for complete article at the BBC site>
The edible, incredible lotus flower
Author Mark Griffiths traces the history of the sacred plant Nelumbo nucifera in his recently published book, The Lotus Quest. A summary of the book is posted by the author at the Guardian's Gardening Blog>
Ohio: Horticulture Show at Davis Center
YOUNGSTOWN — The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown will sponsor the 43rd annual Horticulture Show on Aug. 22 and 23 at the Davis Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park.
The event allows local growers the opportunity to exhibit their prized plantings, have them judged by experienced gardeners, and see what their fellow gardeners have done this year.
The event is free and open to the public. It will feature fourteen judging categories ranging from fruits and vegetables to perennials and potted plants. Spectators are also welcome after the judging has been completed.
Colored ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third places, and honorable mention, the main focus of the show is education. There are special categories for those age 16 and under.
Source>
The event allows local growers the opportunity to exhibit their prized plantings, have them judged by experienced gardeners, and see what their fellow gardeners have done this year.
The event is free and open to the public. It will feature fourteen judging categories ranging from fruits and vegetables to perennials and potted plants. Spectators are also welcome after the judging has been completed.
Colored ribbons will be awarded for first, second and third places, and honorable mention, the main focus of the show is education. There are special categories for those age 16 and under.
Source>
Minnesota: Horticultural Evening set at Legacy Gardens
Living Legacy Gardens at Central Lakes Agricultural Center in Staples will host a Horticulture Evening on Aug. 13.
Garden-related workshops and walking tours are offered and vendors will be on hand to display and discuss products and services. There will be a silent auction. A meal will be served at 4:45 p.m.Educational workshops offered from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Follow link for more information>
Garden-related workshops and walking tours are offered and vendors will be on hand to display and discuss products and services. There will be a silent auction. A meal will be served at 4:45 p.m.Educational workshops offered from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Follow link for more information>
Dutch designer liberates bulbs from mass plantings
Dean Fosdick writes for AP featuring Dutch landscape architect Jacqueline van der Kloet who comes up with new tonal and structural combinations throughout the growing season by scattering a few well-chosen bulbs alongside perennials in random layouts in contrast to the traditional mass bulb plantings. Complete article available at WRAL site>
15 best combinations from Cornell Flower Bulb Research Program
Cornell Flower Bulb Research Program - Site from Cornell University's Horticulture department provides suggestions on perennial bulb combinations and photos on through the growth season. Click on link to Cornell Flower Bulb site>
India: Lal Bagh flower show to start on Friday
BANGALORE: Life is like a basket of flowers; you never know how many varieties you will get. Check these out: dinosaurs made of 50,000 flowers, mermaids of roses and 120 new species.
Get ready to see the Garden City's famous flower show in Lalbagh on Friday. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the `Indian Independence Day Horticultural Show 2009' at the Glass House, Lalbagh. Nearly 720 species will be displayed, of which 120 among them, including tulips, wax-flower, nebrane and rice-flower are introduced for the first time. Apart from indigenous varieties, 80 foreign species are likely to be the attraction this year. Teddy bears, rabbits, fish, elephants and deer made of flowers will woo children. Ikebana, Indian floral art, vegetable carving, Dutch flower arrangements, dry flowers, Thai art, Jannur and Bonsai shows will open on August 8 and 9. Nearly 1,200 participants will compete under different sections.
Tickets will cost Rs 30 on weekdays and Rs 40 on weekends, while those under 12 years will be charge Rs 10. Tickets can be bought from Lalbagh main gate, Double Road gate, Siddapura gate, Basavanagudi gate and 200 Hopcom centres. Online tickets won't be available now because they were not effective last year. However, the show's popularity has risen to an unprecedented level with six lakh visitors forecasted this year. Last year's attendance was 3.5 lakh people.
Source>
Get ready to see the Garden City's famous flower show in Lalbagh on Friday. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the `Indian Independence Day Horticultural Show 2009' at the Glass House, Lalbagh. Nearly 720 species will be displayed, of which 120 among them, including tulips, wax-flower, nebrane and rice-flower are introduced for the first time. Apart from indigenous varieties, 80 foreign species are likely to be the attraction this year. Teddy bears, rabbits, fish, elephants and deer made of flowers will woo children. Ikebana, Indian floral art, vegetable carving, Dutch flower arrangements, dry flowers, Thai art, Jannur and Bonsai shows will open on August 8 and 9. Nearly 1,200 participants will compete under different sections.
