August 21,
2006
*Recent Problems:
Spider mites - remedies include hosing
down affected plants with a strong stream of water, natural predators,
horticultural oils, horticultural soaps, miticides (dicofol, hexythiazox)
and reducing stresses on affected plants.
White pine needle scale - dormant oils
applied in late winter, natural enemies, cold weather.
Grape leafhoppers - cold and wet
weather slows them down, sticky traps, insecticides labeled for use on
grapes.
Iron chlorosis - use chelated forms of
micronutrients, particularly iron.
Early leaf drop on aspen next to
driveway - plant outgrew the space allotted to it, prune back (no more
than 1/3 though), make sure adequate water is applied, consider removing
the tree.
Wood boilers for use in heating a
greenhouse - long email discussion on types of wood, methods of
transferring heat to the greenhouse, how much wood is needed for a crop
of greenhouse tomatoes.
Spots in turf - mostly cultural
problems including lack of aeration to the roots, thatch buildup, dogs,
proximity to sidewalks/driveways, mowing too short, south-facing
exposures not receiving enough water.
*New
Varieties on Exhibit at the Upcoming Farwest Show in Portland:
Annuals - Variegated basil, Ocimum x citrodorum
'Pesto Perpetuo'; Divine Pink New Guinea impatiens, Impatiens
hawkerii; Whiskers Light Blue F1 pansy, Viola x
wittrockiana
Perennials (all zone 3) - 'Razzmatazz' coneflower,
Echinacea purpurea 'Razzmatazz'; 'Pink Friesland' meadow
sage, Salvia nemerosa 'Pink Friesland'; 'Black Jack'
Autumn stonecrop, Sedum 'Black Jack'
*Abstract from an Oral
Talk at the American Society for Horticultural Science conference:
Hybrids versus Heirlooms: A Comparison Study in Garden Productivity and
marketability for Small-scale Commercial Growers, by Leah Grunzke, David
Baumbauer, and Tracy Dougher, Montana State University.
"This project investigated the
apparent consumer trend in recent years toward increasing popularity of
heirloom vegetable varieties, and its significance in regard to growers
that market their produce on a local or regional scale. Growing heirloom
and hybrid varieties of tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, and sweet corn
side by side provided insight on different varieties from a small-scale
producer's perspective, including information on garden performance,
productivity, and ease of production (including germination, growth
habit, yields, maturation, harvest timing, and longevity). Feedback from
consumers was gathered while selling the produce at a local farmer's
market. Finally, a local chef and deli manager provided professional
insight into the potential uses and marketability of the products. From
a grower's perspective, there was no distinct pattern of advantages or
disadvantages to either hybrids or heirlooms, as the varieties varied
widely in terms of field performance. Consumer acceptance of unusual or
unique varieties (in terms of appearance and recognition) varied with
each crop. The chef evaluation, with taste preferences evenly split
between hybrid and heirloom varieties, tended to favor those with an
unusual or nontraditional appearance."
*In the Panter Back
Yard: The edible podded peas are gone -
ripped out as the vines were browning and few, if any, new peas were
coming on. It got too warm for them in late July. The tomatoes are
finally ripening - lots of cherry types so far. The orchids are still
blooming inside too!
We lost one and gained one: Our
cockatiel Pete died in June, leaving a big empty spot where his cage was
in the living room. He was 21 years old - far older than the vet said
they usually live! He was a chatterbox and is very much missed. We
gained another insect this weekend though - a praying mantis. It came
from a yard in Denver and is easily 5 inches long. We fixed up a large
container for it (it's actually meant for reptiles) with fake leaves and
stems. S/he mostly hangs onto the lid of the container though. They eat
living prey so we bought lots of crickets for it and the two anoles we
still have. The mantis ate two crickets and a grasshopper one after the
other! The trip in the truck must have made it hungry. This one eats its
prey head first and the only part left was the back end.
The hummingbirds are still around
and very active. They seem to like the 'Toronto Wine' verbena, the 'Goldflame'
honeysuckle vine, delphinium, and chasing each other around. They seem
to have gotten used to us in the back yard, as they hover close by and
even sit for short periods of time on nearby trees and phone lines. All
too soon they will be gone though.
*Upcoming Events:
--Farwest Show, August 24-26, 2006, Oregon Convention
Center, Portland, Oregon. Contact:
www.farwestshow.com.
--International Society of Arboriculture - Rocky Mountain
Chapter, Annual Conference 'The Business of Trees,' September 28-30,
2006, Hilton Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado. Contact:
kathleen@hughesstuart.com.
--Association of
Specialty Cut Flower Growers National conference and Trade Show, October
26-29, 2006, San Jose, California. Contact:
www.ascfg.org.
--American Society for
Plasticulture conference, November 2-5, 2006, San Antonio, Texas.
Contact:
www.plasticulture.org.
--Wyoming Groundskeepers
and Growers Association Annual Conference, January 17-19, 2007, Parkway
Plaza Hotel, Casper, Wyoming. Contact:
www.wgga.org.