California Garden, Vol. 99, No.2, March-April 2008

2008·6.7 MB·English

by  San Diego Floral Association

March/April2008 Volume99No.2 $4.00
* _f*^
Bonsai Primer • Gardening for Fire
JOIN US INCE
of the wonders of hH
Quail Botanidbl Garden
12th Annual Herb Festival.
ALGUEST-LucindaHutson,authorofThe
HerbGardenCookbookandjTequila!Cookingwiththe
SpiritofMexico,Thisnationallycelebratedlecturerand
renownedorganicgardeneranddesignerwillspeak
at2:30pmbothdays.
SPECIALgI)ESTFORKIDS-JanellCannon,author-
illustratorofaward-winningStellaluna.Janellwill
readLittleYauandTrupp,partofherFuzzheadseries
withcraftstofollowat11 amSaturday.!
TOMATOMANIA -lecturesandplentyofhybrid
tomatoseedlings
RINGPLANTSALE-lotsofvendors,lotsofplants
ANDMORE-guidedtoursoftheHerbGarden,
on-goingspeakersongardenandherb-relatedtopics,
BOTANICALGARDENS
HerbFestivalMarket-place,theA-ZofHerbsinformation
booths,teatastings,musicinthegazebo 230QuailGardensDr.,
Encinitas,CA92024
[phone]ext.206
www.qbgardens.org
California
GARDEN
TheMagazineforHands-OnGardenersandFloralDesigners
\
March/April2008,Volume99,Number2
PUBLICATIONSTAFF DIG IN
EXECUTIVEEDITOR BattleoftheBlooms 6
LucyWarren AprilSpeaker:MerryStreetofZenspirationGardens 7
MANAGINGEDITOR Home,SweetHome:Hollyhocks 7
AmyR.Wood FlowerArrangingTips 8
BOOK&VIDEOEDITOR WeWillMissRobertHorowitz 8
DiggingDeep:WorldBeatCenter'sChildren'sEthnobotanicalGarden 9
JeanC.Hughes MyFavoritePlace 9
CONTRIBUTINGEDITORS FlowerPowerWins 9
ChristopherCroom,AlyssaHolderbein, HealthyHouseplants 10
MargeHoward-Jones,EleanorRaeJorgensen,
JohnNoble,PatPawlowski,VictoriaPhillips, FEATURES
LauraStarr,GeraldD.Stewart,PhilTacktill,
KathyTaylordeMurillo TheGood,TheBadandTheStinky:FragrantOrchids 12
ARTDIRECTOR GardenConversations:Orchids 16
RachelCobb TreeInaTray:AQuickandEasyBonsaiPrimer 18
ADVERTISING GettingFirewise 26
KayHarry REGULARS
AFFILIATELISTING
BookReviews 20
JeannetteDutton
NowistheTime 22
RENEWALS
Calendar 31
LisaRichey AffiliateList 35
[email protected] FromtheArchives 38
EDITORIALBOARD
DorothyCarroll,KayHarry,RobertHorowitz, CaliforniaGarden
JohnNoble,KathyTaylordeMurillo, PublishedbySanDiegoFloralAssociationfor99years
LucyWarren,AmyR.Wood LibraryofCongressISSN0008-1116
SPECIALTHANKS President:KayHarry([email protected])
ArrangersGuildChair:SuzanneMichel
NowistheTimecontributors, Headquarters:CasadelPrado,Room105,BalboaPark,619-232-5762
PrCoatleicftoironniaanDdepVaIrPtmPehnottoogfraFporheesrtWryesanSdchFuilrtez, Hours:Monday-Friday,10a.m.to3p.m.
www.sdfloral.org
EricM.Wood,DebraLeeBaldwin
Claimsandopinionsexpressedbyadvertisersdononecessarilyreflecttheviewsoftheeditorand
Wewelcomearticles,photographs,drawingsand publisherofCaliforniaGardenmagazine.CopiesofCaliforniaGardencanbeorderedbymailfor
ideas.Deadlinesarethe10thofJanuary,March, $4percopyplus$2shippingandhandling.SinglecopiesofthecurrentissueofCaliforniaGarden
May,July,SeptemberandNovember.Wedonot magazinecanbepurchasedforadonationof$4atthelocationslistedbelow.
