A Wanna Be Master Gardener

You Dirty Rat!

2011-02-09T06:43:00.002-10:00

I went out to the garden last evening to get some Komohana grape tomatoes for dinner and found that the vine ripe ones were gone and one had indentations on it (bite marks???)! I have a friend down the street who experienced the same thing, missing ripe tomatoes. She thought that street walkers were helping themselves until she saw the offender first hand, a RAT!

Since our neighbors have moved out and into their new home taking with them their two cats, we have seen more rat droppings! Yuck! I guess the "rat" is just another pest in the garden that I have to learn how to manage!

Photo from UH CTAHR

I Have Been Inspired

2011-01-27T06:33:00.000-10:00

After reading a post from Seed to Table I am ready to create a "Planting Plan" for my home garden. I am already behind schedule and I think that it is for lack of a plan! Go girl!

Gardening Again!

2011-01-08T08:00:00.000-10:00

It has been quite a dry spell for me! Our two month mainland trip (September & October 2010) put a damper on my gardening enthusiasm. When we got back everything was still alive, but wild, veggies and landscape! After a week or two I pruned some of the landscape, but left the veggies alone. There were weeds and some sort of mushroom bloom among the tomatoes, yuk! Finally, I took it all out expect the swiss chard.

Happily three volunteer Komohana grape tomato plants have started giving me new energy. I staked them yesterday. So, I guess I am officially back in the vegetable gardening business! I ordered some seeds earlier this week based on one recommendations form one of my favorite Hawaii gardening blogs (A Kitchen Garden in Kihei Maui). Veggies coming soon!

Plant Sale 2010

2010-12-08T08:19:00.001-10:00

On October 30, 2010 our Hilo, Hawaii Master Garden Association had a plant sale in conjunction with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human resources Open House. I was part of the Advertising Team and created (4) print posters to advertise the sale and this video or the actual event. It was fun, but lots of work!!! The event started off in the rain, but the Public was there with their umbrellas waiting in line for the 9AM start! After expenses we raised over $5,500!

Finally Certified!

2010-12-08T08:01:00.000-10:00

I finished my MG certification hours and was acknowledged as certified in the December general meeting! But, still waiting for my certificate and new MG name tag minus the "trainee" tag!

Fairchild Garden - Florida

2010-09-26T09:31:00.000-10:00

I am off island for a while and my postings will be limted. However, I did recently go to the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Florida. At he information desk I told them I was from Hawaii. They thought I might not see much that is different from where I live. Well, to me that does not matter. I enjoy garden design as much as the plants themselves and this garden is a great example of a well designed garden and landscape. The mature trees along with the colorful plantings and well maintained grounds makes this garden a must see! And although this was not a great "blooming" time of the year and it was an overcast day, I am glad we did not miss this attraction!

Wordless Wednesday - Where Raindrops and Color Mix

2010-09-01T01:15:00.000-10:00

Vertical Gardening

2010-08-28T10:22:00.004-10:00

Found this video on YouTube. We have some areas for which we need a privacy screen, but have little of no soil space. So, I think a system like this will work! Or at least I hope to give it a try this winter!!!

Wordless Wednesday - The Kukui - Our state Tree

2010-08-18T06:52:00.000-10:00

Aleurites moluccana

The Experiment Failed! Or did it?

2010-08-14T07:44:00.000-10:00

My experiment in ground covers failed to suppress our prolific Hawaiian weeds. I planted a cutting of ornamental sweet potato. It grew extremely well almost too well. Much pruning would be required if I kept it in the landscape. The plant is beautiful and looked great next to the black lava rock. But, Friday, I yanked it out of ground as a failed attempt at weed suppression. To my surprise, I found small and large tubers! Yes, sweet potatoes! I Googled it and apparently these tubers are editable, not sure what they will taste like...

Surprise!

Back to weed suppressing ground covers. I am also experimenting with an herb cutting a friend gave me. I saw it growing as a ground cover in their yard. Looks like it can be pruned to create a thick mat. It is currently growing quite well. Only time will tell...

Citrus from Seed???

2010-08-12T01:41:00.001-10:00

I have been waiting for local citrus trees to bud (timing that activity is not easy without help from the tree owners!) so that I can acquire some scions to graft a citrus tree that I thought was already grafted! It has never flowered and has been in the ground or a pot for at least 2 1/2 years. Anyhow, I ran across this post talking about getting citrus fruit trees from seed. Hmmmmm, I thought it could not be done. And perhaps my tree proves that right.

So what do I do with my tree?

Assume it is from seed, leave it alone because one day the fruit will come?!
Assume it is from seed, won't fruit and just admire it's beauty?!
Assume it is from seed and graft lemon and lime scions?!

I think I favor #3, but my problem is finding the lemon and lime scions to graft!!!If you have additional information let me know!!!

Wordless Wednesday - A Little Home Grown

2010-08-11T01:59:00.004-10:00

Naupaka

2010-08-09T09:56:00.002-10:00

Yesterday, I removed a medium sized stand of beach naupaka about 60 feet from the ocean sea cliffs. What a chore! Some might ask why remove it? Three reasons:

The local mongoose like to use it to hide out in. Not sure I want to give them shelter.
It began to intrude on areas where it was unwanted (the neighborer's yard)
A root fungus is turning it yellow and eventually it will die. Not a pretty picture!

Scaevola sericea is a native Hawaiian plant common to the shoreline and low mountains. The brilliant green foliage is quite beautiful next the contrasting black lava rock which makes up much of the shoreline on Hawaii Island.

