The Knock-Out Rose is not one of my favorite roses; therefore I haven't done a lot of research on it. But it does make a pretty shrub - just not good for cutting. I do have some Knockouts and I take the spent bloom off immediately.
The purpose of deadheading is to re-direct energy used to ripen the current bloom to making new blooms instead. Therefore, if I want something to bloom continuously, I never allow spent blooms to stay on the plant. I get them off as soon as they start downhill.
As far as pruning - I'm 'assuming' that's a personal choice. I've seen them cut back almost to the ground then recover quickly in the spring, but I've also seen the left unpruned and put on a gorgeous show in spring.
Deadheading is one of my first tasks in the mornings. I get a pair of scissors or pruners, wrap a plastic bag over my left hand, grab my coffee and go 'strolling' in the gardens, cutting off every deadhead I see. I toss the bag in the garbage can or empty it over my compost pile - depending on which is closest.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Poppy
Second followup:
This is another followup on the oriental poppies. After experiencing so much disappointment with them, I did a little research. Normally, I do this research prior to even purchasing a plant, but I 'assumed' that the Oriental Poppy required about the same care as the California Poppies that I've had such good luck with. Not so!
The orientals require a 'sweeter' soil (ph) and they don't like mulch up close to their stems. Needless to say, I pulled the mulch back from the stems; checked the ph (which was indeed low) then added some hydrated lime to the soil and watered it in good.
I think these poor cultivation practices along with the wet, cold winter we had all attributed to the bloom rot. I have new pods coming on now - and just pray that these are better than the last ones.
First follup:
In an earlier post I stated that this is my first year with Oriental Poppies.And I am quite disappointed at this point. ALL blooms, with the exception of the first one, have rotted prior to opening. The plants look fantastic, but a rotted bloom just ain't pretty.
I'll find out what causes this - meanwhile, if you know why this is happening, please share it with me.
This is another followup on the oriental poppies. After experiencing so much disappointment with them, I did a little research. Normally, I do this research prior to even purchasing a plant, but I 'assumed' that the Oriental Poppy required about the same care as the California Poppies that I've had such good luck with. Not so!
The orientals require a 'sweeter' soil (ph) and they don't like mulch up close to their stems. Needless to say, I pulled the mulch back from the stems; checked the ph (which was indeed low) then added some hydrated lime to the soil and watered it in good.
I think these poor cultivation practices along with the wet, cold winter we had all attributed to the bloom rot. I have new pods coming on now - and just pray that these are better than the last ones.
First follup:
In an earlier post I stated that this is my first year with Oriental Poppies.And I am quite disappointed at this point. ALL blooms, with the exception of the first one, have rotted prior to opening. The plants look fantastic, but a rotted bloom just ain't pretty.
I'll find out what causes this - meanwhile, if you know why this is happening, please share it with me.
Peony
You know, the instructions always tell you to plant peonies two inches deep - but I could never find out what you planted two inches deep - the bottom of the root? the crown of the plant?? What goes under two inches. So I've just always tried to do the best I could and 'guess'.
But his past weekend I learned that in order for them to get the proper cooling in the winter - which prepares it for blooming in the spring, the 'eyes' must be planted at ground level. According to Walter Reeves, The Georgia Gardener and my favorite male gardener, the eye is where the bloom is created and this is what needs the cooling.
I'm so happy to find this out - I have two that have NEVER bloomed. Now I suspect I know why. I'll reset these in the fall.
But his past weekend I learned that in order for them to get the proper cooling in the winter - which prepares it for blooming in the spring, the 'eyes' must be planted at ground level. According to Walter Reeves, The Georgia Gardener and my favorite male gardener, the eye is where the bloom is created and this is what needs the cooling.
I'm so happy to find this out - I have two that have NEVER bloomed. Now I suspect I know why. I'll reset these in the fall.
A really good day
Last week I got two very nice surprises in the mail. One from an internet gardening friend (IGF) and one from Baby Sister (BS). I just LOVE surprises like this - makes me feel 'special'.
Anyway, the little vases you see flanking the window are from my IGF and Monday I bought this neat plant for them. It's botanical name is Grassula Marginalis Rubra ' Variegata', but it's common name is Calico Kitten. It's a succulent that will eventually drape over the sides of the container.