ptrmtashaeheatetnsotyetesarsrfeciatovhoaforemlefsaeu.trrnsthtethieWtosecunalereurinsitnaghaoohoCMsrftriDksacm.trraoatttohAnweesaldodrotlirifdtkatool.sapsunWW.inbonyometCiiraonascdlnensaicsdinfedonoseoansroxlcsanltpurirmgsiaebeulusenyabGstrmaereasiedrmnt,fdlattaeeieerocnledert LMSWWWiaaoaasllsntstteAiDeernoirrgneCAeAgoHlnnonieddslsFeelelsrrrAossvrNreeaaubntlnroisArNNoeseuunrsrrtyossGu,ceeaimrr6rayy1tFd,,9ioe-oun682nn,51,9d895a66---1t15229i9128-o-3406n2--86,348,02926--071205015667,,2-165834122,62,F147o1-C25r23a5t12Es22nSDa2t2ta,eondCreci3lpuke0rtlyP1iosarsnoNamen.dDaSorCBct.,.ta,a,,lRSSCdoPaaowoonlniwlmnDaeDiigyA1eeev,0gge5Do.oC,r,,,A.SACCaWr9aanec2sa90D9td26i2,i14e1ag0-E1,o6l30,8CC4CAa7jA9o1n9,0201C60A192019
the views oftheeditors ofCalifornia Garden. CoastalSageGardening,619-223-5229,3685VoltaireSt.,SanDiego,Ca92106
Noendorsementofnamedproductsisintended, InHarmony,HerbsandSpices,619-223-8051,1862-1/2BaconSt.,SanDiego,CA92107
noriscriticismimpliedofsimilarproductsthat
arenotmentioned. FLOWERSHOWS:Showchairperson,pleasecontactCaliforniaGardenifyou'dlikethe
magazinesoldatyourshow.
SCSeaalnnidfDaoilrlenegidoaitoFGrlaioarrldamleantAesrsioacliaantdiocnhangeofaddressto: mC$a6elmipbfeeorrrynseihaair)p.GiaPnruSdbaelnnisDh(ieIedSgbSoyNFlS0oar0na0l8D-Ai1ses1go1oc6i)Faltoiirsoanlp)uAobsflsio$sc2ih0aetdpieorbni,ymeo1anr6t5oh0rlyE$l35fPorfraorddotonw#ao1t0iy5eo,anrsSsa((nfwohDriieceihggon,adleCsloAivei9rn2yc1l0au1dd-de
S1a6n50DEilegPor,aCdoA#952101-1684 C1A68.4.P©OS2T0M08ASSTanERDi:egSoenFdloraadldrAessssoccihaatniogne.sAtlolCrailgihtfsorrneisaerGvaerd.dePne,rio1d6i5c0alEslpPorsatdagoe#p5a,idSaantSDainegDoi,egCoA,
Email:[email protected] [email protected].
CaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008I3
From the President
ThiseloquentmessagewrittenbyMr. Connell,oursecondpresident,expressesmyexactpleato
ourpresent membership. Ifwe are to keep ourassociation strong we musthave yourdedicated
participationinFloralevents.In2009wecelebratethecentennialofCaliforniaGardenmagazine,
whichwillbeplannedthisyear.Pleasebecomepartoftheefforttosupportandexpandtheroleof
theSanDiegoFloralAssociation.
President's Message Remember that this is your Association and you are
responsible for your proportion of the work and you will
by Stephen Connell receiveyourshareofthereward.
Iwish,particularlytospeakoftheCaliforniaGarden,the
June & July, 1917 publicationwhichwearepleasetocall"theofficialorgan"of
theAssociation. Ifitisthe"officialorganoftheAssociation"
Throughthe"Garden"Idesiretothankthemembersof thenitisentitledtoourconsideration,careandassistance.We
theAssociationfortheirsupportduringthepastyear, shouldalldomorethanreadit.Weshouldprocure,ifpossible,
andtothosewhowereespeciallyactiveinthework,in subscribers.
allitsbranches,Iwishtotendermysincerethanks. Ideeply Every memberofthe Association shouldbring into the
appreciate this great assistance which was so generously Associationatleastonenewmember.Duringthecomingyear
given, Ifeelthatthe spirit which prompted it is properly in we will need more help, more money and more suggestions
accordwiththespiritoftheassociation. than everbefore. There willbe moreto do thaneverbefore
Tobehelpfulinthepromotionofahappierconditionisa andamembershipcampaignshouldbeconsidered.
