Saturday Gardening Thread: The Horde before summer [KT]

Welcome to this week's AoSHQ Gardening Thread! Some great photos from The Horde are featured today, without much information on plants unless it comes from the photographers.

In a recent comment thread, Don included a link to a close-up of a Desert Bluebell, Phacelia campanularia, that he grew last year. "It did fairly well here in Kansas, blooming until midsummer, and it was very, very blue." Check out some of his flower photos in their original size. Inspiring. Go ahead. You won't regret it.

My thinker is moving at about sloth speed after faraway anonymous committees of experts deigned that my previously acceptable migraine medication regimen is no longer acceptable. Time will tell how well my brain adjusts to the change in meds. I will just say that I have not been at my best this week. So I have turned to The Horde for help.

KT's mind chasing an obvious point this week

Here is some superfluous, but interesting, information about sloths. In case you were thinking of going on an all-leaf diet.

To start out, here is one of Kindltot's beautiful nature photos from Oregon. "A fine reminder of why I love spring".

I love the color contrast and composition in Naughty Pine's photo, especially if it was accidental:

This is from my front yard aka The Garden Of Misfit Plants. This was a spindly tulip from an Easter arrangement a year ago and the crawling flowers come from a 75-cent leftovers at Lowe's. The violets are volunteers. The hosta? I moved it last year but must have missed some roots!

Budman wrote about the following two photos:

This is what I have to put up with every day from my office on the back patio.

Wish the view from my office were that nice. I could stand to spend part of the Memorial Day Weekend there. How about you?

Lantana was a trooper during our drought, I will have more to say about the plants featured in Budman's garden later.

JQ Flyover included some links to photos of her Clematis vines. Here is her "nearly feral" C. montana along with some Dr. Ruppel. See more at the link. Wow.

This is what my garden produce looked like about this time of year a few years ago. But somebody stole most of our apricots this year under the cover of darkness. Stripped two trees. Well, one (a true apricot) didn't have much fruit. The Aprium did. And the fruits were lush this year because of the cooler weather. Drat.

On the other hand, the Arctic Star Nectarines are still hard this year, probably also due to the cooler weather. Didn't get around to planting squash, green beans or turnips this year. Life got in the way. We have harvested a few really good cherry tomatoes, though. The pomegranates are blooming on schedule.

We're still thinning nectarines. Hard to thin enough the first time around. Looks like we didn't thin enough the year that photo was taken, either.

On the theme of contributions from The Horde, remember that you can check back to see late contributions to the comment threads here. There were some great late comments last week.

Anything going on in your garden?

California Girl (not CaliGirl) sent in the following Mystery Flower from a recent retreat in the California foothills. Care to take a stab at identifying it? The plants are about 3 inches high.

To be continued next week if all goes according to plan.

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you want to be a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:10 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good Afternoon greentumbs

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 12:02 PM (Ot7+c)

2 Found my cocoon of the Imperial Moth O found in my compost, it is in garden but don't think its alive. It was moving in the fall but doesn't seem like it now. Also lost a cucumber as it was broken off. But things are slowly growing here.

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 12:06 PM (Ot7+c)

3 KT, I'm so sorry to hear about your migraines. I only had a few, in my twenties, and they were awful. I hope this new medicine works for you.

Beautiful post, as always. And lovely pictures. I'm especially happy to see my fellow bluebells getting some love!

Posted by: bluebell at May 27, 2017 12:08 PM (sBOL1)

4 Hi, Skip. Don't give up on your moth yet. They move at certain stages of development, but may stop moving at other stages.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:08 PM (BVQ+1)

5 If I had a apricot tree I would be out nightly, armed and watching it

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 12:09 PM (Ot7+c)

6 A new thread, darn! I didn't think that our discussion of glue on the last thread had fully cemented yet.

Posted by: StrawMan at May 27, 2017 12:10 PM (lidp8)

7 Its now on top in garden, I was planting more lettuce sprouts and tried to trim back chives hoping to get them growing. Should cover the cocoon up with compost

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 12:11 PM (Ot7+c)

8 And wood ticks are evil this year her.

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 12:11 PM (Ot7+c)

9 bluebell at May 27, 2017 12:08 PM

Thanks for your concern. Actually, the pain factor remains pretty much under control for me. (Side note: It is generally a bad idea to take an opiod for migraines. Can make them permanent. Spread the word).

The new medication does not seem to fully control some of the symptoms that go along with migraine - dopiness, photophobia, a little nausea. But dopiness especially. Weird.

Gonna have to read up on how these drugs are supposed to work.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:15 PM (BVQ+1)

10 My thinker is moving at about sloth speed after faraway anonymous committees of experts deigned that my previously acceptable migraine medication regimen is no longer acceptable...

Something I was looking into recently might have some value. I was looking up the properties of maple syrup (the real thing) and discovered that one of the substances in it is very good for migraine sufferers. A natural brain anti-inflammatory, if you will.

I started looking into maple syrup, in particular, for the substance that also appears to make it a natural anti-depressant. It might just be the same mechanism of action. Less brain inflammation, happier individual. Brain inflammation is also linked to Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Anyway, splurge, buy a bottle of the real thing and start your day with some pancakes smothered in maple syrup. Give it a couple weeks.

If it helps, remember me when the Nobel Peace Prize committee for medicine votes next year.

Posted by: E Depluribus Unum at May 27, 2017 12:16 PM (HTdUD)

11 StrawMan at May 27, 2017 12:10 PM

The thread below is an open thread. Feel free to continue the glue discussion.

