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February 2002 DIZZY
WITH THE HEATWAVE Or
is it the news of all the new plants, products and techniques on the way? Toronto
maintains its January and, it would appear, on through March with weather that
is, by month, slushy, slippy, and sloppy.
Of course, Torontonians have barely had a chance to notice this, what
with Mayor Mel’s antics. He shakes hands with a biker but, six months after
his office was first contacted, has yet to accept a petition by over 5,000
citizens to save a prominent east-end Toronto maple. Sloshy, slippy and sloppy
indeed. Definitely
not cold though. Groundhog Day, 2 February (of which more below), marks the
midway point of winter, exactly halfway between the winter and spring solstices.
Unless a prolonged spell of bitter cold rolls down from the Arctic, then already
we can safely predict that this will be the warmest winter on record. Also, it
will be the latest ever to arrive – if it ever does. Mid-December in Toronto
and vicinity saw white grubs and leather jackets still feasting in grass roots,
promising prominent damage early this coming spring, forecasts Pam Charbonneau
of Guelph’s Turfgrass Institute. Helen Juhola, editor of the Toronto Field
Naturalist Newsletter, noted 25 species of flowers blooming in the city the
day before Christmas. Most, she says, were garden flowers: “roses, 3 kinds of geraniums, snapdragons, 3 kinds of
clematis, alyssum, spirea, marigolds, dahlias, chrysanthemums, nasturtium.”
Two weeks prior to this, Jim Hodgins of Wildflower magazine noted in the
lower Don River: Valley Queen Anne’s lace, common tansy, purple vetch, New
England aster, dandelion, goldenrod, common groundsel and chicory. Now in
February, imported white willow (Salix alba) twigs are a brilliant yellow
and native black willow (S. nigra) are bright orange, both a sure
indication that spring thaw is on its way. Or is already, down St. Catharines
way. There, in a downtown park, was reliably reported a dandelion in full bloom
on 28 January. It’s enough to make the grape growers cry into their ice wine.
Or city gardeners panic at bulbs breaking through the soil. If it makes you feel
good, by all means mulch heavily with peat moss, but Mother Nature has a way of
taking care of her own. More cold will return them to dormancy. We may not experience a warm
spring, though – remember last year? One thing is indisputable though: Bugs
are favoured by mild winters. Many over winter in the cracks and crevices in the
bark of trees and shrubs. So do the spores of many unpleasant pathogens. One of
the most effective ways of controlling these, nipping them in the bud so as to
speak, is by applying a “dormant spray.” Retail outlets are already stocking
the dormant oil and lime sulphur used for this. They must be applied as soon as
the temperatures stay above freezing for a few days, usually early to mid-March
in the Toronto area. Perhaps even before this though, this season. Don’t be
shy with the mixture. Drench branches and trunks thoroughly, to the point where
it is running down them. A very few trees are “sulphur shy” and consequently
should not be sprayed with lime sulphur, pears and ‘Crimson King’ maple
being the most prominent. A hose-end sprayer is the implement of choice for
smaller specimens. Taller trees require more ambitious, such as a “trombone
sprayer” from Rittenhouse, which can reach 40-feet and, made of nickel-plated
brass, will last a lifetime. Despite
the mild weather outside, the home furnace keeps the house warm and dry. Even
with a humidifier though, the air lacks enough moisture to deter the infamous
spider mite. Although it seems nothing is totally immune from attack by this
foul pest, palms, cycads, Cyperus, and similar valued indoor plants are
particularly prone. Continue to apply a bi-weekly spray of insecticidal soap
against this event. The same will also benefit hibiscus, fuchsia and
bougainvillea, all of which are equally prone to be visited by whitefly. Groundhog Day February
also brings us Groundhog Day. In Canada we know what do you get if you cross a
maple leaf with a groundhog: Six more weeks of lousy hockey. Down in that small
Pennsylvania community of Punxsutawney, Phil the groundhog is being honoured by
a turnout of the National Guard, state police and other worthies just in case
Osama and his merry men take umbrage and do something dastardly. Best stick to
Ontario’s Wiarton Willie. A couple of years ago the Liberals shelled out
$50,000 in federal jobs grants for the rodent. Ontario Premier Mike Harris
expressed surprise they didn’t appoint Willie to the Senate. Actually, in 1998
Liberal MP Ovid Jackson introduced a bill to make 2 February Groundhog Day, a
national holiday. Take that , Sir John. A! Alas, the entire legend derives from
Germany. There it involves the hedgehog seeing his own shadow. Still, there’s
plenty of fun to be had at Wiarton, 26 k, north of Owen Sound on Highway 6.