verystimulatingwork, anditcannotbequestionedthatthose Activity and interest in the work is much desired. My
memberswhoproducedtheRoseShowandtheAnnualMeeting closeassociationwithitduringthepastyearhasclearlyshown
mustfeelelatedovertheresulttotheworkaccomplished.Mr. tomethattherewardismoregratifyingandIearnestlyentreat
Robinson's words of up-lift spoken at the Annual Meeting co-operation.Bemorethanamemberwhopayshisdues.Be
shouldhelpusforwardandexciteinus agreaterdesiretobe aworkingmember.
useful.Iinviteallmemberstomoreactivelyparticipateinthe My worthypredecessorinoffice (Iliketothinkofhim
workofthe association. Itis notnecessaryto lookfarto see asthefatheroftheFloralAssociation)attheAnnualMeeting
much we can do during the coming year. Ifwe are anxious precedingthelast,statedthatitwasanhonorandapleasure
toworkIdonotseehow wecandoitallunlessweallhelp. to be the president ofthe Floral association. After a year's
ThereforeIaskeverymembertopreparetodevotesometime serviceintheofficeIampleasetoagreewithhim.Ilearneda
toFloralAssociationworkduringthecomingyear.Therewill littleabouttheworklastyear;ItrustIshallbeinfinitelymore
beenoughtodo,letusbecertaintherewillbeenoughtodoit. usefulduringtheensuingyear.
MOVING?
Please letus know.
Helpuskeepmembershipcostsdownbyinformingusofyournewaddresspromptly.
Filloutthisformandfaxittousat619-232-5762ormailitto:SDFA, 1650ElPrado#105,SanDiego,CA92101-1684.
[e-mail].
OLDADDRESS NEWADDRESS
NAME: NAME:
ADDRESS: ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE/ZIP: CITY/STATE/ZIP:
PHONE: PHONE:
EMAIL: EMAIL:
4 CaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008
!
SAN DIEGO FLORAL ASSOCIATION
U
March4,2008 FloralArranging 101 It's easy to register!
Basicfloralarrangingclassforbeginners.Learnhowtoworkwith
floral supplies, containers and floral materials. Materials foran Justfilloutthisform(oracopyofit)andmailitto
haarvrean(gaemsmeanltlwsiullppbleyskuitppwliileld.beBraivaniglaabnlyeffloorraslalse)u.ppliesyoumay San Diego FloralAssociation, 1650 El Prado#105,
Cost:$30members,$35non-members SanDiego,CA92101-1684
.
TaenadctheearchLerinda Lindgren, flower show judge, floral designer PAYMENTFORCLASSESMUSTBEINCLUDED.
March 11,2008 FloralArranging102
Floral arranging class for beginners using basics learned in Name:
previousclass.Learnhowtoprepare,andselectappropriatefloral
materialsforvarioustypesofarrangements.Bringflatcontainer Address:
nottoexceed8"across,flowersandtools
Cost:$25members,$30non-members
City/State/Zip:
Teacher: LindaLindgren
March18,2008 FloralArranging103 Phone:
Intermediate floralarrangingclass forbeginners. "Nowyou are
arranging"andapplyingwhatyouhavelearned.Bringcontainer, Email:
flowers,foliageandtools.
Cost:$25members,$30-non-members AmountEnclosed:
Teacher: LindaLindgren
All classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and are held in
March25,2008 FloralArranging104 Room 104, Casadel Prado, BalboaPark, San Diego, CA.
Go beyondthe basics and stretch your skills. Work with floral Coffeeandsweetswillbeprovided; bringyourownlunch
materialsinacreativeway,bending,wiring,cuttingandshaping
foliageandflowerstoenhanceyourarrangement.Bringcontainer, andclippers.CallMarieWalshformoreinformationabout
flowers,foliageandcontainer. SandDiegoFloralAssociationworkshopsat619-298-5128.
Cost:$25 members,$30non-members Toregisterandpay, call 619-232-5762. Classes limited to
Teacher:LindaLindgren 10personsandmustbeprepaid.
(ForAprilclasses,consulttheSDFAnewsletter,orcalltheSDFAofficeat619-232-5762formoredetails.)
You are invited to subscribe to
GARDEN
California
Your subscription includes membership in Tosignupforyoursubscriptiontoday,pleaseprint
SAN DIEGO FLORALASSOCIATION! (orcopy)theformbelowandreturnitto:
SanDiegoFloralAssociation, 1650ElPrado#105,
1-YearSubscription: $20 SanDiego,CA92101-1684.
2-YearSubscription: $35
NAME:
(Pleaseadd$6peryearforpostagetoforeigndestinations.)
