The Schlumbergeras didn't get much attention this year. I left them on the shady east side of the house and watered when I thought of it. Moved them inside in October.
They bloomed nicely any way. Nice fresh happy flowers for this time of year.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Products for pest control, fungal disease, and animal pest repellent.
Bionide Hot Pepper Wax |
Lilly Miller Chelated Iron Plus |
Hot Pepper Wax might be reduce risk for animals chewing on tree bark and stems. Two potential benefits. The wax might have antidessicant properties, reduce frost damage on immature fig shoots. Hot pepper extract might reduce chewing.
So I used up that spray on the fig trees, saturating the bark, the stem tips, and the tree wrap.
I would like to come up with a home remedy. If I can figure out a sprayable wax. Maybe the wax component is minimal, could as well be replaced with canola oil or neem oil.
This summer I noted Ning's ginkgo trees were not as green as the older one I planted. Multiple potential reasons. Ning's ginkgos were grown in container several years, until late last winter. To avoid too much root damage, we left potting soil pretty much in place. Mine was in more of a native soil. I don't remember - if I gave mine some epson salts in the early Spring, too. Maybe. And maybe some fish emulsion.
I also noted mulberry leaves were pale. That may be a mulberry tree characteristic. Or this variety. I was thinking, either magnesium (epson salts) or iron. Or both.
I also read about iron supplements for fig trees, on an internet forum. I was looking for some to apply during late winter. I found this container. So now that's taken care of too. I prefer completely organic, but then how do I dispose of this? It's not herbicide or pesticide, so I will use it up. There isn't much. Later find a completely organic source.
Also thinking about what to use for fungal spots on the bearded iris leaves. This year I did not use anything. The spots were significant by fall. Maybe it doesn't hurt anything. In previous years, neem worked well for leaf spot and for aphids. I found this partially used container. I can use it up in the Spring.
Green Light Neem Concentrate |
Labels:
chewing animals,
deer,
fig,
Fig grove,
Hot Pepper Wax,
iron,
mice,
neem oil,
rabbits,
repellent,
voles,
winter preparation
Early early early planning for next year
I ordered the following seeds from http://www.victoryseeds.com/.
3270021 | Dwarf Green Long Pod Okra | $1.95 | 1 | $1.95 | |||
3270071 | Emerald Okra | $1.95 | 1 | $1.95 | |||
3250351 | Minnesota Midget Melon | $2.25 | 1 | $2.25 | |||
3030061 | Roma II Bush Green Bean Size Options: 1 ounce - $2.25 | $2.25 | 1 | $2.25 | |||
3310141 | Cayenne Long Red Hot Pepper | $1.95 | 1 | $1.95 | |||
3310171 | Hungarian Yellow Wax Hot Pepper | $1.95 | 1 | $1.95 | |||
3370211 | Dark Green Zucchini Summer Squash | $1.75 | 1 | $1.75 | |||
3300011 | Oregon Sugar Pod II Pea | $1.95 | 1 | $1.95 |
It's early. Planning ahead gives me something to look forward to.
Some of the choices are proven performers for me. The zucchini, Roma bean, Minnesota Midget melon, and the peppers have all done well. Some are my standards. The Okra varieties have potential due to their short season - the okra. Some are shorter growing, so may work OK in a covered bed. So far I held back on tomatoes. I have lots of tomato seeds from previous years.
I also placed this order from Burpee. Except for the compact Okra, all are heirloom varieties.
YOUR PURCHASE INFORMATION | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NAME | SKU | DESCRIPTION | QTY | PRICE/ITEM | TOTAL ITEM |
Okra, Baby Bubba Hybrid(54114A - 1 Pkt. (35 seeds)) | 54114A | This dwarf variety is only half as tall as other okras and perfect for large containers. | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
Borage(61481A - 1 Pkt. (200 seeds)) | 61481A | Young leaves for salads and lemonade. | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
Pepper, Hot, Lemon(54320A - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds)) | 54320A | HEIRLOOM. From Ecuador, as hot as any Cayenne, but with a truly unique flavor. | 1 | $5.25 | $5.25 |
Pepper, Sweet, Banana(62976A - 1 Pkt. (125 seeds)) | 62976A | HEIRLOOM. An All-America Selections Bronze Medal winner for 1941 and still extremely popular. | 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
Pepper, Hot, Tabasco(53275A - 1 Pkt.) | 53275A | Small, very hot peppers that lend the kick to the famous hot sauce. | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 |
I want to use1/2 of a a raised bed entirely for peppers. Foraging in the vegetable garden for them was fun this year. They added a lot of flavor to many meals. They need some extra animal protection. Maybe a chicken-wire fence.
