Gardening Question of the Day for Wednesday, April 2, 2008
(Via Gardening Question of the Day (from the Old Farmer's Almanac))
I have some pecan trees in my yard. The fruit of the nut is never good and looks as if it's rotten. Can you tell me what it is or what to do about it? (answer).![]()
I have some pecan trees in my yard. The fruit of the nut is never good and looks as if it's rotten. Can you tell me what it is or what to do about it? (answer).
From The Old Farmer's Almanac.
The Trouble with Guava Trees
(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)
My childhood is expressly remembered reaching into the limbs of our pineapple guava trees and filling our faces with this gorgeous fruit. The supply never seemed to wane nor did our appetites, and we would often chase down the plumpest specimens to gorge on.
My childhood is expressly remembered reaching into the limbs of our pineapple guava trees and filling our faces with this gorgeous fruit. The supply never seemed to wane nor did our appetites, and we would often chase down the plumpest specimens to gorge on.
So it was with fond memories that I purchased our own guava tree and planted it in the backyard. This feijoa, a member of the Myrtaceae family and a resident tropical fruit, was perfectly suited to our garden. The climate, the soil, the annual rainfall - all good.
And so it was with sheer anticipation that I watched the buds expand, burst open, then flower, then die - and heartbreakingly drop off. What went wrong? Had I not watered them enough? Was there something wrong with the soil?
Alas, I tried a myriad of possible solutions attempting to keep the remaining blooms from falling, yet they continued to do so. Not one of them set and my dreams of once again tasting this luscious fruit dissipated like fog on a warm day. Disappointment was an understatement.
I expressed my despair with a friend who was boasting about their bountiful harvest from their pineapple guavas to which I received the reply - "You know you need 2 to cross-pollinate don't you?" Two? Well of course I knew that - I do have my own gardening blog, you know! Feeling like a 'goose' was an understatement.
In my haste to enjoy this fruit I hadn't bothered to research the plant and had just whisked it out of the container and into the ground without bothering to read the labels. Duh!
Yet now I'm faced with a dilemma. Guava trees are not small. They max out about 5m high and have a fairly similar spread and resemble a shrub more than a tree. Even planting ONE in our garden was a stretch on resources and space but TWO? Mmmm...
So now I'm faced with a dilemma. Do I rip out something else to make way for a second plant? Or, should I remove this one and replace it with a self-fertile cultivar like Apollo or an Edenvale Late? Perhaps I could just keep it as specimen plant and enjoy the flowers.
I'm thinking the second option will win out. This is too big a plant to keep as an ornamental unless, of course, you had some acreage and space wasn't an issue.
I'll keep you updated with the outcome.
Down to Earth Gardening
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
The San Francisco Botanical Garden Society and Horticulture Magazine teamed up last week to present an informative garden design symposium on combining smart plant combinations and organic maintenance techniques. The event inspired Bay Area gardeners, such as yours truly, to explore and appreciate the themes of sustainable gardening, so that we not only have gorgeous backyards but responsible. We witnessed a dazzling slide show featuring some of the finest gardens working in harmony with nature. It was quite breathtaking and instead of feeling encouraged and motivated, I felt plain old jealous. Is that so wrong?
The San Francisco Botanical Garden Society and Horticulture Magazine teamed up last week to present an informative garden design symposium on combining smart plant combinations and organic maintenance techniques. The event inspired Bay Area gardeners, such as yours truly, to explore and appreciate the themes of sustainable gardening, so that we not only have gorgeous backyards but responsible. We witnessed a dazzling slide show featuring some of the finest gardens working in harmony with nature. It was quite breathtaking and instead of feeling encouraged and motivated, I felt plain old jealous. Is that so wrong?
Orchid Rehab
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Okay, Orchid Lady, I'm back in the game! But tell me now what is this witchcraft you perform to bring a dormant orchid back from the . . . dead? Turner claims that you can put an orchid in a greenhouse, pampering it a bit, sort of like "rehab", for many months till it spikes again. . Soon after it will bloom again! This could take nine-months or longer. May we all breathe in patience and breathe out our type-A-ness.
Okay, Orchid Lady, I'm back in the game! But tell me now what is this witchcraft you perform to bring a dormant orchid back from the . . . dead? Turner claims that you can put an orchid in a greenhouse, pampering it a bit, sort of like "rehab", for many months till it spikes again. . Soon after it will bloom again! This could take nine-months or longer. May we all breathe in patience and breathe out our type-A-ness.
Self Watering Containers - Making Self Watering Planters
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Self watering planters solve many of the problems you may see in container gardening. We take a look at the trade offs of building or buying a self watering container.
Self watering planters solve many of the problems you may see in container gardening. We take a look at the trade offs of building or buying a self watering container.
Honda Riding Mower - Entrust Your Lawn
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Honda is a rock solid brand with a great lineup of riding mowers. Learn the benefits of picking up one of these great mowers.
Honda is a rock solid brand with a great lineup of riding mowers. Learn the benefits of picking up one of these great mowers.
The Beauty of the Bonsai
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
This article delves into the exotic and historic world of bonsai trees and their cultivation. The fascinating origin of this botanical art form has caught on world wide and its appeal is talked about in this forum.
This article delves into the exotic and historic world of bonsai trees and their cultivation. The fascinating origin of this botanical art form has caught on world wide and its appeal is talked about in this forum.
Organic Lawn Care - Weeding Out The Hype
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Starting an organic lawn care program can be confusing. There is a lot of product out there and it is hard to know what to use where and when. Read about the different types of organic fertilizers that make up a good organic lawn care program.
Starting an organic lawn care program can be confusing. There is a lot of product out there and it is hard to know what to use where and when. Read about the different types of organic fertilizers that make up a good organic lawn care program.