ADDRESS:
Withyoursubscription,you'llreceivethemagazine, CITY/STATE/ZIP:
our newsletter, access to the San Diego Floral
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onevents,trips andclasses. EMAIL:
CaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008I5
—
News, tips, advice and products you can use.
Floral Extravaganza
Battle of the Bloom a Resounding Success
O
Centennial year known for their talent and creativity. Their theme was "A
was extended, due Bridge Too Far," and required two or more containers. As
to the October interesting as the final designs, was watching the disparate
firestorms. On January 13th approaches of consummate professionals. Betty is a more
Battle ofthe Bloom was an deliberatedesignerandranoutoftime, soRene andRobbie
outstanding afternoon of pitchedintohelpcompleteherpiece.
incredible floral designs, Aroundrobineventfollowed,inwhichtheprofessionals
entertainingfloraldesigners, beganwithdifferentflowers,containersandthemes,designed
music,costumesandadmiring for seven minutes, then rotated to the next design, taking
guests. The creative genius up where the first designer left off, sometimes completely
behind the event, David redesigning the piece! The audience was enthralled to see
Root, not only envisioned, wrote, recruited, staged and theevolution.
directed the extravaganza, but also emcee forthe event. He Finally, the Celebrity Surprise Package teamed the
andhistalentedanddedicatedcommitteeworkedformonths professional designers with local celebrities: Julian Duvall
on thedetails. Theresult was fastpaced and action-packed, ofQuail Botanical Garden, Steven Luke and Lorrie Jordan
keepingtheaudiencespinninginwhatwastomanytheirfirst ofNBC. Ourprofessionals hadtheirhands tiedbehindtheir
exposuretoafloraldesigncompetition. backs andwerenotallowedtotouchanyofthematerials as
Our founding members from 1907 would have been they aided the celebrities in creating flower arrangements.
astonished and thrilled at the results! The elaborate floral Thecontortionsoftheprofessionalsastheytriedtousetheir
creations, which were accomplished in amatterofminutes, voices to communicate their instructions and ideas without
would not have been possible one hundred years ago. The theirhands werecomical, buttheirapprentices workedhard
varietyofflowersandtheevolutionintheartandmaterialsof to accomplish the task. By popular vote, Julian Duval won
floraldesignwouldhaveamazedthem. thiscompetition.
Earlygueststouredadisplayofshowpiecesbyeachofthe During the competition, USO girls modeled fanciful
participatingdesignerstothetheme"VictoryatSea."Itwas designscreatedentirelyfrommaterials andaccessoriesused
but aglimpse ofthe day to unfold. These beautiful designs inthefloraltrade.Thedresseswereromantic,bright,fanciful
andotherscreatedintheshowweredonatedandraffledoffto andsassyandallthemodelswerelovely.
benefitOperationHomefront(www.operationhomefront.org), Judges LindaLindgren, VelmaWest and Carolyn Epple
whichaidsmilitaryfamiliesinneed. had carefully evaluated the designs and the Grand Prize
The event began appropriately with the presentation professionalwinnerwasRenevanRems. CarvillVeechwon
of colors by the United States Marine Corps from Camp firstplaceamongtheGardenClubcontestantsandwaschosen
Pendletonandthesingingofthenationalanthem. bytheguestsastheirfirstplacewinnerforherpre-madedesign
Threewell-knownnon-professionaldesignersfromlocal depicting"VictoryatSea."
gardenclubswerefirstonstage.CarvillVeech,GeorgeSpeer All the floral designs were donated as part of the
and Bob Gordon—three prize-winning designers—were opportunity drawing to benefit Homefront San Diego. The
given the theme "Dress Whites" and instructed to create a proceeds from ticket sales will enable the San Diego Floral
design for aformal Navy dinnerparty. Each was presented Associationtocontinuetheireducationalactivitiesinthefield
with identical buckets of flowers and containers for the ofhorticultureandfloriculture.Thirty-sevenbouquetsbythe
competition. They were given afew minutes to look atheir Floral Guild made from the leftover flowers were taken to
materials, and conceptualize their design, before setting to the VA Hospital and BalboaNavy Hospital, much as Floral
thetask.Twentyminutesflewbyastheyhandledcontainers, membersdidin 1917.Thetraditionhasbeenrevived.
tools,accessoriesandflowersintheprocessofcreation,until TheSanDiegoFloralAssociationismostgratefulforthe
theywereinstructedto"stopandstepawayfromyourdesign." creativity,energyandtimeofalltheparticipantswhoworked
Onecolor,the sameflowers andmaterials, andtheresulting with David to make the Battle of the Bloom a resounding
designs,eachgorgeous,wereworldsapart. success. The founding members would be delighted and
Next,theprofessionaldesignerscametothestage. Rene proudtoseethegrandtraditionoffloraldesignaspresentedin
vanRems,BettyDelSolPattersonandRobbieSantalucitoall BattleoftheBloom.Toseepicturesoftheevent,pleasevisit
have many years in the floral design industry and are well www.sdfloral.org.—LucyWarren
6ICaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008
Di
Sn!
