May 2018
Q & A
1.) Flowering Peonies
a) QUESTION
How can you extend the bloom for cut peonies?
b) ANSWER
Cut them when a tiny bit of color shows on the hard green bud. The bud should feel like a marshmallow and have some "give" when squeezed. Strip off most of the leaves and wrap the stems in newspaper and store them in your fridge. You can also wrap each stem in plastic wrap with both ends sealed. When you are ready for fresh flowers, make a new cut on the stem and place them in water. The flower will "bloom" fully in about 2 days. The stems can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. GIVE IT A TRY!!!
2.) Fungus Gnats
a) QUESTION
What are these little black flies around my house plants?
b) ANSWER
Fungus gnats! They like your plant's moist soil, where they lay their eggs. While the adults won't damage the plants, the larvae can harm roots. Try these controls: First, always let the soil dry out before watering, and be sure there is no standing water anywhere near your plant (including no wet stones in saucers). Second, hang "aphid white fly yellow sticky traps" near your plants to catch the adults-ugly but effective. Third, put small chunks of raw potato with the cut side down in the soil -- the larvae like potatoes! Check every few days and throw the potato out when infested. Good luck!
3.) Shall I plant last years seeds?
a) QUESTION
How can I tell if seeds are still viable?
b) ANSWER
To check viability of seeds: put in water and if they sink they're good. If they float, throw them away.
Reprinted from The Real Dirt, Winter Issue 2018
WORTH MENTIONING
The 2018 HONORABLE MENTION Montine McDaniel Freeman PLANT OF THE YEAR
The 2018 honorable mention Plant of the Year was awarded to:
Q & A
1.) Flowering Peonies
a) QUESTION
How can you extend the bloom for cut peonies?
b) ANSWER
Cut them when a tiny bit of color shows on the hard green bud. The bud should feel like a marshmallow and have some "give" when squeezed. Strip off most of the leaves and wrap the stems in newspaper and store them in your fridge. You can also wrap each stem in plastic wrap with both ends sealed. When you are ready for fresh flowers, make a new cut on the stem and place them in water. The flower will "bloom" fully in about 2 days. The stems can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. GIVE IT A TRY!!!
2.) Fungus Gnats
a) QUESTION
What are these little black flies around my house plants?
b) ANSWER
Fungus gnats! They like your plant's moist soil, where they lay their eggs. While the adults won't damage the plants, the larvae can harm roots. Try these controls: First, always let the soil dry out before watering, and be sure there is no standing water anywhere near your plant (including no wet stones in saucers). Second, hang "aphid white fly yellow sticky traps" near your plants to catch the adults-ugly but effective. Third, put small chunks of raw potato with the cut side down in the soil -- the larvae like potatoes! Check every few days and throw the potato out when infested. Good luck!
3.) Shall I plant last years seeds?
a) QUESTION
How can I tell if seeds are still viable?
b) ANSWER
To check viability of seeds: put in water and if they sink they're good. If they float, throw them away.
Reprinted from The Real Dirt, Winter Issue 2018
WORTH MENTIONING
The 2018 HONORABLE MENTION Montine McDaniel Freeman PLANT OF THE YEAR
The 2018 honorable mention Plant of the Year was awarded to:
Maianthemum racemosum, a three-season native and beneficial woodland beauty with rose-like fragrant white flowers. Commonly known as false Solomon's seal, it is a pollinator plant extraordinaire. Not only does this plant provide nectar for butterflies and bees, it also attracts beautiful beetles to its white panicle flowers from April to June.
The graceful architectural form of arching stems and ridged green leaves carry the plant through summer. In fall, its foliage turns a warm rich yellow, and its flowers turn into showy red berries which feed birds and small animals. False Solomon's seal, a member of the lily family, grows in shade or partial shade and in both moist or dry conditions and is extremely resilient, and adaptable. It grows 2 to 3 feet high and spreads by rhizomes to form colonies that are just as wide.
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