Check out www.wiarton-willie.org
for more. Valentines
Day Considerably more interesting for
all concerned is Valentines Day, 14 February, when every Timely Tulip Tips and Making
Other Cut Flowers Flourish
Tulips make for wonderful cut
flowers this time of the year, and not just for Valentines Day, either. Despite
the unseasonable mild weather, cabin fever is commencing to strike. What better
way to dispel the winter blaahs then a voluptuous vase of these spectacular and
modestly priced flowers? Friend Carol Cowan of the Netherlands Flowerbulb
Information center, an organization for professionals, offers the following
timely tips for tulips, red or otherwise: §
For longest enjoyment, buy cut tulips when the buds are
still closed, but beginning to show flower color.
§
Play with colour. Try something new each time. Create a
wild riot of mixed colours, or try §
Before arranging tulips, re-cut their stems. Using a
sharp, clean knife cut on a slight angle. A fresh cut opens the stems’ water
uptake channels. §
Unlike most cut flowers, tulips keep growing in a vase.
Not only that, but as they grow – often up to an inch or so – they tend to
bend and move toward sources of light. The fact that tulips “dance in the
vase” is part of their charm, and trait
prized by floral designers. §
Still some people like to “straighten them up” every
now and then. To re-straighten stems, simply remove the flowers from the vase,
re-trim the stem bottoms and roll the tulips in newspaper with the paper
extending above the flower tops, but not covering the lower third of the stems.
Place the wrapped bunch, upright, in a container of cool water, deep enough to
submerge the exposed stems. Leave in a cool place for an hour or two to soak up
the water. Presto. The stems will be straight again. §
Don’t bother with flower food for tulips. As they’re
still growing, tulips drink a lot, and plain water is what they want. Keep an
eye on the water levels and refresh vases with clean, cool water every two days. §
For longest flower life, place tulips in a cool spot.
Keep them away from direct sunlight or sources of heat
(radiators, stoves, lamps, even televisions). §
When combining tulips, or any other flowers, with
daffodils, “prep” the daffodils separately so the sappy mucus which comes
from their freshly cut stems won’t gum up the water intake channels of the
tulips or other flowers. After trimming the daffodil
stems, let them sit, in a bucket of water for an hour before placing them
in a
mixed arrangement. Besides
Carol’s ever-helpful organization which, is not directly accessible to the
flower purchaser, there are three all-Canadian sources to access. We highly
recommend any and all of them: The Top
Garden Centres in Ontario ‘Which is the best garden
center to go to?’ This question is posed dozens of times every season to
professional horticulturists. There has been no easy answer until the trade
association Landscape Ontario assembled a panel of judges from the industry.
Last year, they surveyed the Ontario scene and made recommendations for awards.
