The Orchid Garden

Wow! Wisteria Seeds

Question:

Speaking of crinums, bought three bulbs off of ebay (really cheap) and have two reds and one striped one.  Would love to find more colors as there are so few bulbs that do well here due to our heat and they seem ideal for a background in the garden.  I’ve received the bulbs, planted them deep, fertilized them and watered them deeply.  I understand they don’t like to be disturbed, does anyone else have any additional information to offer? susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – speaking of books, Zhan, pull out your A-Z encyclopedia and check out <GBSEG Looks like a mature version of the ones I sent you.  Did the baby live ?  Could you cure the fungus or whatever the red spots were? Zhan

Response:

Try looking at used book stores-I found mine there for $2.00 and it wasnt’ used, but new. (priced inside cover at $ 35.00) I also found another good "old" book at a yard sale: Taylor’s Encyclopedia of Gardening, 1948.  (it was a withdrawn book from the Folsom Prison Library!) 25 cents. I also like Botanica, I think it has more use for Calif. since there are many Mediterranean and Australian plants listed. Emilie

I have the Taylors too.  It’s the one I say I’d be hard pressed if I had to choose between it and Hubby. :^) It was printed when gardening books were designed to provide information not fluff.  Love the down to earth advice I find there. Zhan

Response:

I’ve read you and Bill Morgan mentioning the field guides a few times.  I want some of those too. Particularity the ones on bugs. B&N doesn’t have them.  But the latest envelope from Garden Book Club offered a few.  I’m thinking they may have the whole set. Zhan

Response:

speaking of books, Zhan, pull out your A-Z encyclopedia and check out <GBSEG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve read you and Bill Morgan mentioning the field guides a few times.  I want some of those too. Particularity the ones on bugs. B&N doesn’t have them.  But the latest envelope from Garden Book Club offered a few.  I’m thinking they may have the whole set. Zhan

Response:

speaking of books, Zhan, pull out your A-Z encyclopedia and check out <GBSEG

Looks like a mature version of the ones I sent you.  Did the baby live ?  Could you cure the fungus or whatever the red spots were? Zhan

Response:

the baby is alive and living in the same pot as the larger one, the stem that had the flowers now has these ever increasing green globes that I assume are seed pods, and since it rained today all day, and tonight, it’s looking even better.  The red spots aren’t gone, but they aren’t on the rest of the leaves either……not sure what they are, and speaking of unusual things, what kind of grass if that coming up in the soil with the dracillius ?????It has broad leaves and sorta looks like lirope, I keep pulling it out of the soil around the bulb at the base of those cool spines and if I don’t compost them, and just drop them, they PULL woman???????  never figured out what them spots were, now were can I put those orchids this winter and not kill them??????  madgardener inquiring minds wanna know…… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – speaking of books, Zhan, pull out your A-Z encyclopedia and check out <GBSEG Looks like a mature version of the ones I sent you.  Did the baby live ?  Could you cure the fungus or whatever the red spots were? Zhan

Response:

You’re quite welcome!  :-) Gandy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gandy, I’m sure I wrote a thank you but I don’t see it posted.  Anyway thanks.  I’m going to add it to my small collection. Zhan

Response:

Gandy, I’m sure I wrote a thank you but I don’t see it posted.  Anyway thanks.  I’m going to add it to my small collection. Zhan

Response:

the baby is alive and living in the same pot as the larger one, the stem that had the flowers now has these ever increasing green globes that I assume are seed pods, and since it rained today all day, and tonight, it’s looking even better.  The red spots aren’t gone, but they aren’t on the rest of the leaves either……not sure what they are, and speaking of unusual things, what kind of grass if that coming up in the soil with the dracillius ?????It has broad leaves and sorta looks like lirope, I keep pulling it out of the soil around the bulb at the base of those cool spines and if I don’t compost them, and just drop them, they PULL woman???????  never figured out what them spots were, now were can I put those orchids this winter and not kill them??????  madgardener inquiring minds wanna know……