Have a great day.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:17 PM (BVQ+1)

12 E Depluribus Unum at May 27, 2017 12:16 PM

Thanks!

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:19 PM (BVQ+1)

13 Great pics! Love the garden thread brag book. Puts us in touch with a kinder gentler side of the Horde from across the land.

Posted by: kallisto at May 27, 2017 12:19 PM (kD8Fh)

14 Thank you for mentioning my pictures.

California Girl's mystery plant looks like an Erodium, perhaps E. cicutarium.

https://uswildflowers.com/detail.php?SName=Erodium%20cicutarium

I got most of the cactus and succulent seeds started this week, and there's already germination in majority of the pots. They're mainly small cacti, e.g., Mammillaria and Turbinicarpus, or slow ones, e.g., Ariocarpus, but there are also some Lithops and stapeliads. It will probably be at least two years before many are photogenic.

Posted by: Don at May 27, 2017 12:27 PM (0yuZ3)

15 I got the gardens tilled last weekend and have started planting. Everything is so delayed this year because of the rains.
I planted lettuce and spinach too, but I expect them to bolt when they get two true leaves because of the heat.

I am sprouting corn to plant, and I am waiting for melon starts to come out from the local farmers' market. This year I plan to suspend the melons in those mesh bags I buy 5 lbs of onions in so they don't get attacked by whatever those millipede looking things are that eat my melons from underneath.
For some reason I didn't get any volunteer squash so I may buy some actual plants.

Anyhow, tomatoes, peppers, squash, corn and melons are the main plants, and I will see what else catches my fancy

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 12:28 PM (mkDpn)

16 Put in 7 new roses this weekend, gallicas and albas. Won't see too much til next spring, but the zephirines will time me over. Will be adding many more carnations tomorrow. Pruned back the lilacs and have the thing under control!

Posted by: CN at May 27, 2017 12:30 PM (2+tI4)

17 Posted by: Don at May 27, 2017 12:27 PM

OK if I use your Dr. Hugo rose in the near future?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:31 PM (BVQ+1)

18 Skip at May 27, 2017 12:11 PM

Ticks! Nasty.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:33 PM (BVQ+1)

19 KT, I hope you can get past the migraines and thanks to you and the Horde members for those wonderful photos.

We will have Memorial Day salad this weekend. The leaf lettuce, spinach and chives are ready to be clipped. And the next wave of greens is starting to come up. Yippee!

We finished planting most everything this past week and nothing has died yet. Although the bar, obviously, is not set high, that is a significant victory.

The only thing left to plant is a hill of winter squash. We have better luck growing those from seed sown in the garden instead of starting them indoors. Don't know why.

Posted by: JTB at May 27, 2017 12:33 PM (V+03K)

20 KT, feel free to use any of my pictures anytime.

Posted by: Don at May 27, 2017 12:34 PM (0yuZ3)

21 I think I mentioned I dug a new pond, relocated the old one and added more length for fishes to explore, I had decided to do that as this time I will see it from our bedroom windows as they are floor to ceiling instead of where guests go, which is why the previous location. Lol lngthy post I guess, I realized while doing so when I put the previous pond in with help, this time I solo-d it, it almost killed me digging through rocks , but it's almost finishing up with plants. no veggies for me this year it is all ornamentals for us to enjoy colorful excitement, and relaxing sounds.

Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 12:35 PM (iS1Cb)

22 Kindltot at May 27, 2017 12:28 PM

Do you sprout corn as a way to avoid birds eating the seed/seedlings, or do you have another reason?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:36 PM (BVQ+1)

23 btw kindltot I am so jealous that you live in Oregon, always wanted to be there.

Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 12:36 PM (iS1Cb)

24 I think you posted that sloth video to make me jealous. Those little guys are moving faster than I am lately

Sorry about the migraines, KT. I don't have that specific problem but I know it can be hard to adjust to new drugs when one has to switch.

I haven't planted anything here at our new house yet, but I'm finally getting the urge to plant some color, especially outside my office window where the landscaping is ok, but boring. These threads are motivational.

The heat and humidity are de-motivators if I wait until afternoon to get to work.

Posted by: stace gets two scoops at May 27, 2017 12:37 PM (bwBxJ)

25 15 ... kindltot, As to leaf lettuce bolting, we have had our best results with black seeded Simpson Elite. Even compared to the regular black seeded Simpson, it lasted a good month longer before bolting. We are in zone 7 in Virginia. We haven't found a comparable spinach as resistant to bolting.

Posted by: JTB at May 27, 2017 12:39 PM (V+03K)

26 CN at May 27, 2017 12:30 PM

Wow. You go for the really old roses. I used to visit the gallicas and albas at Descanso Gardens in Southern California when I lived down there. They had some huge specimens. Are you more interested in history, form or fragrance?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:39 PM (BVQ+1)

27
As a by-the-way to gardeners -- Lowes has their 5 bags of mulch for $10.00 sale this weekend (until the 5th iirc). The skids are lined up from one end of the pick-up area to the end, both sides. Many part timers are there to help loading.

Posted by: E Depluribus Unum at May 27, 2017 12:40 PM (HTdUD)

28 Don at May 27, 2017 12:34 PM

Thanks, Don.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:40 PM (BVQ+1)

29 Gotta run to the library before it closes for the holiday. (Jacques Pepin cookbooks) Be back shortly.

Posted by: JTB at May 27, 2017 12:41 PM (V+03K)

30 ty, d b u .

Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 12:45 PM (iS1Cb)

31 Posted by: JTB at May 27, 2017 12:39 PM (V+03K)

I asked my husband about the lettuce bolting. He said if it's too hot, all lettuce bolts. He said you cut it in half and there's a seeder in the middle. He can't sell it if that happens.
They try to control it by only planting certain varieties in certain places.

I think it was rhomboid that asked.

That's all I've got.

Posted by: CaliGirl at May 27, 2017 12:52 PM (Ri/rl)

32 JTB at May 27, 2017 12:33 PM

The garden Memorial Day salad sounds great. I have better luck with squash started in the garden, too. Or transplanted when very small.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:55 PM (BVQ+1)

33 Not much gardening happening. 87 hours of work so far this week. But if I really push today I might get some done tomorrow before the rain.

Posted by: Gordon at May 27, 2017 12:56 PM (YBHpR)

34 willow at May 27, 2017 12:35 PM

Wow. The pond work sounds like a lot of . . . work! Hope you enjoy the results. Glad the Army Corps of Engineers did not intervene.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:57 PM (BVQ+1)

35 KT, I plant Indian corn and I use my own seed. It shortens the sprouting time in the garden, and it makes sure that I don't have duds that don't germinate.

I was told that if I soaked my corn before planting it, it would speed up sprouting, so I soak it until it sprouts too

I also get to choose what colors I want to grow and check if they aren't sprouting, and I am running a personal check on how long my seed corn stays viable. It looks like I am getting to the end of the usefulness for seed corn I grew about 2012

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 01:00 PM (mkDpn)

36 Thank you KT as always for the lovely thread.

Also thanks for the tree info. It's tough figuring out how to care for things no one has seen in my area before.

I search the internet but I'm not sure I'm looking at the same tree.

Posted by: CaliGirl at May 27, 2017 01:01 PM (Ri/rl)

37 Gordon at May 27, 2017 12:56 PM

Don't over-do it, Gordon.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:02 PM (BVQ+1)

38 E Deplurbus Unum, I discovered if the tree service dumps their chippings in your side yard and you don't get to it for a year and a half, it starts turning into bark-a-mulch.

And the tree services generally will dump that stuff in your yard for free if you don't have trees you need cut and chipped.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 01:02 PM (mkDpn)

39
23 btw kindltot I am so jealous that you live in Oregon, always wanted to be there.
Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 12:36 PM (iS1Cb)

Just visit and enjoy. Always been partial to the Blue Mountains and non-Bend Central Oregon. Avoid Portlandia, the smelly, untended compost pile of Oregon.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at May 27, 2017 01:04 PM (e1mEI)

40 CaliGirl at May 27, 2017 01:01 PM

Do you think your trees are California Buckeyes?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:05 PM (BVQ+1)

41 Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 01:02 PM (mkDpn)

When I have the tree guy cut back trees, they leave big wood and the mulch. The guy that works here that I defer to won't let them dump the chips from trees that weren't cut here. I don't know why.

Posted by: CaliGirl at May 27, 2017 01:06 PM (Ri/rl)

42 Just put in some hostas on the side of house along with some irises that Lowes had on clearance. And I have some fuschia in a lot on the front patio. Petunia baskets are next. Followed by a cold local amber ale. Love me some spring time.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at May 27, 2017 01:08 PM (Xr2/U)

43 Willow, late Spring is a great time to visit the Willamette valley, early Spring is a fantastic time to visit the Columbia gorge.

Rent a car at Portland airport, drive East along the gorge. And drive, and drive and drive . . .

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 01:08 PM (mkDpn)

44 What are those things in the bowls in the picture? Is that what is supposed to come out of my plants?

Posted by: Weasel at May 27, 2017 01:11 PM (Sfs6o)

45 CaliGirl you run the risk of bringing in diseases and possibly invasive plants. It is similar to not bringing in other people's leaves and debris for compost.

I live in the middle of town and don't rely on my orchards and fields, so I am more relaxed about chips, I would get them from the place on the side of town anyhow. I suspect they also get the chips from the tree services as well as their yard-debris dumpsite

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 01:12 PM (mkDpn)

46 kindltot, perhaps one day I will do so and never return to darken the door of this ugly sw deserty area again.

Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 01:13 PM (iS1Cb)

47 Yeah, KT. I do have limits. But the step kid family has challenges that will not abate. We will probably have to buy them a place to live. They're trying to manage without welfare, with a severely autistic teen. So I work.

The tomato grafting project did not succeed this year. Apparently after sprouting they must be in a cooler place so as to develop thick stalks. Thus mine were too spindly for the grafting clips to hold. But I do have plenty of ungrafted stock to plant.

And I can grow a few practice sets to improve my skills before next year.

Posted by: Gordon at May 27, 2017 01:16 PM (YBHpR)

48
41
Disease. Plants are like people, the more you move, the faster contagion spreads. My guess.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at May 27, 2017 01:17 PM (e1mEI)

49 My columbine is in full bloom, the wild lilies will be blooming in the next week. What I look forward to the most however is when my prickly pear cactus blooms. Gorgeous yellow flowers. Just stunning. Shame it only lasts a few days.

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 01:19 PM (CNHr1)

50 Willow, the legislature is the main danger here.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 01:20 PM (mkDpn)

51 CrotchetyOldJarhead at May 27, 2017 01:08 PM

That's the way to do it.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:20 PM (BVQ+1)

52 Gordon at May 27, 2017 01:16 PM

Wow. You do have some challenges.

Grafting tomatoes, as I understand, takes some special conditions. I think it is often done under a misting apparatus. Kudos for trying it.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:25 PM (BVQ+1)

53 DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 01:19 PM

Sounds beautiful. What region are you in?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:27 PM (BVQ+1)

54 kindltot as they are all around the country. grasping pocket filling sell outs.

Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 01:27 PM (iS1Cb)

55 I'm going to give the Garden Tower a try again this year. The first year was a failure due to bad soil and last year it sat idle because the wife was getting her hip replaced.
Worms have been added to the composting center and now we are waiting for the temperatures to get warm enough for seeds to germinate.

Posted by: Ronster at May 27, 2017 01:27 PM (CDUSe)

56 Headless body of agnew, I remember back in the day when you would cross back and forth state to state where they had checkpoints for flora and veggies.

so I think that was an actual deal.

Posted by: willow at May 27, 2017 01:28 PM (iS1Cb)

57 26 CN at May 27, 2017 12:30 PM

Wow. You go for the really old roses. I used to visit the gallicas and albas at Descanso Gardens in Southern California when I lived down there. They had some huge specimens. Are you more interested in history, form or fragrance?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 12:39 PM (BVQ+1)
All of the above. And family history as my grandmother was a huge rosarian

Posted by: CN at May 27, 2017 01:30 PM (2+tI4)

58 I just remembered that I had bought a six pack of little chili pequin (we call them petit) peppers and need to plant them around the yard.

I can't believe having to buy them. My previous house was in the wooded floodplain and we had wild chili bushes popping up all over thanks to the birds. Not so here in the higher drier part of the 'hood.

Posted by: stace gets two scoops at May 27, 2017 01:30 PM (bwBxJ)

59 Not petit--petin. Thanks for nothing autocorrect.

Posted by: stace gets two scoops at May 27, 2017 01:31 PM (bwBxJ)

60 Ronster at May 27, 2017 01:27 PM

Best of luck with the garden tower this year.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:37 PM (BVQ+1)

61 Weasel at May 27, 2017 01:11 PM

Heh.

Persist.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:38 PM (BVQ+1)

62 *raises hand*

Ooh! I have a gardening question:

I got a bunch of weed prickles in my gardening clothes. Anyone know how to get those out so I can wear them again? I do not want to just put them in the washer like this and risk spreading prickles to my other laundry.

Do I have to work them over with tweezers or is there an easier way? I tried gaff tape but the prickles stick to the clothes, especially the wool socks, more than they stick to the tape.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 01:41 PM (ZapPq)

63 49 ... Jewels, Could you send some photos of those prickly pears when the bloom to KT? Cactus flowers are usually gorgeous. I'm sure we would all like to see them.

Posted by: JTB at May 27, 2017 01:42 PM (V+03K)

64 CN at May 27, 2017 01:30 PM

Wonderful background. Fill us in on the details as they bloom. I remember that some of the old roses looked odd at Descanso in winter, with their branches turned under all around the center of the plant, sort of like giant rose donuts.

I used to read the "Roses of Yesterday and Today" catalog at night when I couldn't sleep. Black and white, great prose. No drama.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:43 PM (BVQ+1)

65 40 CaliGirl at May 27, 2017 01:01 PM

Do you think your trees are California Buckeyes?
Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:05 PM (BVQ+1)

Yes, they look exactly the same. I need to make a well around the trees so I can water them.

Posted by: CaliGirl at May 27, 2017 01:44 PM (Ri/rl)

66 It seriously needs to stop raining in N. Indiana.

Nothing planted.

Posted by: cicero Kaboom! kid at May 27, 2017 01:44 PM (M+ILP)

67 At the beginning of May I helped my sister do some planting in her garden. We had been having crummy weather at the end of April, but suddenly things improved vastly the first week of May.

Funny thing. Went to a very large home and garden store on a Sunday about ten minutes after they opened. Hardly any parking at that point. Full, as you can imagine here in KS of pickups and Suvs. So spent about 40 minutes there, and when we left it looked like there was NO parking anywhere.

Nice thing I noticed, the prices. My sister bought 5 plants, a new trowel (since we were both going to be digging), bamboo stakes for some plants, plus ties for the stakes. Only came to $23.00.

Not bad.

Posted by: HH at May 27, 2017 01:44 PM (DrCtv)

68 I live in the Kansas City area. Would be happy to send pics to anyone who wants them.

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 01:45 PM (CNHr1)

69 Emmie at May 27, 2017 01:41 PM

Dang. Wool socks and prickles. I would put other clothes through a wash cycle by themselves to get rid of most of the prickles.

Wool socks? I turn to those with more expertise. The only advice I have is to cut the prickles short and pull them all the way through from the pointy end, with tweezers.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:48 PM (BVQ+1)

70 Best of luck with the garden tower this year.Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:37 PM (BVQ+1)

Thanks KT, I'll need it. I'm the guy that can't even grow squash.

Posted by: Ronster at May 27, 2017 01:49 PM (CDUSe)

71 DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 01:45 PM

The address is at the bottom of the post. We would love to see the blossoms.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:50 PM (BVQ+1)

72 Short song about the sloth (forgot how to embed URLs again.)

http://tinyurl.com/ydebw5c8

Posted by: Glen at May 27, 2017 01:50 PM (rdznT)

73 I will send some pics to you KT. I can send a before that I took this morning. Also some of the columbine. Then will send the cactus in bloom. I'm so happy I'm off this month so I can really enjoy them!