There is an interesting Hawaiian folktale explaining why the white flower is only a "half" flower (pedals missing). Check out the story at Aloha-Hawaii.

Unfortunately, even this beautiful native can fall victim to disease! A soil born fungus will slowly wipe out that which once was healthy and beautiful! We first saw it in my neighbor's yard. He thought someone had sprayed his naupaka with Roundup! However, soils containing the fungus, Verticillium dahlia, effects the root system of many plants by blocking the uptake of water from the roots to the foliage. And our neighbor did import soils from the Hamakua coast to establish turf grass. The turf grass butts right up against an establish naupka bed. I suspect this is where the problem started. And it seems to be spreading!!! Although the process it slow, it isn't pretty!!!

You can see the yellow leaves and die back on the left!

Wordless Wednesday - Our Young Landscape

2010-08-04T08:01:00.002-10:00

Lilies

2010-08-01T07:38:00.026-10:00

Perhaps some of you read the recent post at http://freshdirt.sunset.com/ about lilies in pots. Well it got me inspired to try it! I do know that daylily rust is a problem in Hawaii, so I expect that to be one big challenge. Well, I've got to go and find some bulbs!

Posted by: Sunset, July 27, 2010
By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

It turns out that among the flower bulbs, lilies are among the easiest to grow long term in pots. Add to that their summer-flowering habit, often-terrific fragrance, reliable reblooming, and imposing size, and you have a combination no deck or patio should be without. At the moment, I have eight terra cotta pots full of lilies coming into full flower for the second year in a row.

For the sake of experiment, I tried five varieties in several sizes of containers, including 9-, 12-, 14-, and 18-inch pots ranging in depth from 6 inches to 18 inches. There was no difference in performance among them. All the care I give them is regular fertilizing and watering, and the lilies do the rest.

Mother Nature - she giveth and she taketh...

2010-07-21T07:06:00.000-10:00

Photos from the Hawaiian Lava Daily blog

The Freak of Nature - Opened!

2010-07-09T04:03:00.000-10:00

Still looks a little freaky to me!

Here is the orginal "freak" photo.

Garden Art

2010-07-08T06:31:00.002-10:00

Found the link to these great bird houses on the The Gardens of Petersonvilee blog. I want one! Not sure what birds we would attract here at the shoreline on the Big Island. I need to do some research on that. Hmmmmm, I start a ceramics class on Firday. I think I will put a ceramic birdhouse on my list of projects!

Take a look at the Bird Garglers by Douglas Fey! Photos from the Douglas Frey Pottery website

Wordless Wednesday!

2010-07-07T08:54:00.001-10:00

I am joing the parade of "Wordless Wednesday" bloggers!

A Freak of Nature?

2010-06-12T09:05:00.004-10:00

Hmmmmm...What do you think? Freak of nature?

My Heliconia psittacorum, (parrots beak) flower on the left (not yet opened) appears to have a leaf at the tip. I have never seen this before. I can't wait to take a picture when it is fully opened!

More Vertical Gardening!

2010-06-09T07:39:00.004-10:00

Here is a good blog from Florida Friendly Plants on vertical gardening. I have included the video of vertical planting pictures. Visit the blog first hand for more detail! Thanks Florida Friendly Plants

"Bag" Vegetable Garden

2010-06-01T15:57:00.002-10:00

I was doing some gardening research today and ran across this very interesting video. Take a look!

Making a Bag Garden in Uganda from Send a Cow on Vimeo.

Artistic Tuesday - Pau for Now!

2010-05-10T17:23:00.000-10:00

"Pau" in Hawaiian mean "out" or "done". I am sorry to say that my short lived "Artistic Tuesday is pau for now. I am finding it hard to find time and inspiration to get the post completed in time. I am still very much in favor of art in the garden and will continue to post on this subject.

My First Day on the MG Phones!!!

2010-05-02T08:18:00.000-10:00

Last Tuesday was my first day on the MG help line phones! And it was a little hectic! I finished two pending issues and took on one new issue. Doesn't sound too bad. But there was a bit of chaos in the office as many MGs came in and out during the 3 hours phone session. Too much noise and too small an office!

Jaboticaba
What a very cool fruit tree with glorious flowers and fruits as seen left! Unfortunately for one Hilo resident, her fruits were all yellow. She called our MG office last Tuesday looking for an answer. I took the call, but had to ask for samples before an answer could be presented. Hopefully, she brought in the samples on Friday and Tuesday I can read the experts answer!

During my research I found that this tree is a favorite of the bonsai community!

MG Classes Are Over! - Now it is Time for the Volunteer Work!

2010-04-14T00:23:00.004-10:00

Last Thursday we had our final MG class followed by a pot luck. My camera went on the blink so I have no pictures, but it was a fun time! I am ready for the office and phones training today. Next week I start to work the phones. There will be two MG trainees with one seasoned MG.

I have been inspired to create a database to store my call-in activity work. I will be testing it and then hopefully have it offered to the entire MG phone volunteers.

Artistic Tuesday - Buddah!

2010-04-13T12:21:00.003-10:00

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." Buddha

So, here's the thing, a Chinese farmer has created a Buddha pear. Believe it or not!?! Apparently, it is true. I have seen the articles and I have seen the pictures, BUT I have not seen it for real. At least I see it as ART! I am thinking of Santa Claus tomatoes! What do you think???

An Innovative Idea - The Windowfarms Project

2010-04-11T06:26:00.004-10:00

Perhaps many of you have already found this information. Life on a Balcony is where I found the link to The Windowfarms Project. I love the grass roots vibe, the urban setting and the R&D process!