Quelle horreur! Toronto and even the much-vaunted GTA is not exactly heavily
populated by top garden centers. Rather unsurprisingly, Humber Nurseries made it
in three categories, but Sheridan landed only one, for flower displays, while
that master of the media, Mark Cullen’s Weall and Cullen managed just a
seasonal display award. At the top was Canadale, winner in six vital areas. Mori
Gardens was not far behind with four. Both these will make a drive well
worthwhile. Toronto garden centers, at least in the eyes of the professionals,
are mostly on par with that city’s vertically-challenged mayor. Canadale
Nurseries Limited 2001
Consumer’s Choice Award – Canadale Nurseries Limited Outstand Display of Deciduous
Shrubs and/or Trees Outstand Display of Annuals
and/or Perennials Outstand Display of Evergreens
and/or Broadleaf Evergreens Outstand Display of Plant
Material – Your Specialty Outstand Display of Outstanding
Promotional Event Outstand Display of Permanent
Display Garden, under 500 sq.ft. Mori
Gardens Outstand Display of Outstanding
Display of Plant Material – Your Specialty Outstand Display of Outstanding
Display of Hard goods Outstanding Display of Seasonal
Goods Permanent Display Gardens, over
500 sq.ft Humber
Nurseries Limited Outstand Display of Evergreens
and/or Broadleaf Evergreens Outstanding Display of Hard Goods Permanent Display Gardens, over
500 sq.ft. Sheridan
Nurseries Limited Outstand Display of Annuals
and/or Perennials Vermeer’s
Garden Centre & Flower Shop Outstand Display of Giftware Weall
& Cullen Nurseries Limited Outstand Display of Outstanding
Display of Seasonal Goods Tree
& Frog Company Outstand Display of Permanent
Display Garden, under 500 sq.ft. Bu-Con
Contractors Inc. First Prize for Outstand Display
of Permanent Display Garden, under 500 sq.ft. New David Austin Roses Announced From England with love, David
Austin roses need no introduction to Canadian gardeners. These easy care, no
nonsense roses have earned their place into our gardens and hearts. Another
half-dozen are about the make their appearance on the rosarian scene. More
information available at www.davidaustinroses.com. Falstaff Rose The staff at David Austin Roses
believe this to be one of the best crimson/purple roses they have bred so far.
It has large cupped, full-petalled flowers of rich, dark crimson colouring;
eventually turning to a most pleasing shade of rich purple. The growth is
upright, strong and bushy. Very strong Old Rose fragrance. James Galway A superb, large shrub with long,
arching, almost thornless growth. This is a tough, disease-free rose that is
excellent for the back of the mixed border. The flowers are large and full, with
many pelts arranged in a neat formation. The colour is a lovely warm pink at the
centre, shading to pale pink at the edges. Sophy's Rose Broad and rather flat, rosette
shaped flowers of an attractive light red colouring which should mingle well
with other colours. The effect is little different from other red roses, which
tend to have a certain 'sameness' about them [sic]. A light Tea fragrance. Tess of the D'Ubervilles Large fragrant flowers of a
bright red colouring. They are of a nice, deeply cupped shape in the early
stages; the petals turning back to give a less formal but still attractive
flower. They bend over with their weight, to given an elegant effect. The growth
is robust, bushy and spreading, and the leaves are large and dark green. William Morris Rose A tall shrub with attractive,
rather arching growth and glossy foliage. The flowers are a lovely glowing
apricot-pink and of formal rosette shape. It is an extremely hardy and reliable,
making it an ideal rose for further back in the border where it will withstand
some competition better than most. Good disease resistance. William Shakespeare 2000 Without doubt, the best crimson
English rose to date. It is a truly superb variety with exquisite blooms of the
richest velvety crimson, gradually changing to an equally rich purple. Deeply
cupped at first, the flowers soon opens out to a shallow quartered cup. The
growth is neat and upright; each stem bearing a number of flowers. Canada’s Maples and Oaks
Threatened by New Disease Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Clamps Restrictions On Stock from California, Oregon, Europe A fungus known as
Phytophora ramorum or, more grimly in common parlance as Sudden
Oak Death (SOD), has devastated the oak forests of coastal California and parts
of Oregon. Now comes even worse news: It may also attack, amongst others,
maples, rhododendrons, honeysuckles and horse chestnuts – amongst others. What
this would do to eastern Canada’s world famous maple sugar production along
with fall colour display doesn’t bear thinking about. As for the ecological
consequences, the horrifying and continuing tragedy unfolding in California is
instructive. There, the complete ecosystem is changing as the oaks die. And as
the climate becomes drier and warmer, the dead trees themselves pose a serious
fire hazard, adding yet further problems. Could this happen here? Not if
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is able to enforce the strict
quarantine it has imposed on imports of nursery stock and propagation material
from the entire states of California and Oregon, along with Germany and the
Netherlands, where Phytophora ramorum is also causing sever problems. Not
only are woody plants affected but also soil is banned, as are commercial
soil-less mixes. These latter, originally composed of sphagnum peat moss and
vermiculite, are frequently now formulated from composted bark. The not
unreasonable suspicion of the CFIA is that this bark may come from Phytophora
ramorum-infected trees, hence the ban on these growing mediums as well. This has left commercial
nurseries in California and Oregon facing enormous economic losses. Not only are
their containerized plants effectively banned, since the soil they are growing
in is suspect, but also so are “bare root” cuttings of much nursery stock.
