July 3, 2008

How to propagate plants with stem cuttings

Put your wallet away. You can multiply many plants simply and easily with stem cuttings. I did this recently with my Sedums and Catmints and had great success. Try it. It's not only economical - it's fun.


Take cuttings early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun isn't at its strongest. Cloudy days work, too. To increase your success rate, propagate early in the growing season:


Click photo for a step-by-step slideshow:


Click photo for a step-by-step demonstration

Here are some perennials that can be propagated successfully with stem cuttings:

Alyssum

Artemisia

Aster

Bee balm (Monarda)

Bellflower (Campanula)

Blanketflower (Gaillardia)

Catmint (Nepeta)

Chrysanthemums

Clematis

Coral bells (Heuchera)

Coreopsis

Dusty miller (Senecio)

Lavender

Montauk daisy

(Nipponanthemum)

Penstemon

Phlox

Sedum

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum)

Yarrow (Achillea)

July 2, 2008

I'm having a bad week

You know how "they" say that bad news, deaths, etc., travel in threes? (I don't know who "they" are, but stick with me.) I've always had fun with the theory, and I've seen it played out over and over. When two celebrities die, I try to guess who'll be third. I'm never right about who, but usually another person's death is reported within a few days. Why is that?

Anyway, I'm having a bad week. My dog was (impulsively, I believe) diagnosed with cancer. I took her in for some routine vaccines a couple of days ago, and the vet announced his diagnosis point blank -- in front of my 11-year-old. I was shocked. Confused. And pissed off that he would say that in front of a child. Plus, all he's going on is enlarged lymph nodes. What's worse, my kids are now besides themselves with worry. If handled properly, I wouldn't even have mentioned it to them until I knew for certain.

I'm no doctor, but wouldn't you think he should order some tests before making such a proclamation? He didn't say, "it's suspicious," or "it might be cause for concern, let's investigate." No. He said, "your dog has cancer." I'm not kidding. Maybe she does have cancer, but for God's sake let's rule out an infection first, no?

My mom's not doing well, either. Not as bad as the dog, thank goodness, but I found out yesterday she has to undergo an unpleasant procedure. I'm optimistic she'll be fine in the long run, but for now, I'm concerned.

And people around me seem to be getting dramatic. Is there a full moon rising? I'm not a fan of drama. I don't cause any -- at least not deliberately -- and I don't want any. That's why I choose to be passive, mostly. And I choose my friends accordingly. There's no room for gossip or back-stabbing or manipulation or super-charged egos in my day. I don't have the energy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a people person, I am. But sometimes I dream about how nice it would be to work with plants all day. You pull a few weeds, give them water, enjoy their colors and scents. Sure, some die, but really it's no tragedy. Just plant some more seeds and you're good to go. Life-threatening illnesses? Pull 'em out of the ground and start over. Drama? It would be a good thing. Coleus in the shade? Dramatic. My new Ligularia dentata -- interspersed between some Ostrich ferns? That's drama.

Better times ahead!

June 26, 2008

How to grow tomatoes

Click photo for a step-by-step slideshow:


Click photo for a step-by-step demonstration

What's bugging your tomato plants?

aphid.jpg
Ewww. Aphids.

Here are some common pests that can interfere with happy tomato gardening endeavors, along with the best ways to deal with them.

Aphids

Wash aphids off with as hard a stream of water as the leaves and stem can handle. If you need to pull out the big guns, order up some lady bugs. They'll keep aphids in check.

Colorado potato beetle

These are best picked off by hand. Squash beetles, eggs and larvae.

Cutworms

Keep weeds in check to discourage their presence. Use cardboard collars around new transplants to protect their vulnerable lower stems.


Flea beetles

Row covers will protect transplants, but need to be removed before temperatures get too hot. Keep the bed clear of weeds to reduce populations.

Tomato hornworms

Usually kept in check by natural enemies, but if you hand pick larvae you'll nip them in the bud, so to speak.

Whiteflies

Your best defense against whiteflies is a good offense. Carefully check plants for infestation before purchasing.

Video

July 2008

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