Lots of us garden bloggers have plenty of outdoor space for growing vegetables. Even on our 1/2 acre in Hawaii we plan to establish some raised gardens beds soon. But urban centers are another story and kudos to Britta! Actually, growing in one's apartment might be analogous to growing in a greenhouse. For us gardeners in Hawaii indoor growing might keep out those pests! Or, will it bring them in? Although I do not live in an apartment, perhaps someday soon I will find the time to try a windows farm! Love it!

Artistic Tuesday - Mo'o

2010-04-06T00:42:00.002-10:00

This Mo'o (Hawaiian for lizard) was made by Pacific Gunite. With some down time due to the depressed construction market he spent lots of hours tiling! What a great art piece for the garden and perhaps a new career!

Last Week of MG Classwork!

2010-04-05T08:25:00.002-10:00

Actually, I am sad to say that this week is our last week of MG classroom work! It went by very quickly! Lot's of information and interesting discussion during the classroom work. And lots of hands on work and take home goodies.

We did some tree pruning
Janice Crowl gave us her Container Gardener in Hawaii book and some native naupaka seeds
We grafted an avocado tree (I am sorry to say that mine did not take, but I plan to graft a lemon-lime tree soon and will post on the process and results!)
I was given pak choy seedings and some "compost tea" (made from vermicompost) for the vegetable garden
I was given a clove and cinnamon tree seedlings (looking for the right place to plant in the landscape...)

Clove

Thursday we get training on how to work the community call-in phones, we take our final exam and celebrate with a pot luck. After that it is 20 hours on the phones and 20 hours of additional volunteer work before certification!

Hot, Loud & Proud - I think???

2010-03-31T09:29:00.004-10:00

Not having ever done a meme before, I wasn't sure what exactly to do... Sooooooooo, Noel of A Plant Fanatic in Hawaii let me know if I got it!

This "little" beauty was brought to my landscape by mother nature herself ! I have since propagated it to many areas of the landscape! This purslane was hanging on our lava in a small soilless puka (hole). So, I think PROUD it is!

After a little research on the internet, I have found some HOT facts about purslane!

There are about 200 species of purslane: Portulaca
All parts of this plant are edible! - even Henry Thoreau boiled what he gathered around Walden Pond
They are very high in omega-3 fatty acids
It is beneficial for urinary and digestive problems
Finally, to many it is just a weed!

And we all know that weeds are LOUD! Their sheer numbers prove that! I on the other hand will give this proud, hot and loud beauty a try in my favorite salad with just the right amount of oil and vinegar!!!

Below - The birthplace of my purslane

Below - In flower - great contrast to the black pahoehoe lava

Below - Purlane "pinched-back" to give dense foliage

Home Grown Pest Control Recipes

2010-03-30T07:17:00.009-10:00

Information from Tip Nut

Rhubarb Leaf Pesticide Spray

1 cup rhubarb leaves
6.5 cups water
1 tsp liquid dish detergent or soap flakes

Cover rhubarb leaves with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes then remove from heat and cool. Strain then add 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent. Spray on plants. Good for aphids, june beetles, spider mites, thrips.

Rhubarb leaves are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing plants.

Garlic Tea Spray

Make your own garlic spray by boiling a pint of water, throw in roughly chopped garlic cloves and steep until the water cools. Remove garlic bits then spray on plants (fromQuick Tips For Plants & Garden).

Garlic, Peppers & Onion Insecticide

2 hot peppers
1 large onion
1 whole bulb of garlic
1/4 cup water

Toss in the food processor and add water, blend until a mash is made. Cover mash with 1 gallon hot (not boiling) water and let stand 24 hours. Strain. Spray on roses, azaleas, vegetables to kill bug infestations. Bury mash in ground where bugs are heaviest. Good for thrips, aphids, grasshoppers, chewing and sucking insects.

Tomato Leaves Spray

Crush leaves from a tomato plant and soak in water for a couple days. Strain then spray. Good for grasshopper and white fly control.

Tomato leaves are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing plants.

Basil Tea Spray

4 cups water
1 cup fresh basil (or 2 TBS dried)
1 tsp liquid dish detergent

Bring water to a boil then add basil. Remove from heat, cover and steep until cool. Strain. Mix in the liquid detergent then spray on plants. Good for aphids.

Salt Spray

2 TBS salt
1.5 gallons warm water

Mix salt and water to dissolve, allow to cool to room temperature. Use for spider mites, caterpillars, cabbage worms and chewing insects.

Slug Bait Trap

Set out beer in shallow containers to attract slugs, they’ll drown in the beer.

Diatomaceous Earth

An all natural solution for insects of all kinds (ants, snails, slugs, etc.). Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on top of soil around plants with pest infestations.

Horticultural Oil Spray

1 TBS vegetable oil
1 tsp liquid dish detergent
2 cups water

Fill a spray bottle with the ingredients then shake to mix.

Hot Pepper Spray

1/2 cup hot peppers (or 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper)
1 quart water
1 tsp liquid dish detergent

Bring water to a boil, remove from heat and add peppers. Cover and steep until cool. Strain then mix in soap. If using cayenne pepper, no need to bring water to a boil first. Spray on plants.

Citrus Spray

2 cups orange peels (or lemons)
4 cups water

Bring water to a boil, remove from heat and add peels. Cover and steep until cool. Strain and spray. Use the lemon mixture to repel white flies.

Dish Detergent & Baking Soda

2 TBS liquid dish detergent
2 TBS baking soda
1 gallon water

Mix all ingredients together then spray on plants.

