Even though this Echinacea bloom hasn't fully unfurled, its intricate detail astounds me. |
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Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
September - Time to collect seeds
September is the month where you get a true bumper crop of selection when it comes to seed. Last year's harsh winter claimed many casualties in the garden. Collecting seeds now can prevent the loss of many plants that self seed readily.
Yesterday I managed to collect seeds from:
1. Licking the envelope closed. Then cut the envelope in half.
2. Cut about 1/2 inch away on one side of the newly cut area to make a fold over flap for the new envelope.
3. Flip over and crease.
4. Be sure to write the name of the plant and date ahead of time before inserting seed. Tape closed.
Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Ready for March (indoor propagation) or May (sown right outdoors).
Yesterday I managed to collect seeds from:
Nasturtium (please don't pull off the seed pod, if they naturally come free with a little effort, then it's the right time to collect). |
Coriander. I let these dry completely on the bolted growth. Half I usually leave overwinter to allow natural reseeding, half for culinary purposes. Taking a few in case this winter kills them off. |
Don't eat all your snow peas. Allow some to go to seed. Wait to collect once the pod goes yellow. |
I love this allium. I rather not divide this young plant yet. Instead I would like to try and... |
grow from seed next spring. Seeds are now dry, still encased in the pod. |
Hemerocallis is so easy to grow from seed. Be sure to collect the pod, not the flower bud. Note the difference. |
One of the easiest perennials to grow from seed is this common Coreopsis. Just allow the seed pod to dry completely on the plant before collecting. |
Once some seed begins to fall off, or eaten by birds, you know this is the right time to collect Rudbeckia seeds and... |
...Echinacea seeds. Please leave some for the birds. Yellow Finch love them. They provide fabulous winter interest in large clumps. |
I hate waste and I learned this from my Mother. If you get return envelopes from your utility bills, save them by: |
2. Cut about 1/2 inch away on one side of the newly cut area to make a fold over flap for the new envelope.
3. Flip over and crease.
4. Be sure to write the name of the plant and date ahead of time before inserting seed. Tape closed.
Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Ready for March (indoor propagation) or May (sown right outdoors).
Monday, September 15, 2014
Whacky Echinacea
I see weird and wonderful things when it comes to plants.
This patch of Echinacea has gone through the ringer. Drought stress, foot traffic and salt drift from both roadways and walkways close by.
Plants are incredible.
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Update: A colleague of mine diagnosed what is happening to these Echinicea. Aster yellows is what is causing this strange growth. It's a chronic, systemic plant disease caused by a bacterium-like organism called phytoplasma. It can be transferred around by small insects (leaf hoppers and mites). It's best to remove and destroy the entire plant, so that other Aster family species of plants close by don't get it.
Coooooool! Learning something new every day. That's why I love plants!
How about this three in one bloom... |
This patch of Echinacea has gone through the ringer. Drought stress, foot traffic and salt drift from both roadways and walkways close by.
Resulting in two smaller flowers coming straight out of the "cone" centre of the original bloom. |
On this one, nearly a dozen flowers off shooting from one bloom. Crazy!! |
I decided to leave them, to see whether they will grow any larger or set seed. Just intriguing to see and learn. A certain means to ponder. |
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Update: A colleague of mine diagnosed what is happening to these Echinicea. Aster yellows is what is causing this strange growth. It's a chronic, systemic plant disease caused by a bacterium-like organism called phytoplasma. It can be transferred around by small insects (leaf hoppers and mites). It's best to remove and destroy the entire plant, so that other Aster family species of plants close by don't get it.
Coooooool! Learning something new every day. That's why I love plants!
Saturday, September 06, 2014
What a little heat can do!
This summer's weather has been peculiar. Working in the cooler temps has been absolutely comfortable and I am grateful for this weather trend. However, the plants in containers haven't responded the way they usually do.
Here is my backyard as an example.
The plant material in the ground is unchanged (except for blooming). Yet, within 2 + 1/2 weeks, my containers have burst into a growth spurt. I use granular blood and bone meal when mixing my potting soil before planting and every week a bath of compost tea. All of July and early August it was a slow go. Two weeks of hotter, dryer conditions and presto.
Making most of the heat and enjoying its perks.
Here is my backyard as an example.
Making most of the heat and enjoying its perks.
Friday, September 05, 2014
Perennial Plants For Shade - Part 4
More shade loving choices:
Still more to follow.
Here are the other three posts prior to this one: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.
1. Vinca minor - Evergreen Ground Cover. Excellent for adding texture, sheen and coverage. Can be invasive if left un-manicured. |
In May, dainty star-shaped, blue flowers emerge with new foliage. |
Vinca minor "Illumination" - variegation is quite vibrant, but slow to grow. |
2. Ligularia stenocephala "The Rocket" - great for moist soil conditions. This plant needs adequate spacing as well, but there are dwarfer, more compact varieties of Ligularias... |
I do like its contrasting foliage in spring and the daisy flowers. They help bring colour continuity to the garden by flowering along side my Rudbeckia. |
Growing along a trellis.... |
...or used as ground cover. This cultivar is called, Coloratus Winter Creeper. Purple/Bronze winter foliage. |
6. Ajuga repens "Chocolate" Great ground cover with blue flowers in Spring. Several other cultivars available too! |
Still more to follow.
Here are the other three posts prior to this one: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.