Oh Marilyn, that strange grass is bound to be sand spurs. The seeds will survive the hottest compost pile. At least it always did mine and it could really get cooking.  I strongly recommend you burn what you pull. Why don’t you mix some alcohol, 409 and water and wipe the red spots.  It’s what I use on my orchids and works great. IIRC the orchids were Vandas and Phals.  The vandas I’d put hang in to shower if it is not to far from a window.  They LOVE humidity.  The phals I’d put in bright cool light, a tray of pebbles with water under it.  Watch it closely, I think that’s the one that usually bloomed around Christmas. If it sets bud don’t move it.  They’ll blast.  IMHO all orchids fare better with neglect than over attention. They’re tougher than combat boots as long as you don’t over water them. (All except the vandas I don’t think you CAN drown those guys) Zhan-nice to talk gardens again.  I’ve missed it.

Response:

strange munching sound..<<<<<<<<  belch….. Oh Marilyn, that strange grass is bound to be sand spurs. The seeds will survive the hottest compost pile. At least it always did mine and it could really get cooking.  I strongly recommend you burn what you pull.

eeeeeeee, I seen that stuff, naaaaaaaaasty……thanks, glad you cleared that one up, wow, sand spurs, euck. Why don’t you mix some alcohol, 409 and water and wipe the red spots.  It’s what I use on my orchids and works great.

righty, will do that before bringing in the Asian/Zhan <GBSEG (wow,is IIRC the orchids were Vandas and Phals.  The vandas I’d put hang in to shower if it is not to far from a window.

The vandas was the red leafed one, right?  (you’re determined that I get up and go to the porch to read the tag, ain’t you?) If so,I will put her in the shower, the only window is a really bright north one, problem is it’s over the register of the furnace (heat pump) ackkkk, I will have to figure this one out, i might have to hang her up over the kitchen sink, another north facing window, but not subject to warm air waifting up to dry her out.  I know this has to be the vandas, she got really pissed at me and dried a few leaves when I didn’t water her every day.  She taught me a lesson quickly.  She also has a new orchid pot, a clay one with those slits.   They LOVE humidity.  The phals I’d put in bright cool light, a tray of pebbles with water under it.  Watch it closely, I think that’s the one that usually bloomed around Christmas. If it sets bud don’t move it.  They’ll blast.  IMHO all orchids fare better with neglect than over attention. They’re tougher than combat boots as long as you don’t over water them. (All except the vandas I don’t think you CAN drown those guys)

yes you can, if you let them sit in water…i learned that lesson the first week, too.   Got it, now all I have to do is not let them get too cold up here and bring them in at the right time.  Wish me luck.  I would love to see your phal blooming at Christmas, my Amazon lily usually blooms Thanksgiving, not this year, I gave her her own pot and for that she will be peeved at me, she likes her toes cramped and LEFT ALONE……ahh well, live and learn.  Can you see all this?  I have a blood lily to bring inside to go dormant, the Asian Crinum, the Zepheranthes I have to divide and send a few to a garden friend, the tubs of canna’s, to make dormant, the bleeding heart vine I have to whack back first, the twisted croton is doing fine, another water hog, she taught me she wanted her own pot of water to soak her toes in all the time. Zhan-nice to talk gardens again.  I’ve missed it.

it is, ain’t it?  Can I pour you a glass of Michigan Sweet cherry wine? It’s my last bottle…….

Response:

The vandas was the red leafed one, right?

No, that one is a jewel orchid.  It is terrestrial.  Treat it like you would any other house plant.  It blooms right around Valentines Day.  Right after blooming cut it back short or it will sprawl and flatten out in the center.  What you cut off can be rooted very easily. Just after thanksgiving start fertilizing with bloom booster or something similar. Remember when we went to Lew Gardens, the orchids in bloom in the orchid house that were hanging from wires, no soil at all.  The blooms were on spikes with cluster of small blooms 50 to a hundred on some of the older ones.  Those were vandas. When outside spray with water until all the roots turn green. As they use the water stored in the root coat, the roots turn white. Leave them white a couple days then water again.  Inside plunge the whole thing into a sink or tub of water until roots are green, etc. etc. me and dried a few leaves when I didn’t water her every day.  She taught me a lesson quickly.  She also has a new orchid pot, a clay one with those slits.