Peppermint Tea

1 TBS peppermint essential oil (can also use an infusion made with mint leaves, increase amount to 1 cup infusion)
1 quart water

Mix together and use as an insect spray (good for ants).

Japanese Beetle Bait Trap

2 cups water
1 mashed banana
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup wine
1/2 tsp yeast

Mix ingredients together and put in an old margarine container, cover with lid and set container out in the hot sun for a day. The next day, remove lid and set in garden where the beetles have been spotted (use a shallow container).

Potato Leaves Tea

1 cup potato plant leaves
2 cups water

Chop leaves then cover with hot water. Seal container and leave 24 hours in a sunny window. Strain then spray.

Potato leaves are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing plants.

Neem Spray

1 TBS Neem soap (shavings)
1 liter water

Add soap to water then let sit for an hour. Shake bottle then spray.

Artistic Tuesday - Phytopathological and Art????

2010-03-29T19:59:00.014-10:00

Searching the internet for a topic this week I ran across this interesting art contest sponsored by the American Phytopathological Society (APS). These are the people who study plant disease! Who knew they were into art!!! Unfortunately I can not enter, you have to be a member of APS and I am only a Wanna Be Mater Gardener and a backyard artist!

Here are the categories. I especially like #4!

Microscopy—SEM and other microscopy images.
Whole plant/nature—from the field to greenhouses and pathogens in nature.
Digitally altered—changes to the original image, e.g., changing the natural color, orientation, kaleidoscope effects, cloning images, etc.
Wacky/humor—plant pathogens represented in slightly less scientific ways.
Crafts—hand made objects out of various materials representing phytopathology subjects.
Art—paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other forms of physical art.

Seriously - what a great idea to infuse the creative with the scientific! Check out the website for more detailed information. 2010 Art in Phytopathology Contest .

One of the winning entries from 2009

Comments Function Fixed

2010-03-29T15:47:00.000-10:00

Apparently the comments function for my blog was not working! I have fixed it.
I wanted to have embedded comments but that does not seem to work on this template. As a result, you will get a pop-up window for comments. I have to do more research on how to code for the embedded comments function.

So comment away....

Did You Know???

2010-03-29T11:17:00.001-10:00

I am studying for my MG test today!

DID YOU KNOW THAT...

90% of the Hawaiian native plants are endemic (a plant that arrived before humans circa 400AD but has evolved and is only found in Hawaii)
taro, coconut and sugar cane are not native, but Polynesian Introduced
sanitation (removal of infested fruits) is one of the best control methods for fruit flies
the Oriental fruit fly attacks fruit and the Melon fruit fly vegetables, hmmmmmm
the wedge graft is the most effective method of grafting
there is such a thing as a disease triangle
less is more when it comes to fertilizers
a "prill" is the little polymer coated ball in your favorite fertilizer

Well, I must hit the books again...ugh!

I Need to Study!

2010-03-27T19:22:00.000-10:00

We have our second test on Tuesday 3/30! I have been working on my landscape and posting to my blog instead of studying my MG material! But, there is always tomorrow, at least until Tuesday!!!! LOL

Ugh! - Slugs!

2010-03-27T06:03:00.011-10:00

Hawaii sure does have it's share of slugs! I found this great post on the control of slugs, on one of my favorite blogs - Tip Nut You must check it out!

Hawaii has some special issues with slugs and human disease, particularity rat lung which is a tropical disease.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is a parasitic worm and is carried by rats (the parasites live in the pulmonary arteries of rats, hence the name "rat lungworm") Then the local slugs eat the excrement of the rats and then deposit the parisites on the garden vegetibles they so like to eat. As a result, we must throughly wash our produce take from our gardens! Unfortunately a few people on the island have contracted the parasite from their gardens and have suffered life threatening symptoms. WASH, WASH, WASH those veggies! If you are interested in learning more about rat lung disease, check out this article - rat lung.

The information below is from the Tip Nut post on slugs. But check it out for more slug tips!

Sprays:

Coffee Spray: Save leftover coffee to spray plants that have a slug problem, make sure to spray underneath the leaves as well as the stems and surrounding soil. You can also sprinkle a layer of used coffee grounds around the plant to ward off these pests. Slugs won’t like it and will likely move on to greener pastures in a few short days.
Vinegar & Water: Pour 1 cup household vinegar and 1/2 cup water into a spray bottle. Spray slugs on the ground as you see them, but be careful not to spray the leaves of plants since the vinegar & water will damage them.

Barriers:
The idea for using barriers is to prevent the slugs or repel them from reaching the plants.

Copper Barriers: Copper rings, mesh and tapes can be placed around individual plants to deter slugs, when the slug comes in contact with it, it receives a bit of a shock. Look for these in your local garden center.
Egg Shell Barrier: Sprinkle a generous layer of crushed egg shells around the plant, slugs will give up trying to reach the plant since it’s so uncomfortable for them to get across the jagged shells.
Diatomaceous Earth Barrier: An all natural solution for insects of all kinds (ants, snails, slugs, etc.). Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on top of soil around plants with pest infestations. Reapply if it gets wet. Also mentioned in Natural Pesticides: Recipes & Tips.

Slug Traps:

Set out bait or traps to lure slugs. Some of the traps will kill them (by drowning) while others will just collect them for you to dispose of, some methods of disposal:

Submerse them in boiling water
Douse them heavily with salt or plop them in very salty water
Drop them in a pail of very soapy water

What not to do: toss them over the fence into the neighbor’s garden–that’s bad garden mojo!