Many nurseries elsewhere purchased these in the past from those two states. Now
the same nurseries are scrambling to find supplies elsewhere. All this can be
blamed on a single pathogen, a grim reminder of the havoc caused by Chestnut
Blight in the early years of the 20th century and Dutch Elm Disease
which arrived in North America a few years later. Not surprisingly then, the
federal authorities are alarmed. What exactly is banned? The trade
journal Horticulture Review advised in the January 2002 issue that
certain plants as well as growing mediums would be banned by the CFIA from the
states of California and Oregon as well as from, in Europe, Germany and the
Netherlands. §
Soil §
Soil in association with plants (including plants in
soil-less media) Along with the following, whether
as plants or propagation material: Acer
(maple) Aesculus
(horse chestnut) Arbutus
(madrone or
strawberry tree) Arctostaphylos
(bearberry, kinnikinnick or manzanita) Heteromeles
arbutifolia (Christmas berry, toyon, California holly) Lithocarpus
(tanbark oak) Lonicera
(honeysuckle) Quercus
(oak) Rhamnus
(buckthorn) Rhododendron
(rhododendron and azalea) Umbellularia
California (California bay or Oregon myrtle) Vaccinium
ovata (California huckleberry) Viburnum
(arrow wood) More information can be found at
the CFIA website as well as updates, the latter vital, as this is a new disease: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml Sudden Oak Death may be referred
to, perhaps not inappropriately, by the abbreviation SOD. In North America, sod is simply another term for turf. In the
U.K. to be called a ‘sod’ is an unpleasant insult, with implications of
illegitimacy. It may also be used to express displeasure, as in ‘Sod this for
a lark.’ In other words, it is no joke and that, unfortunately, is exactly
what Phytophora ramorum, Sudden Oak Death, is all about. Horticultural Happenings Chinese New Year 7 – 12 February: The Year of
the Horse will be celebrated at Toronto Chinese New Year Festival at the Better
Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto with Chinese arts, fashion, food and
general fun. Toronto Field Naturalist Outings Free guided walks; children
welcome but please no pets; all are TTC accessible; dress according to weather,
bring beverage, camera, notebook and binoculars. 3 February: TFN Meeting
commences 2 p.m. in the Northrop Frye Hall of Victoria University, 73 Queen’s
Park Crescent East (south of the Museum subway station). This month’s talk is on the Eastern Arctic and Greenland West
Coast, given by Iona Bell. 6 February Sunnybrook Park
Nature Walk: meet 10 a.m. at park entrance west side Leslie St. north of
Eglington E.; bring a snack; morning only 13 February High Park Nature
in Winter: meet 10 a.m. at park entrance south side of Bloor St. W. opposite
High Park Ave.; morning only 19 February German Mills
Nature Walk: meet northeast corner Steels and Leslie at 2 p.m.. walk lasts
until 4:40 p.m. and there is a possibility of seeing great horned owls. 24 February Guildwood Park
Nature Walk: meet 10:30 a.m. at
the park entrance south side of Guildwood Parkway opposite Galloway Road; bring
a snack; morning only Getting the Jump on Spring 24 February, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Horticultural and environmental displays and activities at the Civic Garden
Centre, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. at Leslie. High Park Sunday Afternoon Walks Walks commence 1:15 p.m. at the
park restaurant; call 416-392-1748 for more information. 10 February How plants and
animals survive the winter 24 February Identifying trees in
winter Toronto Entomologists’ Association 23 February meeting commences at