Tickets will cost Rs 30 on weekdays and Rs 40 on weekends, while those under 12 years will be charge Rs 10. Tickets can be bought from Lalbagh main gate, Double Road gate, Siddapura gate, Basavanagudi gate and 200 Hopcom centres. Online tickets won't be available now because they were not effective last year. However, the show's popularity has risen to an unprecedented level with six lakh visitors forecasted this year. Last year's attendance was 3.5 lakh people.
Source>
Michigan: St. Clair County Community College is offering a new horticulture/landscape certificate.
The program will allow students to enhance their immediate and long-term goals in horticulture and landscape careers.
Completing this certificate will prepare students for jobs such as landscaper, nursery technician, greenhouse technician, groundskeeper and garden center technician.
The certificate incorporates newer landscape courses such as soil management, landscape plant identification and selection, greenhouse management, nursery management and turf management.
Classes in the program also will transfer into SC4’s landscape design, turf and greenhouse management associate in applied arts and science degree.
Registration is open for fall semester classes that begin the week of Aug. 24. To register for classes, visit www.sc4.edu/wave or call (810) 989-5500.
Completing this certificate will prepare students for jobs such as landscaper, nursery technician, greenhouse technician, groundskeeper and garden center technician.
The certificate incorporates newer landscape courses such as soil management, landscape plant identification and selection, greenhouse management, nursery management and turf management.
Classes in the program also will transfer into SC4’s landscape design, turf and greenhouse management associate in applied arts and science degree.
Registration is open for fall semester classes that begin the week of Aug. 24. To register for classes, visit www.sc4.edu/wave or call (810) 989-5500.
Video: Gardening Tips & Tricks : How Does Water Lily Reproduce?
Water lilies reproduce very easily, as they can drop seeds to be pollinated and they can multiply without pollination, which makes them very susceptible to overtaking a pond. Contain water lilies well to prevent invasive growth with plant tips from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.
Video: How to Grow a Water Lily
Six things you need to know about how to grow a water lily by award winning garden author Doug Green
Video: The Lotus vs The Water Lily
Images of the lotus and the water lily, and how to tell the difference.
Dallas: Garden Calendar
GARDEN BASICS: A Calloway's class designed for gardeners who need any level of advice. Soil preparation, lighting requirements, plant selection and general care will be covered. Saturday. $10. Classes will be at 2460 Highway 121, Plano, 972-649-6228, and 2651 Hulen St., Fort Worth, 817-923-9979. Register at www.mytexasgarden.com.
VEGETABLE GARDENING: Free class on preparing and planting fall vegetable gardens. 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Petal Pushers Garden Emporium, 813 Straus Road, Cedar Hill. 972-291-7650.
MODERN VICTORY GARDENS: Learn how to maintain or create a backyard vegetable garden. Class will focus on soil basics, organics, home propagation, extending summer crops and starting fall and winter crops. 9 a.m. Saturday. Texas Discovery Gardens, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $25. 214-428-7476. texasdiscoverygardens.org.
BLUEBIRD SYMPOSIUM: Statewide event includes presentation by naturalist Keith Kridler, round-table discussions, nest-box installation clinic and gardening to draw bluebirds to your property. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Lakeview Camp and Conference Center, 5128 FM66, Waxahachie. $15 preregistration fee includes lunch. $10 at the door (no lunch). www.texasbluebird society.org.
KIDS' CLINIC: Children are invited to make a mini bird feeder from pine cones. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. All Calloway's Nursery locations. Free. www.mytexasgarden.com.
Source: Dallas News>
VEGETABLE GARDENING: Free class on preparing and planting fall vegetable gardens. 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Petal Pushers Garden Emporium, 813 Straus Road, Cedar Hill. 972-291-7650.
MODERN VICTORY GARDENS: Learn how to maintain or create a backyard vegetable garden. Class will focus on soil basics, organics, home propagation, extending summer crops and starting fall and winter crops. 9 a.m. Saturday. Texas Discovery Gardens, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $25. 214-428-7476. texasdiscoverygardens.org.
BLUEBIRD SYMPOSIUM: Statewide event includes presentation by naturalist Keith Kridler, round-table discussions, nest-box installation clinic and gardening to draw bluebirds to your property. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Lakeview Camp and Conference Center, 5128 FM66, Waxahachie. $15 preregistration fee includes lunch. $10 at the door (no lunch). www.texasbluebird society.org.
