Viewing comments posted by dnrevel

Looks like a beautiful stellar form. I will be interested in comparing to Leggs that I'm growing, in form and size.

This fragrant, highly disease resistant beauty is raved about in the cut flower circles online, a sought after David Austin variety. I've ordered 3 arriving today and will report back on how they do in SE Michigan. Characteristics include opening first with a slightly yellow tinge, then full open white & cream colors.

It is repeat flowering and is described on the website and elsewhere having a medium-strong, fruity, citrusy scent. The blooms are medium, shrub size 4ft x 3ft. Full, lush blooms, with a petal count of 80. I will be using it in a mixed border. It can also handle some shade.

I am going to try overwintering a few artichokes this year using the basket method and using a waterproof tarp. That may be the key addition:
Zones 6 to 7: After the last harvest, cut the plants down to 12 to 18 inches. Cover with organic mulch: leaves, straw, compost, and then cover the pile with a large basket. Mound more leaves and straw over the basket and cover everything with a waterproof tarp.

Heirloom, Small-Fruited. NOTE super early on compact plants. Comments about this plant include that it has sweetly flavored fruits, round, may have a few with pointed ends.

Developed for short season areas and for container gardening.
Disease Tolerance: V, F, N, FCRR, TMV, PL

Frilly double form. Original forms are native to northern Mexico, Texas and
Colorado. Note it grows in dry climate near water. Soil surface is dry but the taproots
have access to water below the surface.

Lots of good cultural info available from Sakata Seed America. Recommended light fertilizer for seedlings: 100-150ppm N from a balanced Calcium Nitrate based fertilizer. Maintain consistent temps for days 22-56, avoid temperatures over 75°F and under 45°F during active seedling growth period.

This gorgeous big dahlia, Camano Sitka, has been blooming all summer. It blooms early, it blooms late, it blooms all around the block (in my Johnson community garden.) Good stem width too. A keeper! I hope it makes good tubers. We'll see later this month or in early November.

Bloomed much earlier, and more prolific than another white collarette I grew, Cherubino.

First time growing this vine to replace a passion flower vine that wasn't producing flowers. The bees like it (huge bees too) and it is pretty on the garden fence. Will collect seed to grow again!

This pretty anemone dahlia is said to be a good producer of blooms on a tall plant. If cut early, it helps avoid petals shattering, and can be an good cut flower for bouquets and arrangements.

I wonder if this tomato is related to Cȃmpeni Market tomato, which I cannot find online anywhere. I'm using this listing as a placeholder for Câmpeni Market tomato; though it might be a Romanian Câmpeni tomato.

Description from the Project Grow Ann Arbor (Michigan) catalog:
(65-80 days) The seed originates from the Transylvanian town of Cȃmpeni. This heirloom variety is acclimated to cool wet summers and high elevation. The plants are vigorous and disease resistant. Ripening mid to late season yields deeply pleated, bountiful pink-red medium sized fruits. With intense earthy flavors and low acidity, it was a favorite at the 2017 Project Grow Tomato Tasting. Transylvania. Central Romania. Alba County. Campeni.

I had blossom end rot with this beautiful tomato in particular. I understand it is due to the vine's inability to absorb enough of the calcium that the fruit needs. There can be PLENTY of calcium in the soil, but for this plant, which was planted near cosmos and beans, it got a bit neglected, and therein lies the problem circa 2022. I also planted it on a very hot day in 2022.

THIS year, I'll pick my transplanting day better, and place it in better spots where it will get much better attention, deserving such a tasty beauty.

Notes to self:
* WAIT until the soil is CONSISTENTLY 70 degrees. Tomatoes love heat.
* During a dry spell, make sure to consistently water them
* The article mentions that too much fertilizer, quick growth can also "prevent the roots from delivering enough calcium fast enough to keep up with the growth."

