California Garden, Vol. 97, No.4, July-August 2006

2006·4.5 MB·English

by  San Diego Floral Association

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July/if 06 Volume97 >0
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4 Every Garden
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Bromeliads
ymenocallis
Mulchingtips
From the President
It's hard to believe that my two years as president ofSan Diego Floral Association have
cometoanend.It'sbeenanincredibleexperienceformetoleadCalifornia'soldesthorticultural
organizationasitapproa—chesits 100-yearcelebration. I'mproudofalltheaccomplishmentsof
thepastcoupleofyears thanksinlargeparttoverysupportiveanddevotedgoverningboard
memberstogetherwithdedicatedofficestaffandvolunteers.Whathavewedoneinthelast24
months?Alot!With an emphasis on outreach, we'vegainedmanynewmembers, and I hope
some ofthem will choose to become active volunteers. We've provided informative meetings
andprogramson topicsasdiverseasfloralandlandscapedesign, andthenumberofguests in
attendancehasincreased.TheSDFAlibraryhasprovidedservicestohundredsofFloralmembersandgueststoBalboaPark.Phase
oneofthelibraryrestorationincludedaddingafreshcoatofpainttowallsandcabinets,locatingandrestoringvaluableartifacts,
andrearrangingfurniture.Weacquiredsigns,includingafloralone-of-a-kindcarvedsignplacedatthelibraryentrancetoinform
visitorsofourlocation.Plansaretocontinueworkthissummer.Andourfabulousbookcollectioncontinuestoincreaseandtobe
upgradedunderthewatchfuleyesofournewlibrarian.Thetalentedwebsitecommitteemembersroutinelyupdatethecalendar,
program,andworkshopinformationandhaveimprovedandexpandedtheSDFAwebsitetobetterserveourmembersandthe
public.ContinuingaFloraltraditionofofferinggarden-relatedtours,wehaveprovidedaselectionofworthwhiletoursthatwere
enjoyedbymany.Ourlibrarywasnottheonlythingthatreceivedsomerejuvenation. I'mdelightedtoofferourmembersand
horticultural-mindedreadersthebeautifullyupdatedCaliforniaGardenmagazineundertheguidanceofourneweditorworking
withaskillfuleditorialcommittee.It'snotonlyavisualtreat,butthecontentisinformativeandvaluabletoourbroadaudience.
Itjustkeepsgettingbetter!
OurmissiontosupportandcollaboratewithFloralaffiliates,communityorganizations,andBalboaParkwasmetinnumerous
waysthesepastcoupleofyears.Donationsweregiventovariousgardenclubsandorganizationsforworthwhileprojects,funds
wereprovidedtoanoutdoorschoolforfirerenovation,andtreeswerepurchasedandplantedtohonoroutstandingpastFloral
leaders.Weparticipatedingardenfestivals,mastergardenerseminars,andtheSanDiegoCountyFair.Usingthefundsfroma
successfulfundraiser,wepurchasedalarge,bronzeplaqueandinstalleditduringaspecialdedicationevent.TheA.D.Robinson
plaque nowprominentlyhangs inside the Botanical Building in the park. Furthermore, our participation in the December
Nightseventintheparklastyearaccommodatedarecord-breakingnumberofguestswhoenjoyedouruniquevenue.Ianticipate
manyexcitingtimesaheadforFloral,includingourcentennialyearofcelebrations.Happybirthday,SDFA!Ithankandapplaud
everyonewithwhomI'vehadthegoodfortuneofworkingthesepastfewyears.
Finally,I'dliketoextendawarmwelcometoallournew,incomingofficers,directors,andvolunteers.Youbringvitalityto
theorganization.Ilookforwardtocontinuingasavolunteerandpromotingtheobjectivesoftheassociationandtoenjoying
thebenefitsofthishistoricorganization.Allbestwishestothemembership,readers,andmygardeningfriends.
Florallyyours,
r
"\
We NeedYour help!
ShareyourexpertisewithusandhelpmakeCaliforniaGardenabettermagazine! We'relookingforfreelance
volunteerwritersandphotographerswhocansupplycontent.Ifyou'dliketovolunteerorwouldlikemore
information,[email protected].