KIDS' CLINIC: Children are invited to make a mini bird feeder from pine cones. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. All Calloway's Nursery locations. Free. www.mytexasgarden.com.
Source: Dallas News>
Plant of the Day - Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus)
Nelumbo nuciferaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Photo: Nelumbo nucifera flower)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Nelumbonaceae
Genus: Nelumbo
Species: N. nucifera
Binomial name: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
Nelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, or simply lotus. Botanically, Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) may also be referred to by its former names, Nelumbium speciosum (Wild.) or Nymphaea nelumbo. This plant is an aquatic perennial. Under favorable circumstances its seeds may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from that of seeds 1300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China.
A common misconception is referring to the lotus as a water-lily (Nymphaea), an entirely different plant as can be seen from the centre of the flower, which clearly lacks the structure that goes on to form the distinctive circular seed pod in the Nelumbo nucifera. It should also be noted that water-lilies come in colors of white to yellow where as the lotus only in hues of pink.
Native to Greater India and commonly cultivated in water gardens, the lotus is the national flower of India and Vietnam
Read more from Wikipedia>
Thursday, August 6, 2009
University of Manitoba research results fake
The University of Manitoba sanctions a former researcher after an internal investigation concluded he faked data and made up experiments. Researcher Fawii Razem had claimed to have discovered a receptor for the major hormone linked to a plant's response to environmental stress. The receptor was long sought after, as it could help plants better adapt to cold or drought.
Read full article by Jen Skerritt at the Winnepeg Free Press
Read full article by Jen Skerritt at the Winnepeg Free Press
Online testing now available for the Arborist Certification Exam!!!
Click here (Online Testing Sites) to see the locations in your state, or click here (http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/resources/PearsonVUE_CertTestCenters.pdf) to be connected to the complete listing of testing sites. Please note – once you complete your application for online testing, you will receive information on how to take the exam. Remember to sign-up with the International office! Any questions, please call 888-472-8733.
Overcoming problem areas in the garden
In an article published by the East Hampton Press, ASLA member April Gonzales, presents two landscape projects that overcome hydrological challeges through innovative designs. The resulting solutions were designed by horticulturalist Tony Piazza and installed by his team, Piazza Horticultural Group. Read complete article here>
Kansaa: Club’s Flower Show celebrates 80 years of gardening
The Olathe Garden Club Flower Show for 2009 takes place Sept. 10-12 during the Old Settler’s Day festivities in downtown Olathe.
This year’s theme is favorite childhood memories and celebrates the clubs 80th Anniversary.
Call-in registration or flower arrangement entries are due by Aug. 27. Arrangements and horticulture can be checked in Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 10, and 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Judging will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11.
For more information and a listing of more categories and information about the Garden Club, call Tressa Pitts, 913- 764-3980; Joan Shriver, 913-782-7205; or Sue Ercolani 913-764-3190. Guideline booklets also are available at both Olathe library locations.
More information on judging categories>
This year’s theme is favorite childhood memories and celebrates the clubs 80th Anniversary.
Call-in registration or flower arrangement entries are due by Aug. 27. Arrangements and horticulture can be checked in Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 10, and 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Judging will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11.
For more information and a listing of more categories and information about the Garden Club, call Tressa Pitts, 913- 764-3980; Joan Shriver, 913-782-7205; or Sue Ercolani 913-764-3190. Guideline booklets also are available at both Olathe library locations.
More information on judging categories>
Five die-hard flowers that bloom through July
Judy Holly of the Las Vegas Examiner shares in her latest article 5 plants that survive the extreme temperatures and light intensities of the hot summer months. The author covers the Chilopsis linearis – also known as desert willow and desert Catalpa, Tacoma stans – also known as Yellow Bells and Yellow Trumpet Flower, Caesalpinia pulcherrima - Red Bird of Paradise or Mexican Bird of Paradise, Lantana species and lastly, Nerium oleander. For more on these plants and pictures, follow the link to her article - Read more>
Hi Tech Approach to testing Fruit Ripeness
Customers want fresh food, which is neither unripe nor spoiled. A new system based on metal oxide sensors could check the safety and quality of foods reliably, quickly and economically -- such as how ripe that pineapple really is. Read more>
Missouri: Get free six-week training to teach Eating from the Garden curriculum
Classes are coming up for nutrition and gardening enthusiasts who want to teach the Eating from the Garden curriculum at local schools and community centers.