The plan for okra is to raise plants indoors. Then transfer to a covered raised bed, for warmer growth. If last years' seeds grow, I may also have Clemson spineless. Which didn't do great, but were my first attempt, ever, at growing okra. It was nice using a few pods in soups.
A raised bed is 4 X 8 feet. A half bed is 4 X 4 but one will be 2 X 8.
Thinking about it -
1/2 bed for okra
1/2 bed for tomatoes. Maybe a whole bed.
1/2 bed for peppers
1/2 bed for bush beans.
1/2 bed for pole beans.
1/2 bed for Zucchinis.
1/2 bed for butternut squash.
1/2 bed for melons.
This totals to 4 raised beds for summer / fall vegetables.
1/4 bed for snow peas. These are early, something can replace them in June.
Currently I have 1 bed planted in garlic. Done in June so can be used for warm season vegetable.
1 bed for onions. Also done in June so reusable. That worked well this year for beans.
1/2 bed is shallots. Those are done in July so can be used for a late vegetable.
1 bed is ready for winter or fall growing. Maybe greens, radishes, scallions.
There are 11 1/2 raised beds, or will be when I finish the 1 1/2 currently pending. 3 are flowers, 1 is strawberry, leaving 7 1/2. Other thoughts: Eggplants. have been a challenge, maybe1/2 of a covered bed would be warmer. Chinese cabbages. Those get eaten by cabbage worms. Even one with a row cover disappeared.
The last 1 1/2 raised beds. I have the wood. It is cut. Half of the holes are pre-drilled. Maybe I'll assemble the sides this weekend. I need to check on whether I have liner and hardware cloth or chicken wire to annoy the moles that want to tunnel into the beds.
The pics are all from Commons.wikimedia.org.
1/2 bed for pole beans.
1/2 bed for Zucchinis.
1/2 bed for butternut squash.
1/2 bed for melons.
This totals to 4 raised beds for summer / fall vegetables.
1/4 bed for snow peas. These are early, something can replace them in June.
Currently I have 1 bed planted in garlic. Done in June so can be used for warm season vegetable.
1 bed for onions. Also done in June so reusable. That worked well this year for beans.
1/2 bed is shallots. Those are done in July so can be used for a late vegetable.
1 bed is ready for winter or fall growing. Maybe greens, radishes, scallions.
There are 11 1/2 raised beds, or will be when I finish the 1 1/2 currently pending. 3 are flowers, 1 is strawberry, leaving 7 1/2. Other thoughts: Eggplants. have been a challenge, maybe1/2 of a covered bed would be warmer. Chinese cabbages. Those get eaten by cabbage worms. Even one with a row cover disappeared.
The last 1 1/2 raised beds. I have the wood. It is cut. Half of the holes are pre-drilled. Maybe I'll assemble the sides this weekend. I need to check on whether I have liner and hardware cloth or chicken wire to annoy the moles that want to tunnel into the beds.
The pics are all from Commons.wikimedia.org.
Labels:
chilis,
Garden Planning,
kitchen garden,
okra,
peppers,
Raised Beds
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Lycoris. Progress Report.
Lycoris radiata |
We've had the first and second frosts. These leaves look unaffected.
Not much else to do. Which is just as well. Feeling sick.
Lycoris squamigera |
Labels:
Lycoris,
lycoris radiata,
lycoris squamigera
Mushrooms / fungi /
Mushrooms |
Mushroom Circle - using i-phone |
Mushroom circle - using camera |
Big mushrooms |
I don't know their names. I don't know if any are edible, so I won't.
Looking at them now, there are so many, the soil must be well populated with mycelia throughout. So I think adding mycorrhizal inocculant must be like bringing coal to Newcastle. Probably not needed.
Labels:
fungi,
mushroom,
mycelium,
mycorrhiza,
mycorrhizal inoculant
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Trip to Quincy, ILCemetery
My parents' gravesites, Quincy IL |
Cemetery Iris May 2010 |
Iris memento |
It's been 3 years since I've been there. Being ill, I made the trip short. Fly in to St.Louis, stay overnight; drive to Quincy, visit the cemetery. Return to St Louis for overnight, then fly back to Portland.
