Catching A Gardener's Eye

When I saw the flower plates in a silent auction bid, I couldn't resist. What gardener and lover of all things botanical, could?

Catching a Gardener's Eye; can be a plant in an office, a do-dad possibly used for gardening in a second-hand store, someone's flower bed along the street while driving by, or even a large rock (to use as a focal point in a flower bed...yes, you know what I'm talking about) along the road, so many, many things, yes really...catches the eye. Truly a gardener's eye is delighted in the simplest things, And of course unsuspecting things.

Upon first seeing these cute flower plates I was delighted by their simplicity. I wondered what they had been intended for. I thought I would add them to a garden bed for ambiance. Bringing them home after winning the bid with a $20 bill, I realized they were too adorable for an occasional glance while tending the gardens. So, they now adorn the walls in my art studio. I could change my mind after they have been there awhile. Who knows.

My studio is full of such treasures. Almost brimming with items that recall the moment purchased and with whom I was accompanied by, or given as a gift. These plates will inevitably bring the moment to mind of when I told my mother I should bid on them. It will bring me a chuckle, when I'll hear in my mind her words; "You don't need any more stuff"! Some treasures are coveted as reminders of the heart and those we love.

A Gardener's Eye changes with the seasons and come winter they might become dessert plates. Gardener's yearn for a visual reminder of the promise of springtime. I think eating from them in January will heighten the desire for seed hunting and garden planning. Perhaps in March I'll host a Welcoming of Spring Party and fill them with Vegetable Spring Rolls! The possibilities are as numerous as the season is upon us.

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet drink and botanical medicine." --Henry David Thoreau, Journal 1906

Plants Are Family Too

House plants have been a part of my life for as long as I have been out on my own. I don't recall my Mother having houseplants if any, although we did have garden in a few places we lived. My Grandmother always had plants and I think that is where I acquired my green thumb and love of plants.
I don't remember where or exactly when I acquired my first Ming Tree, but it eventually was mangled beyond resurrection by my Siamese Taji in one of her fits of jealousy. I did not have another one until my Dad found one at a local greenhouse in St. Cloud and gave it to me as a present. This was about 1978. He did things like that...remembered the little things in your life that made you happy.
I still have the original Ming and an offspring. They are part of my family. 30 plus years me and Ming have been together (but for two periods of separation when I moved to Alaska and my Mom babysat) and the offspring of at least 20 years.

For years, I didn't know much about the Ming, but knew how easy it was to take care of and how it liked to be moist and be kept by a window. Both of my Ming are about four feet tall and kept side by side next to the window in my bedroom. They do NOT like to be moved. About once a year they will start to drop yellowed leaves which puts me into a panic. They always recover with an abundance of new foliage. I had success propagating my second Ming by cutting a side shoot and just sticking it into prepared soil. I have given cuttings as well and know of two that successfully grew. When first put into the soil, they lost all of their leaves, but recovered eventually (it seemed to be months) and grew new leaves.

House plant lovers, seriously consider bringing a Ming Tree into your home. They are a delightful, elegant and loving addition to your family!

Here is an excellent resource I found from my research about the Ming Tree.

The Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa), with its ferny leaves and bonsai-like contorted stems, can lend an elegantly Asian touch to any decor. Hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 to 12, the tree is most often grown as a houseplant and can reach 8 feet in height and 3 feet in width under those conditions. Usually selected for its decorative foliage, the Ming aralia seldom produces its 6-inch panicles of inconspicuous white or yellow flowers indoors.

Keep the Ming tree in an acidic and fast-draining potting medium. Cal Lemke of Oklahoma State University recommends a combination of 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts potting soil, and 1 part sand or perlite. Re-pot the aralia at least once every other year, moving it to progressively larger containers as it grows.

Position the tree near a window where it will receive either partial sunlight -- preferably in the morning -- or bright, indirect light. Make sure the window is well-sealed and keep the plant away from exterior doors, to protect it from cold drafts or any temperatures under 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mist the Ming tree every morning to help provide the high humidity it prefers. If your tap water is hard, use rainwater or bottled spring water in the spray bottle, as alkaline water can deposit a white scum on the leaves. Alternatively, place the tree in a brightly lighted bathroom or near a kitchen sink, where the frequent running of a shower head or faucet raises the humidity.

Water the plant enough to keep its soil lightly damp. If possible, use rainwater or bottled spring water rather than tap water, which can be too alkaline for acid-loving species.

Fertilize the Ming tree only about once per season from spring through fall, in March, June and September. Use 20-20-20 plant food at half the recommended dose, which will usually be about 1/2 teaspoon crystals per gallon of water.

Watch for any signs of discoloration on the plant’s foliage, as well as brown bumps or patches of furry white. The latter could be mealy bugs and the former likely scale. A stippled pattern on the leaves might indicate hard-to-see spider mites. All of these pests can be controlled with Neem oil, by mixing 2 tablespoons of the oil into 1 gallon of water. Spray the plant thoroughly once a week for two weeks for mites, once a week for a month for mealy bugs, and once every two weeks for two months for scale. Wear a respirator when treating your plants, to avoid inhaling the oily mist, and goggles to keep it out of your eyes.