The free six-week training sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on:
- Aug. 12 and Aug. 19 at the MU Extension Center at Pioneer Community College, 2700 E. 18th St.
- Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 at Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave.
- Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 at the MU Extension Center, 1106 W. Main St., Blue Springs
Volunteers will receive university training in nutrition, food safety, food preparation, fruit and vegetable production, use of natural fertilizers, pest control and other practical gardening skills.
Once trained, the volunteers teach lessons in nutrition, plant science, hands-on gardening and environmental awareness to encourage fourth and fifth grade children to eat more fruits and vegetables. They also help community groups establish fruit and vegetable gardens.
To apply, contact Molly Fusselman, MU Extension horticulture educator, at fusselmanm@missouri.edu or 816-252-5051.
FDA Approves Gout Treatment After Long Years of Use
Colchicine, a compound derived from the dried seeds of the meadow saffron, has long been used to treat gout and is part of an FDA-approved combination product but it had not been approved by the FDA as a standalone drug as reported by Cole Petrochko, Staff Writer, MedPage Today. In common use for almost 200 years, colchicine (Colcrys) has won FDA approval for treatment of acute flares of gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Read more>
From Wikimedia:
Colchicine is a toxic natural product and secondary metabolite, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum (Autumn crocus, Colchicum autumnale, also known as "Meadow saffron"). It was used originally to treat rheumatic complaints, especially gout, and still finds use for these purposes today. It was also prescribed for its cathartic and emetic effects. Colchicine's present medicinal use is in the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever; it can also be used as initial treatment for pericarditis and preventing recurrences of the condition. It is also being investigated for its use as an anti-cancer drug. In neurons, axoplasmic transport is disrupted by colchicine. Read more from Wikipedia>
Caution: Consult family physician before starting any medical drug regime.
From Wikimedia:
Colchicine is a toxic natural product and secondary metabolite, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum (Autumn crocus, Colchicum autumnale, also known as "Meadow saffron"). It was used originally to treat rheumatic complaints, especially gout, and still finds use for these purposes today. It was also prescribed for its cathartic and emetic effects. Colchicine's present medicinal use is in the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever; it can also be used as initial treatment for pericarditis and preventing recurrences of the condition. It is also being investigated for its use as an anti-cancer drug. In neurons, axoplasmic transport is disrupted by colchicine. Read more from Wikipedia>
Caution: Consult family physician before starting any medical drug regime.
UC Riverside Releases New Citrus Variety
‘DaisySL’ is sweet to eat; bears very few seeds; has attractive appearanceFruit cluster from young 'DaisySL' tree. Photo credit: T. Williams, Roose lab, UC Riverside.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Citrus researchers at the University of California, Riverside have released a new mandarin (or tangerine) for commercial production. Named ‘DaisySL’ for Daisy seedless, the new fruit is finely textured and juicy, with a rich, sweet and distinctive flavor when mature. Its rind is smooth and thin, and bears a deep orange color. Read more from press release>
Plant of the Day - Anisacanthus species
AnisacanthusFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Anisacanthus Nees
Species: See text.
Anisacanthus is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, and sometimes cultivated for use in xeriscape landscaping. They are sometimes known as "desert honeysuckles", though this term is shared with the genus Ancistranthus, and is something of a misnomer as true honeysuckles belong to the family Caprifoliaceae.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Potting Bench Plans
While a potting bench may be considered a gardener's luxery item, it does help facilitate in organizing your potting supplies and tools to ease your potting chores. At the Tipnut.com site, 15 potting bench plans are share that should fit varying space and budget constraints. See the plans at this link: http://tipnut.com/potting-bench-plans/
2009 Event Calendar for Filoli Estate / Garden
Afternoon Tea at Filoli Fourth Wednesdays, February through October*
Art Exhibits February through October
Mother's Day Weekend Flower Show, Teas and Brunches May 7–10
Members-Only Twilight Stroll June 25This event is currently full and we are no longer taking reservations.
Jazz at Filoli Summer Concert Series June–SeptemberTickets on sale now.
Flowers in the Home July 17–19Reservations are being taken now.
An Evening of Wine with Roses July 25This event is currently full and we are no longer taking reservations.