Flowers and Their
Spiritual Messages
Meet SDFA Guest Merry Street Of Zenspiration
Gardens At Our April 15 General Meeting
Everyone who has had thejoy ofpicking up even one andparticipateincreatingthe
blossomandputtingitintoacontainerhasexperienced mandala, but also those for
the spirituality offlowers. Whether we are conscious whomthemandalaiscreated.
ofit or not, their beauty and expression ofnature'sjoy and Thismandalawillbeinhonor
serenityimpartthatenergytoeachglanceandeachtouch. ofthosewhoaregoingthrough
Scientistsexplainitinlightwaves.Physicistsexplainitin rights-of-passage,orwhoneed
molecularstructureandenergy.Artistsanddesignersgenerally help during a challenging
don'ttrytoexplainit,butsimplyworkwiththeresult. time.As we lay the flowers
In a melding of Eastern and Western philosophy and down, we'll concentrate on MerryStreet
tradition,MerryStreetusesherbeliefs,andartisticanddesign theirbetterment.
talents to create unique floral designs for individuals. Her She will then demonstrate flower designs that interpret
business, isZenspirationGardens (www.zen-opolis.com),has aspiritualjourney withflowers. Someofthedesigns willbe
beenfeaturedintheDishTVprogram"FengShuiLiving."She complete, while others will be completed on stage. As she
hasbeeninvitedtocreatedesigns formajorevents including explainshertechniqueandthemeaningsofthearrangements,
theMainlyMozartcelebration. she will be accompanied by crystal bowl music by Elivia.
A dynamic and innovative floral designer, Merry Street These unique and beautiful arrangements will be raffled at
isdevelopingauniqueandexcitingprogramforourmeeting. the end ofthe program. Atthe endoftheprogram, we will
Priorto herpresentation, she will be creating aCommunity removethemandalabytakingitsflowerswithus.
FlowerMandalatohonorthepeopleofSanDiego. Everyone The San Diego Floral Association April meeting is free
whocomesisencouragedtobringoneormoreflowerstohelp andopentothepublic.Joinusat7:00p.m.onApril 15,2008.
createthemandala. Prior to the meeting, an optional catered dinner is available
Community Mandalas teach unity, peace, cooperation, at a cost of $12 for members and $15 for non-members by
tolerance,supportandcompassion.Itisherhopethattheflower paid reservation, made priorto Monday, April 14. Formore
mandalawillnotonlybringphysicalcomforttothosewhosee information,call619-232-5762. —LucyWarren
Home Sweet Home: Hollyhocks
Theseedsarrivedinalargewhiteenvelope,carefullywrappedintissuepaper.Mymother'shollyhockseedsarelabeled
"darkred,""(almostblack)"and"pink."Theseedsarenotjustfrommymother;theyareoriginallyfrommygrandmother,
whogrewhollyhocksinprofusionagainstthebackdropofherchickencoop.Iamcarriedbackintimebymemoriesofmy
family,andIdeterminetogrowthoseseedsandonceagainseehollyhocks!
Hollyhocksaredifficulttogerminatedirectlyintheground,soIfoundthatstarting
theseedsinflatsandthentransplantingthemworksbest.(Ihavehadsuccessinthefall
withseedplanting.)Theygrowverytall,fivetosixfeetinheight,sotheyareanexcellent
backdropalongafenceorawall.Theyarebiennial,andmustgrowforayearbeforethey
bloomthefollowingyear.Theseedswillfalldownandbeginthecycleagain,thoughyou
canharvestthem. Thetall stalks canbecutback, andtheplantwillcomeupagainin
thespring.