The next special gift is the cup in the center from BS. You can't read the caption in this photo, but it says, "My favorite people call me Nana."
Needless to say, when I opened the box, it brought tears to my eyes . .this is a story too long to tell here. Maybe I'll share it another day and another time, but believe me - it's special!
Then I thought I must put something up there from other special people. The hen and rooster are from another sister, Helen. She didn't actually 'give' them to me, but I was visiting and saw them and asked for them. Being the kind sister she is, (man was I ever blessed with kind sisters) she said, "OK".
And the Coke bottle with the hand around it - another sister, Joyce (the oldest and the meanest), was an accountant for Coke for umpteen years! So you know what kind of birthday/Christmas we always got from her! This is special simply because it's the only Coke memorabilia she gave me that I broke. It was originally a pencil holder. It sat stately on my desk at work holding my pens and pencils for many years; but as I was packing my personal items at retirement, I broke off the section that held pencils. WaaaaaaWaaaaaaaa!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Rain
Like most of the southeast, we got our share of rain today. I haven't checked yet to see how much we did get - but it was a plenty!
My prayers are with those suffering floods and losses.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Another First for the Season
This 'visitor' is not welcome in my gardens. He's harmless (other than to make you hurt yourself)! In fact, he probably does more good than harm since rodents are his favorite dish.
Believe it or not, this is the FIRST I've actually seen in my gardens in my 20+ years of gardening. See him? He's just to the right of the clay pot - kinda looks like a crack in the concrete.
Speaking of Clay Pots . . .This one is "Italian" Clay which is touted as being the 'best' clay. Initially, I thought the sales clerk was only trying to empty out my purse. But I bit and bought it anyway. It's about 15 years old and has been in the elements continuously and has not one chip on it!
It cleans up easily as well. Right now I have some Pineapple Lilies in it that one of my favorite sisters gave me . .I'll post a photo of them when they open.
Three Days Later
Well, I was wrong about Pineapple lilies being in my Italian Clay pot! It's actually a Red Storm lily! But it's pretty anyway .. .hmmmmmmm Wonder where the Pineapple lilies are planted???
Believe it or not, this is the FIRST I've actually seen in my gardens in my 20+ years of gardening. See him? He's just to the right of the clay pot - kinda looks like a crack in the concrete.
It cleans up easily as well. Right now I have some Pineapple Lilies in it that one of my favorite sisters gave me . .I'll post a photo of them when they open.
Three Days Later
Well, I was wrong about Pineapple lilies being in my Italian Clay pot! It's actually a Red Storm lily! But it's pretty anyway .. .hmmmmmmm Wonder where the Pineapple lilies are planted???
Peony
This is my first Peony of the season. Quite a beautiful plant and bloom. As most of you probably know, the Peony is extremely slow to get started; and once she establishes her home, she doesn't like to be moved. Planting depth is quite critical for her as well. She will not bloom if the 'eyes' of her clump are more than two inches under the soil.
Other than that, culltivation is quite easy. She's very disease resistant and a not many bugs bother her. If you see ants climbing up your stems to the flowesr, don't panic. The ants won't hurt them; in fact, some horticulturist say that the ants aid the Peony bloom in openinng.
The biggest complaint of Peony growers is droopy stems. In fact, some industrious entrrepreneur even developed a special stake for her (bet that person made good). The Peony, like a lot of us females, is a heavy feeder and she especially loves Potassium. She's by Potassium as we are by chocolate.
I cut up my banana peels for the Potassium loving plants. Then work them lightly into the soil, being careful not to damage the roots.
Other than that, culltivation is quite easy. She's very disease resistant and a not many bugs bother her. If you see ants climbing up your stems to the flowesr, don't panic. The ants won't hurt them; in fact, some horticulturist say that the ants aid the Peony bloom in openinng.
The biggest complaint of Peony growers is droopy stems. In fact, some industrious entrrepreneur even developed a special stake for her (bet that person made good). The Peony, like a lot of us females, is a heavy feeder and she especially loves Potassium. She's by Potassium as we are by chocolate.
I cut up my banana peels for the Potassium loving plants. Then work them lightly into the soil, being careful not to damage the roots.
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