Book Sale to Benefit the Filoli Libraries July 31–August 2
Members-Only Twilight Stroll September 22Reservations may be made beginning August 25.
Autumn at Filoli Festival October 3Tickets may be purchased beginning August 24.
Last day of 2009 Season October 25
Holiday Traditions November 27–December 5Members may purchase tickets beginning September 28; non-members beginning October 19.
*October Afternoon Tea at Filoli is Wednesday, October 21, the third Wednesday of the month.
Art Exhibits February through October
Mother's Day Weekend Flower Show, Teas and Brunches May 7–10
Members-Only Twilight Stroll June 25This event is currently full and we are no longer taking reservations.
Jazz at Filoli Summer Concert Series June–SeptemberTickets on sale now.
Flowers in the Home July 17–19Reservations are being taken now.
An Evening of Wine with Roses July 25This event is currently full and we are no longer taking reservations.
Book Sale to Benefit the Filoli Libraries July 31–August 2
Members-Only Twilight Stroll September 22Reservations may be made beginning August 25.
Autumn at Filoli Festival October 3Tickets may be purchased beginning August 24.
Last day of 2009 Season October 25
Holiday Traditions November 27–December 5Members may purchase tickets beginning September 28; non-members beginning October 19.
*October Afternoon Tea at Filoli is Wednesday, October 21, the third Wednesday of the month.
Video Tour: Filoli Estate Gardens
Video tour of Filoli Estate Gardens in Woodside, California by ashbury710 on YouTube.
Video: Morris Arboretum
The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania integrates art, science and the humanities. Thousands of rare and lovely woody plants, including some of Philadelphia's oldest, rarest, and largest trees, are set in a romantic, 92-acre, Victorian landscape garden of winding paths, streams, flowers and special garden areas.
Morris Arboretum is seekig volunteers
Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to help educate and guide their new visitors.If you're interested in learning more about the Arboretum and would like to encourage interactive and experiential learning among its visitors, they invite you to register for their volunteer training course.
The courses will be held on Thursdays (10, 17, 24); Sundays (13, 20), and Tuesdays in September (15, 22). Attendees will learn a little botany, some history, and partake in some fun activities. Both Sundays will include a walk around the Arboretum garden, so please dress appropriately.
All volunteers must be current Morris Arboretum members. If you are not a member, a one-year individual membership is $55.
For more information about the program call 215- 247-5777 ext. 128, or visit the Morris Arboretum’s Web site.
Scientist's seven years of research stolen
New Zealand article soliciting help in the recovery of a stolen laptop, containing years of Botany research data. Read more>
Job Openings in Denver, CO Area
- Plant Health/Lawn Manager Position – seeking highly organized, knowledgeable, independent manager to run a growing high quality PHC/Lawn department. Position includes some production, customer care, computer database management, chemical inventory, training, program development, dispute resolution, and management of employees. Applicant must have at least 4 years experience in the field, a valid driver’s license, QS license, pass a background check and drug screen. Pay rate: 36K to 40K dependant on experience. Benefit package included. Call 303‐347‐0988 or fax resume to 303‐806‐0868 or email to thenaturalway@earthlink.net
- Arborists/ Climbers/ SprayTechnicians/ Groundsmen.
Pay DOE. Experience desirable but will train the right people. Come be a part of a quality team serving the North-metro area. Opportunities to advance as we grow. Owner very involved day to day. Relaxed environment. We value employees and customers over all else. Must care about trees!
Arbortec Tree Service
Office 303-466-3175
Fax 303-466-2171
Email - armailto:arborshea@comcast.net
http://www.arbortectree.com/
The secret life of plants revealed
Botanists around the world have agreed on a standard plant DNA bar code, which will enable scientists to apply genetic technologies to find new medical cures and save endangered species. An international team of 52 scientists, including botanists from the University of Johannesburg, agreed that two chloroplast genes, matK and rbcL, should be adopted as the DNA bar code for land plants. Read more>
Back to Our Roots: The Ability Garden plants seeds of hope
Emily Rea for Encore Exchange writes an article showcasing The Ability Garden at the New Hanover County Arboretum.The Arboretum is not just beautiful gardens that showcase a variety of native plants, but also home to the Ability Garden, a program that encourages and promotes successful gardening for people with a variety of physical and sensory disabilities. It is here that gardening is used and believed to be essential to the concept of quality of life for all ages and abilities of individuals.
