November
17, 2015, Kim’s Weekly Garden Newsletter
© Kim Willis
Hi Gardeners
 |
| Osteopermum 'Lemonade' is still blooming. |
I used yesterday’s bright beautiful weather to finish doing some
important garden tasks before winter.
The cement birdbath is turned over, the garden art brought inside. The lawn chairs went to the shed. Most of the hoses were drained and nozzles
removed. I leave one hose going to the
barn so on nice days I can sometimes run water to the barn. It’s suspended off the ground. I moved the birdfeeders closer to the
windows. I moved the last pot inside- a
pot of rain lilies. I’m ready for winter
although I hope my preparations weren’t really needed because this winter will
be so mild.
Amazingly enough there are still a few flowers in bloom. Osteospermum is one hardy plant. Pansies popped up in several places and are
in bloom. Roses are still blooming. In
the garden a patch of peas came up where I threw some vines after they quit
producing this summer. They are
beginning to bloom. The romaine lettuce
is still nice. A mild winter and we may
eat from the garden right through it.
I am looking around at the garden and vowing that I will be much more aggressive
removing morning glories that come up from seed next year. I thought I left few plants but looking at
the brown mess on the fence I wish I had left even fewer.
The wind is strong and the clouds are moving in. They say we’ll have snow showers this
weekend. My bones say winter is coming. If it’s not too cold and cloudy tonight you
may be able to see a meteor shower in the eastern sky.
Are you a
plant collector?
Some of us collect certain types of plants. Some of us want to have one of every type of
plant. But plant lovers often turn into
plant collectors. After you have
gardened for a few years you often develop favorites among plants. These can be
garden plants or house plants (or in my case both). Soon you may find that you
have to have more and more of them. Yes,
plants can be addictive and I confess-I am addicted.
Even in the grocery store I find myself drifting over to the counter
where small plants are displayed next to the cut flowers. I get mailboxes full
of garden catalogs and surf plant nurseries on line. The only thing that restrains my addiction-
and my husband would argue that it is not restrained- is my budget and the
space I have. This year I added several
grow lights to give myself more growing space but I think I may need more space
after looking at all the luscious tropical hibiscus pictures as I was writing
the tropical hibiscus article you will find below.
 |
| Hosta collection. |
Although I have some favorite plant species, lilies, streptocarpus, and hibiscus
among them, I also covet any plant I have never grown before. I want to see it, feel it, smell it, know it.
You can’t really know a plant until you grow it. I haven’t counted the species I have around
here- maybe a job for a cold winter day- but I know there’s quite a few.
I grew up in a plant collecting environment. One grandfather collected roses, from tea
types to landscape and species roses.
When a new rose variety came out he was among the first to buy it. His wife, my grandmother, collected bearded
iris and hybridized her own new varieties.
My other grandmother collected dahlias, she seldom could be found
outside except to plant and tend her dahlias. She rarely purchased new dahlias;
her wide assortment came from friends and relatives she traded with.
So what are the plants most commonly collected? In the garden daylilies, hosta, roses and
bearded iris are probably the species most collected, which means a gardener
grows multiple varieties within the species or family. Inside orchids, African violets, streptocarpus,
tropical hibiscus and rex begonias are popular for collecting. But many, many other plants are popular with
plant collectors.
Plants that have many color or shape variations, usually in the flowers,
are the most often collected plants.
Popular species for collecting can come and go. Tulips were once enormously popular with
collectors, people spent fortunes on new varieties. Yet I would say that tulip collectors are few
any more. So are dahlia collectors. Heurchera and Echinacea are relatively new
species for collectors.
I’d like to hear what plants you collect. Share your stories of how your plant addiction
has changed you. Write me and I may
include your stories in this newsletter.
Houseplants
dropping leaves
If you brought your house plants inside and they are rapidly dropping
leaves don’t worry, even if some of them look like sticks. If you didn’t let them get frost bitten they
are probably just going through a wardrobe change. Plants develop leaves with cells adjusted to
the type of light they are receiving. When
plants are brought inside to lower light levels they get rid of some leaves or
all of their leaves to make room for new leaves better adjusted to low light
levels.
