January is typically a quiet time for gardeners and EAGC gardeners are no exception. Our December Happenings post was awash with photos of members enjoying holiday festivities. This month, in lieu of member photos, you’ll find some creative Valentine’s Day arrangements. It goes without saying, of course, that these photos can’t hold a candle to the lovely faces of our members!
Have you ever wondered what goes on in your garden when you aren’t watching? Click on this wonderful video to see the pollination process up close. You’ll be surprised by some of the pollinators in action. Vicki from Environment &Conservation found this for us.
Some of the finest photography…click on HD for sharper view
February’s Horticulture Tip is available on the website. Since this is the season for indoor gardening, LuAnn has some suggestion for keeping our houseplants happy. Click here to check it out.
Minutes of the past two meetings can be found on the Website. Clickhere to go to the Meeting Minutes page.
Carole Chanasyk recently attended the New Hampshire Orchid Society Annual Show and is sharing a few of her photos with us. These gorgeous blooms are guaranteed to brighten any winter day.
It’s Mini-Grant time!
Linda & Edie, from E&C, are kicking off the Mini-Grant application process for 2018. We received fewer applications than usual last year and E&C would like to attract more interest this year. If you know of anyone who maintains a public garden, or who would like to beautify a public spot in our area, please encourage them to apply for a mini-grant. This year the grants will increase to $100 to $400, well worth the time required to submit an application. Click here to go to the Mini-Grant page of our website for much more info on this great program.
In keeping with this year’s theme of pollinators, E&C has found an interesting program called “To Bee or Not to Bee” , which will address landscaping to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. The program is presented by Andi Ross and will be on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 to 12:30 at the Newburyport Library. More info can be found here.
Art Scarpa made a return visit to EAGC, this time to show members how to assemble a terrarium. With plants, containers & materials supplied by Art, members quickly transformed empty jars into beautiful mini-gardens. As always, Art was an excellent source of plant information and humor. (See copies of Art’s terrarium preparation and care instructions here.)
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As always, refreshments were lovely to look at as well as delicious!
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At the same meeting, Environment & Conservation provided a helpful display on controlling pests in the garden, without resorting to harmful chemicals.
E&C also announced plans for their annual summer party. This year’s theme: Appleicious Afternoon. Sign-up for the August 17 party has started. For party details, click on Appleicious Afternoon Information. A sign-up sheet will be available at the June 14 luncheon or contact Linda V or Edie to sign up.
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On May 25, Nance J and her Beautification crew went to work cleaning up the bandstand area and installing the new plantings. Their hard work and the beautiful result are evident in these pictures. Judging by the big smiles, it appears that everyone enjoyed the morning.
For those of you who didn’t receive a handout at Art Scarpa’s workshop on May 18 and for anyone who would like some information about terrariums and their assembly and care, Art has sent these very helpful instructions and resources.
Art used Anchor Hocking Jars
(For more pictures of the terrarium workshop, go to May Happenings.)
Terrariums are one of the easiest ways to care for houseplants. They are very attractive, blending in with most any decor, make great gifts, and they are easy to make and maintain.
Now that your terrarium is at home, complete the landscape by adding some stones, twigs, pieces of bark or small clumps of moss.
Water very sparingly. Too much water will cause your plants to rot, and excess moisture cannot be easily removed from a terrarium. Use about 1/4 cup or less of tepid water for every gallon of container size. Do not pour the water directly onto the plants or soil. Instead, tilt the container and let it trickle against the glass and run down the inside into the soil. Using a clean new (unused) turkey baster is helpful. If you have a lid on your terrarium, you may not have to water more often than once a month or so.
Do not leave your terrarium in direct sunlight. A spot with good light will work. An east or north window is best, although an east or west facing window may be all right during the winter. A few hours of early morning or late afternoon sunshine in winter should be OK but a good rule is to leave the cover ajar to avoid heat build-up. If you wish to grow under lights, the lights must be placed very close, just several inches above the plants. A wide spectrum bulb is best; fluorescent bulbs are fine. Ott(brand) lights are also good.
Ventilate your container by leaving the lid slightly ajar for a day or so and if excessive mist forms on the glass or mold begins to form, it needs fresh air. Remove the cover for a few days or leave the glass lid slightly ajar – prop it open with a piece of wood, eraser or similar.
Mold spores are present in cool damp air and if you notice white mold beginning to grow on your plants and ventilatng for a day or two doesn’t help, treat immediately with a fungicide such as Physan, Daconil, Captan or similar brands. They are available at better garden supply stores. Some fungicides are drenches; they are mixed with water in small doses and then watered into the soil once. The fungicide is absorbed into the plants through the roots.
Plants that are damaged from mold or insects should immediately be removed to prevent infecting other plants. After treating the rest of the plants with a fungicide, you can replace the affected plant with a new one.
As plants outgrow their space in the terrarium, they can either be pruned back or carefully removed with a long-handled spoon and replaced with new ones.
If you made the terrarium to give as a gift, be sure to allow enough time to get the plants settled in before the big event! Good luck, and have fun!
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TERRARIUM PLANTS LIST
Compiled by Art Scarpa, Atkinson, NH artscarpa@aol.com
Here’s a list of houseplants that might be suitable for a terrarium or a bottle garden. Remember,plants for a terrarium or a bottle garden need to like humidity, indirect light (no direct sun needed), and enjoy a closed atmosphere! NO cactus or succulents! Scientific name is listed first, followed by the common name in parentheses.
Acorus (Sweet Flag)
Actiniopteris australis (mini fern)
Begonia rex (small-leaf varieties e.g. Begonia ‘Tiger Kitten’))
Calathea species (Zebra Plant, Peacock Plant, Rattlesnake Plant)
Cryptanthus (Earth Star)
Dracaena sanderiana (Ribbon Plant)
Ferns, small varieties: (Actiniopteris australis, Nephrolepis ‘Tiny Tim’ etc)
Our Next Speaker on Thursday, May 16, is our own Horticulture Committee Chair Terri Donsker. Her talk is entitled “Snake Dance with Sansevierias”. This will be held at the Stratham Community Church and the doors open at 9:30. The public is welcome. Terri sent us a little teaser for the program. Read on…..