TheplantsthatIgrewwereamarvel;tallandstrongwithcolorsofdeepmaroonand
brightred,aswellaspinkandwhite.Friendswhosawthehollyhockswereamazed,and
many "transplants" from the Midwest andthe East were touched with nostalgia. I am
certainthatmyhollyhockswoulddelightmygrandmother,andmymother,whoviewed
photos ofmy plants, was very impressed. Flowers and plants can indeed be links to
thepastandthefuture. Perhapssomeday,myowndaughterwillcarryonthehollyhock
tradition. —VictoriaPhillips
CaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008!7
Di
Sn! Flower Arranging TlDS
CREATIVE FLOWER ARRANGING IS ENHANCED BY ADVANCE PLANNING
Gathering Materials Placing Materials
Collect fan palm leaves and cut them into shapes • Toavoidadroopydesign,placetheheadsofflowerstoface
while green. As they dry, they shrivel andchange into thesun.Itgivesthedesign"life."
usefulforms. Avoidplacing main linematerialstoform"rabbitears" or
Select design elements, including flowers that are in afan. Thesetaketheeyeoutofthedesignanddisturbthe
scalewiththecontainer. rhythmofthedesign.
Properselectionofmaterialstopairwiththecontainer While the front side offoliage is usually preferred to be
isthefirststepinasatisfactorydesign. placedfacingforward,thebacksofsomeleaveshavefuzzy
texturesandgreatcolorswhichcanaddinteresttoadesign.
Thinktexture when interpreting a design title. Texture
refers to the surface quality. Shiny, glossy surfaces • Coverfloralfoammoss.Thiscanbedonebefore,duringor
and sharp lines denote modern titles, while fuzzy and afterthe design is created. Use damp, wrung-out moss in
rough surfaces with flat surfaces are cozier and more freshdesignsanduseitdryindrieddesigns.
traditional.
Drying and Treating Materials
Buy pin holders (Japanese kenzan) at yard sales ifthe
pins are sharp. Ifpins arebent, use apin straightener, • To gatherpalm fronds, keep an eye out fortree trimmers
available through an online search or at an Ikebana who will gladly give them away. Strip off any thorns
Internationalmeeting. on the stems with a knife edge and cut the fronds with
Pin holders can be secured to a flat container with a scissorstothedesiredshape. Leaveinadryplaceuntilall
rope of Stickum on the bottom. An alternate is to greencolorhasgone
placeakenzaninasmallcatfoodortunacanorheavy • Some weathered wood, driftwood, and branches are
galvanizedpipecap. naturally complete works of art, but trimming, cleaning
andsometimescombiningtwoormorepiecesarerequired
Preparing Materials toproduceamorecomplexandappealingartform.
Buyflowersinbudstageandputsomeinwarmwaterto • Design-destined wood that is partially decayed or
openthem.Storetheremainderinacoollocation. covered with dirt should be hosed, soaked, wired
brushed and perhaps bleached. Sanding, varnishing,
Removeallfoliagethatwillbebelowthewaterlineto staining or waxing will perfect its texture and enhance
—
reducebacterialgrowth. thegrain. CarvillVeech
We
Will Miss Robert Horwitz
Memorium 1922 - 2008
Inhis firstcareerRobertHorwitzwas aspaceengineer recipes. Horwitz also enjoyed the flexibility of container
with Convair and General Dynamics. He worked planting,movingplantsforinterestandenjoyment.
with the Tomahawk Cruise missile and on moon shot In addition to his written contributions Bob served as
technology. On retirement he discovered stag horn ferns president of the Floral board, and was an active member of
and his collection ofstag horn ferns, some over 50 years the editorial board for many years. He was a seasonedjudge
ofage, grace his garden today.At the urging ofhis wife ofthe display gardens atthe San Diego County Fair.The love
he submitted an article on stag horn ferns to the San ofgardeninghasbeenpassedontomembersofthefamily.We
Diego Union-Tribune and became a regular columnist, sharehisgranddaughter,EleanoreRaeJorgenson'sessayonher
sharinggardeningtipswithhisreaders.Bobalsowrotefor favorite natural place, her grandparents' backyard on page 9.
SanDiegoHome/GardenMagazineandwroteofhistrips Herexperiencewiththespecialplacewillalwaysstaywithher,
toEnglandandAustralia. thankstotheopportunityBobandGerrycreated.Athisdeath
About20years agohediscoveredCalifornia Garden, onJanuary 13thBobhadreadtheessay andknew itwouldbe
and soon became a regular contributor writing about published.Wethankhimandhisfamilyforsomanywonderful
tuberous begonias and bromeliads, two of his favorite contributionstoourmagazineandorganization.-KayHarry
plants,aswellasvegetablegrowinginformation,including
8ICaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008
Digging Deep
See How People And Plants Have Evolved Together At
• lit? vvuiluuc-di v6ni6r s v^niiorers s tuinnouoxanicai vxarcien
Makeda
Dread, director of the theirpoop, JohnnyAppleseed,
WorldBeat Cultural Center China and the Garden of
(www.worldbeatcenter.org), Eden.
