After the Swap

They're everywhere, they're everywhere!!! Those little maple seedlings.

Have been planting things that needed to get in right away and trying to figure out where others will go.

THANKS guys she said in either a very excited voice (I do tend to get excited) for making me clean out a bed in order to plant new goodies, OR in a more bothered voice(no, that's not the word I want, but can't come up with the one that is on the tip of my tongue- aaacckkk, the brain drain hit again) for making me clean out a bed so I can plant more goodies. I think it is more of the excited voice for that bed was long overdue for a good clean-out. So thank you for the motivation to get rid of things that MOVED around. Heehee you know exactly what I mean. Goldenrod - my mom loved it and BES. There still will be some I am sure of that.

Something dug up the hellebore I just planted grrrrrrrr, glad it just left it there

Grrrrr

Judy--can you still tell me how tall the "Tropican Canna"...cha...cha...chaaa!!! .....will get?


To all those that were sitting under the Gazebo and we were talking.....and I mentioned this
catalog (I could not think of the name of) that I bought this sea-weed stuff from...I just got a new copy.

It is called "Planet Natural Garden Supply". Web site: www.planetnatural.com Check it out!
All kinds of neat, organic plant products. Stuff you cannot get in any store...makes you want to spend $$$$$

I placed an order earlier this year. I bought the sticky cards for catching gnats in the house.
Been searching for those forever! Also the "Bio Weed"--a sea weed concoction for gentle feeding
and helping plants start roots.

They have 100's of products. And--I could spend 100's of $$$.

Gita

I didn't have too much trouble this year with the gnats, so didn't try this, but I've heard that you can also make your own sticky cards by applying "tanglefoot" (a product used by orchard growers) to cardstock... if you just need to put up a couple every now & then, it's probably way easier to just use the pre-made ones. I have visions of how much of a mess I could get into with a can of super-sticky stuff.

I have also heard that one can slather vasaline on an index card--and it will catch the gnats as well.

This is pretty old information...just thought i would throw it out here... G.

Gita, you've got my number in that you know I'll try to look up info on plants I do not know! 'tropicanna' cannas grow 4-6 foot in ground and 3-4 foot in containers.

Imagine my surprise while researching an answer for you, to learn that there is a worldwide virus attacking cannas! And, my dismay at identifying that the 'Tropicannas' I shared with you and Sallyg pre swap and brought extras of to the swap are infected.

http://www.canna-collection.org.uk/canna-virus.html

I sent everyone I could think of at the swap a dmail advising that the cannas from me in square black plastic pots be destroyed as there is no cure, they will die and infect other healthy canna . Bummer.

I am most bummed . however, that plant vendor and growers knowingly cultivate and distribute diseased canna, impatiens, basil, tomatoes, hosta, coleus and the list goes on. So all you plant procurrers out there, BEWARE! And practice good gardening hygiene for all of us and all our plants and this lovely planet. Thanks.

Judy

This message was edited May 22, 2012 9:38 PM

Wow Judy, Good to know. Although we've had most of our cannas for years, I will be checking them out for sure, and destroying any infected ones. It looks that the only safe way to buy them would be already started or from a certified supplier. That will definitely up the price. :-{ Thanks, Ric

Just ripped up the Tropicanna Canna but I'm still so grateful for the beautiful Freydek, Judy!!! I've been dragging my flatbed wagon all over the place with loads of plants looking for their new homes. If they do all take off, I'm sure that the weeds will definitely be crowded out. Just looking at my new babies keeps memories of the swap right up front. I wonder if it's a stretch to do one over a two day weekend. I have extra bedrooms and lots of spaces for air mattresses and outdoor tents. We could just leave our plants out and hose them down before leaving. There are 4 bathrooms and showers and several entrances and exits to the house and basement. I guess I'm getting carried away, but I hate to see the gathering end so soon after everyone's food and potting preparations. We need an extra day just to chat after we swap, I think.