Beer Traps: Bury a small dish or plastic container up to its rim so it’s level with the top of the ground. Fill with beer in the early evening and check in the morning–the dish should be full of slugs. Empty the bowl and replenish each night. Change beer every 24 hours to be effective. Some find it more successful to add a bit of molasses to the beer. Also mentioned in 10 Organic Aids & Natural Planting Tips For Gardening.
Yeast Traps: Bury a small dish as above then pour in one of these recipes: 1 tablespoon of baker’s yeast, 1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1 cup of lukewarm water; another recipe is 1 tablespoon flour, 1/2 teaspoon baker’s yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar mixed with 1 cup of warm water. In the morning you’ll find a bowl full of drowned slugs (slugs are drawn to the fermenting yeast).
Wet Newspaper Stacks: Slugs will be attracted to the dampness and the shelter the newspaper provides. Lay the papers down in the early evening then check under them in the morning, you should find a happy slugfest enjoying their environment. Get rid of them in the garbage or kill them buy dunking in boiling water.
Grapefruit, orange, melon rinds, banana or potato peels attract slugs so leave a few piles of them around the yard (you’ll have a bunch of happy slugs to deal with in the morning).

The abovve Illustrations Of Land Slugs From Wikimedia Commons

New Website - Check It Out!

2010-03-26T07:53:00.002-10:00

Just read about this new website - Hawaii Home Grown Network

Weeding!

2010-03-26T07:00:00.008-10:00

On Wednesday, I spent at least half of the day weeding! With my large brimmed hat, long sleeves, knee pads, gloves and my trusty weed removing table fork, I got out and kicked some weed!

So what is the best way to control weeds especially on the east side of Hawaii where the rainfall germinates millions of the buggers! I have learned from my MG that chemicals work, but I prefer organic methods (at least most of the time).

Above are some of the new little seedlings amongst my rocky soil!

So what are some of the organic methods for weed removal?

Good old fashioned yanking
Mulching - this is where your compost is most needed!
Weed Fabric or Plastic
Cardboard
Prevention - Try not to let your weeds go to seed!
Flaming - use of a propane torch to nuke the little buggers

I have recently read about vinegar and corn gluten as weed killers, but have not actually used these products. Apparently, the vinegar should be applied when the sun is shinning and in the heat of the day.

The University of Hawaii puts out a white paper on controlling weeds.

Avocado Update

2010-03-25T07:22:00.000-10:00

Although, several of the old leaves turned brown and dropped, the Haas seems to be doing OK. There are two new branches and the new leaves are still young. They should get darker green as they mature. Go Haas go! :)

3/25/10

1/25/10

Artistic Tuesday - Color and More Color

2010-03-23T01:49:00.016-10:00

This is a simple Artistic Tuesday post - Color. I found these photos on the internet and there is no need to comment. A picture is worth a thousand words! And color is one of those words...

Grafting an Avocado

2010-03-17T13:57:00.001-10:00

Today we learned about fruit trees that will grow in Hawaii and about grafting methods. We actually got to graft an avocado. I grafted the "green gold" species. Now it is a matter of waiting to see if the graft takes.

Artistic Tuesday - Sculptures

2010-03-16T13:55:00.001-10:00

If I could afford art pieces for the garden I would have lots of them!

I was recently reading some garden blogs when I cam across The Gardens of Petersonville blog. In it I noticed a tag called "art". I selected this tag and was happy to see so many art pieces that complemented the garden. Of course I have my favorites and I am sharing three with you today.

For artistic ideas for the garden, check out this blog! The Gardens of Petersonville

These photos were copied with permission from The Gardens of Pertersonville.

Good Results! And Hawaii's Fruit Flies!

2010-03-15T08:17:00.003-10:00

I am happy to report that I received a 51/52 on my first MG test! :)

---------------------

In class we learned about the 4 fruit flies negatively affecting Hawaii's commercial agriculture and backyard growers. The fruit fly essentially destroyed the profitable mango production on Kauai. However, with the help of the University of Hawaii and the USDA the fruit fly is better under control in Hawaii. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Hawaii publishes a very good white paper on fruit flies.

Since I live at about 20-25ft my garden will be most affected by the Oriental Fruit Fly and the Melon Fruit Fly. Since I currently have no vegetables or fruits in my current garden, I plan to set out traps within the next month to get baseline numbers. Soon we will be building raised vegetable garden beds and I will be grafting a lemon-lime citrus tree. So it is only a matter of time before fruit flies affect my backyard garden! And good management is the only solution.

Oriental

Melon

"Hawaii is the only state under a full federal fruit fly quarantine; the presence of fruit flies in Hawaii is a threat to U.S. mainland agriculture and a major bottleneck to the expansion of diversified agriculture in the state, for local as well as export sales." from the Hawaii Invasive Species Program

Talk About Wilt!

2010-03-10T01:39:00.022-10:00

My poor wilted plant! I don't think it is coming back! I transplanted this about 5 days ago. It started to wilt right away. I added more water. Then it got very windy so I think that did not help. We had plenty of rain. Anyhow the transpiration process has broken down. I think I will start the cutting right where I want the final plant. No need for transplanting!

The First Test is Over! Phew!

2010-03-09T14:16:00.004-10:00

I did not study as much as I should have for the first test. Hey it has been many years since I took an academic test! There was so much material! It became a guessing game to figure out what would be on the test. I guessed some material, but missed some, especially in the area of soils. I will know the outcome Thursday!

In addition to the test we had a lecture on Floriculture in Hawaii. Did you know that the anthurium industry in Hawaii was almost wiped out by a bacterial blight? There is no cure for this blight except for good sanitation practices. So millions of plants were destroyed to regain the health of the commercial industry. Today, strict sanitation procedures are practiced during propagation and in the fields.