2 July/August2006
I
California Mail:l650ElPrado#105
SanDiego,CA92101-1622
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MondaythroughFriday,10:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
619-232-5762
LibraryofCongressISSN0008-1116 www.sdfloral.org
Telephone[phone]
PublishedbySanDiegoFloralAssociation President:DeeKrutop([email protected])
for97years ArrangersGuildChair:DorothyElwell(858-452-1397)
PUBLICATIONSTAFF
EDITOR Volume97,Number4
JohnHogan TheMagazineforHands-OnGardeners
[email protected] andFloralDesigners
CALENDAREDITOR July/August2006
KarinKratz
Features
[email protected]
NOWISTHETIMEEDITOR BegintheBegonia g
Staff MightyMulchCanSavetheDay 8
[email protected] GoodSpidersintheGarden 14
AFFILIATELISTINGEDITOR BreathMintsNotIncluded 20
[email protected] TheWaterConservationGarden 22
BOOK&VIDEOREVIEWEDITOR
JeanHughes
[email protected]
ADVERTISING Departments
KayHarry
DigIn! 4
RENEWALS NowIstheTime 10
Staff
HorticulturalCalendar 15-19
EDITORIALCOMMITTEE
Reviews 24
LindaBerger
KathyTaylordeMurillo Affiliates 29
KayHarry
RobertHorwitz
KarinKratz
FredrikLiljeblad
JohnNoble Claimsandopinionsexpressedbyadvertisersdonotnecessarilyreflecttheviews
oftheeditorandpublisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine.
Wewelcomearticles,photographs,drawings,andideas CopiesofCaliforniaGardencanbeorderedbymailfor$3.00percopyplus$1.00postage.
from amateurs and professionals. Deadlines for the
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orartwork. We cannotguaranteethesafereturn of
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parneyfearrnadblayllbesuabnmietmatieldamtattaercihamle.ntSuibnmMiiscsrioosnosftsWhoourldd WSAANLTDEIREAGONDFELROSREANLANSUSROSCEIRAYT,I6O1N9,-262149--8223721-,5376624,2CEantsearpdreilsPerSatd.,oS#a1n05D,ieSgaon,DCiAego9,21C1A092101
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Sla6n50DiEelgPor,aCdAo#91201501-1622 Garden,1650ElPrado#105,SanDiego,CA92101-1622
July/August2006 I 3
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News, tips, advice, and products you can use.
The Exotic Bromeliad
Thebromeliadisamemberofagreatfamilyofplants For further information and general help,
knownas bromeliaceae. Bestknownisthepineapple. visitthe BromeliadStudyGroup ofBalboa
They are native to South and Central American Park. Meetings are held the second
countries,wheretheyarefoundmainlyinthehumidjungles, Q I Tuesday ofeach month at 7:00
growingontreesasepiphytes.(TTieydonotderivesustenance ^b^^^^^k, P-m- *n R°om 104, Casa
fromtheirhosts.Theyarenotparasites.)Someareterrestrials, del Prado. There, you will
growingintheground,andothersaresaxicolous,clingingto meetitsfriendlygroup,who
rocksandclifffaces.Bromeliadsareveryadaptabletovarious always exchange their ideas
environments,makingthemoneofthemostversatileplants with the restoftheirfellows membersand
intheworld. visitors. The objectives of the Bromeliad
Allbromeliadshavetheabilityto Study Group are to promote and
absorbwaterandnutrientsthrough maintainpublicandscientificinterest
theirleaves,wheretheyarestoredand inresearch,developmentpreservation,
protected from evaporation. Their anddistributionofthebromeliaceae.
colorful inflorescence, which lasts At each meeting, after the
forseveralweeksto manymonths, educationalprogram,agenerousplant
will decorate ahome and enhance raffle is held to provide everyone the
apatio,garden,orlandscape.Being opportunity to start or add to their
easy to grow and maintain, they collections at a minimal cost. Be
havecaughttheattention ofmany prepared to take homesome ofthese
plantenthusiastswhohavebecome niceplants.Visitorsandnewmembers
bromeliadcollectors. With the large are most welcome. When you join,
varietyofspeciesandhybrids,growing youwill receive the colorful monthly
theseplantsisanenjoyablehobby. newsletter.
The illustrated picture is an
exampleofthevarietyinthisgenus. RECOMMENDED
The commonly known pineapple READING
(genusAnanus, the name given by
theGuaraniIndiansofBrazil),itis aBnrdomGerleieandhsoufsoerbHyomWee,rnGearrdReanu,h
believed that Ananas comosus var.
variegatus is the most decorative (BlandfordPress)
and ornamental in its variety. It
hasstripedlongitudinalleaveswith Asawelcome, newmemberswill
stunningbright colors ofshocking be presentedwith a nice plant at the
pink, green, and cream, bearing followingmeeting. Memberscanalso
the edible and colorful pineapple, borrow books from the study group
withthe"topknot"ofvariegatedleavesandoffsets(calledpups) library,andescortservicetoyourcarafterthemeetingisprovided
growingatthebaseofthefruit.Thefruitingheadoftheplantis onrequest. MarySiemers
tsohielmtionsitaatrturaenoefwthpelamnott,haenrdptlhaentp.uIptscacnanbebecudtivoiffdeadndanpdotptoetdteidn Haveatipyou'dliketosharewith California Gardenreaders?
