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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:Now that we are into September, we felt it would be a good idea to discuss more in depth with a major problem for roses, black spot. We follow that with an intro into a topic we'll be covering in the future, the sunless garden; and a number of other items. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Tom Krueger Rex Gregor "Exotic & Unusual Seeds from Around the World" 2) Roses Follow-up on Black Spot:
Antique, heritage, or wild roses are most resistant to all diseases. But you just can't resist the hybrids because they offer more opportunity to give color to the rose garden. An integrated plant management system along with good cultural management is the best road to follow. One of the major causes of black spot is moisture on rose leaves. The fungi, Diplacarpon rosae, is easily airborne with morning breezes and thus black spot is easily spread. The symptoms begin as black splotches on the fringes of the leaves. The upper leaves are usually the first to become infected. The leaf will then start to turn yellow around the black spots. The infected leaves will drop off the plant in a few days. It is very important to remove the infected leaves and dispose of them promptly. If the infected leaves are not promptly removed, it will spread the black spot to the rest of the plant which will weaken it and lead to poorer blooming. The fungus will overwinter on the fallen leaves or on diseased canes; you'll be pretty much assured of having black spot problems again in the spring if you don't get rid of the fallen leaves. You may even want to use a magnifying glass to look for tiny black spots when you inspect your plants. It might even be best to do this two or three times per week. To minimize black spot problems I recommend the following: You need to promote air circulation and light penetration in the rose bed. Do not plant the rose bushes too close together. It is best if the sun and breezes can quickly dry the foliage after the morning dew or after a rain storm. Roses require at least six hours direct sun every day. If you usually “overhead” water your rose bushes, it is best to discontinue that practice. It is best to water your rose bed using a soaker hose, thus keeping the leaves dry. Black spot spores need water on the leaf surface to germinate the spores. Inspect your canes frequently, and if you find any diseased canes, remove them immediately and destroy them. You will most often find diseased canes in early spring. Black Spot is widespread among most rose species. The best prescription for a healthy rose garden is to follow cultural practices that are designed to prevent severe infection. You can do this by planting rose cultivars that are resistant to black spot. New varieties are constantly being added to the list of those resistant. Again good cultural practice is the best road to success. For your information, the following rose cultivars are reported to have good resistance to black spot.
*** 15% savings until September 16, 2003 *** Repellant Plants to Protect Nature Synthetic repellants are becoming more and more of
a threat to man as each generation goes by. In the meantime these chemicals
permeate our homes, gardens, lawns and environment. As a result, our
health and the health of our pets and wild life also deteriorate. We
hope American gardeners will help reverse this trend by using natural
deterrents. We are offering these seeds to help you in this effort. Enter the Store and Click on the Sale Link The discount will not show up in your shopping cart -- we will take care of it for you before finalization of your order. (No other discounts apply.) 3) Humor for Today:My daughter's 5th-grade class had been studying astronomy. One morning at breakfast she announced, "On Friday we're having a quiz on the moon." That's when her little brother piped up, saying, "Are you gonna let her go, Mom?" 4) The Sunless Garden:The days are starting to get shorter. Of course, they've been getting shorter for a while, but we are really beginning to notice it. It won't be long before we'll be looking for alternatives to our outdoor garden. We have an advantage over our ancestors since our winter months don't need to be as colorless as theirs. We can have a sunless garden. Artificial lighting can do wonders for growing things where you never thought you could, even in that windowless basement. Any place where you can install a light fixture and maintain a daytime temperature of 70 to 80 degrees for tropical plants, or 65 to 75 degrees for temperate zone plants will work for your sunless garden. Of course, you may not want to have florescent tubes shining all over the place, but with well placed baffles or valances, you won't have that problem. Your plants will be happy, and the effect of light and growing beauty will more than lighten up the surroundings, it will brighten your day during those dreary winter days. We'll visit and expand on this topic during the coming months. 5) Special Dedication:Rex would like to make this special dedication to his Grandson. Please visit the link below. Dedicated to: By: Please Click Here or visit this link http://www.troopaid.org/troops/WeSupportU.htm Cold Climate Gardeners are passing
up an excellent resource if they don't take a look into the Minnesota
State Horticultural Society. Visit them today. We recommend them
highly. 6) Quote for Today:"The most needed, wanted, and powerful activity in which you
can engage on or off the job is to authentically recognize, acknowledge,
and appreciate others." 7) Reader Mailbag: Pink Moonflowers"I have a beautiful garden area with white moon flowers. However,
I hear that there are also "pink" moonflowers. Do you know
any thing about these? I am really having trouble finding them." There are several varieties of plants that are sometimes referred to as Moon Flowers. However, they are not technically moonflowers according to the definition. Moonflowers are generally considered those that bloom at night or late evening. The only moonflower plant that I am familiar with that has pink flowers
is: All other moonflowers have white blooms. Some people consider the Pink Evening Primrose to be a "faded pink flower" and thus, more towards the white side of the color spectrum. 8) Healing Herbs and Gem Stones:
It was believed that Gems and Herbs were amplifiers when brought into contact with the body's seven-chakra points. The word chakra meant wheel and when the wheel would spin, it would distribute the "life force" of energy to all areas of the body.
As time went by this practice became known as alternative healing. Even today, some medical doctors treat their patients using different forms of alternative medicine. Today there are over 800 types and varieties of herbs used for food flavoring or medical treatments. HR195 SAGE (Salvia offininalis) 9) 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, or are a valued customer of Rex's Seedco. 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 Click Here or send email to subscribegtt@goalsmint.com To unsubscribe Click Here or send email to unsubscribegtt@goalsmint.com Tom Krueger, Editor and Publisher Rex Gregor, Contributing Editor 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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As we've said before, roses are one of the world's most beautiful
flowers. Yet, they are not the easiest plant to grow. Hybrid tea roses,
as with most roses, are subject to "black spot fungus". We've
mentioned black spot before, but since September is notorious for heavy
dew during the month, we wanted to share more information with you.
Throughout history people of all cultures have used the healing powers
of herbs and gem stones. The practice has mostly been for religious
and spiritual purposes. At one time in history, Frankincense and Myrrh
were more valuable than gold.
They believed that when your chakras became congested or unbalanced
from stress, anxiety, environmental or other unknown conditions, the
meditation, along with gems or concoctions of herbs, would stimulate
the energy points of the body and promote health, happiness or well
being. It was believed that this would unlock the door to healing of
all mankind