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1) Editor's Comments:Not much to report this week. Although, here in Minnesota it finally looks as though spring has arrived -- our early April snow has turned into the traditional April showers. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Rex Gregor Tom Krueger 2) How Plants are Named:Have you ever wondered how plants get their name? Other than understanding the latin names, it is not as complicated as you might think. ** Botanical Name The botanical name is the scientific name for a plant. Each different plant has a unique name. This is generally the most accurate way of referring to a plant because many plants have similar common names. The botanical name is properly written in italics. For instance, the plant commonly referred to as Black-eyed Susan is known by the botanical name, Rudbeckia hirta. The botanical name of a particular plant is usually made up of two parts. The first is the genus, which is always capitalized. The genus for Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia. Each genus may contain many different plants. The second part of the botanical name is the species. In our example, the species is hirta. So, while there many plants in the genus Rudbeckia, there is only one known as Rudbeckia hirta. When both names are used together it is known as the species. ** Common Name A plant may have more than one common name -- gardeners in one area may refer to a plant with one name, and your neighbor across the street will call it by another name. Sometimes it becomes very confusing. Often times, advertising agencies may create a catchy name for sales purposes with no regard to botanical and species name. ** Genus This refers to the record for a particular family of plants or more specifically, the grouping of plants with similar characteristics. Each genus will contain one or more species/plant record. ** Species This refers to the record for a particular genus. The species will narrow down the identity to a specific species of plant. Each genus will contain one or more species, such as shown above with Rudbeckia hirta -- or it possibly could be a subspecies, variety or variation. ** Group When used in reference for plants, a group usually refers to cultivars or hybrids of common parentage. Example: The genus rosa, which may have been bybridized for hundreds, even thousands of years is known as a group. Cultivars of a common parentage are often referred to by a group name. Another example is a group of roses known as Hybrid Teas which share a related parentage and certain characteristics. ** Family A family is the botanical category above genus. Each family contains many genera (the plural of genus) that share like characteristics. Rudbeckia hirta is a member of the family Compositea, which includes all the plants with compound lower heads. ** Author The botanical author is the person who first identified the plant with a botanical name. Again using the example Rudebecia hirta, this plant was named by Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), who named a great number of plants. The author's name is often abbreviated by using the fist letter of their name. Carolus Linnaeus (L) is considered the father of botanical nomenclature. 3) Humor for Today:Susan, pregnant with her first child, paid a visit to her obstetrician's office. After the exam, she shyly began, "My husband wants me to ask you..." "I know, I know," the doctor said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I get asked that all the time. Sex is fine until late in the pregnancy." "No, that's not it," Catherine confessed. "He wants to know if I can still mow the lawn." 4) Storing Foods On Your Stove:
5) Rex's Flower Bed:We hope you will find some good ideas here. Are you looking for a special flower, or just something different? We offer over 4,000 types and varieties of seeds from all around the world. Most of the varieties here can be planted directly in your flower beds. If you do not find the one you are looking for in our seed list (perhaps they are known by different names in your part of the country) please email me and I will help get you some seeds.
Visit: http://www.rexseedco.com/vine.htm
6) Cellulite Oil:Many women are aware of cellulite and the dimpling effect it has on thighs and ummm backsides. Don't you dare believe those claims that you can get rid of it by taking a pill. It won't happen. This dimpling is due to the way fat cells are distributed. Carla Joy says the best way to make your thighs and buns to look better is to give yourself a daily massage in those areas. She has an oil you can make to use when massaging. For the base, you use grapeseed oil or another type of pure vegetable oil. Add ten drops of juniper oil, ten drops of lavender oil, and ten drops of lemon oil to 1/2 cup of your base oil. Funnel the mixture into a glass bottle, and shake well. If you massage with this oil for ten minutes a night, Carla claims you'll help the appearance of your cellulite problem. 7) Do-it-yourself Seed Tape:Many people like to use seed tape to plant their rows, but seed tape can be expensive or hard to find with the plants you want. Well, why not make your own?
Make sure you have the toilet paper unrolled to the length you want. Mix the flour and water into a paste, and spread some seeds onto a plate. Dip a toothpick into the paste and use it to pick up a seed. Transfer the seed to your toilet paper. Of course you'll want to place subsequent seeds to the recommended spacing -- just like you'd do when planting in the ground. After getting your pasting done, let it dry. Once dry, just roll up the toilet paper and store it until your ready to put it in the ground. Be careful when you do the rolling so you don't ruin your new seed tape. When you are ready to plant, be sure your seed bed is smooth. As you lay out the "tape," sprinkle some fine dirt along the sides to keep it in place until you are ready to cover it with the depth of dirt called for by the packet. Grab that watering can and gently sprinkle. In no time you'll have perfectly spaced seedlings sprouting. 8) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor Tom Krueger, Publisher Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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Do you
keep herbs, oils, pastas and vinegars stored on the back shelf of your
range? If so, you need to know that the heat from the stove can seriously
alter their flavor. You also never want to keep glass containers on
that shelf. You'd sure hate to have your dinner guests picking shattered
glass from their food.
The
Morning Glory is native to the Tropics and has become naturalized in
North America. It is a close relative of the sweet potato (I. batatas).
It is a fast-growing vine, with weedy tendencies, that is useful for
covering a wall or trellis. The leaves are alternate, and it has pubescent
leaves and stems. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and may be purple,
white, pink, red or blue -- the color lightens towards the stem. Flowers
bloom in the summer, opening in the morning and closing at night. Morning
Glorys grow the best in full sun and well-drained soil. The do not transplant
well.
Lobelia
is used in edging, rock gardens, hanging baskets, and window boxes.
It flowers in the spring. Flowers are blue or violet with a yellow throat
-- white and purple-red colors are also available. Lobelia should be
grown in partial shade in hot locations, or in full sun if the soil
is kept moist. Lobelia will grow well if there is adequate moisture.
Though technically a perennial, it is grown as an annual in climates
with cold winters, like Minnesota.
Mexican
Ageratum have inflorescence (flower heads) that are in clusters of lavender,
blue, pink, or white depending on cultivar. Growing in a mound-like
habit, flowers bloom May through October. It is considered one of the
more dependable flowering annuals. Ageratum likes full sun or partial
shade -- in hot and dry areas, light shade is preferred. This flowering
annual is best used in edging or borders of beds, and is basically free
from pest and disease problems. Native to Mexico, British Honduras,
and Guatemala.
Fountain
grass is a perennial, but may be grown as an annual in cold climates.
It is a close relative of the African cereal grass and a source of bird
seed (Pearl millet). Annual Fountain Grass is a 4'-5' mound of long
leaf blades. The inflorescences (flower heads), grow upward loosely
and nod. They are pink and purple with a cream color toward the ends
of the flowers. Fountain Grass produces these inflorescences in the
summer. It likes full or partial shade, with a moist well-drained soil.
Fountain Grass can be used in borders, backgrounds, specimen plantings,
or for cut flowers. It is native to Ethopia.
Cockscomb
has large spikes (resembling a rooster's comb) with colors of red, yellow,
orange, pink, or gold. Blooming in the midsummer to fall, the flowers
last a long time and are used as cut or dried flowers. It can also be
used in borders, beds, and edging. Cockscomb tolerates dry, porous soils
and likes full sun. Celosia is a word from the Greek language meaning
burned, describing the color of the flower. It is a native to warm regions
of Africa.
This
is a project that can be done with some very low-tech material. All
you need is a single-ply toilet paper [Is he kidding? Nope!], toothpicks,
flour, and water. Oh, don't forget your seeds.