If your jewel orchid is drying out that fast the potting medium has broken down.  My favorites for her is fine fir bark and perlite.  They LOVE humidity.  The phals I’d put in bright cool light, a tray of pebbles with water under it.  Watch it closely, I think that’s the one that usually bloomed around Christmas. If it sets bud don’t move it.  They’ll blast.  IMHO all orchids fare better with neglect than over attention.

Now I can’t remember if I gave you a phal or not.  If so, it’s the one that has big floppy leaves like bunny ears. Each leaf should be larger than the one it put on before. If not it’s not getting enough to eat.  If the leaves start getting real dark it needs more light. croton is doing fine, another water hog, she taught me she wanted her own pot of water to soak her toes in all the time.

Don’t forget these guys are mite magnets. Zhan-nice to talk gardens again.  I’ve missed it. it is, ain’t it?  Can I pour you a glass of Michigan Sweet cherry wine? It’s my last bottle…….

Skip the glass pass the bottle. Zhan

Response:

The vandas was the red leafed one, right? No, that one is a jewel orchid.  It is terrestrial.  Treat it like you would any other house plant.  It blooms right around Valentines Day.  Right after blooming cut it back short or it will sprawl and flatten out in the center.  What you cut off can be rooted very easily. Just after thanksgiving start fertilizing with bloom booster or something similar.

It was sprawling when you gave it to me……wait, I can’t stand this, I’m going to see who she is…..be right back…..Dawn Suntan is the green one that could probably just live on a wire……the red one perked up since we started getting cooler nights, doesn’t make sense does it? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Remember when we went to Lew Gardens, the orchids in bloom in the orchid house that were hanging from wires, no soil at all.  The blooms were on spikes with cluster of small blooms 50 to a hundred on some of the older ones.  Those were vandas. When outside spray with water until all the roots turn green. As they use the water stored in the root coat, the roots turn white. Leave them white a couple days then water again.  Inside plunge the whole thing into a sink or tub of water until roots are green, etc. etc. me and dried a few leaves when I didn’t water her every day.  She taught me a lesson quickly.  She also has a new orchid pot, a clay one with those slits. If your jewel orchid is drying out that fast the potting medium has broken down.  My favorites for her is fine fir bark and perlite.  They LOVE humidity.  The phals I’d put in bright cool light, a tray of pebbles with water under it.  Watch it closely, I think that’s the one that usually bloomed around Christmas. If it sets bud don’t move it.  They’ll blast.  IMHO all orchids fare better with neglect than over attention. Now I can’t remember if I gave you a phal or not.

nope, you gave me the jewel (red with neat veins and fat bulbus stems) and the green vanda that actually has the tag on the wire.  That was the one you had in the wooden crate.   If so, it’s the one that has big floppy leaves like bunny ears. Each leaf should be larger than the one it put on before. If not it’s not getting enough to eat.  If the leaves start getting real dark it needs more light. croton is doing fine, another water hog, she taught me she wanted her own pot of water to soak her toes in all the time. Don’t forget these guys are mite magnets.

spider mites?  I don’t have too many problems with those guys, bit I will give it a good cleaning before bringing it inside.  That one will be the one to really show me displeasure at being brought inside. I always have to search for mantis cases and writing spider egg cases anyway, and mealy bugs.  I also noticed that the hoya Mary Emma gave me has a bad case of aphids and every ladybug I bring to the plant give me a dirty look and leave.  I may have to just alcohol the aphids with a q-tip.  The real fun begins when I bring in all those pots of succulents you sent me home with inside.  not hardy to my winter, but I loves them so much, i can’t help it……. Zhan-nice to talk gardens again.  I’ve missed it. it is, ain’t it?  Can I pour you a glass of Michigan Sweet cherry wine? It’s my last bottle……. Skip the glass pass the bottle. Zhan

can’t pass the bottle, I pulled the cork and poured it into the decanter.  will try and get John to bring me more back…… later sweetie  madgardener

Response:

The one I’m finding most useful now is "Wyman’s Gardening Encyclopedia," Copyright 1971, 1977 by Donald Wyman, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.  It’s a dictionary-size book, 1,220 pages long. Took me a long while to appreciate it, for the very thing you mentioned is missing:  pictures.  There are very few photos/illustrations of any kind, so it can be kind of daunting at first.  But there are very few things I haven’t been able to find in it.