[email protected].
aswell.
4 July/August2006
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Garden
Highlights
Cerinthe major purpurascens has been described as Not), heliotrope, beggar's lice, and many pestiferous plants.
one ofthe 100 most beautiful plants in theworld. ThewordcerinthecomesfromtheGreekkeros(wax)andanthos
Itcertainlylives up tothatloftyreputationwithits (flower).Major(largeorhigh)comesfromtheLatinmaiorand
beautifulnoddingclustersofbluish-purplebracts(bractsaxea possiblyreferstotheflowersize,whichislargerthanthatofother
modifiedleaf)andfleshy,mottled,blue-greenleavesspiraling cerinthe species. Purpurascens comes from the Latinpurpura
upthearchingstemsandpurple-blueflowersona2-3ft.tall (purple color). More than
annual plant. The flowers are tubular bells ofintense blue 2,000 years ago, Virgil,
orpurple, delicatelyscallopedandlinedincream. Cerinthe the ancient Roman poet, WEBSITES
bloomsprofuselyinspringandsummer,whichmeansnearly described using this plant WWW.ANNIESANNUALS.COM
allyearroundinSanDiegoCounty. as an offeringto swarming WWW.GARDEN.ORG
AMediterraneannative,itisextremelyeasytogrow—andit beesinordertoenticethem WWWWWW..LMOAGLHTOAUWSILEDPPLLAANNTTSS..CCOOMM
reseeds!Itlikesfullsunandaveragewaterandthrivesinallzones.I into a newhive. Itgot the WWW.RAINYSIDE.COM
havenotnoticedanysusceptibilitytoinsectsanditdoeswellwith name cerinthe because of BOOKS
benignneglect.Bythetimetheplantdies,itwillhavereseededand the waxiness of its leaves pulm0nar1asandtheboragefamily
newplantswillbeemergingtorepeatthegloriouscycle. andthebeliefthatbeesgot byMashaBennett
Cerinthe(serIHNthee)belongstoagenusof14speciesof wax for their hives from (timberpress,isbn:0881925896)
flowers (Boraginaceae) thatincludestheborage (orForget-Me- thisplant.
Originatingin the Mediterranean area, itwas introduced
into cultivation in 1596. Commonlyknown ashoneywort, it
isalsoreferredtoasDwarfKiwiBlue, BlueShrimpPlant,and
BlueWaxFlower.AlthoughgrowninEuropeanpleasuregardens
since the middle ages, this Mediterranean native was rarely
grownintheWestuntilacoupledecadesago.Abeautifuland
unusualannual,itattractshummingbirdsandbeesbecauseofits
plentifulnectar.
Thereareseveralvarietiesofcerinthe,butthemostpopular
in gardens and nurseries is Cerinthe major var. Purpurascens.
In early summer, Greek fields are ablaze with these common
wildflowers. Thestunningcolormakes itagreatcutflower. It
canalsobeusedwithotherflowers,similartousingbaby'sbreath
toenhanceyourfloralarrangement. SueHauwiller
Request for Floral Memorabilia
Enter the San Diego Floral Association office and Nextyear, SDFAcelebrates the 100th anniversaryofour
library and you will be surrounded by floral history. founding.Theboardisnowrequestingmemberswhomayhave
The portraits ofKate Sessions, A.D. Robinson, and savedpartofthishistoryandwanttoshareitforthisspecialoccasion
MaryGreerlookdownatusandatthetrophiestheywonfor ordonateitforourarchivestocontactKayHarry,619-222-5207
outstanding roses and gardens from 1923 to 1932. Tucked [email protected]
away from the light are the framed ribbons won in flower beautifulflowershowslidesfrom1950fromMrs.Edger,arelative
showsbymanySDFAmembers.Memberswithaninterestin ofoneofourmostprominentmembers, MaryGreer. Giftslike
floraldesignmaylookthroughscrapbooksofpastfloraldesign thiswillbecomeavaluablepartofourarchivalhistoryandmay
shows. You can also access any California Garden magazine be used in manyways for our centennial activities. Wewould
from 1910tothepresentinourboundcopies. appreciateyourhelpinthisimportantendeavor. KayHarry
July/August2006 i 5
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ed b
w
L L
1 1
byMichaelLudwig
"they're woven throughout your life. You're growing low-lightgrowingspecies.Variationsandpossibilitiesarenearly
beddingbegonias in the garden or in apotatyour limitlesswithinBegoniaspeciesandtheonesnaturedidn'tthink
_l. frontdoor,yourememberthe6-footbamboostems of,thehybridizerhasmixedandmatchedtoproduce.