Artistic Tuesday - Copper Orchid Hanger

2010-03-09T02:19:00.066-10:00

Today's Artistic Tuesday is a gardening craft project. I thought of this idea the other day when I needed a gift for the host of a dinner party to which I was invited. I had all of the materials avaialble in my home. I actually think I will make some for myself!

Required Materials:

copper refrigerator tubing
the fibrous like cloth from a coconut palm or a similar organic product
an orchid plant

Instructions:

Cut a length of refrigerator tubing. You can get this at the local home store. To make the cutting easy, buy a special tube cutting tool at the local home store. The length will depend on your plant size and the required hanging length.
With the cut length, begin to bend the copper into a cone-like shape for the roots of the plant to rest. Be as creative as you want. Note: The copper will begin to "work harden" if over bent making addition manipulation of the copper difficult. So have an idea of how you want to bend the tubing before you starting.
You can see the cone-like shape in the second photo.

At the other end bend it so that it can hang from a tree or wall or where ever you intend to put it
Take orchid out of the pot and retain as much soil media as possible
Take the coconut fiber-like material and loosely wrap it around the orchid roots and soil materials so that the soil does not want to spill all over the place! This is especially important if you hanging this indoors.
Carefully tuck this assembly into the copper tubing cone-like shape you have created. You may need to re-bend/tweet the cone to accommodate your plant
That's all there is to it! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! And easy!

Note: As you can see I created a separate pocket for a succulent. I am not sure the orchid will like this so I am not reccomending it at this time. I want to see how they behave together first!

I Missed a Week of POSTING!!!

2010-03-07T16:33:00.005-10:00

Wow, didn't think it would happen! But I missed my Artistic Tuesday post and MG class summaries for the week. And class was so interesting! Today I am studying for our first test scheduled for Tuesday!

We started the MG week with soils. On Hawaii Island (the Big Island) there are many types of soils and they have been mapped by the state. I live in the Puna District and our house is built on 350-500 year old pahoehoe lava with some soil from decomposed ironwood needles. The biggest problem with soils in Hawaii is acidity and the active Kilauea Volcano continues to adds to the problem.

We brought in some cinder soils (volcanic cinder and soil mix) to our landscape because we are on rock! The trick is to gardening on rock is to find the deeper "pukas" (holes) and fill them with soils. I am sure I have at least thee different types of soils and will have to manage them differently. My first step is to test the PH levels. Has anyone out there used the home soil test kits?

We covered entomology on Thursday and it is a fascinating science! The Professor brought in an electron microscope and you would not believe the little critters we saw crawling around!!! Currently the rose beetle is feeding on many of my leafy pants. I am not happy :(

First Field Trip

2010-02-25T13:26:00.013-10:00

We hit the road Thursday on our first field trip to visit the Waiakea Research Center located mauka (mountain side) of the Panaewa Rainfoest Zoo and Gardens. We toured the anthurium green house and fruit tree orchards.

Upon arrival we were given class materials including the weather station data from this location. Rainfall for this area is 183.73 inches/year with March and November receiving over 30 inches! Talk about a rain forest...

Plant Pathology - Who Knew?

2010-02-23T19:03:00.019-10:00

I saw so much plant disease and pest pictures today it is amazing anything grows! The first half of our class today was conducted by Dr. Scot Nelson from the University of Hawaii, also known as the Plant Doctor. Check out his website. Of course he is Hawaii-centric, but these pathogens are everywhere!!!

About 80% of his lecture was looking at pictures of diseased plants, from virus to microscopic nematodes to the common aphid! Yuck! But, I loved it! I can't wait to checkout the website!

Actually, I went home after class to look a one of my new gardenia plants that has not grown much and the leaves are beginning to yellow. Well, I found lots of little black mites? on the underside of the leaves! I blasted them with water. Gone for now! I think I might also have some powdery mildew on another gardenia. I hope I do not become a plant hypochondriac! Is there such a thing!

Trees and tree pruning was the second half of the class. Not quite as exciting for me, but fun! I did take some pictures. The camera will be a tool I take to class from now on.

Artistic Tuesday - Pruning

2010-02-23T01:36:00.007-10:00

Art can take many forms and "a pruned plant" is one such form.

I found the picture to the above on another blog I follow, Fennel and Fern. It got me thinking of "pruning" as an art form. Ah ha, but of course! There has alway been the bonzai, and the famous Walt Disney topiaries. And of course the formal English Gardens.

But what about us simple guys? Can we prune our garden to make an artist statement without spending hours doing it? Well of course! And the first picture in this post shows the simple possibilities. Only the row of trees is pruned to the same height, higher then one would expect in a natural setting. It brings special attention to the flowers below, creating a pleasant and simple artistic picture...

For more information on pruning check out these sites:

Tree Pruning Techniques (.pdf file)
Pruning Made Easy (book)

Farming Detroit!

2010-02-21T16:12:00.003-10:00

I just read an article in Fortune magazine about the future of Detroit. John Hantz, a billionaire still living in Detroit, has an idea for the city - urban farming! He is ready to sink $30 million into the project!

Illustration by Ryan Christie

Read the full article

John Hantz actually has a website to promote his idea. Check it out! Hantz Farms "Detroit is about to return to it's roots" VERY INTERESTING!

First MG Class

2010-02-19T08:07:00.004-10:00

By the time I reacted the MG classroom, (I was 15 minutes early) half of the classroom was already populated with my fellow MG "Trainees", at least that is what our name tags called us "Trainee"!

