by Meghan Lynch, Editor

This past spring I read quite a few gardening books, some to review in Horticulture and some for my own interest. Most were instructional, or focused on a group of plants.

For my summer reading, I'm looking for books focused on gardeners.

I'm looking for fiction with a gardening main character, and nonfiction too. One nonfiction book I might read is Otherwise Normal People, by Aurelia Scott. It's about the world of competitive rose gardening. The radio station NPR featured an excerpt from it today.

Click here to listen to or read the excerpt on NPR's Web site.

Any suggestions for what else I should read? Click "Comments" to recommend something. Thanks!

6/28/2007 4:42:29 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [5] 

by Meghan Lynch, Editor

Just a quick update on the cactus and succulent seeds I started recently (see June 18's post).

Both pots of living stones (two largest pots) sprouted on June 22 (five days after sowing). This morning (nine days after sowing) I saw that two other pots have tiny green sprouts as well (back row, left corner; front row, second from left), but I didn't check which species these are. I'll look tonight and try to get a better picture. I swear they are there. They are just so small!

The next step after sprouting is to move the seedlings into a brighter position, but still keep them moist.

6/26/2007 4:20:04 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] 

by Meghan Lynch, Managing Editor

Here are a few more shots from Lynn and Jim's garden.

They have a tall hydrangea tree in the front corner of their yard, that gives some shade to this perennial bed. They grow a lot of variegated and golden-leaved plants here, which keeps the area bright and interesting even as plants go out of bloom. Inside the shade corner there's a spot to relax. Fun details pop up through out their garden.

Their lot sits on a corner, so they have a tall privacy fence along the side yard. The perennial border on the outside of the fence makes it no secret they are gardeners.

Inside the fence is another long, colorful border. The path leads around the deck to their sunny herb garden. Although they are serious gardeners, Lynn and Jim like to have fun, and aren't afraid to express that part of themselves in the garden, with ornaments and art. I like that.

Read Nan's blog

6/22/2007 4:50:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] 

by Meghan Lynch, Managing Editor

Yesterday I sowed eight kinds of cactus seeds in pots in my kitchen.

I mixed equal amounts of store-bought Cactus and Succulent Potting Soil, vermiculite, and washed sand. (The vermiculite aids in moisture-retention (seedlings should not dry out) and the sand loosens the mix, making it easier for the newly forming roots to push their way through.) The mix has to be very clean to gaurd against any diseases or pests attacking the seedlings. To sterilize it, I baked it for 30 mintues at 350 degrees.

While the soil was baking, I gathered my materials: eight 1- and 2-inch clay pots to sow the seeds in; clay shards; the seed packets I ordered from the Cactus and Succulent Society; the rest of the sand; and an old plastic container that I use as a miniature greenhouse.

To keep track of what seeds are in what pot, I gave them code numbers. I lined the bottom of the pots with clay shards for drainage/soil support. After the soil cooled, I filled the pots. I thouroughly wet the soil by sinking the pots up to their rims in warm water.

I lined the lid of the container with sand, which I then wet. This will help keep the air around the pots humid. I put the pots on the sand and sprinkled the seeds on the soil. I pressed them down lightly. I did not cover very fine seeds, but larger seeds I did cover with a thin layer of sterilized mix.

I put what used to be the bottom of the spinach container (but is now the top of my mini greenhouse) over the pots. There are holes poked in it for some ventilation. I put the whole set-up in a bright, warm spot. I'll check to be sure the soil isn't drying out every day.

Now we wait for seedlings.

6/18/2007 4:57:17 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] 

Why Are They Hairy?

Here's a shot of two popular cacti. On the left is Mammilaria hahniana, or the old lady cactus, next to Cephalocereus senilis, or the old man cactus. I think of these two as Jack Sprat and his wife. (Remember the nursery rhyme?) The hairs on these cacti are modified spines. They shield the plant's skin from the sun—the same way we might wear a white shirt in the garden.

In response to my last post, "Japanese Maple" asked when is the best time to start cacti from seed. (Click here to read JM's full comment.)

Generally you want to time it so that the cactus seedlings have plenty of warm, long days during which to sprout and put on their initial growth. I start mine in late spring or early summer. They have all summer and autumn to gain size. Their growth slows down during winter, when we get less sun and the house is cooler.

I'm planning to start some seeds this weekend. I'll photograph it as I go and post a step-by-step next week.

6/15/2007 10:18:28 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [0] 

Summer Camp for Cacti

On Sunday I moved many of my cacti and other succulents outside. They will spend the summer on the front porch. They are at the south-facing end, where they'll get almost a full day of direct sun. The porch roof will protect them from the rain, so I don't have to worry that they'll get too much water. They should benefit from the fresh air and high light, which I just can't duplicate indoors.

I use an assortment of plant stands and small tables to hold them. The best thing I've found is this rolling cart. We used to use it in the study for organizing files, folders, envelopes, etc., but it makes a great plant stand. The wire allows plenty of light through to the plants on the lower levels. I can also water the plants without removing them. I would do this on an overcast day, because water droplets might leave scorch marks on the plants if bright sun reflects through them.

After I moved these out, the space where they had been indoors seemed very empty. Luckily I have eight packets of seeds that I ordered from the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (one of the benefits of membership!). I'll be starting those next weekend. I have plans to propagate more African violets and cape primroses (Streptocarpus), too.

Click here to visit the Cactus and Succulent Society web site.

Read Nan's blog.

6/12/2007 12:21:50 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1] 

Mailbox Update: This Year’s Plan

I'm changing my color scheme around the mailbox this year. I'm sticking with orange and yellow, but I want to add purple and blue, too. I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have (just click "Comments," below). Meanwhile here's where I stand so far.

Last year I planted one perennial among the annuals, Helenium Mardi Gras. It has come back very strong this year, with straight, sturdy stems of long, narrow green leaves. It should have daisylike flowers pretty much all summer. These have rounded brown centers and orange/red/yellow petals.
This plant sits directly behind the mailbox post, and last summer it was completely hidden by my sunflowers. I made the planting area bigger this year, so that I can plant the sunflowers farther back. 

Here’s a list of what I’ve planted this spring. I’ll post more pictures once things fill in a bit and start to bloom.   

Johnny-jump-ups (Viola tricolor): I started these from seed indoors in March. Here's a photo of them blooming now.

‘Oriental Nights’ alyssum: annual groundcover that blooms purple. Started from seed.

Convolvulus tricolor ‘Royal Ensign’: short shrubby annual with blue and yellow morning glory-like flowers. Started from seed.

Coreopsis ‘Limerock Dream’: perennial tickseed whose flowers should start pinkish then turn coppery orange, according to tag.

Veronica prostrata Goldwell: perennial groundcover with purple flowers and yellow and green striped leaves. The variegated leaves will be interesting all summer.

And I plan to sow sunflowers again this year, once the soil is a little warmer—Father’s Day is a good marker, where I live.

Read Nan's blog.

6/8/2007 3:09:48 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)    Comments [1]