I second Gandy’s pick here, Wyman’s is a great reference book.  I gotta get me one of them A-Z’s, though, cuz I do want pictures, too! I have quite a few books around here, mostly specialized, like books on rhodies, hostas, clematis, etc.  Field guides galore.  If I want to look something up, though, I mosey on over to Mom’s.  She’s got a gardening library most public libraries would envy.  Some of them are really neat, too, ancient tomes (mostly herbals) and paperbacks published by small companies that don’t get wide distribution, but are full of good info and neat stories and lore. — Ann, Gardening in Zone 6a Just south of Boston, MA If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. ~Chinese Proverb

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The one I’m finding most useful now is "Wyman’s Gardening Encyclopedia," Copyright 1971, 1977 by Donald Wyman, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.  It’s a dictionary-size book, 1,220 pages long. Took me a long while to appreciate it, for the very thing you mentioned is missing:  pictures.  There are very few photos/illustrations of any kind, so it can be kind of daunting at first.  But there are very few things I haven’t been able to find in it. I checked Amazon, and they carry it.  Here’s the site and you get to see what some other folks have to say about it.  I see the copyright has been updated to 1987, but it still has the same no. of pages.  (And this doesn’t count as SPAM!  :-)  ) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0026320703/qid=938554760/sr=1-… 884012-0781016 snip Gandy

Thanks Gandy, I’d like to add this one to my collection Zhan

Response:

The one I’m finding most useful now is "Wyman’s Gardening Encyclopedia," Copyright 1971, 1977 by Donald Wyman, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.  It’s a dictionary-size book, 1,220 pages long.

I really like this book too, I have the 1977 model. Took me a long while to appreciate it, for the very thing you mentioned is missing:  pictures.  There are very few photos/illustrations of any kind, so it can be kind of daunting at first.  But there are very few things I haven’t been able to find in it. I checked Amazon, and they carry it.  Here’s the site and you get to see what some other folks have to say about it.  I see the copyright has been updated to 1987, but it still has the same no. of pages.  (And this doesn’t count as SPAM!  :-)  )

Try looking at used book stores-I found mine there for $2.00 and it wasnt’ used, but new. (priced inside cover at $ 35.00) I also found another good "old" book at a yard sale: Taylor’s Encyclopedia of Gardening, 1948.  (it was a withdrawn book from the Folsom Prison Library!) 25 cents. I also like Botanica, I think it has more use for Calif. since there are many Mediterranean and Australian plants listed. Emilie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0026320703/qid=938554760/sr=1-… 884012-0781016 The book I used most often when I was starting out was "Reader’s Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening."  It has lots of pictures and drawings which are very helpful in getting going, but it suffers from lack of detail about a whole lot of plants.  But I still refer to it quite frequently – particularly if I’m trying to ID a plant.  (Wyman’s is tough to use for this purpose – sorta like people in the NG describing things back and forth with words.)  I saw this book (672 pages) recently at borders marked down to less than $10 – I thing the list price is $30 or so.  So it’s still in print, and I’d recommend it to anyone starting out.  (I’m sure Amazon would carry it, too – but I didn’t check.) Gandy

Response:

My wisteria bloomed for the first time this past spring, and then developed a bunch of really neat seed pods.  Today, as I was examining them, one broke off – so I used the opportunity to open the pod up and see what was inside. Those seeds are really cool!  There were five in the pod, and they look like little river rocks:  smooth, green/black variegated color, about the size of a dime – in diameter, but much thicker. Now I’ve gotta resurrect that advice I got some time back about how to store’em and plant’em in the spring…I seem to remember words like ’stratify’ and ’scarify’…but I’ve got plenty to experiment with!  Must be 20 – 30 pods on the plant.