Read more of the Encore Exchange article>
THE ABILITY GARDEN
New Hanover County Arboretum
6206 Oleander Drive
http://www.gardeningnhc.org/
Sun Journal | Extension researches art of flower growing
| Article from Maine addressing local efforts to seek ways of keeping flower production locally through energy efficient methods to marketing campaigns. | |
| Sun Journal Connecting you with your Community Source: sunjournal.com | |
Heirloom tomatoes
Amy Greacen wrote in a recent Oakland Fresh Foods Examiner article on heirloom tomatoes. In comparison to the ubiquitous supermarket variety, an "heirloom" tomato is technically an old, open-pollinated variety and not in commercial production. Heirloom varieties like 'Brandywine', 'Black Frim', and others are characterized by their flavor, texture and uses. Read full article from Examiner.com>
Video: Lo & Behold Blue Chip Buddleia
If you love butterfly bush as much as I do, you are going to love this little miniature Its called Lo & Behold Blue Chip Buddleia. Its compact enough to use in a container because it only grows up to 2 feet tall and wide. Blue Chip concentrates all of its energy into flowering and theres no messy debris to pick up at the end of the season. Like all Butterfly bushes, this thrives on a lot of sunshine, so make sure you put it in a sunny location. You will find that Deer will stay clear of it but the lightly fragrant blossoms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. P.Allen Smith
Plant of the Day - Buddleja
BuddlejaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buddleia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Buddleja L.
Species: ~ 100 species
Buddleja, often spelled Buddleia is a genus of flowering plants. It is now included in the Scrophulariaceae, though in the past was previously classified in either the Loganiaceae or in a family of its own, the Buddlejaceae. The plant was named after the Reverend Adam Buddle who was a botanist and a rector in Essex, England.
The roughly 100 species are mostly shrubs, a few being trees; the largest species reach 30 m tall, but most species rarely exceed 5 m tall. Both evergreen and deciduous species occur. They are native throughout the warmer parts of the New World from the southern United States south to Chile, and widely in the Old World in Africa and the warmer parts of Asia, but absent as natives from Europe and Australasia. The species are divided into two groups based on their floral type, those in the New World being dioecious, and those in the Old World being monoecious.
The leaves are lanceolate in most species, and arranged in opposite pairs on the stems (alternate in one species, B. alternifolia); they range from 1-30 cm long. The flowers are produced in dense panicles 10-50 cm long; each individual flower is tubular, about 1 cm long, with the corolla divided into four spreading lobes (petals), about 3-4 mm across. Flower colour varies widely, with white, pink, red, purple, orange or yellow flowers produced by different species and cultivars; they are rich in nectar and often strongly scented. The fruit is a small capsule about 1 cm long and 1-2 mm diameter, containing numerous small seeds; in a few species (previously classified in the separate genus Nicodemia) the capsule is soft and fleshy, forming a berry.
The roughly 100 species are mostly shrubs, a few being trees; the largest species reach 30 m tall, but most species rarely exceed 5 m tall. Both evergreen and deciduous species occur. They are native throughout the warmer parts of the New World from the southern United States south to Chile, and widely in the Old World in Africa and the warmer parts of Asia, but absent as natives from Europe and Australasia. The species are divided into two groups based on their floral type, those in the New World being dioecious, and those in the Old World being monoecious.
The leaves are lanceolate in most species, and arranged in opposite pairs on the stems (alternate in one species, B. alternifolia); they range from 1-30 cm long. The flowers are produced in dense panicles 10-50 cm long; each individual flower is tubular, about 1 cm long, with the corolla divided into four spreading lobes (petals), about 3-4 mm across. Flower colour varies widely, with white, pink, red, purple, orange or yellow flowers produced by different species and cultivars; they are rich in nectar and often strongly scented. The fruit is a small capsule about 1 cm long and 1-2 mm diameter, containing numerous small seeds; in a few species (previously classified in the separate genus Nicodemia) the capsule is soft and fleshy, forming a berry.
Nomenclature
The botanic name has been the source of some confusion. By the usual practice of botanical Latin, the spelling of a genus name made from "Buddle" would be "Buddleia". However, Linnaeus wrote it down as "Buddleja", and never changed it, so by the rule of naming priority, "Buddleja" should be preferred, though the i/j interchange could be modernized as an orthographical variant. Even so, the usage is confused, and inconsistencies are common, even within single texts.