hasavisionandwantstoshareit.Imagine This is the essence of
agardenofherbs,edibleplantsandother ethnobotany, the study of
usefulbotanicalsfromaroundtheworld. humanity's relationship with
Seeandhearchildren,withparentsand the plant world. Each plant
grandparents,togetherplaying,digging, has its own story. They have
planting, eating and harvesting from their places of origin, where
this working research garden. Gardens they firstfoundrespectbythe
haveahealingenergy,especiallyinthe indigenouspeopleofthatarea.
concrete,plasticandsteelurbanworlds As plants were shared, they
that we live in. It couldbethe healthy traveled around the world.
nutritionalvalueofhomegrownorganic TheChildren'sEthnobotanical
food,orthepowerfulmedicinaleffects Gardencelebratesthis,aswell
ofherbs,orthearomatherapyoflavenderorsagebrush.Allof as how people can appreciate the plants around them here
this togetheris Makeda's vision in action, at theWorldBeat and now. Forinstance, local people visiting the garden will
Center'sChildren'sEthnobotanicalGarden. easily recognize the aromatic native White Sage, but few
Bite into an apple. The taste is sweet and divine. The people will recognize the very useful and exotic Moringa
textureiscrunchyandjuicy. Asyouopenyoursensestothe trees. The Children's Ethnobotanical Garden, located just
magnificenceofthisfruit,yourmindmaystarttowanderand beside the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park, is
wonder,"Wherediditcomefrom,offatree,fromthefarmer's a world community garden, where people ofall ages, from
marketorfromthe store?"Thequestion goes much deeper! anywhereontheplanet,areinvitedtocomeandshareinthe
That apple that you bite into has an ancestral history that experience. The six-year-old garden is going into its next
parallelshumanity'shistory.Thatappleisasindividualasyou, growth spurt, anddesign ideas areonthetable (educational
andifitcouldtellastory—whatastoryitwouldtell. There signageisoneimportantgoal).Ifyouareinterestedinhelping
wouldbetalesofgardenersandfarmers,hungryanimalsand orparticipating,pleasecall619-230-1190.-JohnNoble
My Favorite Place Flower Power
WINS
Bob Horwitz's 11-year Old San Diego Press Club
RecognizesArticle on
Floral Centennial
Spent In Her Grandma's Garden
The San Diego Press Club awarded Roger
MyGrandma'sbackyardisendless.Runningupthestepsand Showley a first place award inthe category
throughthepickleweedIfollowasmallpath. It'salways ofhistoryforhisMarch18,2007Homescape
sunny and warm here until I arrive through an arch of article in the San Diego Union-Tribune titled
willowleaveswhereit'scool.Iedgealongonthetopofasmallcliff "Flower Power." The article was a major feature
lookingdownattheneighbor'shouse. OnceIpassby,Irunnowin about the San Diego Floral Association honoring
thegrasstowardsanoldrustyplayset. Ipushofffromtheground, ourcentennialyear.
highandhigher, thenI swingbackdowntoearthbefore I startall Hisnotetoourpresident,KayHarry,read:"Hi
overagain. This ismyfavoriteplace. EverytimeIcome,birdsare Kay - One additional note on your 100th. I won a
waitingandwhentheyseemetheylaunchintosong.It'sevenbetter firstplaceawardattheSanDiegoPressClubinthe
whenithasjustrainedsoeverysmellismagnified.Itfeelsfresh,new history category for the horticulture story. So we
andalive.Idon'tcareiftheswingI'msittingoniswetornotbecause bothwon!Itwasfunworkingwithyouthisyearand
Ifeelpeacefulandsafe.-EleanorRaeJorgensen hopetodosoagain." —LucyWarren
CaliforniaGardenMarch/April2008I9
Healthy Houseplants
Help Your Indoor Plants Stay Well With These Tips
All houseplants are not created equal. Plants stack chlorophyll in higher light
Some are particularly adept at accepting situationsbecausethelightisstrongenoughtoget
the challenging household conditions of to lowerlayers. When lightconditions change, a
lowlightandhumidity.Whileitisofttrumpeted plantmaydropleaveswiththewrongchlorophyll
that houseplants clean the air in the house, configurationandputoutnewleavestocorrectthe
thus improving health of the human residents, situation.Ifthesoilismoistandleavesdrop,don't
experience often finds keeping the plants water more—water less until there are enough
themselveshealthycanbeelusive. newleavestouseadditionalwater.