ofBegoniaLucernainyourbackyardasyougrewupandthe But,alas,ifyou'veseenonebegoniaflower,you'veonlyseentwo.
htuabderbseautthiaftulwelrileypsatadrtaenddilnetttuhceeslperafinbgeg.oYnoiuarsggrroawnidnmgotnheexrt Tpihnekybcuotmteheirneamraelyeelalnowd,freemda,lae.ndCoolroanrgiesslpiemciiteesdatnodmtohessdeyhawvheitbeeeonr
to thewindows onplantstands. Youeven receivedaReiger exploitedbythehybridizertobroadenhorizonsinthevariousgrowth
begoniaatChristmasfromafriend.They'reeverywhere.Orat habits.Thecharacteristicclamshelltepalsopensuptoshowthebright
leasttheyshouldbe. yellowstameninthecenterofthemaleflowerwithfewifanyextra
Diversity!Begonias,withtheirvarietyofshapes,sizes,textures, tepals.Theexceptionistheflamboyant Tuberhybrida. Inthese, the
andcolors andtheirrangeofhabitats, have theabilityto be a stamenshavetransformedthemselvesintoawid—erangeofpetalsto
plantforalmostanyconditioninthehouseorgarden.Fromthe createtruemasterpieces.Inprimegrowingareas CoastalNorthern
diminutiveterrarium-lovingB.prismatocarpatothetowering10- Californiaand up,—England and Scodand, and NewZealand and
footB. luxurians, there'saplanttofitanylocation.Tinyleaves SouthernAustralia thesepetalswillcreateaflowernearly12inches
halfthesizeofafingernailtogiant2-to3-footmonstersareall across.Thefemaletepalsopentorevealthestylesandstigmaticsurfaces,
possible. They're mostly asymmetric, but they don't just come alsowithfewextratepals.Thistakesplaceinfrontofaninferiorovary
inroundish,earlike,orangelwingconfigurations.Theymaybe thatusuallycontains3cellsinwhichthedustlikeseedwillmature.
lanceolate, deeply cut, compound to highly dissected fernlike Begonia is a large genus among flowering plants, with
leaves. Surfaces may be smooth to highly topographical with approximately 1,500 species. There is only one other genus,
raisedandsunkenveinsorareasbetweenthem;plus,theycanbe Hillebrandia,intheBegoniaceaefamily.Hillebrandiasandwicensisisa
glabroustohighlyhirsute,top,bottom,orboth.Oh,andlet'snot seldom-cultivatedplantfromtheHawaiianislands;itgrowsinmoist
forget—thepossibilityofadventitiousgrowths.Timetoaddsome areasinthetropicalrainforestandalongstreambeds.Ithasafleshy
color afullrangeofgreensareherealongwithreds,pinks,silver, rhizomethatallowstheplanttogodormantduringthesummerand
whites,andyellowsindots,lines,streaks,splashes,splotches,and autumnbutisfavoredamongtheferalpigsontheislands,which
glazes. Intheroyalty, theB. rexcultorumgroup, allthesecolors has contributed to its decliningpopulation. The 12 members of
arepossibleinoneleaf.There'seventhepossibilityofblueina Symbegonia,anothergenus,havenowbeenmergedintoBegonia.
.
tof^iWndhaewnaydetaolibnrgewaiktihtdsoucwhnailnatrogemgoerneusm,anita'sgneeacbelsesagrryofuoprsbottoawniosrtks Tahnedysdtoonp'tgrloikweinwge,ttfheeeti,refsepeedciianlglyainfdthweayt'reericnogld.muTshteyalwsiolldhecalnidnlee.
withforclassification.InBegonia,that'ssections.Thedefinitivework thecoldbetteriftheyareonthedryside.Lookatarhizomatous
on thisis TheSectionsofBegonia:IncludingDescriptions, Keys, and begoniaandseethatasahugewaterreservoirgrowingalongthe
SpeciesLists byJ.Doorenbos,M.S.M.Sosef,andJ.J.F.E.deWilde ground.Begoniasaresucculentandmostwillwait.Ifindoubt,wait
(AgriculturalUniversity, 1998).ThisisnumbersixintheStudiesof anotherdayortwo.Abalancedliquidfertilizerwillworkfinewhen
BegoniaceaeseriesbytheWageningenAgriculturalUniversityinThe usedregularlyduringthegrowingseason.Timedreleaseformulas
Netherlands. It identifies 63 characteristics that are combined in areeasytoapplyandkeepplantsfatandhappy.