We listened to some introductory lecture and finally introduced ourselves to one another. A Botanist, an Illinois Master Gardener, a small business owner working with the disabled, school teacher, everyone had a very interesting story to tell! Wiamea/Kamuela, Lapahoehoe, Volcano, several classmates are traveling far to attend the MG class! More lecture - photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, dicots, monocot - shades of high school biology!

Then the tour, we visited the secure lab where disease and pest testing is conducted and learned that virus is a real threat to plant life in Hawaii. We toured the grounds. There are plans for a walking/bicycle trails, more composting and gardens, but it is obvious that more hands are needed! So, my first volunteer hours may be in the garden, joining fellow MG and friend Laureen!

Finally, the pizza party! First meeting the certified MGs, short introductions, lots of pizza and friendly conversation! A good day!

First Master Gardener Class this AM!

2010-02-18T07:00:00.003-10:00

At 9AM today I will be sitting in a classroom at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and taking notes! OMG! I know this is a volunteer program, but I have not been in an academic classroom with real Professors in decades!!!

The class size is relatively small, only 17 students. And I do have a recently made friend in the class. And I hear from the grapevine, that there are some interesting students this session. Making new friends is always a plus.

Am I excited? Honestly, not yet. But after my coffee, breakfast and creating the grocery list for the week I think that my passion for the dirt and all that grows from it will return!!! Rock on MG!

Dirt - The Movie

2010-02-17T01:52:00.001-10:00

Found this movie trailer on another blog and wanted to share. I checked Netflix and the movie is not yet released on DVD, but when it is I know I will put it in my que!

Artistic Tuesday - Flower Lights

2010-02-16T00:01:00.033-10:00

Of course I was searching the internet for something other then what this post presents, and came across these lights. I immediately thought of my Artistic Tuesday post and thought aha this will work! Sooooooo, here you go! The Hannah Nunn light collection. The inspiration for the design is obviously from the garden!

3 Days!

2010-02-15T08:56:00.002-10:00

Only 3 days 'til I start my master Gardener training!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T00:01:00.007-10:00

I am looking in my garden to see what I can take a picture of that that represents Valentine's Day.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm

something heart shaped perhaps? alas, i have none

something chocolate? no! of course i have no chocolate roses!

something red? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

I do have things red and/or redish in my garden!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

My First Cut Heliconia

2010-02-12T14:29:00.003-10:00

When I planted this in the landscape several months ago, I was under the impression that it was a full sized heliconia. However, it is a dwarf variety, most likely heliconia stricta 'Jamaican Dwarf'. I can't complain much though. They are great cut flowers that will last about 2 weeks. There are three more flowers on the plant. I just hope it keeps producing!

BEFORE - Heliconia in ground

AFTER - Cut and in a vase

CLOSE-UP

Check out this heliconia blog

7 Days!

2010-02-11T09:07:00.007-10:00

My first Master Gardener class is only 7 days away!

According to my friend, there will be pizza after the class and former class members will be there to welcome us newbies!

how sweet it is...

Artistic Tuesday - Urinal???

2010-02-09T00:01:00.002-10:00

The synergy of Nature, Art and Practicality...

Nature inspired urinals!

Check out their other plant and nature inspired urinals!

URINAL SCULPTURES

What a hoot!

Planting among our Pahoehoe Lava

2010-02-08T09:30:00.003-10:00

We are finally getting around to landscaping our street side yard. When we prepped the site for the house build (2008) we left as much of the pahoehoe lava in place as possible. Now it is time to find some salt tolerant ground cover to plant in and between the lava rock croppings. Zebrina pendula, seen left, is a zone 2 salt tolerant ground cover growing to about 6 inches in height. I like the purple and silver colors.

I would like to pair it with something that is slightly taller and of a different color. I think a "lime" green color would pair well. I am on the search!

If you have any suggests please comment and I will give it serious consideration. Remember, I live ocean front in Hawaii so salt is an issue. Mahalo

Note: The University of Hawaii, College of Tropical and Humane Resources, has a great white paper on Wind and Salt Tolerant Plants.

I Love My New Gloves!

2010-02-04T09:29:00.003-10:00

My friend Laureen (a certified master Gardener!) recently gave me a pair of garden gloves. She purchased a dozen or two at a reduced price through our Hawaii County Master Gardeners program. Bottom line - I love them! So. check out the Atlas 370. Perhaps your local chapter of Master Gardeners is a source for gloves.

The nitrile is suppose to last a long time and you can wash them! They fit me well (medium) and are almost as good a working without gloves. You see, I like to feel the dirt, but not the prickers!

PS. The link I provided above is one I found using google search. I have not purchased from this on line store.

Patrick Blanc & The Vertical Garden

2010-02-03T06:00:00.008-10:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63D2UkkTtBQ&feature=player_embedded

Plants growing in felt pockets!?! Nutrients and water dripped into the pockets!?! No soil!?! This British video from the Chelsea Flower Show of 2008 explains Patrick Blanc's concept. Beautifully incredible!!!

Artistic Tuesday - Color

2010-02-02T11:33:00.004-10:00

Nature is artistic as seen in this beautiful succulent planting. Even without the thoughtful placement of plants, the color variation alone is pleasing to my eye.

Credit: I found this picture from a fellow gardener's blog - floridafriendlyplants.

PS I am starting a regular Artistic Tuesday post with the mission of providing an artistic touch to my blog.

Native Hawaiian Hibiscus

2010-02-01T12:07:00.004-10:00

Hawaii has seven beautiful native Hawaiian hibiscuses. I purchased one yesterday at the local Pahoa Farmers Market (or so I was told it is one). It already has a single trunk and I hope to continue to shape it as a tree. Check back in a few weeks to see how it is doing and if it truly is a native.