Not all plants lose a noticeable amount of leaves; some species are more
likely to do so. Weeping Figs,
brugmansia, and hibiscus, are some species that are more likely to drop most
of their leaves when moved inside. But
many other species may lose some of their leaves also. In this case just leave the plant alone. You should notice leaf buds along the stems
in about 2 weeks and new leaves soon after.
You may need to adjust your watering schedule as plants without leaves
or with fewer leaves don’t use as much water.
But don’t let the pots dry out.
Other reasons for plants dropping leaves may be improper watering and or
temperature. If your plants got too cold
or they are in a cold area now, or your house is much warmer than where the
plants were previously they can drop leaves.
Fall and spring can be tricky times for watering. A spell of warm sunny weather may dry out
pots faster if they are in a sunny window.
A period of wet cold weather may leave them soggy. Both plants that are too wet and plants that
are too dry will lose leaves. Feel each
pot and check the saucer for standing water before you water a plant.
Cold drafts from being near doors or warm drafts from furnace vents may
also cause leaf drop. You may need to
move the plant to a better location. If
you left a plant outside until late fall you may have triggered a dormancy
period in some plants. It may take a bit
before they resume new growth. The
branches should still feel springy and not brittle in woody plants. These can be left where they are to see if
they recover quickly or moved to a cool frost free place for a rest. Plants like tuberous begonias that die back
to the ground should be put in a cool area and allowed to rest for 2 months
before being brought back to bright warm areas.
Oregano
and eucalyptus essential oils used to prevent fungal disease
Fruits and vegetables in storage are often spoiled by fungal
diseases. Typical fungal sprays can be
toxic to humans. Research done at the National
University of Mexico and recently published found that oregano or eucalyptus oils
that were vaporized and blown through stored produce was a safe way to prevent
spoilage by fungal disease.
Researchers are developing packaging that would allow the oils to
vaporize slowly and keep produce from spoiling for longer periods of time.
Victoria’s
Secret “Bombshell” perfume repels mosquitoes
Mosquitoes with the product DEET remain the best products for repelling
all types of mosquitoes but a study by New Mexico State University found that a
perfume- Victoria’s Secret Bombshell -
also did a pretty good job. The perfume
repelled mosquitoes in the study as well as DEET products for about two
hours. The tests were conducted by
having volunteers place their arms in tubes with mosquitoes.
The volunteer’s hands were heavily sprayed with the perfume. Researchers
think that the scent basically overpowers the normal human scents that
mosquitoes use to locate a meal. (My
husband, who keeps up with everything Victoria Secret, said this has been
rumored for some time.) The true
Bombshell perfume and not a knock off, costs around $30 for a tiny bottle,
which is pretty pricy bug spray.
In the study other non- DEET products were also tested. Cutter’s Lemon -Eucalyptus Insect repellant
was also good at repelling mosquitoes for a short time. Avon’s Skin So Soft products
only worked on a few mosquito species for a short time. Cutter Natural Insect
Repellent and EcoSmart Organic Insect Repellent did not repel mosquitoes. B1 skin patches, often touted by organic
companies also had no effect on repelling mosquitoes.
The
tropical hibiscus
If there is one plant that a plant collector or gardener could love it’s
the tropical hibiscus. Just as
outrageously gorgeous as the hardy hibiscus that grace our late summer gardens,
the tropical relatives come in a dizzying array of colors and color blends
rivaled only by the rose or daylily. And
while these hibiscus are not winter hardy in most of the United States they are
easy to overwinter inside and can liven up your sunny window with their
colorful blooms throughout the colder seasons.
 |
| Chinese hibiscus |
Tropical hibiscus are often called Chinese Hibiscus, although todays
varieties are often hybrids of several hibiscus species, including those native
to Hawaii. Other names for tropical
hibiscus are Hawaiian hibiscus, China Rose, and Shoeblack plant (because the
flowers were used to shine shoes in India.)