vhfsoaar,rvoienmooustispseacoclloifempgsblraifennartatostmhifeiotolnnpnseeiaontgfleiyohdgaievrnneattspoihfatyihnicendgadrheeiatfa.v,ienSseoondomktseenscobtiwienoigtnoonsng.6i3Saweshsceetarcirteeoinoarsnespst.tleranEindcvtteteinods gmtorioxawpiiBsaencpggrkoeacnfagieneraerdssemdaa,irnxewd.isthsI'ahhvlrealusoblewiste-tnnrleoesoeeotxdmetrdaeadampenieexrdpleeidstroetphowoarettlmlwfaoeiryrnbeslteianbkesiexloitptmoytte.osA.bcaoTlrnhockeoraseetdtaedsloeliiednlr
ortehnlelyiyrotnosewaeadstsie,nrgloenrepiwotpihunelrdattiooofnd.iwsThpheiircssheisdu_etothefactthatmostbegonias consistencyandweightandstillletmbiexgotnhiaatsy,ogur'or™wecbeoamuftoirfutlalbyl.eUwsietha
offerslong°-ran°gemovement. BegOnlaS are eUSyV tO o?TOW. The trick p*l?ant*s""wi.llbeplangts$tth'atare7fr"ee
Begoniasareeasytogrow.The j.S matchi,ng VOUTgTOWlflg COflditiOTlS ofpestsanddiseases. Ihavefew
ctroincdkitiisomnsatcahnidnghyaboiutrsgtroowitnhge ^(1 hUDlt. S tO the Ti.ght DegOUia.S. pocrcoabslieomnsalwimtehamlyybubge,gonsicaasl.e,Thoer
rightbegonias.Themaingrowth aphid may be treated with an
habitsforbegoniasarecanes, shrubs, rhizomatous, semperflorens- appropriatepesticide.Theappearanceofmildewshouldbequickly
cultorum, tuberous, rex-cultorum, trailingorscandent, andthick- controlledwithafungicide.Alwaysreadlabelsforproperuse.
stemmed. Light,water, humidity, andtemperatureareinterwoven Propagation is quickandeasy.Apieceofastemorrhizome
withsoilmix,potsize,andtype;thesewilldeterminefeeding. will rooteasily. Aleaffrom a rhizomatous can be started like an
Enclosedcontainersorterrariumsaretheultimateincontrol. Africanvioletleaf.Youcan usewater, perlite, orevensoil mixto
Therearebegoniasthatmustbegrownenclosedbecauseourhomes dothis.Doencloseittoincreasehumidityandkeepthecuttingor
oryardsdon'tofferthehumidityorprotectionthattheyrequire.They leaffreshduringtherooting.Thedustlikeseedcanbesurface-sown
maybesmallorlargeplants.B.prismatocarpaisasmallplantbutwill inanencl—osedcontainer.Mostwillgerminateandbeupwithina
coverthegroundinanysizecontainer;othersneedalargecontainer fewweeks somewithinaweek.Transplantthemupasneededand
forheightreasons.B.Exoticawillbecomeseveralfeethighandenjoys opentotheairastheyarelargeenough.
aterrarium.Mostbegoniaswillbehappywithaveragehumidity. New books are available increasing the valuable resource
Begoniasgrowinawiderangeoflightconditions.Individual ofknowledge aboutbegonias. MarkC.TebbittoftheBrooklyn
plants also grow in a range and will need time to find the best Botanical Gardenhas thewonderful bookBegonias: Cultivation,
lighting.Alongthecoast,somewilltakefullsun(e.g.,semperflorens Identification, andNaturalHistorypublishedin 2005 byTimber
orcanes), butsomeshadingwillmake mostbegoniaslooktheir Press. Begonias ofPeninsular Malaysia by Ruth Kiew of the
lushestinmostlocations.Intoomuchlight,theleaveswillbecome SingaporeBotanicGardens,alsopublishedin2005,isanexcellent
smaller and thicker. Leafmarking may come and go with the bookpublishedbyNatural HistoryPublications (Borneo). Both
light levels also, especiallyin rhizomatous types. Generally, light aregreatreadingandgivenewmaterialtothe 1981 Begonias: The
requirements, from highest to lowest, would be semperflorens, CompleteReferenceGuidebyMildredL.ThompsonandEdwardJ.
