I SO have the wrong job. My office is full of books and paper and files :( How wonderful to look at that all day boojum
New Garden Projects #6
I have my books and files behind me. It gets rather moldy in there by spring, dnut. Last year I had to use a dehumidifier after the orchids went outside.
Victor! Nice use of negative space
Boojum What great light.The plants look happy.
kathy - wow - looks like a lot of work
Takes me 20-25 minutes a day and an hour or two on Sat. Plus the nurturing time!
Great color choices Victor!
Kathy, I stayed up for hours last night remembering your macro pastels. I aspire to be like you. : )
Gosh! And I totally gave up my art career, too. Haven't produced any art for 2 years.
No worries! I still love your art. I feel lucky to have been invited into your studio to see some of your other stuff. Wonderful!
Harper you are the best! That really cheers me up on a grey cold day!
I'm happy to cheer you up anytime!
:))
Very nice, Kathy. Lovely place you have in all respects! I cannot imagine the work you have on your plate....makes me feel guilty about the neglect to my 2 orchids here.
I killed my only one. : (
Just spoke with my stepson----his orchids are blooming away! Victor, you have a talent with crayons!
I killed them for years then one day I got determined....
I believe I am destined and determined to kill certain plants. Such as penstemon (who hate me). My concentrated determination to kill things led to the 'Plants I have Luved and Killed' list. Once I've killed something 3 times it goes on the list. I'm sure there is scarey movie script potential here for sure. I have the utmost admiration for you boojum that your determination paid off.
Kathy, Lovely office!
Dnut, I had a thread for orchids I've killed! I'm with you, 3 times you're out.
I never thought about starting a thread. You are O so brave boojum. I just forevermore say that those plants hate me. This keeps me from having issues. After all what can I do about a personal aversion? Much better than a dire gardening misadventure which would be guiltfull.
I can't find my thread but it was called something like Orchids in Heaven.
I luv it ^_^
Prairie gentian for me----could never get it to germinate. Bought plants twice, & they keeled over in a few weeks time.
Pulminera,a special variety I bought a large plant because of its vivid blue flowers.$30.00 and it died.
I have not taken any chances with plants that cost the much since.
OHHH OHHH except Clematise Stjolwiks Gold 2 plants 30,buck each from Preferred plants.They dissapeared .I will still look for them come spring tho.
A DG'er said dont count them out.
You guys are amateurs! I've killed a few $75 plants. And then there was the JM.
i've killed a few myself - 2 jm's last year @ $20, and a daphne. there have been many perennials that did not make it.
I was out last winter spreading fireplace ashes and lost my balance and the bag got away from me in the wind.
It dumped itself on a Rhodi.The rhodi is looking bad.
Wonderful room, so bright and cheerful. A nice place to work but don't you get up every now and then to fuss with the babies.
Victor who knew you had such radical mermaid art hidden in you all this time.
JoAnn that does not sound like a fun time in the winter garden. Glad you are okay and hope the Rhodie is as well.
I gotta stay inside when it snows.
Fuss whenever I need a fix!
Off to dust off the car before the rain comes.
JoAnn,
Those ashes are very alkaline and your rhodie wants acidic. I would get some muracid or similar stuff out there quickly.
I used to put ashes on some of my beds. The horticulutal Extension Service couldn't believe the ratings my soil sample had. I now add some of my ashes to my compost pile but none directly to plants,
I think I used ashes on peonies.
I have used wood ash with peonies. It should be in the soil, but not touch the plant. Correct about mir acid etc. for rhodies & azalias.
Aluminum sulfate is the best thing for acidifying soil. Muracid is a fertilizer for acid-loving plants, but does not affect the soil pH.
Aluminumhas problemsassociated with it. I couldn,t get the link to post but this is from Univ. of Minn
Alkaline Soils:
Alkaline (basic) soils have a pH of more than 7.0. Basic soils are generally found in areas with lower rainfall levels, in urban areas (due to large amount of cement), and in areas where there is a high concentration of clay in the soil (Midwest, Southwest).
There are several materials that can be used to lower the pH of alkaline soil.
Liquid soil acidifiers, such as Stern's Miracid, temporarily lower soil acidity. Miracid lowers the soil pH resulting in increased availability of micronutrients in high pH soils. Miracid can be applied to soil or on leaves for a fast foliar feeding. Because of the temporary nature of this product, it must be applied every two weeks. Liquid soil acidifiers, such as Miracid, are time consuming to apply and are therefore best used in small areas.
Application Rate: One tablespoon of Miracid to one gallon of water (one gallon of solution covers approximately 10 square feet).
Iron sulfate is a fast acting soil-acidifying amendment. Changes in pH level usually occur with 3 to 4 weeks. Table 2 shows the application rate of iron sulfate. If more than 7 pounds per 100 square feet is to be applied, split the applications in 1 to 2 month intervals and water frequently to avoid excessive levels of soluble salts.
Table 2.
Pounds of Iron Sulfate Needed to
Lower Soil pH by One Unit (lbs. Per 100 square feet)
Soil Type
Sand, Loamy Sand, Sandy Loam Loam, Silt Loam
4.8 lbs. 19.2 lbs.
Adapted from University of MN Extension Service publication "Soil Acidification."
Aluminum sulfate can be used to lower pH. However, it is not recommended as a soil-acidifying agent because it can produce aluminum toxicity in plant roots.
Elemental sulfur reacts slowly with the soil. It should be applied and worked into the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Because elemental sulfur is a slow reactor, it should be applied the year before planting for best results. Table 3 shows the application rate of elemental sulfur used to lower soil pH by one unit. Table 4 provides the application rate of elemental sulfur used to lower soil pH to 4.5.
At what levels? I don't have the problem since my soil is acidic, but I have used it for plants near concrete, including my blueberries. They taste great to me!
I don't know.
I read were some people use car battery acid. That is drastic!
I would use Iron sulfate. Miracid is not organic.
Agway should sell it.
i DUMP wood ash on clematis, lilac, and just the other day a lady in red hydrangea. have had no problems, aways do this in the fall or sometimes the spring
Takes a lot to change soil pH. My guess is that something else may also be involved with Jo Anne's rhodie.
i would agree with that.
Beautiful pastels Boojum. And your house is so clean! With all those plants! I have one plant in the kitchen and I'm forever getting dirt all over.