1 p.m. in Room 119 of Northrop Frye Hall, Victoria University, 73 Queen’s Park
Crescent East, just south of the Museum subway station. Canada Blooms 2002 13 through 17 March is not that
far away, particularly if tickets have not yet been ordered. Contact
416-447-8655 or 1-800-730-1020 to order; More at www.canadablooms.com,
and this year’s completely restructured show, whose theme is ‘A Walk in the
Park.’ Smithsonian Study Tours 2 - 10 February: Amazon: The
Greatest Adventure in Natural History: aboard the 27-passenger La Tourmaline,
explore the secluded headwaters of the Amazon (also 16 - 24 and 23 - 31 March) For more information,
1-877-338-8687 or visit www.smithsonianstudytours.org Britain’s Chip Week Commences 17 February under the
auspices of the British Potato Council to honour the Brit’s favourite food. Catalogs Received Gardens North 2002 5984 Third Line Rd. N., North
Gower, Ontario K0A 2T0 One of the few catalogues worth
paying the requested $4, this annually-arriving delight is the perennial
seed catalogue that every serious northern gardener is waiting for. And not only
perennials: Kristl Walek also now has besides some what she happily abbreviates
to “woodies,” some select annuals also. This catalogue is 134 pages of solid
information, including accurate descriptions, germination and cultivation tips
and more. But if you level of gardening is gazing at pretty pictures and your
books are of the coffee table variety, our advice is to forget it. This
catalogue eschews such and is aimed at the down-and-dirty gardener. Most of the
seeds are $3 a package, which provides an ample supply of plants for the average
garden. Better yet, it is a well-established fact that perennials raised from
seed stand a much better chance of establishing themselves than do those
purchased as already-growing plants. Besides, what garden center, however
ambitious carries such a selection? Stokes 2002 Growers Guide 39 James St, Box 10,
St. Catharines, Ontario. L2R 6R6 There was once a time in those
dark dreary and long-one days, when Canadian gardeners, amateur and professional
alike, knew only of Stokes catalogue for sound advice on seeding and growing
vegetables and annuals. Many another seed company has taken to imitating this
great-great grandfather of seed catalogues – and not a few have fallen by the
wayside. But Stokes, now in its 121st year, keeps going from strength
to strength. Remember the fabulous hanging baskets of ‘Black Dragon’ Coleus
everybody was going gaga on last season? Stokes has the seeds for this year. At
$2.10 a packet that’s a whole lot less expensive than local garden centers
were asking. And for the really ambitious who must have the new-for-this-season
Pink ‘Dragon Wing’™ Begonia yes, Stokes also has the pelleted seed, 250 of
them for $78.50. Veseys Bulbs: 2002 Flower Bulbs & Perennials PO Box
9000 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 8K6 Veseys was the name in seeds for
Maritime gardens and gardeners for many a year before the rest of Canada caught
on to this venerable Prince Edward Island firm. A few years ago, they expanded
into bulbs and perennials. There are, of course, others out there, but Veseys
vowed to offer quality bulbs and plants at exceptionally attractive prices.
Better yet, unlike far too many flashy bulb catalogues, which seem to
offer bargain-basement prices, Veseys do not neglect to inform us of the size
the bulb they are offering is. And a simple truth of bulb buying is the bigger
the bulb the better the blooms. Don’t miss their cannas or clematis! New Products - A Review for You The horticultural
professionals’ year kicked off as it always does with Landscape Ontario’s
Trade Show. Each succeeding one seems to outperform that of the previous year.