canes, thick-stemmed, shrubs, tuberous, trailing or scandent Thompson.Theweboffersgreatinformationalso.TheAmerican
rhizomatous, andrex. Thereareexceptions ofcourse. Iftheyare BegoniaSociety'spageatwww.begonias.orgisavaluablestarting
receivingtoolittlelight,theleaveswillbelarger,petiolesandstems point. TheABS'sAstro Branch inTexas has a rich information
willbeoverlyelongated, plantswillgetfloppy, bloomingwillbe siteathttp://absastro.tripod.com.Therearenumerousothersthat
sparser,andcolorswillbelessvibrant. offerdetailedandfascinatinginformation.KartuzGreenhousesin
Begoniasarecomfortableinarangeof55to85degreesFahrenheit, Vistaoffersanexcellentselectionofbegoniasandotherplants,and
with a definite drop at night. This is very important. Growers in hybridizerBradThompsonhasrecentlymovedthereandwillbe
SacramentoandFloridahaveproblemswithsomebegoniasbecause, offeringhishybridsatthenursery.
duringthesummer,theywillnotgetadequatecoolingatnight. Thediversityofbegoniasisexpandingdaily.Newspeciesare
WhenOvewra-tweraitnegr,intgheiswwhhoalteksiolillsmmaasnsysphloauntlsd,mionicsltuedningthboergooungihasl.y breeiinntgrocdoulcleedc.teHdybarrioduinzdersthaereweoxrlpda,ndoilndgothneeisrmbaeginigcucsoillnegctthedenaenwd
andthenbeallowedtostarttodryslightlybeforewateringagain. speciestocreatenewtreasures. Growersandbotanistsarewriting
When activelygrowing, begonias will take regularwateringand newbooksorwebpagestoshareknowledgewithothers.
feedingforoptimal growth.As theweathercools andtheyslow HorticidturalistMichaelLudwigispresidentoftheMargaretLee branch
oftheAmericanBegoniaSociety
July/August2006 I 7
Mighty
IC
I !
Can Save the Day
byJohn Noble
Thishotanddrytimeofyearis hardon ourgardens, forclaysoils.
especiallyinthedesertandinlandareas. Often,these Cacaohullshaveadelicioussmell.Theyaregreattoplacein
areas go without rain for five or six months. Near someflowerbedswhenthereisgoingtobeaparty.Note:Dogs
thecoast, somecloudymarinelayermayprovideminorrelief, mayeathullsandgetsick.
and sometimes this includes awet fog. In the mountains, an Papermakesgoodmulch.Coverweedyareasofyourgarden
occasionalsummerthunderstormwillgiverelief. with Sunday's newspaper. Then cover paperwith an inch or
What canwe do to help ourgardens? Mulch, ofcourse! two ofcompost. Weed as needed. Gravel makes wonderful
Mulchisanymaterial, naturalorartificial, thatis appliedon mulch.Itwilllastforyears.Therearemanycolorsandsizesto
topofthesoilsurface.Itincludescompost,soilamendments, choosefrom.Threetofourinchesofgravelworkswell.
straw,shreddedbark,walk-onbark,peatmoss,ricehulls,cocoa Weedclothcontrolsweeds.Itisasyntheticmaterialwithtiny
hulls,paper,gravel,weedcloth,andplasticsheeting. holesthatallowwaterandairthroughbutprohibitsweedgrowth.
—
Compostisidealmulch.Everygardenshouldhaveacompost It doesn't biodegrade, so be careful either bury under three
system.Foodscraps,lawnclippings,leaves,andnewspaperscan orfourinchesofgraveloruseitonthesurfaceasatemporary
beconvertedintorichblackcompost.Soilamendmentsinclude cover.Otherwise,thegardenlookslikeithasplasticgarbagebags
forestproducts,sand,andmanure.Manytypesareavailable.For plantedeverywhere.
smallgardens,thesebagsofamendmentworkwell.Checkwith Mukh shades the soil surface Observe our natural
yourlocalnurseryfortheonestheyrecommend. habitats. Most ofthe hills are covered with shrubs, grasses,
Strawmakes goodmulch. Try it in pathways or around orwildflowers. Inthesummer, manyplantsdryup, butstill
vegetablegardens.Ithasanice,clean,light,brighteffect. tney provide a blanket ofshade over the soil surface. This
Barkmakesgreatmulch.Thesmallwalk-onbarkishighly definitelyhelpswithwaterretention. Ifaweedwhackerand
recommended. This bark works well for pathways and in rake clean up a landscape, there is no protection from the
flowerbeds. Larger barks will work iftheir texture is desired, powerfulraysofthesun.
