Comments for Kates Garden Journal

Comment on Foraging with Sam Thayer by Kate

Kate — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:36:22 +0000

Thanks Robin. His book is excellant too. Are you able to find things outside this winter with everywhere so mild?

Comment on Foraging with Sam Thayer by Robin

Robin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:24:36 +0000

Foraging is one of my favorite ways to spend time outdoors. It’s like having a free, organic grocery store. Great show!

Comment on News in the garden world by Donna Becker

Donna Becker — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:01:33 +0000

Is that an owl, Kate?
I hadn’t heard about the NWF/Scotts “partnership.” It makes me itch when I see liaisons like this. I’ve supported the NWF for years. I guess they’ve had to supplement donations with a link to a big commercial interest. The whole thing makes me itch. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of it.

Comment on Seasonal plants update by Donna Becker

Donna Becker — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:00:30 +0000

In order to get to the braided “tree” stage, you’d have to choose 3 or 4 stems that are already fairly vertical. Then, all the side shoots would have to be pinched off so that the plant is encouraged to put its energy into lengthening those stems. Leaves at the top of the stems would be kept. I’m guessing the braiding would have to begin right away in order for the stems to grow together. Maybe something like old nylon stockings tied around the forming “trunk” would be the way to go. Not that I’ve seen this done with poinsettias, but I’m assuming that would be the way to start anyway. To be honest, I’m to impatient to work with this project, but I’d love to find out if it could be done.

Comment on Seasonal plants update by Kate

Kate — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:27:11 +0000

Donna – I have heard about the ‘tree’ variety and would love to try that. Apparently the plant grow quickly enough that it can make a good size in a single year, but mine seem to stay rather small.

Comment on Seasonal plants update by Donna Becker

Donna Becker — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:13:12 +0000

I kept poinsettias for a number of years. I never tried any of the “book wisdom” to get them to color up. They’re an interesting green plant, though, and I like the idea of training them into a tree shape with braided trunks. Saw that in a greenhouse display around the holidays. Stunning with the colors bracks.
Our Christmas cactus is coloring up, too, which is quite early for it. Usually, we don’t see that until very late December or early January for this particular plant. But it’s pretty year-round so I don’t mind its schedule.
We have multiple amaryllis plants, and they bloom in the summer months. Huge, spectacular blooms. They were all “rescued” from various trash bins. Glorious salvage!

Comment on Preparing the Plants for the Holiday Season by Growing Poinsettias « Gardora.net

Growing Poinsettias « Gardora.net — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:31:24 +0000

[...] you grow poinsettias? Put them in a dark place after 12 hours of daylight to encourage flowering: http://bit.ly/tVYLoNTwitterFacebook [...]

Comment on Preparing the Plants for the Holiday Season by Kate

Kate — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:04:44 +0000

Donna
The Square Foot gardening was a great idea. There really is not much difference between the old book and the newer one except maybe the mix. If you want the ‘recipe’ for that I can find it, but just good compost, peat moss and vermiculite is great. What it was good for were plants that sat alone like basils, peppers and tomatoes. Not so good for row crops unless you have an 8×4 bed at least.
I really only did the cactus for one night, and it seems to have buds on it so I really do not think that needs conditioning unless it is in a room with lots of artificial light like my kitchen which has kids wandering though at all hours!
Thanks for the comment.
Kate

Comment on Preparing the Plants for the Holiday Season by Donna Becker

Donna Becker — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:53:52 +0000

Enjoyed your comments about the holiday plants. A couple of years ago, a friend gave me a start from her Christmas cactus. It’s doing well in the only room in our house with adequate sunlight. I haven’t conditioned it, but let it bloom when it’s ready. And, boy, does it ever bloom! The amaryllis plants are also on their own schedule. Those plants put out some incredibly beautiful blooms of incredible size.
Your comments about square foot gardening was very interesting. I just picked up an older edition of the book at a garage sale. We live just north of Dayton. I want to start a raised bed next spring to grow vegetables and herbs. Your thoughts?

Comment on Edgeworthia chrysantha by Kate

Kate — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:30:44 +0000

Amy
You may be borderline for Edgeworthia to survive outdoors – the one in the blog was Atlanta Botanical Garden which is 7b/8. The shrub is deciduous which means that the leaves will drop as the day length shortens. The blossom comes out very early before the new leaves arrive. I suggest you put the shrub outside until the weather really gets cold – say mid 20′s overnight when it will need protection. Indoors give it as much sun as possible and keep it cool.
It is tough to say why the other plant leaves are going yellow without knowing the plant or where it is. Do you have a picture you can show me, so that I can help you?