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 01:54 PM (CNHr1)

74 Thanks, KT.

I have no idea what weed produced these prickles. It's new in my yard. We live in a rural area.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 01:55 PM (ZapPq)

75 Our choke cherries and lilacs are in full bloom. Smells great outside.

Posted by: Ronster at May 27, 2017 01:59 PM (CDUSe)

76 KT.. just emailed the pictures.

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 02:02 PM (CNHr1)

77 Glen at May 27, 2017 01:50 PM

That song is wonderful. Especially the middle part. Thanks.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:03 PM (BVQ+1)

78 Oh love lilacs!!!

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 02:06 PM (CNHr1)

79 Just found a thing called Burz Off. It looks like it works kind of like a sweater stone.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:08 PM (ZapPq)

80 Jewells,

Got them! Thanks.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:08 PM (BVQ+1)

81 OT horde.

Never mind me, trying to set up this little chromebook. Gonna take some getting used to for sure.

Posted by: weirdflunky at May 27, 2017 02:09 PM (b8+C/)

82 Had to go back to the store to get mulch. Came back with a handful of French marigolds and something called a Potentilla. I am now on restriction and require adult supervision when I go to the nursery.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at May 27, 2017 02:11 PM (Xr2/U)

83 Glen at May 27, 2017 01:50 PM

The song didn't say anything about sloths needing to go to ground to poop once a week, though. Heh.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:11 PM (BVQ+1)

84 My catalpa trees are blooming, and today we are planting some tomato, jalapeno, and corn in our very abbreviated veg garden. We have two raised veggie beds but only opening one this yr. Getting to it a bit later than usual and preferable. No green beans this yr and no onions or cucumbers. Oh well maybe next year.

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:11 PM (yTnCT)

85 You're welcome!!

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 02:12 PM (CNHr1)

86 weirdflunky at May 27, 2017 02:09 PM

Good luck with the new-to-you gadget.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:12 PM (BVQ+1)

87 Tomorrow is definitely gardening day. We got some rain today, warm and sunny tomorrow. Will move some more potted plants out to the deck... thin out the hostas and columbine. Been neglecting it what with a full time job and starting a business. But June is full of promise!

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 02:13 PM (CNHr1)

88 Madamemayhem, I love Catalpa flowers! They remind me of orchids.

They are related to the Desert Willow tree, but you'd never know it by the leaves. The blooms are similar.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:14 PM (ZapPq)

89 madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:11 PM

If you have a vacant bed this year, are you in a warm enough climate to solarize to kill weeds?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:14 PM (BVQ+1)

90 88 Also, the Catalpa seed pods are fun to have sword fights with.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:14 PM (ZapPq)

91 I love those huge leaves on our trees. Hubbymayhem bitches and threatens my trees because of the beans. Says they are a menace when mowing. I'm the one who mows so my lovely trees remain!

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:16 PM (yTnCT)

92 Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:14 PM

Absolutely right. There is a tree thought to be a hybrid between the two called a Chitalpa. It doesn't make seed pods.

A few of the desert willows also don't make seed pods. I don't think the Chitalpa attracts hummingbirds like the desert willow does.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:17 PM (BVQ+1)

93 Potentilla... I would imagine in the same family as the mandevilla and I grow them every year. They are so damn hearty and beautiful!

Posted by: DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 02:19 PM (CNHr1)

94 *off to Bing Chitalpa*

Those are lovely as well! I bet they'd grow well here in Colorado.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:20 PM (ZapPq)

95 madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:16 PM

I love those huge leaves, too. Ever get the caterpillars that live on them?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:20 PM (BVQ+1)

96 Potentilla is a hardy, yellow-flowered shrub.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:22 PM (ZapPq)

97 If solarize equals leave the black cover on to bake the weeds and their seeds to death, then yes. South Central Indiana does get hot enough in the summer and that's what I'm trying to do. I don't use chemicals on the veggie garden but the compost we used for a few yrs seems to be made of weeds. It was so bad last year that I could not keep the weeds out and they just choked the living shit out of the veggies. Got almost no produce out of the garden.

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:22 PM (yTnCT)

98 Catalp-illars

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:23 PM (ZapPq)

99 My uncle planted the catalpa trees specifically for the worms which he said we the BEST bait for fishing. I don't pay attention to them.

Posted by: madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:25 PM (yTnCT)

100 DeplorableJewells45 at May 27, 2017 02:19 P

Potentillas are related to roses rather than to mandevillas. There are both perennial and shrubby kinds. Which do you grow? Flower color?

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:25 PM (BVQ+1)

101 Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:20 PM

Sunset doesn't rate Chitalpa for the very coldest parts of Colorado. Check locally.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:27 PM (BVQ+1)

102 Well, I have some gardening tasks to get done before it rains today.

1) dig trenches for flood irrigation
2) plant veggies before they die in their nursery pots
3) collect prickles in my socks

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:29 PM (ZapPq)

103 madamemayhem (uppity wench) at May 27, 2017 02:22 PM

Best method is actually a double layer of solar-stable clear plastic with an air layer in between. Prepare soil for planting, fertilize and water before solarizing. Seal the edges of the plastic so air doesn't leak in.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 02:30 PM (BVQ+1)

104 Thanks, KT. We're high desert. Chitalpa might be more suitable for warmer desert areas.

On the other hand, our area is referred to the Banana Belt.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:31 PM (ZapPq)

105 Oooh, my Clematis is now a *star!* Thanks, KT!

The 'feral' C. montana is a gift from Mom. She loved the mass of blooms and (after many failed attempts) got cuttings to take root. Iirc, it works best after blooming-- but I haven't been successful yet.

She bought The First One in the late 80s/early 90s, wanting to cover a 12ft wide trellis below her 2nd-level deck. After training it horizontally the first few years, completely covering the trellis' width, she just let it go... all the way up to deck rail and along the railing... after about 10 years it was Spectacular. Yuuge and Luxurious, even!