The species from China, Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis, has been domesticated for thousands of years. Like several of its relatives in Hawaii, it
is no longer found in the wild but very old domesticated plants can be found in
many tropical countries. There are many
plants in China known to be more than a hundred years old and there is also a
centenarian
red hibiscus in a monastery near Brisbane, Australia.
Hibiscus
rosa-sinensis was known to the Greeks and Romans and grown in their gardens. It
is widespread throughout tropical Asia, India, and is the Malaysian national
flower. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is also widely grown in
Australia, tropical America and the Pacific Islands.
Other species of hibiscus include Hibiscus
sinosyriacus/syriacus (Rose of
Sharon,) Hibiscus canabinus L, (used
for fiber), Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Roselle), and Hibiscus moscheutos, (Hardy Hibiscus).
There are seven species of hibiscus native to Hawaii and the pacific
Islands, Hibiscus arnottianus, Hibiscus brackenridgei, (Hawaiian state
flower) Hibiscus clayi, Hibiscus furcellatus,(also found in
South America), Hibiscus tiliaceus
(Sea hibiscus), Hibiscus kokio, and
Hibiscus waimeae. Some of the Hawaiian species are very rare and
seldom found in natural settings.
Tropical hibiscus are evergreen, woody plants. Most have a bush shape, some species are
small trees. In their natural habitat some hibiscus can get 8 feet high or
larger. In the home or garden hibiscus
can be shaped into small trees, called standards or allowed to take a bush
form. They can be pruned to stay within your space needs.
The leaves of hibiscus are thick, with prominent veins and glossy dark
green. There are a few varieties with
variegated leaves or purplish foliage.
Leaf shape can vary depending on what species are in the varieties
background. They can be lobed like oak leaves
or simple broad pointed ovals.
The flowers of hibiscus generally consist of 5 broad, overlapping petals
forming a saucer shape with a large central sexual organ consisting of fused stamens
(male parts) around the stigma ( female part). Some flowers have a crinkly or
lacy look to the petals. However some
varieties of hibiscus have double flowers, flowers with gaps between the petals,
(called windmill types) or small dangling clusters of petals. Flower size ranges from about 2 inches to
more than 8 inches across.
If you have only seen red or orange tropical hibiscus, the common colors
found in local retail stores, you might be surprised at what specialty garden
stores can offer. The range of flower colors and combinations of colors in
tropical hibiscus is enormous. There is
no true blue but there are all shades of red, orange, pink, apricot, purple,
lavender, mauve, yellow, cream, silver, white, gray, tan, brown, olive, lime
and chartreuse and unique combinations of these colors. Some varieties have several bands of color or
are splashed and streaked with contrasting colors. Many hibiscus flowers open with one set of
colors that slowly change into other colors as they age.
The temperature and soil conditions can also affect hibiscus
flowers. Some are double at one
temperature and single flowered at another temperature. Soil pH can change the color of flowers
somewhat. The amount of moisture present
can affect flower size as can temperature.
Flowers are often smaller in cooler and drier conditions.
Hibiscus flowers are short lived, with each flower open only a day or
two, but well cared for plants can produce several flowers each day for long
periods of time. They generally bloom
for a few months, take a short break, and begin blooming again. Most hibiscus flowers have no fragrance, but
a few Hawaiian species have a light fragrance and some modern hybrids have
retained this. When plants are kept
outside the flashy flowers often attract hummingbirds.
Growing
your own tropical hibiscus
Hibiscus have a genetic characteristic called polyploidy which means
they have several sets of chromosomes to share during sexual reproduction
instead of one set from each parent.
This means that offspring of any two plants will have numerous ways to recombine
the genes resulting in all kinds of colors and forms even though the parents
could look similar. This makes producing
new colors and types interesting but you can’t reproduce a particular variety
from seed. Some of the plants produced during hybridization of various hibiscus
species are sterile. If breeders find an awesome new hibiscus among seedlings
they must reproduce it from cuttings.
