Weekly Garden Thread Volume 30 July 25, 2014

Free Republic | 25 July 2014

[JRandomFreeper]

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks.

No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. There is no telling where it will go and... that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!

NOTE: This is a once a week ping list. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest are welcomed, so feel free to post them at any time.

[Ellendra]

Wire mesh with an electric wire at the top. And the bottom foot of the mesh will be bent outward to make it harder for them to dig under.

[rightly_dividing]

My Ghost babies are producing and ripening every day. I gave some to the yard guys today, with a strong caution about eating them. lol

Prayers up for the MRI and diagnosis. I also have a back MRI scheduled for next week. My Dr that scheduled it also had more tubes of my blood drawn than I have ever had taken, about 10 tubes. This Dr is determined to get answers, finally.

I’m dropping weight and have 2 great Drs supporting me and trying to help. After being in Texas for 4 years, I’m finally getting good medical care.

[rightly_dividing]

Glad to hear things are getting a bit better. Prayers going up.

[JRandomFreeper]

Got them today. Thanks again.

/johnny

[tillacum]

Speaking of Swiss Chard. I left one in a pot from last season and it is producing some great Swiss chard. So from now on, I’ll not pull them up at the end of the season.

[diamond6]

Help!!!

Two years ago I have a beautiful chrysanthemum bush that although was watered and cared for, just dried up into nothing as if I hadn’t watered it in years.

Luckily I had two remaining plants in the front yard. I came home from vacation and found both of them dried up like a twig, yet all the surrounding plants were perfectly fine.

Does anyone know what in the world could have happened? Does this sound like a gopher to you? I’m so sad about this because they were beautiful and like five years old and really established. :(

[billhilly]

this is probably off subject, but I wanted to describe a situation here in the mid south and see if others are experiencing the same. After the coldest winter in memory, and I have a lot of years of memory, we thought insect production would be diminished. It was not. We have more than I can remember. Every time I go outside I am attacked by mesquitos. In previous years we had few mesquitos.

[JRandomFreeper]

Same here. I use a teaspoon of turpentine per 55 gallon drum on my water catchment to keep them killed off.

I've been planting lemon grass which is supposed to ward off the mosquitoes. We'll see.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

And very little is off-subject here if it deals with the garden area (outside).

/johnny

[trisham]

Thank you! Somehow I missed this thread. I hope that Greeneyes is better.

[trisham]

Take care, friend.

[billhilly]

I never heard of the turpentine. I’ll try it, but will have to use smaller portions.

[JRandomFreeper]

Tiny amounts float and will kill mosquitoes. I wouldn't use it in anything smaller than a 55 gallon drum.

There are microbes in the soil that will eat the stuff, and it won't hurt plants in that dilution. I'm picky about using poisons in my yard.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

I am talking about standing water, like my 55 gallon drums of rain water that would breed mosquitoes like crazy if I didn't do something.

/johnny

[ApplegateRanch]

Do you use genuine ‘gum turpentine’, “turps”, “paint thinner”, or “mineral spirits”; or does it make a difference?

I have also heard about using a few drops of garlic oil on smaller containers, but have never wanted to waste any garlic to check it out.

[JRandomFreeper]

I use real gum turpentine. The stuff you get from distilling the vapor from charcoaling tree stumps.

Not that I've ever tried doing that..... ;)

/johnny

[SisterK]

Also you can purchase whitefly parasitic wasps which work AWESOME in a greenhouse environment. I have not tested it in a field environment.
The yellow sticky traps work good also. But I end up also catching birds, frogs, mice and small dogs with the sticky traps.

[gunnyg]

Re Bamboo Growing!
***

Re BB Bamboo, I have seen numerous comments online to the effect that the Buddha Belly effect is best achieved by “stressing,” i.e. minimum water, tight container, max sun, etc.

Seems to me, that “stressing” may also apply to various other bamboos, with similar results, but I have never seen any mention of this anywhere one way or another.

At present, I have purchased 5 kinds of bamboo, all runners w/the exception of two clumpers, Kimmei and Wamin.
Any comments on info re the above (stressing)?

I will use all 5 in containers as patio/deck plants.

Had some in-ground Buddha Belly, etc. many years ago in California.

ThakYa for your attention...appreciated!

Dick Gaines

[SisterK]

I have not grown much bamboo (only running for screen and bought some davidii which turned out to be a mislabled pain in the rear). You are doing well to put it in containers because even the clumpers will misbehave given opportunity.
Let’s post your question to the most current gardening thread, miss greeneyes.

[gunnyg]

ThankYa!

Maybe if I keep posting a few here and there will get interested in boo, and get involved...I think going the container route is great for those in apartments, townhouses, etc.

But it can get out of control in-the-ground if one is not prepared! Even in containers, and w/clumpers, it still has to be repotted and/or thinned out periodically.

Dick Gaines
*****