People driving by would stop to compliment and ask "what IS that?" She would simply *glow* as she answered, then offer them a rooted cutting.

Sadly, both Mom and her original lovely showstopper are now gone. (Dad's not much for gardening.)

Posted by: JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 02:32 PM (5muuD)

106 JQ, that is a fun story (except for the part about your mom being gone).

Glad you have a lovely reminder!

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:34 PM (ZapPq)

107 I see clematis at the nursery and it looks beautiful I wonder if it would coexist with honeysuckle on the fence?

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at May 27, 2017 02:39 PM (Xr2/U)

108 Emmie - Don't know if it will work but overheard duct guys saying duct tape used on clothing then taking it off was a good way to get fiberglass out of clothing.

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 02:39 PM (Ot7+c)

109 Catalpa is related to Lapacho, which is both a yellow and purple flowered tree from Paraguay and Argentina. They are both bignoniaceas.

Lapacho is also used as a tanning agent for vegetable tanned leather - but I don't think I can grow it here, it needs warmer climate.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/y7f96anp

Posted by: Kindltot at May 27, 2017 02:43 PM (mkDpn)

110 I see clematis at the nursery and it looks beautiful I wonder if it would coexist with honeysuckle on the fence?
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead

I don't know. Why not simply try it?

Oh, wait... you're on restriction at the garden shop. Hmm.

Aha! Find a straw buyer for your clematis!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 02:44 PM (5muuD)

111 110>> Heh! I wonder about compatibility with respect to watering. We had clematis in Texas and it did not like a lot of water. I'm pretty sure the honeysuckle won't mind as long as it doesn't sit in water. And the clematis grew really quickly.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at May 27, 2017 02:53 PM (Xr2/U)

112 Pet Nood

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 02:55 PM (Ot7+c)

113 So I've done precisely Jack and Squat in the actual garden area this year. Tomatoes and peppers are languishing in their nursery pots but I have *many* large pots/planters and a few bags of soil.

I think it's going to be a Deck-Garden year. There's just too much work, too much to do here there and everywhere, not enough time or motivation to go around.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 02:56 PM (5muuD)

114 My poor garden experienced a hail storm on the 8th and 7-8 inches of snow later on. The hut type covers work, after a fashion, though one did collapse. The brassica are recovering, the potatoes refuse to emerge, but the garlic and onions (unprotected) act as if nothing happened. Lost all plums and peaches which set, but the trees are ok. Debating whether to set tomatoes and eggplant out next week. The soil temperature is holding at 55 to 60.

Posted by: stonecutter at May 27, 2017 02:58 PM (Bfr22)

115 I still have 1/4 of my garden open, and a spot if that cucumber is done.
Still want green or wax beans.

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 03:01 PM (Ot7+c)

116 Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 03:01

You're ahead of me Skip, I've got about half my garden to plant yet. It's been cool and rainy so the warmer weather stuff wouldn't have done much anyways.

Onions, lettuce, beets, peas, potatoes are all doing fine. Then in a break in the weather got some tomatoes in and the old cuke and pumpkin seed finally emerged. Really want to get green beans in this coming week.

Posted by: Farmer at May 27, 2017 03:12 PM (4bBUU)

117 Had two ticks caught on me today, just felt one crawling up my back. Cut its little freaking head off.

Posted by: Skip at May 27, 2017 03:18 PM (Ot7+c)

118 Emmie at May 27, 2017 02:31 PM

Look yourself up in the Sunset Western Garden Book. Chitalpa is rated to Zone 3. It's not just for deserts.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 03:44 PM (BVQ+1)

119 JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 02:32 PM

Ideas for starting cuttings:

1. Peg some branches down and cover them with soil.

2. Air layer with sphagnum moss

3. Scrape some bark off on two sides for a couple of inches and allow it to callus. Roots should grow more easily from the callused area. Use rooting hormone.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 03:48 PM (BVQ+1)

120 CrotchetyOldJarhead at May 27, 2017 02:53 PM

Probably depends on the clematis and the honeysuckle. Most of the large-flowered clematis types are not as vigorous as C. montana. And they like their roots to be in a cool place. Even under a flat rock or slab of cedar.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 03:52 PM (BVQ+1)

121 JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 02:56 PM

Sometimes a small garden works better than a big one.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 03:57 PM (BVQ+1)

122 stonecutter at May 27, 2017 02:58 PM

Those late cold spells are the pits. Sounds especially cold for eggplant.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 03:58 PM (BVQ+1)

123 KT, good point. Little huts for a couple of weeks (cloches).

Posted by: stonecutter at May 27, 2017 04:34 PM (Bfr22)

124 Thanks for your replies, KT.

For clematis starts, I had only tried a few cuttings in water. It's my go-to method for so many plants. Fairly certain Mom had done it with summer cuttings (half-ripe?) and kept them in a bottle on northeast-facing windowsill. Don't know if she scarred/calloused the stems first.

Will designate a spot for pinning down some branches--got to keep the bunnies out! I've 'ground-layered' rhododendrons this way before.

Will also try your #3 method... what growth stage of wood do you recommend?

--------

Small garden ftw! I get overwhelmed so easily anymore. Oh, to be young again. (or *able* to retire from fulltime work!)

Posted by: JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 04:36 PM (5muuD)

125 From Naughty Pine's original photo, I think the lavender crawling flower is Creeping Phlox.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 04:38 PM (BVQ+1)

126 Nice thread KT ... as usual. Glad the migraine pain is under control, hope the side effects are tolerable. Like Huey Lewis says ... "I need a new drug".