Gardeners will probably want to start with a small plant. Larger plants can be purchased locally but
these usually offer only a limited assortment of colors and types. Braided
stemmed plants are often sold and plants pruned as small trees. Most tropical hibiscus grow quickly and a
small plant should bloom within the first year.
Some bloom when only a foot or so tall.
Hibiscus seeds sprout readily and sometimes you can find seed
offered. But remember there is no way to
guess what the seed grown plants will look like.
Tropical Hibiscus are not cold hardy and most gardeners will want to
grow them in pots so they can be moved inside before frost. Move them inside
before temperatures drop into the low 50’s even if there is no frost. They do make excellent patio plants and could
have their pots sunk into the ground in flower beds after the danger of frost
has passed. Indoors they prefer
moderately warm conditions about 65-70 degrees F. Don’t sit them too close to heating vents.
Use a good, light weight, water retentive potting mix for hibiscus. The
pot must have good drainage. Tropical
hibiscus like moist rich soil but water logged soil will quickly cause root rot
and death. Hibiscus grow rapidly and you may have to transplant them into
larger pots at least once a year.
Use a slow release fertilizer for flowering plants in pots or use a
water soluble fertilizer every other week or as directed on the label. Keep fertilizing as long as the plants are
growing or blooming. Stop fertilizing
when plants are taking a rest, usually mid-winter.
 |
| Tropical hibiscus Cajun series. |
Water your tropical hibiscus before the soil gets very dry unless it’s
in a resting stage, when it can be allowed to dry out slightly. The leaves of the hibiscus will lose their shine
just before they start to wilt, and that is the time to water. Tropical hibiscus that are allowed to get too
dry will often drop their buds and/or leaves.
They may recover if proper watering is resumed. Watering is crucial when plants are moved
outside in sunny dry weather. Check them
at least once a day.
Inside tropical hibiscus need the brightest light possible, such as a south
window to keep blooming. Supplemental
light from grow light bulbs can keep them blooming when you don’t have good
southern light. When you move them
outside in the early summer however, don’t place them immediately in full
sun. Place them in a lightly shaded
location and give them two weeks to adjust if you want to move them to a
brighter location. They will often bloom
quite well in a partly shaded location outside.
Tropical hibiscus will often drop their leaves and stop flowering when
moved to a location with different lighting.
This is normal and plants should quickly grow new leaves. Inside under lower light levels flowers may
be smaller or a slightly different color.
Tropical hibiscus can be pinched – removing the tip of stems- to
encourage bushy growth when the plants are young- which will also encourage
more flowers. They can also be pruned to keep them within your available
space.
Usually tropical hibiscus have no disease problems but greenhouse
insects like white fly and spider mites can bother them inside. Use a houseplant insecticide if you have
insect problems. Treating plants before
you bring the inside each fall is a wise idea.
Tropical Hibiscus
varieties
Suggesting varieties of Hibiscus to grow is a difficult task. Just like varieties of other common plants
like daylilies and hosta, many hibiscus varieties are almost indistinguishable from
each other. The blend of colors in
hibiscus flowers are almost impossible to describe and each plant can also have
some slight variations, even when grown from a cutting.
When choosing a variety beginning hibiscus owners should look for those
varieties described as easy to grow, and that flower abundantly. Plant size can also be a factor if you have
limited space indoors to overwinter the plants.
Some varieties are larger than others. More and more compact varieties
are being offered for space limited gardeners.
There are some varieties of tropical hibiscus that while having some special
quality are harder to grow, less vigorous or produce fewer flowers. Add these to your collection after you become
familiar with growing the “easy” varieties.
Some easier varieties include Hula
Girl and Double Hula Girl, which have large bright yellow flowers, Black Baron, large, very dark red single
flowers, Romeo, a pretty blend of lavender
gray and pink with a deep wine red center, Amber
Suzanne, double flowers of a glowing
pink with white edges and splashes, The
Path, several blended shades of pink with orange to yellow edges, Cajun Blue one of the closest to true
blue hibiscus with gorgeous silver blue flowers, and Creole Lady, silver white with apricot edges.
