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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:Do you want to have a real focal point in your yard or garden? You can easily have one with outdoor topiary, which we talk about in our lead article. We follow that with other interesting items, our reader mailbag, and another tip about pruning. 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) Outdoor Topiary:What is outdoor topiary? It is the training of shrubs, trees, herbs and vines into fanciful shapes. Surprisingly, it is quite easy to do.
Evergreens or small-leaved plants are usually the plants of choice for topiary projects. Yews are generally the traditional favorites for obtaining the best results. It is best to start with young or newly planted shrubs. Older shrubs may require more drastic pruning to get them into the shape you want them to be. Topiaries are generally trained in either geometric or box shaped forms such as spheres, because these shapes take less time. However, you may shape your topiary into more unusual forms such as a boat, bird, giraffe, dog, etc. If you plan to try a more complicated figure, you may want to sketch the final shape - this will help you visualize the final product and allow you to have a guide during the pruning process. Pruning topiary is simply removing unwanted growth and allowing new growth to fill into those spaces. If you start with small plants you can train your topiary into its intended form more easily. You may need to use stakes or bent rods to train the key stems into the correct position. You'll want to use twine or other biodegradable material to tie the stems so it will rot when it has finished its job. Plastic or wire ties may cause the stems to die once the wire begins to choke off the growth. If you do a good job of managing your topiary and molding it into the shape you desire, you will be proud of the results you receive. You should start training your plant in early spring after the new growth begins to appear. Once your plant is in its final shape you only need to trim it to keep it looking great. As a final note, it is very important that you stop trimming your topiary after midsummer to allow the new growth to harden off before the cold weather comes. *** 10% savings on everything *** 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:While attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend, Walter and his wife Mary listened to the instructor declare, "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other". He addressed the men, "Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower." Walter leaned over, touched Mary's arm and gently whispered, "Pillsbury All Purpose, isn't it?" Thus began Walter 's life of celibacy. 4) Annuals – Biennials:Can you tell us the difference between an annual and a biennial? True annuals germinate, grow, flower, set seeds, and die all in one season. Their single goal is to reproduce themselves. Most annual plants will flower very profusely to meet this goal. You can play tricks with some annuals by deadheading to prevent seed formation on the plant. They will continue blooming all summer long, as long as you keep deadheading the flowers. Annuals can further be seperated into three distinct groupings based on their cold tolerance. These are generally known as hardy annuals, half hardy or tender annuals. Biennials have much in common with annuals. But they differ in one major respect, biennials will take two years to complete their life cycle. The first year after planting the seeds, they produce their leaf structure, then they will store energy for the next year. The second year the plant will set seeds, and then die. Common biennials are foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and Sweet William (dianthus barbatus). 5) Reindeer:
Now; therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen – had to be female. We should’ve known. Only women, while pregnant, would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost! HAPPY HOLIDAYS Rex and Tom Click Image for Our Angels Gallery 6) Quote for Today:"Do not consider it proof just because it is written in
books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate
to do
the same with his pen. They are utter fools who accept a thing as convincing
proof simply because it is in writing." 7) Reader Mailbag: Bamboo"I love bamboo and have been reading a lot about it lately. I can't seem to find one that is suitable for a house plant. Do you know of any?" We do carry Giant Indian Bamboo (Bambusa arundinasea) D9520. This Giant Indian
Bamboo makes an excellent house plant and is very easy to care for. The stalks
will turn a golden-yellow with age. The bamboo foliage grows on long fonds.
The root ball must be kept fairly moist. It is a hungry plant and should be fertilized at least once per month with a water soluble balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). The seeds should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours before planting them in sterilized potting soil. Keep the seeds in the dark until they sprout, then place the seedlings in a well lighted window or under a grow light for at least five to six hours per day. They prefer to grow at about 65° F. (18.3° C.) The giant Indian bamboo can also be grown outside in warmer climates. D9520 -- 35 seeds per package at $2.90 8) Pruning Tip for Topiary:Be sure to mind your shears when creating topiary. Be sure they are sharp - you want to slice the stems and not to crush them. Take some small cuts and observe the result. Even if you have a good eye, consider using stakes and a level. Cut from the top down and the center out. Be sure to work on both sides so that your work is symmetrical. 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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Creating topiary is really the practice of pruning your plants into
sculptured shapes. The nice thing about topiary, it can give your front
steps or your garden a stunning focal point of interest. You can easily
transform these plants into strange and wonderful living creatures.
According to the Alaska Department of Game both male and female reindeer
grow antlers in the summer of each year, male reindeer drop their antlers
at the beginning of winter, usually in late November to mid-December.
Female reindeer retain their antlers until after they give birth in
the spring.