Gosh, folks.....swapping is in everyone's blood now. Even my hubby who has always found dozens of excuses for not holding a swap here was full of ideas when I awoke this morning for having one here. hahaha He too must have been sorry to see it end all in one day. I believe a good portion of the let's do a two day swap, is for the socialization end of it. Such great people, and one afternoon just doesn't give a person time to spend with each of the folks that they have come to know and love by spending time daily on line with them.

I do want to thank each of you who went out of your way to visit me at my roosting spot at the tail end of my car. I had such fun catching up with each of you. So many of you went out of your way to bring me something special and unexpected, so that was a real treat for me.

We had a productive day here yesterday getting plants situated for resting a bit before many are either potted or planted. John is getting some of the garden plants in and I am mainly tending to the house plants that I received on Saturday. We certainly have loads and loads of each.

Best be off now and check and see if last evening down pour damaged anything. Hope that everyone has a wonderful day potting and planting......aaahhhhhh......sweet bliss.

Ruby

Roses, that would be really cool... the first DG swap I attended was a weekend "roundup" at Hagar's cabin... what fun! I think that would be wonderful for a spring swap, especially, just because we seem to swap a lot more plants in spring, which cuts into our party time.

Judy--

Just wanted you to know i copied out all the info from the link you posted (just in bl. and wh.--saving color toner)
and gave it to the Bell Nursery person working today. She promised to pass it on to her boss....
SO! I have dome "my share" in the heads up department...

I still have mine sitting outside in a tray. Am off tomorrow--will give it a proper burial....:o)

Thank you, Judy, for all you do to educate us! Gita

That goes for all of you!!! I have learned so much already. Now, if I can retain it that will be the test. I will just use the 'brain drain' excuse, if'n I can't.

Just FYI re CANNAS from our table: all rhizomes were healthy virus free, please don't discard them. I was hoping they would all find good homes.

Learning about the canna virus is good information to know about. We have not introduced any new cannas in quite some time. Now I'll be hesitant to do so without really checking the plants first. We've always dug up the same 'ol green leaved, red blooming kind and have never seen any virus.

Will do, Wind

I missed out on both diseased and healthy Cannas. I love, love, love the plant but have been given instructions that we don't need any more at present. Both Sallyg and Gita have given us some in the past, and they will have to be enough for me now. Waaa....

Anyway.....have a couple of plant identification questions. This first picture just shows the out line shape of the plant, and fuzzed out on the color. The color is a lime green mostly. It was unmarked and in all the swapping, we can't remember what it is nor who gave it to us. Please advise.......thank you.

Ruby

This may be the same unidentified plant that David asked about yesterday, and I am too lazy to go back and read the answer. Is this one in the same? If so, tell me to go back and read previous answer. Thanks.

Ruby

This picture is of the blooming as of today, African Violet from Donnerville. Its name is Mulberry Jazz. Thank you Donnerville.

Ruby

The most recent photo you posted, Ruby, is of the white liatris that David started from seed. The plastic bag with bulbs for the same plants was tucked in that container too.

Ruby, the plant with lemon green leaves might be an Agastache 'Golden Jubilee' from me. I will be able to better identify it if you could provide a photo without the flash.

This message was edited May 24, 2012 3:28 AM

might be the right leaf shape for GJ

Wind, were your cannas in a bag -- a dormant clump of bulbs, maybe a little reddish? I know Cheryl (Aspenhill/Terri's friend) was really excited about those. :-)

I handed out some in plastic bags, they are tall red flowered cannas.

Holly the HUGE one you gave me that was that blue plastic tray was from who????

I gave out ones in blue plastic trays and put a few in plastic bags. But I know there were other people with cannas as well. I handed mine out rather late as I almost forgot them. They were extras I had.

Okey dokey

Jill, our cannas were in two large round plastic pots; people were able to just take whatever they wanted; no bags

Thanks! Sounds like Cheryl's probably came from Holly, then. :-)

For anybody who got "Felicia's Phlox" and missed the back-story... It's an heirloom from Jim's family. His grandmother had it in her garden, and his mother grows it now... since they were both named Felicia, that was clearly the name to give the phlox, although you won't find it in any official registry.

Here's a shot from her garden last summer:

oh, forgot to ask you, what are the names to decode the initials of your tomato plants again? I'm hoping to get them planted and identified this weekend =)

Here is my picture of Jill's "Felicia Phlox". This is from last year.

Comments:
The bloom is a bit smaller than the "usual" Phlox.
It was a good bloomer--and lasted a fairly long time
I had it planted next to one of my 'regular" Phlox, but moved it to a spot of its own.
Will see how it does there...

Very nice color--- Gita

I got Gita's monkshood planted today, and lungwort (yuky name all right) and pink evening primrose yesterday. I'll be sure trying to get everything in place this weekend. And keeping it watered in, in the predicted warm sunny weather. Still have to plant green beans!

Mom's phlox is a little lighter in my garden and almost looks pink in Gita's... different soils, maybe... The photo I posted above looks true to its color in Mom's garden, at least as well as I can tell on my monitor. It's a tough plant, even does OK in part to full shade.

Tomatoes...

BY = Brandywine Yellow
RB = Russian Black
F= "Friendship" (round red noid from Italy)
SM = San Marzano (productive plum)
JF = Juane Flamme (gold, and not tasty-ripe until it's red on the bottom and some red when you cut it open)
PT = Limbaugh's Legacy Potato Top (pink)
WI55 = Wisconsin 55 (round red)

I think that's it. Basically, you should have a good assortment of colors & types in a 6-pack.

YAY, I have everything from the swap planted and the rain over the last few evenings helped water them in. Well, I say everything, but I still have chocolate mint (from Ric & Holly) and the lemon balm (from John & Ruby) to plant - not sure if I want to do herb pots or sink nursery containers with bottom cut-outs into the ground. Oh yea, I also still have the annual snap dragons (from David & Pat) and alyssum (from Ric & Holly)...so maybe not really done LOL - pretty darn close though.

When I was finished planting yesterday evening, I started reading a wildflower book that David & Pat brought over out on the front porch listening to the rain. It was so relaxing, and I fell asleep out there - woke up about midnight. Love sleeping outside. I haven't gotten around to posting the pictures from the swap - will make sure to do it this weekend.

This message was edited May 25, 2012 11:58 AM

Good for you!!!! I came down with a cold and don't feel like doing diddly squat but did plant 7 of the 42!!!!! plants I got...LOL
Keep the chocolate mint in a container unless you want it EVERYWHERE

The rain has been sideswiping us, so is still pretty dry here. Bummer!!!

Aspenhill: The lemon balm is very invasive -- it reseeds, so keeping it in a pot will slow but not stop its encroachment. It does smell lovely though.

Confessions of a murderer: I have had two casualties so far -- so very sorry. Critter's "Tiny Monster" geranium didn't make it, nor did the smaller of the two Maya's that Gita gifted me. Truly, it wasn't for lack of trying or attention on my part, though I do hold myself responsible. They both may have died of a broken heart -- you know, homesick and all -- but the buck stops here. I will give them a proper burial in my compost plot.

The other idea that I had for the lemon balm was to take advantage of its reseeding, spreading habit to fill in a bank (about 8' x 35') by the pond to stop erosion, pretty it up, and have something nice to smell to boot. It would be contained on one side by the water and on another side by rip-rap? rock. I'd just have to put some type of barrier on the back side. I'll probably just start with the herb pot and think on it some more.

Aspen -- I really wouldn't do that. It is so invasive that a bank full of it would infect the rest of your property in short order. Plus I don't th ink it forms a particularly nice ground cover.How about Sweet Woodruff, which is invasive but easy to contain and, at least in my experience, doesn't reseed hither and yon. Or ajuga. Both would fill in really quickly. Or bigroot geraniums, which I love love love.