Don’t be afraid to choose tropical hibiscus marked as mixed un-named seedlings
if you can get a good price. These will
often develop into stunning plants.
Here are some on line sites where you can drool over many, many colorful
pictures of tropical hibiscus:
Herbal
and other uses of hibiscus
One type of hibiscus, Roselle, is often used as a tea ingredient. It’s also used in cooking in Asian and Indian
dishes. The flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have some uses in
Chinese herbal medicines. The flowers
are considered to be a female aphrodisiac and were banned in some countries. They are also used for menstrual and
childbirth problems. Flower pastes were
also used to grow hair. Leaves were used
as a laxative; roots were dried and ground as a substitute for marshmallow in
cough medicines and other preparations.
Flowers were used to polish shoes in India and China and the juice of
hibiscus flowers was used as mascara. Flowers
were also used as cloth dyes and to tint hair. Larger hibiscus plants grown in tropical
climates can be used for fiber, making paper and other items.
Get your
30 minutes outside every day. It’s good
for mental and physical health.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
Events, classes and other offerings
Please let me know if there is any event or class that
you would like to share with other gardeners.
These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from
outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or share? Post them here by emailing me.
Free seeds
I have
these seeds that I collected from my garden that I am willing to share
free. Look at the list and if you would
like some contact me at kimwillis151@gmail.com
I will tell
you where to send a stamped self-addressed envelope for the seeds. If you want
popcorn or black walnuts it will take several stamps. I have published this list on the seed swap
sites also. I’ll try to give everyone
who asks some until they are gone.
Lilies, a
seed mixture of assorted hybrids, oriental- Asiatic- trumpet- Casa Blanca, Stargazer,
La Reve, purple tree, yellow tree, Silk Road, more
Anise
hyssop
Morning
glory – common purple
Scarlet
runner bean - few
Japanese
hull-less popcorn
Hosta asst.of
seed from numerous varieties- lots
Ligularia desmonda
(daisy–like flower)
Ligularia
rocket – spires of flowers
Yucca
Glad mixed
Zinnia
mixed
Foxglove Dalmation
peach
Calendula
mixed
Baptisia
blue
Jewelweed
Cleome
white
Columbine
mixed- small amount
Nicotiana
small bedding type- mixed colors
Nicotiana
alata ( woodland tobacco, Only the Lonely)
Daylily
mixed
Kangaroo
Paws orange
Hollyhock
mixed
Black
walnut- few hulled nuts
An interesting
Plant Id page you can join on Facebook
Here’s a
seed/plant sharing group you can join on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/875574275841637/
Here’s a facebook page link for
gardeners in the Lapeer area
Here’s a
link to classes being offered at Campbell’s Greenhouse, 4077 Burnside Road,
North Branch. Now open.
Here’s a
link to classes and events at Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor
Here’s a
link to programs being offered at English Gardens, several locations in Michigan.
Here’s a
link to classes at Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy and Shelby Twsp. MI, and now
combined with Goldner Walsh in Pontiac MI.
Here’s a
link to classes and events at Bordines, Rochester Hills, Grand Blanc, Clarkston
and Brighton locations
Here’s a
link to events at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road Ann
Arbor, Michigan | Phone 734-997-1553 |
http://www.lesliesnc.org/
Here’s a link to events at Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214
Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI
Here’s a
link to all the nature programs being offered at Seven Ponds Nature center in
Dryden, Michigan. http://www.sevenponds.org/education/progs/springprograms/
Here’s a
link to events and classes at Fredrick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Mi
http://www.meijergardens.org/learn/ (888) 957-1580, (616) 957-1580
Newsletter
information
If you would
like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer
opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will
print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to
me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes.
You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any
individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do
reserve the right to publish what I want.
I write this
because I love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across
in my research each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and
horticulture. It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you
don’t wish to receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who
would like to receive these emails have them send their email address to
me. KimWillis151@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment