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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:This week we'll take a look at a couple of plants you might like to try, give some tips for your spring bulbs, some things to consider about your air conditioning, some trivia and more. 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) Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus):
The Persian Buttercup was introduced to Europe in about 1596 from Asia Minor. The Buttercup is a bulbous perennial that is not frost hardy. It has round, double flowers varying from white, pink, red, yellow and orange, depending on the species. The taller varieties make magnificent cut flowers. The compact varieties are more suited to containers or for window boxes. The plants need a warm, sunny, partially shaded location and well drained soil. The soil is best if sandy and slightly acidic. They benefit from regular watering and bi-weekly applications of a water-soluble fertilizer. After the plant has died in the fall, be sure to store the bulbs in a well ventilated, dry place. where the temperature is between 45-50° F (7-10° C.). You can then re-plant the bulbs in the spring. Otherwise, they may be grown from seed. However, seeds are often difficult to obtain. It is best to start the bulbs indoors for better results. The bulbs have claws on the bottom should be planted downward about 4 inches deep. When the foliage appears, you should start fertilizing on a bi-weekly basis. Persian Buttercup likes cool nights and a sunny location, but not hot days. This genus is known to have about 400 species. Any one of them will look great any place in your garden. They will do very well in pots or containers if drainage is good, watering is never neglected, and if sufficient sunlight is available. As we said, hot summer weather is not to their liking. Again, soil with good drainage is absolutely essential for success. If your garden soil is compacted, hard, and composed largely of clay, you should work some sand and old compost into it. Persian Buttercup does not like extra warm soil. We suggest you mulch around the plants to help keep the soil cool and moist at the root level. During the flowering season, you should remove all faded flowers to encourage the plant to keep blooming. If you want to use the blooms for cut flowers, you should cut the flower stems when the blooms are in the bud stage for the best looking blooms -- don't wait until they are already fully open or in full bloom. By keeping this in mind, the cut flowers will last longer. Generally the bulbs area quite inexpensive, thus saving the bulbs for the next year is not much of an advantage. If you should want to save the bulbs, it is best to leave them in the ground until late fall. Cut the stems just above the bulb - wash and air dry the bulb for a few days in the shade - then place them in a cool place for the winter. Consider growing some Persian Buttercups - we're sure you'll be pleased with them. 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. 3) Humor for Today:Millions of years ago, there was no such thing as the wheel. One day, some primitive guys were watching their wives drag a dead mastodon to the food & fire area. It was exhausting work; the guys were getting tired just watching. Then they noticed some large, smooth, rounded boulders and they had a great idea! They could sit on top of the boulders and get a better view of their wives working. This was the first in a series of breakthroughs that ultimately led to television...and later to the remote control. [From Dave Barry.] 4) The Great Wall of China:In size, materials, and human labor, the Great Wall of China is the largest construction project ever undertaken by man. Enough stone was used in the 1,700-year-old project to build an 8-foot wall that would girdle the globe at the equator. The Great Wall snakes its way over more than one-twentieth of the earths circumference. AMAZING! 5) Portulaca grandiflora (Moss Rose):
In its native habitat (Argentina - Brazil) Portulaca plants grow best on a very sunny dry, sandy slope. These succulent fleshy leaves are able to store water. They need very little moisture or fertilizer. In a warm, dry summer they produce an abundance of large rose-like single or double flowers of many colors - orange, pink, red, yellow or white. They have a spreading trailing habit and as such, they make an excellent ground cover, They also make an excellent container plant or hanging basket for balconies or terraces. You can even cut them back at any time. Moss Rose can be easily started from either cuttings or from seeds. SF022 Moss Rose (Portulaca) Click Image for Our Palm Tree
Gallery 6) Quote for Today:"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough
to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the
character
of an honest man." 7) Caring For Your Spring-Flowering Bulbs:After the flowers have died from your spring flowering bulbs, you can cut off the old flower stems at ground level. It is important to make sure to leave all the foliage intact, because it is helping to manufacture energy that is stored in the bulb for next year's display. Don't tie the leaves together or bundle them with rubber bands-- this decreases the amount of photosynthesis that can take place. Photosynthesis is an energy making process basically creating energy in the form of sugars. The sugars made over the course of the spring are stored in the bulbs for next year's beauty. When the foliage turns brown naturally, remove the foliage by cutting to ground level - this usually happens in late May. 8) Air Conditioning Maintenance:Okay, so in most of the US we aren't thinking much about air conditioning. But it's not too early to start thinking about if. If you live in a northern climate, spring is happening and it will be hot soon enough. Get outside and check around the condenser (the big thing next to the house). Air movement is the lifeblood of these units, and anything blocking that air should be removed. There shouldn't be weeds or other greenery close to the unit to block airflow. Look down inside to spot leaves or other debris in the unit. If you are up to it, lift the lid of the unit and vacuum it out. But be sure to cut the power first! If this skill is out of your range, call a service tech. Regular maintenance is the key to keeping AC equipment living longer. 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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