The botanic name has been the source of some confusion. By the usual practice of botanical Latin, the spelling of a genus name made from "Buddle" would be "Buddleia". However, Linnaeus wrote it down as "Buddleja", and never changed it, so by the rule of naming priority, "Buddleja" should be preferred, though the i/j interchange could be modernized as an orthographical variant. Even so, the usage is confused, and inconsistencies are common, even within single texts.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Video: Great Gardens: Fall Crocus
In this edition of Great Gardens, KXLY4's Phyllis Stephens shows two different crocus that bloom in the fall.
Flowers of the Bible
Kristen Wilkerson, of the Lansing Interfaith Examiner, writes a short article that covers the plants mentioned in the bible and its referenced uses. Wilkerson covers 6 flowers in this article, specifically: Almond Blossoms, Bulrush, Pomagranate, Saffron, Mandrake and Caper Berry flowers. While the author does not go into detail, she highlights a short list of other flowers that are mentioned in the Bible, including roses, lilies, leeks, myrtle, and mint. Many of them are still popular and grown in many landscapes today. Full article can be found at the Examiner site>(Photo of Crocus sativus from Wikimedia Commons)
Pronunciation Guide at Fine Gardening
A great tool I have found at the Fine Gardening site is their Pronunciation Guide to a list of published botanical names (Genus & species). While pronunciations may differ from region to region, it is a good attempt at helping the broader masses in learning how to pronunciate the often difficult Latin names through this audio tutorial tool. Find the tool at the Fine Gardening site>
Plant selection for tight spaces
Think you don't have room? Never feel restricted again with these small problem solvers. David Leckey at Fine Gardening magazine provides suggestion on plant selections for those with challenging small gardening spaces. Ideas include the 'Diana' Weeping Larch as shown in the photo by Jennifer Benner. Read the full article at Fine Gardening>
Monthly Mystery Plant Contest at Fine Gardening
Jump to this site for Fine Gardening's August mystery plant contest. ID the correct genus & species and you become eligible for a chance to a free year's subscription to Fine Gardening magazine. Enter contest>
A growing trend: backyard gardening
Ed Davis for The Flint Journal reports on the growing trend of backyard gards as a means to save money on grocery bills or to gain a sense of community. Regardless of the reason, backyard gardening is on the rise. His article further cites examples of many who have converted more of their backyard space to gardens. Besides backyards, neighorhoods are getting involve with community garders that include churches and schools. Read complete article from the Flint Journal site>
Hot Weather Vegetables
Jane Gates of the SF Examiner covers the range of vegetables suitable for hot growing seasons and reinforces the concept of matching the appropriate vegetables with your weather conditions to maximize the odds of growing a successful vegetable garden. Her article suggests a list of excellent vegetables to grow where summers are hot – or have mixed weather – that include peppers, corn, squash, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, beans of all sorts, garlic, eggplant and more. Read more at the Examiner site.(Photo: by Jane Gates)
North Central Missouri Fair - Floral Competition
The Grand River Garden Club will host the floriculture department portion of the North Central Missouri Fair on Thursday, Aug. 6, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Entries may be brought to the Rock Barn from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Judging divisions include container-grown plants, branches, herbs, shrubs, bulbs and tubers. Vases are available to display cut specimens in both the annual and perennial varieties. Roses of all types are also sought for the show and there is a separate category for arrangements in design.
For information, persons can contact contact garden club members, Dorothy Taul at 359-7088 or Vickie Pash at the Extension office, 359-5643, for entry information. Listings are also included on the NCM Fair website, www.ncmfair.com
Entries may be brought to the Rock Barn from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Judging divisions include container-grown plants, branches, herbs, shrubs, bulbs and tubers. Vases are available to display cut specimens in both the annual and perennial varieties. Roses of all types are also sought for the show and there is a separate category for arrangements in design.
For information, persons can contact contact garden club members, Dorothy Taul at 359-7088 or Vickie Pash at the Extension office, 359-5643, for entry information. Listings are also included on the NCM Fair website, www.ncmfair.com
Start search for ideas on landscaping
Mary Jo Modica, horticulturalist for the University of Alabama Arboretum, suggests in a recent article to take a break from the current heat of summer and start research on ideas for your landscape. The timing is ripe for making plans for planting trees, shubs, perennials and other cool season annuals that are appropriate for the fall season. Details of her artcle can be found at the Tuscaloosa News site.
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