Helping a Fellow Gardener Create a Blog

2010-01-29T07:07:00.002-10:00

I am helping my friend Laureen start a blog today. She is a certified Master Gardener in Hawaii County. It will be fun to share what little I know about blogging! At least when we are done, we can "follow" each others blog!

The Hass is in the Ground!

2010-01-25T11:42:00.011-10:00

I got the hass avocado in the ground this AM. I was concerned about soil drainage, but tested the hole and drainage is very good. I added some composted chicken manure as recommended by the selling nursery. The location western but as a young tree the truck is protected by a block wall. And because we live oceanfront, there is salt in the air. These two issues have me concerned about how well this tree will thrive.

So here is the first picture. I will try to update the picture every few months to show how well my first hass is doing!

Hass Avocado

2010-01-25T07:18:00.009-10:00

Purchased a grafted hass avocado a week ago and it is still not in the ground! I hope to get the soil ready today and get the plant going! Yumm...

Accepted into the Master Gardener Program!

2010-01-24T09:17:00.004-10:00

I received my letter yesterday from the Cooperative Extension Service stating my acceptance into the Spring 2010 Master Gardener program. We start February 18 and finish class work in mid April. Certification requires 40hrs of volunteer work, 20 of which are on the phone banks.

Fearless Color

2010-01-20T08:58:00.017-10:00

Color in the garden is here!

One of my personal goals as a gardener is to apply "art" to "gardening". Obviously that includes color.

I recently found this article on "Artist Got the Blues...". The colors in these gardens are a bit much for my tastes, but it is the basic concept that I like. The author states she fell in love with the colors of Morocco and incorporated them into her Berkeley garden and a book.

Check out her (Keeyla Meadows) book:

Fearless Color Gardens: The Creative Gardener's Guide to Jumping Off the Color Wheel

Tomato Virus found on Maui

2010-01-20T08:38:00.006-10:00

This is an interesting article from the Hamakua Springs Country Farms blog concerning a new tomato virus foun on Maui and being reported by CTAHR.

Tomato Virus

CTAHR White Paper

MG Interview Appears to Have Gone Well!!!

2010-01-19T18:53:00.007-10:00

I arrived about 30 minutes early to my 9:30AM MG interview. I was actually hoping that they would start my interview early. Low and behold, they did, fifteen minutes early! I was asked to spend 5 minutes telling them about me. I probably talked for 8 minutes and way too fast, it was the nerves. Then they each asked me a question or two and it was over.

The big hit was the fact that I had web design and blogger experience! They have a position for me! Long story short. I thought that the interview went well and the acceptance letters will go out next week.

Classes start February 18th and are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9AM to Noon. The classes run through April with a spring break in March.

First Heliconia Flower

2010-01-18T14:02:00.004-10:00

I spotted the start of our first heliconia flower today! Will watch to see how long before it is fully opened.

I now suspect that this is a dwarf variety. When I was sold the plant, I understood that it was full size. I am still hoping that the foliage will get larger. Not that it isn't beautiful, but I placed it where we were looking for a tall privacy screen. Hope I do not have to move it...

More Vertical Gardening Pictures

2010-01-16T07:15:00.007-10:00

Looks like a vertical kitchen herb garden. Love it!

Does Our Citrus Tree Need Pruning?

2010-01-15T07:38:00.004-10:00

We purchased this Meyer lemon tree and finally found a home for it street side of the house and furtherest away from the salt spray. Once planted two large spikes took off. So do I need to prune?

One pruning site states: Prune lemons every year or two, cutting back new growth by about one-quarter to one-third. Otherwise, trees will get too large, and fruit will be hard to pick.

I found this site on the internet and will probably take advice from it.

http://meyerlemontree.com/pruninglemontree.html

Vertical Gardening

2010-01-14T08:27:00.001-10:00

I first saw this vertical gardening concept in Sunset Magazine while visiting my sister in Arizona. I love it! Since then I have found the blog of the woman who was featured in Sunset mag. I hope to try this concept someday soon. I like to call it garden art. However, looks like it I will need a billion succulents! Just kidding, I will start small LOL. But, where to get the succulents in volume? Well, try Mountain Crest Gardens. I made a small order recently because they had "free shipping" to even Hawaii. I was very happy with the order and they gave me two bonus plants!

Update: Just found this picture on the internet...

MG Interview Scheduled for 2/19/10

2010-01-13T16:07:00.001-10:00

I am scheduled for a Master Gardener Interview. Apparently this is a 15 minute panel interview. The results will determine if I am accepted into the program which starts February 2010.

New BLOG Started

2010-01-13T07:03:00.002-10:00

I am starting this blog to chronicle my journey through the Hawaii County Master Gardener program. I first heard about the National Master Gardeners from Ellen, my friend in Arizona. She is an Arizona MG as well as a degreed horticulturist from Arizona State University. And a long time friend. She inspired me to seek additional gardening experience while I lived in Arizona for over 27 years. I loved gardening in Arizona because it had three planting seasons, unlike my New England roots!

I began my gardening experience as a young child in Durhamville, New York. We moved to the country and our neighbors had a home garden and many fruit trees. It was only natural that our family join the home gardening fun!

Since moving to Hawaii in 2007, I have started landscape planting for our new house. And the Master Gardener program came to light again from a new friend Laureen. She recommended I submit an application to the Hawaii County program and I did. Hence the birth of this blog!!! I hope I get in...