Reference:
Gardening Know How: Blossom End Rot In Tomatoes – Why Is My Tomato Rotten On Bottom

A voracious beetle attacked all my lilies last year, decimated them. It also attacked my treasured Solomon's seal last year.

How to fight the red lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii):

LESSONS LEARNED:
* They feast on the leaves, stems, flowers and even the buds of members of the lily family.
* Check for beetles and larvae every 2 or 3 days as one female can lay over 200 eggs.
* Scarlet lily beetle eggs are bright red, are laid in a straight line on the undersides of the lily leaves. Larvae hatch in 2 weeks after eggs are laid.
* Larvae cover themselves with their own poop to discourage birds.
* Remove any infested leaves where you spot larvae, put in a sealed plastic bag.
* Neem oil (azadirachtin) repels adults and destroys larvae.

Suggestions for how to deal with adult beetles:
* Fill a sealable container halfway with soapy water
* Hold the lily STILL and place the STEM and leaf next to the container below the beetle.
* Shake the leaf, as the beetle will instinctively drop into the container.
* Seal the container. They do fly, which is how they are spreading.
* Watch for adults all summer as they may emerge and feed until fall

Another option is to put white or light colored fabric under the lilies as they will drop off plants and land upside down on the soil beneath, and their black underside will blend in with the dark soil.

Emerging spring beetles: Cultivate the first 2-3" of soil around lily stalks after first spring frosts.
Disrupt their hibernation.

This California and Oregon native is also known as poached egg plant and Douglas' meadowfoam. It grows in pools, grassy, damp areas and spring meadows. It can grow in poorly drained clay soils. It also has a nice aroma.

The Chantilly Mix colors are lovely yellow, bronze, peach, orange-red and more that branch from the bottom. Colors include Chantilly Flame. Start early to transplant. Hardy, cold tolerant. Open Pollinated. bell shaped, open faced, candelabra, vase-like shape.
Days To Maturity: 120 Days; Flowers Spring to October

31 - 40 inches height. Fragrant, Edible Flowers

Good to know they prefer sandy, dry soil. That makes a difference in how and where I plant these. Thanks!

I've had good success amending the soil with gravel (grit, if I can find it) and sand. It really helps. NO fertilizer, to reflect lavender's ability to grow well in the dry, poor soils of its native Mediterranean climate. There can be loss of plants after a severe winter or a damp, humid summer.

SIZE: Mature Size 2–3 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide Hardy Lavender can double in size each year for first 3 years. It continues growing, then at a slower pace until age five. They are considered full-grown after three years. NOTE Toxicity: Lavender can be toxic to pets like dogs and cats.

Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Type Dry, well-draining

Lifespan: Tends to max out at five years, but could grow on for several more years with the right conditions.

References about the range and cultivation for these unique plants / bulbs courtesy of NC Plant Extension:

* This lily ranges from semi-hardy (damaged below 28°F/ -2°C) to hardy (injured below 5°F/ -5°C).

* Plant bulbs (spring) with the neck exposed, spaced 6 to 12 inches apart, in rich, moist well-drained soils. If it is the dormant season, plant in dry soil.

* Light: full sun to partial shade, best flowers in partial shade.

* It naturalizes easily via offsets and is long-lived.

I have several of these sages in my gardens, both at home and in my CSS Project Grow community garden. I will also start cuttings in the spring to grow more for more places as when this culinary sage blooms, it is beautiful, and it needs little care. Mainly give it a good growing spot with sunshine and let it do its thing. Doing well in 6a SE Michigan.

Purchased as a Proven Winner plant. Grew vigorously. Did well as a container plant, works great as a fragrant, spicy scented filler when using in containers.
Silvery, fuzzy green foliage.
Plant tag: Requires full to part sun for best show and to keep it from getting leggy. Do not apply foliar fertilizer in full sun or you may experience leaf burn.

Photos I posted show blooms from this fall from a first year plant. Good to learn it is native to South Africa and that it can live for many decades. Hoping for offsets to pot up a few more of these tiny beauties this summer.