My Mom had Lewy body dementia (similar to Alzheimer) and took a drug called Reminyl, which is derived from daffodils. I'm not sure it worked better than the other more directly biochems used, but the use of "naturally" occurring treatments is always interesting to me. (But I have no clue about "organic" migraine drugs)

My ten "red twig" sticks are all just starting to push little leaves, I sprayed some strips around but outside my fenced in area by the pond and in a few days will till it up and rake in a pound of "deer resistant" bulk wildflower mix.

Am deciding if I like the little bunnies around the yard, or if they must die. I got my electric fence up to stop deer, so will probably allow the bunnies space to entertain me despite munching on my garden. It's nice to be King.

Posted by: Illiniwek at May 27, 2017 04:41 PM (yKkG7)

127 Agree w/KT on Creeping Phlox.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 04:42 PM (5muuD)

128
I used to read the "Roses of Yesterday and Today" catalog at night when I couldn't sleep. Black and white, great prose. No drama.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 01:43 PM (BVQ+1)
They make a nice product. These latest were from Colorado as I prefer a potted plant, even if it's on the small side. IMHO nothing beats the old roses for scent and size and rose hips. When my grandmother deliberately bent the canes it was to put some of the cane underground to make the plant root on it's own root stock (another thing I prefer). Few things in gardening are sadder than the reaction of someone who believes their hybrid tea is putting out long healthy canes in order later to find that it's the root reverting to type and they end up with a rather foetid smelling homely rose plant (but at least the black spot is truly gone)

Posted by: CN at May 27, 2017 05:06 PM (2+tI4)

129 125 From Naughty Pine's original photo, I think the lavender crawling flower is Creeping Phlox.
Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 04:38 PM (BVQ+1)

Yep; that's what it is.

Posted by: Emmie at May 27, 2017 05:11 PM (ZapPq)

130 JQ Flyover at May 27, 2017 04:36 PM

Method #3 I think was for softwood cuttings. Or as you would say, half-ripe. But you could try some other stages, too. You have to be careful not to cut too deep when removing a strip of bark. I have only seen it used with cutting started in pots, with potting mix.

Next best to this method is to remove some leaves and bury the leaf nodes, from which roots should emerge.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 05:55 PM (BVQ+1)

131 Illiniwek at May 27, 2017 04:41 PM

Nice that you are making a plan. Maybe you can get the bunnies to stay mostly in one area?

On "organic" drugs: I used to take ergotamine for migraine. It is related to LSD and is derived from that natural rye fungus that made whole towns go loco from time to time.

I think it has much more serious side effects than most of the synthetic agents for migraine on the market. But it was once the best available drug.

Not sure if what I am now experiencing (milder than a few days ago) is from medication or from my body trying to produce a migraine.

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 06:07 PM (BVQ+1)

132 "On "organic" drugs: I used to take ergotamine for migraine. It is
related to LSD and is derived from that natural rye fungus that made
whole towns go loco from time to time.
I think it has much more
serious side effects than most of the synthetic agents for migraine on
the market. But it was once the best available drug." KT

wow ... interesting ... I was a chem major before hort major. Real chem is good stuff. The "natural" may give us some clues, but we are in "the garden" to dress it and keep it (adam/eve reference) ... or my interpretation ... Better living through chemistry ... and testing and double blind studies, all that.

You have found a good balance ... hope you find the best fix. cheers ...

Posted by: Illiniwek at May 27, 2017 06:22 PM (yKkG7)

133 Thanks, Illiniwek. Interesting that you have both chem and hort backgrounds.

On migraine meds, I am not the only one facing these changes. I have friends who are not adjusting well. I hope that these prescribing recommendations are not coming from rigidity based in old study designs. It's good to have efficacy shown in a double-blind study. Not so nice to say that dosing limitations in original study designs should roll back years of apparently safe and effective use.

As far as natural chemistry in the garden goes, I think there is something to be said for "biodegradable".

Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 07:40 PM (BVQ+1)

134
125 From Naughty Pine's original photo, I think the lavender crawling flower is Creeping Phlox.
Posted by: KT at May 27, 2017 04:38 PM

My Thanks to you and the others! I wasn't sure. I just bought it because it said it was good for rock gardens.

And because of this thread, I know that vine in the backyard is clematis. It was twisted all over itself in a pot with a little trellis in the clearance area of Home Depot last year. I wanted the trellis, and it was less than $2. It's not a raving beauty, but this year it had another branch, so maybe someday!

Posted by: NaughtyPine at May 27, 2017 09:22 PM (G8B7r)

135 "I hope that these prescribing recommendations are not coming from rigidity based in old study designs. It's good to have efficacy shown in a double-blind study. Not so nice to say that dosing limitations in original study designs should roll back years of apparently safe and effective use."

yeah, I'm no chemist, or biochemist ... but it does seem some things are pushed to market based on revenue streams for the corporation, more than efficacy and proven history. "Namenda" was another drug a doc recommended for my Mom, and it was expensive but doc said sure it will help. Then a biochem research site (mentioned here on AoS iirc, I lost the link) said it was pushed to market with little research.

Same story with another drug a doc pushed on my uncle after asking me if he could afford to spend the money. Never seemed to help, despite promises. $500 per pill. Marketing is the thing.

