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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:In another day it will be May - time to see what the April showers have brought. In many areas you've already got your gardens going in full force, on the other extreme are those in colder climates still worried about the last frost. For us, we're just worried about what information to pass along. Are you looking for a plant with gorgeous flowers? Look no further than our lead article this week on the Purpule Passion Flower. We share a photo and a lot of info with you. In this issue we also start a series of articles talking about various herbs. Hopefully we'll be able to give you info you've not known before. Our Reader Mailbag question is quite long - we answer a question about wild morning glory. And, of course, we have other things, as well. 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) Purple Passion Flower (Passifora):
The Purple Passion Flower is also known as flor da las cinco llagas (flower of five wounds). The Jesuits believed this is the flower that grew on the cross of St. Francis of Assisi. So why is it called the Passion Flower? Each part of the flower was said to represent the instruments of the Passion of Christ. Five petals and five sepals symbolized the 10 faithful apostles, but did not include Judas for his betrayal or Peter for denying knowing Jesus. The fringe stands for the crown of thorns and the five stamens denoted the five wounds. The ovary depicts the hammer and the three crosses, and the nails that held Christ on the cross. In the 16th Century, when the first Christian missionaries landed in South America, they found this beautiful flower which they interpreted as a sign that their mission would be a success. They called it the Passion Flower because they though it symbolized the death of Christ. Indians believed the fruit of the passion flower (maypop) was a cure for insomnia. When the Jesuits saw the Indians eat the fruit, they interpreted it to mean the Indians were hungry for Christianity. The Indians weren't totally off base. The Passion Flower is one of natures best tranquilizers. It is known to relieve muscle tension and other manifestations of extreme anxiety. It is said to be especially good for nervous insomnia - the kind that keeps you lying in bed worrying until the late hours. Herbalists often recommend Passion Flower for times of emotional upset. The Passion Flower (Passiflora spp.) is a perennial woody vine found in tropical America. A few species originate in Asia and the Polynesian Islands. They climb through the supporting vegetation by means of coiled tendrils. Many of the varieties will produce edible fruits. The egg-shaped passion fruit has a tough leathery, sometimes wrinkled skin which is usually purple or red, although there is a yellow variety. The central cavity has a yellowish aromatic pulp, containing a few hard black seeds attached to a small peg- like outgrowth on the wall of the fruit. Both the pulp and the seeds are edible and rich in vitamins with appreciable quantities of vitamin B1 and C. The yellow variety is often grown for its juice. The vine produce about 100 fruits per year. The major producing areas are Brazil, Kenya, Australia and Hawaii. The vine will produce about 100 fruits per year. Most home grown Passion Flowers can only be grown indoors because of their reguirement for a warm environment. The plant is best propagated from seed. Germination generally takes about two to three weeks. The plants require plenty of moisture and they prefer a water soluble fertilizer monthly until they begin to flower. Although each individual flower only last a short time, the flowering season lasts fairly long so you can enjoy these beautiful flowers for long periods. The Passion Flower is the state flower of Tennessee. D8524 Purple Passion Flower (Passiflora) *** 10% Savings Through May 6, 2004 *** 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:Little Johnny was afraid of the dark. One night his mother told him to go out to the back porch and bring her the broom. Little Johnny turned to his mother and said, "Mama, I don't want to go out there. It's dark." His mother smiled reassuringly at Little Johnny. "You don't have to be afraid of the dark," she explained. "Jesus is out there. He'll look after you and protect you." Little Johnny looked at his mother real hard and asked, "Are you sure he's out there?" "Yes, I'm sure. He is everywhere, and he is always ready to help you when you need him," she said. Little Johnny thought about that for a minute and then went to the back door and cracked it a little. Peering out into the darkness, he called, "Jesus? If you're out there, would you please hand me the broom?" 4) Landscape Tips:What's the best way to help in your landscaping - make smart decisions and it will save you money in the long run. The first thing is to buy healthy plants which will help ensure strong growth and disease resistance. Here are some things to consider:
Keep these tips in mind and you'll be happier with the ultimate results. 5) Garden Herbs:Over the next issue or two we'll take a look at various herbs. Did you know there are more than 800 varieties of herbs listed in the Modern Herbal Guide? We thought we carried a lot at 65 varieties. We had to decide to limit ourselves to those we consider our favorite herbs. Most herbs are edible and many are used for food flavoring or food preparation. Also, some of these herbs are used for Medical Treatment, and some have even been found to have life saving medical uses. A wonderful thing about herbs is their fragrance and their decorative appeal. In fact, they bring nature right to your doorstep. An added benefit is the attraction they give to butterflies, bringing them right to your patio. One thing to consider are special terracotta herb pots with holes in the sides which you find at most garden stores. They are both practical and decorative. These pots enable you to easily grow your herbs in a small area. As a start, herbs such as thyme, basil, oregano and sage will provide you with fresh herbs for your favorite dishes. Herbs thrive and develop their best aroma if grown in a warm sunny location. You will be pleased to learn that herbs require very little moisture -- thus you do not need to water them often. They are best harvested before they begin to blossom. Something to consider in the fall is that you can dry and freeze the leaves for winter use. During the next weeks we'll share more specific information on selected herbs. If you'd like to see some of our favorites, visit Rex’s Seedco Favorite Garden Herbs at http://www.rexseedco.com/ Click Image for Our Angels Gallery 6) Quote for Today:"It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to
explain why you did it wrong." 7) Reader Mailbag: Wild Morning GloryHow do I get rid of Wild Morning Glorys?The scientific name for Wild Morning Glory is Convolvoulus sepium. Other names are hedge bindweed, doddar, jalar, moon flower, and scammony. These morning glory vines have been known to grow up to 50 feet and climb over and around any place. This weed got its name because it blooms when the sun comes up and then closes up when it gets dark. The Wild Morning Glory is a European perennial with white or pink flowers. It has been naturalized into North America and is widely considered an invasive weed. It is an obnoxious, deciduous vine with thick spreading perennial roots. In March this plant will develop new rubbery, skinny, twisting stems that will sometimes grow to fifty feet, climbing trees or telephone poles. In the language of flowers, this foul pest is a hated weed that is an overbearing ruthless plant. The stems grow along the surface of the soil and can send roots down. Like dandelion roots, they will produce a white milky latex substance. Many gardeners believe the best way to get rid of the Wild Morning Glory is to move your garden to a new location -- though this is pretty drastic. Otherwise, you can hoe the infested area every week or ten days until you eventually eliminate the weed -- unfortunately, this is also a difficult task and won't guarantee success. If your garden gets infested with Wild Morning Glory it may take several years of hand weeding and careful herbicide applications to kill it. To ignore it means it may last forever. Unfortunately, this plant has both negative and positive attributes. Iif found in the wild, they can be quite beautiful. During its early growth, the leaves will resemble a regular morning glory and the only way you can tell them apart is to look at some of the details on the leaves -- only professionals can really tell the difference. The Wild Morning Glory will get all tangled up with other plants or bushes. It likes conditions from full shade to full sun. Its hardiness is amazing because of its own re-seeding and re-growth from the root system. This rampant vine has only one redeeming value -- it can be used to grow on trees, electric poles or telephone poles. However, our experience is to not allow this Wild Morning Glory to grow in any of your garden areas. Bottom line -- if you are able to identify a plant as a Wild Morning Glory – KILL IT! 8) Moving our Houseplants Outside:Some are already thinking about moving their houseplants outside, for others it is still to early. When you do move them, slowly ease them outside. You'll want to introduce them to direct sunlight over a period of several weeks. You might even keep them in the shade for several days, and then step them up to a bright area, perhaps with only some morning sun. Those that can take full sun, make it to their sunny place in the garden about a week later. 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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