Gandy, most wisteria from seed never bloom.  Now, if you just want the vines, go for it.  Find the end of the seed opposite where it was attached to the pod.  Using a fine file, scratch an X through the outer shell.  Then, layer the seeds between damp paper towels and chill for six weeks.  Plant in soilless mix, keep in a cool spot, and water when dry.  Good luck. Chris Owens

Response:

Gandy can you tell me a little about this reference book ? Where to get it ?  Full title ? etc.  When I first started gardening I bought lots of books.  As I got more experienced I realized they were mostly fluff and all said the same thing, just different pictures.  I’ve since gotten rid of most of them and am trying to build a *real* gardening library.   All of that to say tell me about your reference book. Zhan

Response:

The one I’m finding most useful now is "Wyman’s Gardening Encyclopedia," Copyright 1971, 1977 by Donald Wyman, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.  It’s a dictionary-size book, 1,220 pages long. Took me a long while to appreciate it, for the very thing you mentioned is missing:  pictures.  There are very few photos/illustrations of any kind, so it can be kind of daunting at first.  But there are very few things I haven’t been able to find in it. I checked Amazon, and they carry it.  Here’s the site and you get to see what some other folks have to say about it.  I see the copyright has been updated to 1987, but it still has the same no. of pages.  (And this doesn’t count as SPAM!  :-)  ) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0026320703/qid=938554760/sr=1-… 884012-0781016 The book I used most often when I was starting out was "Reader’s Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening."  It has lots of pictures and drawings which are very helpful in getting going, but it suffers from lack of detail about a whole lot of plants.  But I still refer to it quite frequently – particularly if I’m trying to ID a plant.  (Wyman’s is tough to use for this purpose – sorta like people in the NG describing things back and forth with words.)  I saw this book (672 pages) recently at borders marked down to less than $10 – I thing the list price is $30 or so.  So it’s still in print, and I’d recommend it to anyone starting out.  (I’m sure Amazon would carry it, too – but I didn’t check.) Gandy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gandy can you tell me a little about this reference book ? Where to get it ?  Full title ? etc.  When I first started gardening I bought lots of books.  As I got more experienced I realized they were mostly fluff and all said the same thing, just different pictures.  I’ve since gotten rid of most of them and am trying to build a *real* gardening library.   All of that to say tell me about your reference book. Zhan

Response:

Thanks, Chris. My primary reference, Wyman’s, indicates that wisterias are generally propogated from softwood or hardwood cuttings, chiefly because these asexual methods are necessary so that the *exact* flower color will be reproduced. But then in another section it goes to great lengths to describe (in a somewhat confusing fashion) how to harvest, store and prep the seeds for planting. Anyway, I’m going to give it a shot. Gandy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wisteria bloomed for the first time this past spring, and then developed a bunch of really neat seed pods.  Today, as I was examining them, one broke off – so I used the opportunity to open the pod up and see what was inside. Those seeds are really cool!  There were five in the pod, and they look like little river rocks:  smooth, green/black variegated color, about the size of a dime – in diameter, but much thicker. Now I’ve gotta resurrect that advice I got some time back about how to store’em and plant’em in the spring…I seem to remember words like ’stratify’ and ’scarify’…but I’ve got plenty to experiment with!  Must be 20 – 30 pods on the plant. Gandy, most wisteria from seed never bloom.  Now, if you just want the vines, go for it.  Find the end of the seed opposite where it was attached to the pod.  Using a fine file, scratch an X through the outer shell.  Then, layer the seeds between damp paper towels and chill for six weeks.  Plant in soilless mix, keep in a cool spot, and water when dry.  Good luck. Chris Owens

Response:

My wisteria bloomed for the first time this past spring, and then developed a bunch of really neat seed pods.  Today, as I was examining them, one broke off – so I used the opportunity to open the pod up and see what was inside. Those seeds are really cool!  There were five in the pod, and they look like little river rocks:  smooth, green/black variegated color, about the size of a dime – in diameter, but much thicker. Now I’ve gotta resurrect that advice I got some time back about how to store’em and plant’em in the spring…I seem to remember words like ’stratify’ and ’scarify’…but I’ve got plenty to experiment with!  Must be 20 – 30 pods on the plant. Gandy

Response:

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