T. Chidester
Pine Ridge Homestead

Book Review "The gardener's Day, A daybook of acts and affirmations" by Maureen Gilmer

"The garden must be prepared in the soul first or it will not flourish. Tickle it with a hoe, and it will laugh into a harvest."  --Old English proverb

I totally agree with her first line, inside cover statement; "The gardener's Day was inspired by a simple philosophy: if you cannot be in the garden every day, the next best thing is to put yourself in a garden state of mind."

For each day the entry begins with a quotation that brings awareness of the common ground shared by all who love the earth. Celebrating the spiritual connection with our botanical world will renew your mind, body and spirit with each days insights.

What is particularly interesting to me is the information of age-old feasts, festivals, and religious rituals that are rooted in nature, plants and the garden.

So, with that said I'd like to share today's Affirmation; An old Scottish prayer was said often during spring primrose season (the English hybrid is call polyanthus). When you are on your knees in the mud of the early cold days of spring, remember this prayer, which thanks God for the beauty of these romantic little flowers; "Oh Lord, who painteth the petal of the polyanthus purple--shine down in all thy power."

If you add this to your book collection, you'll be inspired in so many ways!

Spring Blessings!
T. Chidester
Pine Ridge Homestead

Contributions and Photos

Would you like to contribute to our blog?

It would be wonderful if garden club members and other interested gardeners from the surrounding Brainerd lakes Area, would send garden photos, ranting, yes rantings!, suggestions, ideas, anything that pertains to gardening adventures.

Please send via our blog email to:
blogbrainerdgardenclub@gmail.com
 
All photo submissions should be in jpeg. Include your name (I will edit out your last name and use only first initial if you would like it listed), a description of the photo for plant identification, and any other comment you would like to share.

If you know of any other gardening blogs you would like to share, please forward that information.

2016 February Musings

This weekend marks the end of February. February is a month of false spring, where we have some warm days that lure us out into the sunshine. This weekend proves to be of sunshine and slight melting of snow. We still have a few piles and with brown splotches showing through in the landscape. Turn your face to the sun and let the rays enliven your skin with solar energy. Sunlight this time of the year truly helps us get through the dreariness of the end of winter. Yes, it is almost ended...REJOICE! Gardening is just around the corner.

2016 Garden Club Meetings

January 8th
   1 pm at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Plant Sale Planning
   Presented by: Plant Sale Committee
   Hostesses: Joyce Mikesh, Marlys Ray & Jackie Froemming

February 12th
   1 pm at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Protecting Our Water Quality & Lakeshore Restoration
   Presented by: Heather Baird, MN DNR
   Hostesses: Gayle Hertel & Hope Johnson

March 11th
   1 pm at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Choose Wisely and Plant Properly
   Presented by: Jackie Burkey CWMG
   Hostesses: Cheryl James & Marlys Ray

April 8th
   1 pm at Central Lakes College Greenhouse
   Program: Hydroponics
   Presented by: CLC Greenhouse/Jeff Dirks
   Hostesses: Shirley Nelson & Lee Humphrey

May 13th
   NOON at Northland Arboretum
      Salad Luncheon Potluck
   Program: Water Gardens
   Presented by: Peg Serani
   Hostesses: Margarita Price & Jackie Froemming

June 10th
   1 pm at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Lillie, Star of the Garden
   Presented by: Jennifer Knutson CWMG
   Hostesses: Sally Bennett & Herman Bradley

July 8th
   1 pm at Jeanne Larson's Garden
   Program: Meeting and Garden Tour
   Hostesses: Jeanne Larson & Jackie Froemming

July 29th
   10 am at Crow Wing Fair Grounds
   Program: Fair Cleanup - Bring your own cleaning supplies
                 Brown Bag Lunch
                 Meeting
August 2nd-6th
   Program: Crow Wing County Fair
     Monday August 1st - 10 am to 4:30 pm Assist Flower Registration
                                    6-9 pm Assist Flower Judging
     Tuesday August 4th - Saturday August 8th - Plant Sale
   Horticulture Building Supervisors: Bob Kennedy & Merv Eisel

September 9th
   NOON Catered Luncheon at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Annual Meeting & Election of Officers
      Tomatoes, Seed to Saucepan              
   Presented by: JoAnn Weaver CWMG
   Hostesses: Coralee Fox & Jackie Froemming

October 14th
   1 pm at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Installation of Officers
                  Rain Garden Rehab
   Presented by: Coralee Fox CWMG
   Hostesses: JoAnn Weaver & Marty Peisch

November 11th
   1 pm at Northland Arboretum
   Program: New & Emerging Fruit for Minnesota
   Presented by: Thaddeus McCamant, CLC Instructor
   Hostesses: Sue Stebbins & Rose Puckett

December 9th
   NOON at Northland Arboretum
   Program: Christmas Potluck Luncheon & Wrapped Gift Exchange ($5)
   Hostesses: All board members
    

 
  

  

2016 Garden Events

Brainerd Garden Club Plant Sale
   Saturday, May 28th
   8am to Noon
   Northland Arboretum, Brainerd MN

Crosslake Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
   Saturday, June 4th
   8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
   Crosslake Community Center, Crosslake MN

Crow Wing County Fair
   Tuesday, August 2nd through Saturday, August 6th
   Crow Wing County Fair Grounds, Brainerd MN