Shreddedbark,becauseofitsmattingeffect,workswellonsteep Mulch regulates the soil temperature. Manyseeds and
slopesandonslippery,wet,slopingpathways.Theuseofbarkmay plants need a warm soH temperature for healthy growth. So
requiresomefertilizerstobeadded. waiting for late spring or early summer before mulching is
Peatmossisgreatforthesoil.Itholdswaterandhelpsboth definitely recommended. Then the soil temperature will be
clay and sandy soils. Because it is very light and warmbutnotbakinghot.
absorbswaterslowly,itisbestusedmixedintothe WHERETOFINDCOMPOST Mulch can help water
soil.Ifusedassurfacemulch,combineitwithother MiramarLandfill infiltrate the ground. If you
materials. EnvironmentalServicesDepartment have ever attempted to water
www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/
Ricehullsarefoundinsomesoilamendments. miramarIcmw.shtml a baked, dry soil, you might
Theybreakdownveryslowlyandarerecommended 858-492-6100 recall howthewater balled up
8 I July/August2006
''
on the surface and starred ro run off. The dry soil has an
initialresistance.Ittakestimeforthewatertostartenterine
into the soil. Once the soil is moistened, itwill begin to idners
pull more water into the soil. Mulch traps water in the
soil. With mulching and deep watering, gardens will do PLANTS,
well. Thewaterwill penetrate deep into the soil and the IN LIVING COLOR
mulch will act as a blanket holding the moisture in the
ground.
Welcome to a World ofColor
Mulchhelpsoursoils.Asorganicmulchesbreakdown,
theyenterthesoil. Organicmatterhelpswiththestructure When You Visit Weidners Gardens.
ofthe soil. In dense clay soils, organic matter helps with
water percolation and aeration. Adding gypsum will also
open up thesoil. In sandysoils, organicmatterhelpswith You'll find thelargestandbestselectionof
waterretention.
Fuchsias inall sizes
Mulchishealthyforourplants.Compostislikegold.It You'll find Begoniasfrombig flashytuberous
isrichinnitrogenandothernutrientsforthehealthofour
gardens.Ifyouhaveenoughgoodhomegrowncompost,you tounusual specialtybegonias
mayneverneedtobuycommercialfertilizers. You'll find the newest in plant material
Mulchhelpspreventerosion.Mulchprovidesagreatersurface like the new superred
areaforraintoadheretoandworkitswayaround.Thisprovides Sun Parasol Crimson Mandevillea
time for the rain to slowly seep into the soil. Topsoil is very (Youknow itas CrimsonDipladenia)
valuable,sopreventingerosionislikewisevaluable.
Mulchcancontrolweeds.Forthis,thedeeperthebetter;four You'll find interesting and beautiful
tosixinchesofmulchisideal.Afew,ifany,weedswillsurvive. plantswheneveryou come.
Followuphandweedingtocontrolthemall. Justdon'tcome onTuesdays.
Gardendesignandthedesiredeffectsofthemulchshould Tosee and learn more, goto
determineyourselectionoftypeofmulch.Forexample:Acacti www.weidners.com
andsucculentgardenlooksgreatwithagravelcover.Threeor
fourinchesofgravelhelpscontrolweeds,stopserosion,allows LocatedinEncinitas onthe
watertopercolatethroughsoil,increasesaerationatsoilsurface,
eastside ofthe 5 freeway
andsaveswaterbyshadingthesoilsurface.
betweenLeucadiaandLaCostaexits.
The use oftwo different types ofmulch can work for
function and design. Rich dark black compost, spread
695 NormandyRd.
throughoutthefloweringbeds,willgivecontrastanddefinition
toapathwayoflightbrowngroundcoverbark.Thedarkblack onthe cornerofPiraeus andNormandy.
compostwill controlweeds, feed the plants and savewater. 760-436-2194
Thelightbrownbarkwillcontrolweedsandsavewater. For open9:30to 5:00 daily, exceptTuesdays
afewdollars,thesetwomulcheswillgiveyourgardenaclean
andfreshlooksimilartoabrandnewlandscape.
Thehealthofyourgardenisdeterminedbymanyfactors.
idners
Sufficient water is definitely one. Healthy soil is another.