Alloftheplantsdescribedbelowcanwithstand Houseplantstendtopreferpeat-based,rather
occasional drying. All are happier with evenly than bark-based, soil mixes. The easiest way to
moist (not wet) soil. From past experience, the fertilize is to use anitrogen rich complete time-
Hawaiian elfand mother-in-laws tongue survive release fertilizer, cutting the recommendation to
bestfrommoisture abuse andbouncebackfrom one-fourthtoone-halfstrengthwhenmaintenance,
atotaldry-outwithoutanyobviousdamage.The ratherthangrowth,isdesired.Waterwhenthesoil
trick to reviving a severely dried-out plant is to surfacebegins tofeeldrytothetouch anddon't
tease the plant with water to re-hydrate the soil allowthepottostandinthedrainedwater.
mass,returningtonormalwateringonceturgidity
hasreturned.Keepinmindthateventhoughyou Here arehalfdozen toughold standards that
can't see it, roots are damaged and may not be haveproventobeeasytomaintain.
wtarabitlgeegret,ortrahobeostosorribolt.wwaitllerbweeltlo:oiwfetthetyoodolno'ntg,abasnodrbmtahye c•mualtyCivagasrrtso)w:IAurponctlouPmtlhparinenetgfpe{leAatsnpthiidwgihis.tthrRaalrareeglleyatlnieoearevedssa,ntidot
Theseplantsdookayindryhouseair(relative
bedivided.
tothetropics,wheremosthouseplantscomefrom).
Onewaytoaddalittlelocalhumidityistosetthe • JanetCraigDracaena{Dracaenaderemensis
pottheplantisinonalayerofgravelordecorative 'Janet Craig'): This dark glossy green upright
marbles in asaucerorcache pot. Drained water plant grows very slowly to several feet. Use
will evaporate and add a bit of humidity. This multiple plants together for taller sizes because
alsohelpsassuretheplantisn'tkeptintoosoggy it doesn't naturally branch much. I've had one
soil.Theseplantsareeasytomaintainwithavery in a one-gallon container for 30 years that is
slowgrowthrateinlowlightandhumidity.With still at about a foot tall due to fertilizing for
adequate food, light and high humidity, these maintenanceonly.
plantswillgrowlushly. It'seasiesttobuyaplant • Golden Pothos {Epipremnum aureum; the
the size you want and then feed/water with the cultivar'MarbleQueen'isn'tassturdy):Avine,it
baresCtoammmouonntsneencseessdaircytattoesketehpatityaoluived.o not put bisrabnescthioncgcanseiaornatlhleycproiwnnc.hedtopotrimtokeepit
tduhcetsp.lanNtos cplloasnettowiallhesautrevrivoer iinntahewfilnodwowolfeasisr • Snake Plant {Sansevieria trifasciata and
bathroom,lowlightplantsinhighlightconditions cultivars): Clumping plants, some snake plants
burneasily andterrestrialplantrootswillnotbe stayunderafoottall,others growtoaboutthree
happyinconstantsaturatedconditions. feettall.Rarelyneedstobedivided.
Keepinghouseplantsin impossiblesituations • Hawaiian Elf a.k.a. Dwarf Schefflera
ispossibleusingmultipleplants. Rotateonefora {Schefflera arboricola and cultivars): Easily
weekinatoo-darkspot, then severalweeks in a grows to head high, and is best terminally
spotwith adequate light. Afriendnearthecoast pinchedtoencouragesidebranches. Someofthe
inOrangeCountyhadhis plants on athree-foot variegatedforms are slowergrowingandtendto
wideterraceduringtheweek,bringingtheminto self-branch.
his dark apartment for the weekend, when he • Heart-leaf Philodendron {Philodendron
washometoenjoythem. Beingrightnexttothe scandens): A vine with glossy grayed-green
building provided enough warmth to keep them leaves. Use the same care as recommended
goingthroughallbutthecoldestwinternights. forpothos. —GeraldStewart,NewLeafNurseries
CORRECTIONIntheJanuary/February2008issue,LauraStarrwasmistakenlyidentifiedasLindaStarr,bothinherbookreview,"Covering
Ground"onpage 18,andonpage3.Additionally,BobHorwitz'snamewasmisspelledonpage3inapreviousissue.Weregrettheerrors.
10 IMarch/April2008