The grass has not filled in completely. There is a lot of clover which helps. Being fall, the leaves scatter the lawn. It's nice.
After my mother's funeral, I walked around the cemetery and pondered graves, trees, and the general surroundings. This was a clump of bearded iris there.
At the edge, there were some discarded plant trimmings. That included a couple of shriveled rhizomes. I brought back two small pieces as a memento. They were discards. They may require a few years to bloom. I don't know if they match the cluster here. If they do survive and grow, I will ponder them and appreciate where they originated.
Labels:
bearded iris,
Cemetery,
Living Memory,
Quincy Illinois
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Ginkgo Trees. Progress Report. Some ginkgo trees in China.
My backyard ginkgo. Now about 16 years from seed, give or take a year. I didn't catch it soon enough to show the color in full leaf.
Seated picture is in Xi'ian China, 2 weeks ago. I tried to take various photos of ginkgo trees, during vacation in China 2 weeks ago. The other photos are from other places during that 2 weeks in China, as labeled in captions.
Seated picture is in Xi'ian China, 2 weeks ago. I tried to take various photos of ginkgo trees, during vacation in China 2 weeks ago. The other photos are from other places during that 2 weeks in China, as labeled in captions.
..
With gingko tree in Xi'an China. |
Ginkgo tree in container, at muslim temple in Xi'an. |
Large Bonsai styled ginkgo tree in Changdu, China |
Stylized ginkgo tree at temple in Szechuan. |
Saturday, November 09, 2013
Bearded Iris Raised Beds
Bearded Iris Bed #1 |
This is the last thing needed for them this winter, other than minor puttering to remove dead leaves. They look pretty sad with the dying leaves. I think they are like that every year.
Bearded Iris Bed #2 |
Bearded Iris Bed #3 |
There are a couple of plants to remove from Bed #1 but no hurry. Those are a trailing rosemary, a couple of Laburnum cuttings, and some ginkgo seedlings.
Top L-R: Kissed by the Sun, California Blue, Immortality. Bottom L-R: American Classic, Red Dirt Road, Accent. |
Iris germanica, with mushrooms. |
New start of Owyhee Desert |
Bed # 3 has some reserved spaces for rhizomes from Old House Gardens, to arrive in April. At the left are Egyptian Walking Onions. I expected to pull those as scallions, but deer ate them. The remainder have a chicken wire cover.
The established cluster od American Classic, Kissed by the Sun, Accent, Immortality, and Edith Wolford all survived their move from the Vancouver yard. They should have good displays next year.
The Iris germanica clump, planted this spring as a new rhizome, has a mushroom companion. I don't know if that is commensual or infecting. It could be inoculum from the filler soil, or from the mycorrhizal inoculant. The iris looks OK so I am leaving it alone.
Clump of Cherry Garden |
New start of "Los Angeles" |
Expanding clump of "Helen Collingwood" |
New start of "Alcazar" |
The Cherry Garden clumps also survived their moved from Vancouver and appear to have increased. Last year's TLC got them growing rapidly. They might look better in a different location. I have 4 clusters of those.
Los Angeles did not appear to grow as fast as some of the others, but I think this rhizome, from "Historic Iris Preservation Society" is settled in.
Helen Collingwood grew one new rhizome last year. This year it has increase of 3. It is settled in and the rhizome looks robust. It looks promising for bloom next Spring.
The last one, Alcazar, from Historic Iris Preservation Society this summer, looks settled in. It has increase of 4 new buds to develop into rhizomes. I'm curious about whether it will bloom next Spring.
Not much else to do with the bearded irises now. Hard to just watch them in dormancy, but that's the season.
Orchard ready for WInter
Home Orchard |
I removed a fair amount of growth from the plum tree that came with the place. Purpose, keep it compact, and keep the center open. Last week I did the same for what I think is an apricot tree.
Most of the young fruit trees appear to have flower buds for next year.
Between now and Spring, I plan to remove the one jujube sapling, over to the bee garden. Replace that with a 4-year-old plum currently growing in Vancouver. There is a peach on order from Raintree, to plant in late winter.
The last of the peppers.
Barrel-grown Thai Hot Peppers |
Cayenne, Peter Pepper, Thai Chili Peppers, and a Golden Sweet Pepper |
Labels:
Bell Peppper,
Cayenne,
chilis,
container gardening,
peppers,
Peter Pepper,
Thai Pepper
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