|
[ Past Issues Index ] [ Rex's Seedco Home ] [ Our Seed Catalog ] [ About Us ]
|
||||||
|
Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:How'd you like to grow non-stop begonias? Our lead article this week takes a look at them. We also continue our highlight on herbs with a look two, tarragon and borage. We also look at sowing seeds, give some info on grapevines, have our reader mailbag, 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) Non-Stop Begonia (Tuberous Begonia)
Non-stop begonias were developed in Germany and have since probably become the most popular series in the United States. They were so named because they will bloom NON-STOP. Besides being beautiful, many people do not realize that this begonia is edible. The lemony sour flavor of the flowers will add a sharp taste to a fruit-salad, yogurt, or ice cream. (Just make sure you do not eat ANY of the flowers that have been treated with insecticides.) Non-Stop begonias are best grown in partial to full shade with rich well-drained soil. They make an excellent patio or container plant. You should incorporate organic matter (such as peat moss or compost) to improve the plant's performance. You should also add 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer once every two weeks except when they are sprouting. The plants should be watered when the soil begins to get dry. It is always best to try and water the plants in the morning so the foliage will have a chance to dry before evening. Wet foliage over night increases the chance for disease. If you note a white dust-like growth on the leaves, it is probably powdery mildew. You can use a fungicide to correct the problem -- but you may only need to offer the plant better air circulation to cure the problem. There are three begonia types determined by the root systems of the plant: fibrous, tuberous and rhizomatous. All of these varieties are somewhat particular about temperature, light and drainage. Without proper cultural conditions, begonias may shed leaves or quit flowering. Generally poor flowering is the result of poor fertility - they may just be hungry! Most tuberous begonia are generally known as standing varieties, but their are varieties that will grow very well in hanging baskets. Near the end of summer, if tuberous begonias start to turn yellow and drop leaves, more often than not, this is probably due to the shorter daylight hours. If the plants receive less than 13 hours of daylight, they begin to go dormant. At this point stop fertilizing - you will be wasting the fertilizer. If you try some non-stop begonias, we're sure you'll be pleased. We don't carry them, but if you click on the image above, or simply click here, you'll be able to visit a site that does carry them. And they are running a special -- $25 off any order of $50 or more. Click
Here for Red Non-Stop Begonias 3) Humor for Today:Murphy and his wife, a middle-aged couple, went for a stroll in the park. They sit down on a bench to rest for awhile. Soon they overhear voices coming from a secluded spot nearby. Suddenly Mrs. Murphy realizes that a young man is about to propose. Not wanting to be eavesdropping during such an intimate moment, she gently nudges her husband and whispers, "Whistle to let that young couple know that someone can hear them." To which Murphy replies, "Whistle? Why should I whistle? Nobody whistled to warn me?" 4) Highlight on Herbs:Tarragon (Artemosoa dracumculus) Tarragon is native to Asia and North America. It has a distinctive aroma and for this reason, it makes an excellent plant for balconies and terraces. Even though tarragon is a perennial, it is frost sensitive. The plant will develop runners producing leafy stems with inconspicuous yellow-brown flowers. The leaves are a bright green and fragrant. They can be harvested from spring until late fall. However, tarragon loses much of its aroma when dried. Tarragon leaves are used to flavor salads, braised beef dishes (often called sauerbraten), poultry or game dishes. It is also said to promote digestion and has a diuretic property.
Borage belongs to the Boraginaceae family of plants. It is most often used for its culinary properties. Although, it does have an elegant, star-shaped blue flower. Borage may be sown from April until June. When you plant, the seeds should be covered with a generous layer of compost. As soon as the flower buds begin to poke their heads through the compost, the plant needs to be fed with a water soluble fertilizer every two weeks – it is a hungry plant. Borage needs sun and a moist, well drained fertile soil. The stems and leaves are covered with rough hairs which may cause skin irritation in some people. Therefore, it is advisable to wear gloves when working with it. The plant is most often used to make salads and soups. You can also make a borage tea that is said to have blood cleaning properties. HR224 Tarragon, Russian (Artemesia dracunculus) HR370 Borage (Borage officinalis) Visit Rex’s Seedco Favorite Garden Herbs at http://www.rexseedco.com/ 5) Depth for Sowing Seeds:When you are sowing seeds in their permanent home, the depth you place them in the soil depends on the seed size -- and, the time of year can also change that a bit. As you know, soil in the early spring is still cool and damp. Thus seeds only need a light covering so they can draw warmth from the sun; in later spring and summer they need to be sown deeper because the sun will quickly dry out the soil and your seeds won't get their needed moisture. Seeds sown 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in the spring (average size seeds) should be planted 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep later in the season. Notice we said average size seeds; very fine seeds never need covering no matter when they are sown. Because of their size, very fine seeds naturally slip into the soil and cover themselves. We hope you had a chance to take advantage of this great offer on bulbs. 6) Quote for Today:"Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.
The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." 7) Reader Mailbag: Cicadas"I am new to the south east (Georgia). How much of a problem are these cicadas going to be?"After 17 years of hiding in their underground homes, billions of "cicadas" will apparently emerge this year. Generally, these winged insects will spend the next weeks in a loud mating ritual. They could arrive anytime between now through the end of August. Their offspring will be born from eggs that the female will lay on tree branches. After hatching, they will fall from the tree and borough under ground to live. They will then feed from the roots of trees and plants for the next seventeen years. Cicadas are more a noisy annoyance then they are to a problem to people or animals. Their loud mating calls are sometimes very annoying. They do not sting or bite, they just make noise. However, if they do decide to visit your home, out buildings, or trees by the hundreds even thousands, you may start to think they are more then a annoyance. The humming, buzzing chorus you hear in the summer night will probably be caused by the cicadas. These stout-bodied, large-headed insects are usually green with red and black markings. They are about an inch or so long and will have two pairs of wings. They have three sets of prominent eyes. Both the male and female will die after they have mated. The 17-year broods is expected in parts of fifteen states from New York to Georgia to Illinois. For more info, you may want to visit the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - insect division: (Cicadas of Michigan) Click Here or visit http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Michigan/Index.html 8) Grapevine Tips:Have you pruned your grapevines and noticed bleeding? You don't have to worry. Grapevines naturally bleed profusely when they are pruned in spring. This does not harm the vines. Spring is also the time to mulch. This allows grapevines to get the moisture they need for good production. For best results, use plenty of well-rotted manure mixed with straw. It is a good idea to protect fruit clusters from diseases, insects, and birds as soon as the grapes reach the size of a pea. We'd suggest slipping specially made bags of transparent paper or cheesecloth up to the stem and secure it loosely. If you do use plastic bags, be sure to punch holes for ventilation. 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.
|
||||||
|
[ Past Issues Index ] [ Rex's Seedco Home ] [ Our Seed Catalog ] [ About Us ]
|
||||||