And then of course there is the heroic and varied
— PLANTS,
benefactor mulch. IN LIVINGCOLOR
JohnNobleistheownerojCoastalSageGardeningand
BotanyJorKids,aswellascojounderojlnHarmonyHerbs
andSpices.
July/August2006 9
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African Violets @TowaituntilSeptemberorOctobertotransplantbonsai.
BarbaraConrad UToremoveexcessblossomsfromtreestosavetheir
UTomaintainroomtemperatureforvioletsabove60°and vsatrrieentgiteshifnorJunleyx—tyneaort.lDateefro.liatesomeofthedeciduous
below80°.
UTobrushleaveswithacamelhairbrushtoremovedustor Bromeliads
evenpethairs. Mary Siemers, Bromeliad StudyGroup of Balboa Park
UTomistvioletsperiodicallyinhotweatherwithavery UToprotectplantsfromgettingsunburnbykeepingthem
warmwaterinaspraybottle.Thewaterwillcoolbeforeit undershadeclothoranyothermaterialthatwillprovide
hitstheplantsandprovideextramoisture.Blotcentersdry plentyoflightfortheirbestcolorandconformation.
toavoidbrightsunlightuntildropletsdry. UTowaterbysprayingentireplant,asbromeliadsabsorb
UTosearchforouterleaveshavingpowderymildew. Rub moistureandnutrientstroughtheirleaves.Becarefulnot
themlightlywithfingersunderthefaucetwithwarm toover-waterthemedia,topreventunhealthysoggyroots.
water. Patdry.Trytoplacetheplantswherethereisbetter UTofertilizemonthlyduringwarmweather,byspraying
aircirculation. withwater-solublefertilizer,especiallyonehighinacid,
UTowatchforvioletswithleaveshavinglongpetioles, usingone-halftherecommendedamountonthelabel.
indicatingthattheplantisnotgettingenoughlight.Plants (Bromeliadsdonotcareforfishemulsion).
intheselocationsarelesslikelytobloomoften. UTofertilizerootswithaslowtime-releasefertilizer
Begonias (preferablygranulartype)everythreemonths.Example:
— Fora6-inchcontainer,spreadoneteaspoonoffertilizer
brepotplantsifneeded stepuptothenextsizecontainer. overthemediaaroundtheplant.
bmakecuttingswhentrimmingorpruning. UTomakenewplantsbycuttingoffsets(pups)whentheyare
bgroomandinspectplantsthroughoutgrowingseason. one-thirdtoone-halfthesizeofthemotherplant.Warmweather
bcheckformildew—sprayatonceforcontrol. willencouragerootgrowth.Alwaysprovidegooddrainage.
bcheckforsnails,slugs,andfungus. Cacti and Succulents
potrootedcuttingsandleaves. UTowatchplantsduringhotweather.Iftheydryouttoo
continuefeeding. much,theycanshrivelandburninthesun. Protectdelicate
b remove oldflowers from tuberous type bysnappingoff specimensfromthesunwithscreen.
theblossoms,notthestems. UTowaterplantscarefully. Someliketodrybetween
UTofeedtuberousplantswhenflowerbudsappear. Feedone waterings;otherscantakeitwetter.Uselessontheplants
ttoabolneespgoaolnloHniogfhw-aBtlero.omandonetablespoonoffishemulsion UthTaotafreertdiloirzemagnrto.wingplantsbutdonotoverfeed.Agood
ruleofthumbishalfstreng—theveryotherwatering.
Bonsai UTowatchplantsforpests especiallysnails.Treat
San Diego Bonsai Club immediatelybutbecarefulwithinsecticides.
UhoTtomwoanttehrs,,waitteirs,bwesattetro—wabtuetrneoartlyovienr-twhaetedra.y.DSuorimnegbtohnesai UUyoTTuoorceplnhajenoctyks.yfoorurplcaonltlsectthiaotn—neetadkreeapoltitttilnegtiamnedtdoolsooo.kat
mayneedtwoorthreewateringsonhot,drydays.
bturnsometreesforevensunexposure. California Natives
bprotectsomeplantsbymovingintoashadedareaout John Noble
ofdirectsun.
UTocheckforinsectsandpests—spraywithadilutedspray(Be letyourgardengointothesummershow.Theannuals
carefulwithelmtrees,whichusuallydonotneedspraying.) godry,andmanyoftheperennialshrubsandtreeswillgo
UTomistorsprayfoliageofcertainbonsai,thosethatare intoasummerdormancy. Otherperennialswillthrivein
humidity-loving,intheeveningorearlymorning. thesummertimedryness.
10 July/August2006
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