There is real science ... great stuff. But corruption and marketers seem to infiltrate everything, including the whole "sustainable" thing. One would think an established drug like you had would not just be eliminated without large and long study ... but "money changes everything"

youtube.com/watch?v=m1wj3tqRI6Y

Posted by: illiniwek at May 27, 2017 09:29 PM (yKkG7)

136 I hope #104 Emmie checks back in - I'd love to know which state's "Banana Belt" she's in. If it's Idaho, we should meet up - we can't be more than an hour's drive away from each other!

Anyway, this week in my "Banana Belt", Idaho's Treasure Valley:

We had 2 nice days in the last week, but next Tues. is possibly hitting 90 F, and it isn't even June yet. I was hoping after our colder winter, we might have a cooler summer, too... have to wait and see. I'm getting up earlier each day so I can get out to do garden work before it gets hot.

We're harvesting spinach, Bibb lettuce, and radishes. (Lettuce is from the seeds that overwintered the Snowpocalypse and started quite early - this year's planting is still too small for harvest.)
I planted another 8-foot row of radishes today in a raised bed, 3rd and probably last row of the spring.
Husband is digging new corn rows, mixing compost into our crappy "soil". (These may end up as 2 rows sweet corn, 2 rows green bush beans.)
Total planted sweet corn, now 8 rows of 10 feet, in the ground (3 varieties). Earliest ones planted are sprouting. I put a small pinch of 21-0-0 fertilizer near each dripper to get them started. Biggest weed problem may be last year's yellow tomatoes' seeds, which were tilled in last week while the weeds and old corn stumps were being tilled out.

Total planted green bush beans, now 7 rows of 8 feet, in raised beds (3 varieties). Beans need to be covered as they emerge, because last year something ate the remaining bit of seed as they emerged, and killed the plants. I cut the bottoms from styrofoam coffee cups, place them top down (hole upwards), and pin them down with bamboo skewers, until the plant gets a bit larger.

Total planted vines, 4 cantaloupe hills in a raised bed, 2 zucchini hills in the ground, 1 each butternut squash and sugar pumpkin hills in the ground.
Total planted potatoes, five 20-gallon cloth bags (plus 1 surprise Yukon Gold that came up in a bean bed).
Total peppers, 1 orange and 3 red bell peppers, 2 jalapeno, and 1 of the poblano starts, all in a raised bed. Two more poblano starts taking their time getting a bit bigger before being planted out.

Total tomatoes, 2 Romas in raised bed, 1 each Early Girl and SunSugar in 20-gallon cloth bags, and 1 Cherokee Purple started from seed and given to me by a friend, planted in the ground.
Green onions are getting huge; we ate some tonight as part of the first grill-up of the year. It's time to come up with more recipes, or eat more of them with our salads.
Asparagus all look smaller than last year, and some haven't even shown up... I put a side dressing of 5-10-10 fertilizer on them to hopefully strengthen the roots for next year.
Asian snow peas got their fence, and are starting to climb.
Still too many chives (now 25 clumps!!).

Spearmint plant really growing now. Original English thyme plant, which was moved to herb bed, is also thriving. Lots of baby parsley and a few baby thyme popping up in blueberry bed, where the herbs were last year.

Apple trees setting mini apples.
Blueberries have a few flowers.
Strawberries have lots of little fruits - today I found a half-red one! With 2 beds now, we should be rolling in strawberries soon!
The new red raspberry row looks healthy (grown from dug-up pieces of the original bed), and the original bed looks like it plans to flower soon.

My (Siberian?) purple irises were probably at peak last week. I have 5 clumps on the south side of my house, each 4 feet tall, and the best clump had 40 flowers! (I have other clumps around the yard, but no others that spectacular.) I cut off the first flowers - most stems have 3rd and 4th flowers coming on.
The row of native roses we planted as part of our windbreak project is in flower. I should make it a point to walk to the back edge of our property to smell and admire them more often!
Johnny jump-ups still creating quite the show by the back shed - they'll probably be at it until it snows!
I have a small fireweed patch by the back shed - the first buds are showing.

I think that covers it. Enjoy your Memorial Day, and take time to silently thank those who gave their lives so that we can do so.

Posted by: Pat* at May 27, 2017 10:44 PM (qC1ju)

137 #14. Agree. Erodium cicutarium. Coastal Heron's bill. Good call.

Posted by: Anabolic State at May 28, 2017 12:44 AM (cgYv3)

138 illiniwek at May 27, 2017 09:29 PM

In this case, the drug is not being eliminated, just limited. I think the original clinical trials were set up in negotiation with the FDA based on an average number of headaches per month per study subject. This became the standard of comparison for trials with subsequent drugs in the same class.

Lots of drugs are prescribed in ways that go beyond the dosage regimen used in studies because they work. Not sure why they would ratchet back on standard medical usage now. But it seems to me to be based at least partly on the the number of doses per month in early trials with this drug class.

Ironically, I think the drug they have approved as a replacement, the one I am taking now, is also being used off-label. Other drugs on the approved replacement list also started out as treatments for other conditions.

Posted by: KT at May 28, 2017 01:09 AM (BVQ+1)

139 Anabolic State at May 28, 2017 12:44 AM

That makes three of us. I guess the genus Erodium gets a little discussion next week.

Posted by: KT at May 28, 2017 01:17 AM (BVQ+1)

140 Great report, Pat*. Thanks. Th detail about the over-wintered lettuce seeds is interesting.

Let us know which variety of green beans works out best for you.

Remember that green onions are great in soup - potato, split pea, lentil and Italian types especially. Even perk up commercial canned soups.

Those Siberian Iris and Native Roses sound wonderful.

Hope your Memorial Day turns out to be memorable.

Posted by: KT at May 28, 2017 05:43 PM (BVQ+1)

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