So it was this January. One predominant theme was increasingly noticeable
though: Promotion of chemical products is declining while their competitors
formulated from natural sources are in the ascent. So are more gadgets, gizmos
and general gunk as more and more entrepreneurs seek to cash in on the
ever-booming garden phenomena. The following are our initial selection. More
will follow in the coming months. Please note, however, that many of these
companies are wholesale only. Visit their web sites by all means but, if
they do not sell direct to the public, bug your local retailer or garden center
to contact them. And, as Joey
Slinger once wrote in connection with another new product: “Disclaimer: The
author has no financial interest in Gore-Tex or any of its licensed
merchandisers, sadly.” [Down & Dirty Birding (Toronto: Key Porter;
1996)] Bradfield Natural Fertilzers e-mail:
healthylawn@rogers.com “Our mission is to green the
Earth naturally!” is Bradfield’s motto and they mean to do it. Three
products all worth looking for are: Bradfield Eagle 3-1-5 pelleted
fertilizer for gardens, golf courses, commercial landscapes and farms Bradfield Lawn & Garden 3.1-5
is an all purpose preparation for lawns, trees, shrubs, roses, flowers,
vegetables, herbs Bradfield Corn Glutten 9-0-0 slow
release fertilizer for flowerbeds, gardens and turf An interesting story they tell
about zoo landscapes: natural fertilizers “open up” soil that has become
badly compacted and what could be more compacted that an area where elephants
exercise? Guess who solved that problem! Colosanti’s Cactus Down Windsor way, not far from
Leamington, Colosanti’s greenhouses and nursery raise indoor plants and
perennials for wholesale to happy garden centre owners and other retailers of
such across southern Ontario. One of the specialties that is having quite an
impact these days on northern gardeners is the discovery that not only do a
surprising number of cactus thrive here but a few are even native to the region
and elsewhere in Canada. Colosanti is contributing to this interest by growing a
number of different varieties, many propagated from cactus, which have growing
in local gardens for many years. EcoClear Offers total weed control using
common natural ingredients found in vinegar and lemon juice, walloping the weeds
within hours even in cool, rainy weather and, once dried, is safe to pets. Can
be used without fear of damage to trees, right up to the trunks. Replanting or
reseeding is said to be safe as soon a the weeds have died within 24 to 48
hours, which would seem to be particularly appealing to wild flower fanciers
looking to plant new areas. Flower Carpet Pan American offers wholesale an
extraordinary wide range of plants to local retail outlets. Roses has long been
a specialty of theirs and the introduction of their Flower Carpet series has met
with raves from home gardeners looking for easy care, extreme disease
resistance, continuous mass blooms and the ability to cover slopes and/or be
used for covering large areas. New for 2002 is ‘Noacor,’ a true coral
colour. It joins ‘Noare’ (red), ‘Noaschnee’ (white), ‘Noatrum’
(pink) and ‘Noamel’ (apple blossom). They should be prominent at garden
centres everywhere. Images in Interlocking Stone Imagine the visual impact of your
own personal design let into you interlocking stone path, patio or driveway.
That is what Ron Lauzon creates form a base in Renfrew, Ontario. The images can
be installed at most reasonable cost in any new or existing projects either as a
‘do-it-yourself’ or professional paving expert. Have your name let into
paving or display the provincial trillium emblem or perhaps a Canada goose
appeals more. Images in Interlocking Stone has them all . . . and more. RainGrow From Oliver, B.C. comes two novel
natural liquid fertilizers for outdoors and indoor use that have been well
received out west in British Columbia and Alberta. Raingrow 4-2-3 All Purpose Liquid
Concentrate has proven effective for a wide range of plants in scientific trials Bloom-A-Long 0-12-0 Liquid Bone
Meal Concentrate provides a readily available source of natural phosphorus Rittenhouse They must be doing something
right to have been in business since 1914! This year, Rittenhouse has rolled
their professional and consumer products catalog into one with some excellent
new items to interest all who hanker for horticultural excellence, such as: A Deluxe Ratchet Pruner which is
great for anyone who could sue some extra grip strength An Ergonomic Water Nozzle that
needs but a slight bend to operate; to shut off just straighten or lay down Crab Grass Rake which combs the
wretched weed out of the lawn without need to resort to chemicals Longnecker Tools consisting of
trowel and weeder that are operated like a hammer Enviroweeder that rips weeds, tap
roots and all, from the lawn or flowerbed with a simple push and twist Robomower 1-888-404-ROBO (7626) Push a button and this robot
lawnmower takes off by itself, cutting and mulching your lawn. Battery-operated,
several safety features prevent it from creating any risk to pets, children or
flowerbeds. Quiet too, it will not annoy the neighbours with noise or exhaust
fumes. Offered on a 60-day approval guarantee, it runs for about 3 hours per
battery charge, mowing approximately 3000 sq.ft. in that time. This idea from
the future is here today to free up more time for the busy gardener. Safer’s Certainly every gardener worthy
of the name must be familiar with Safer’s line of natural products, starting
with the famed insecticidal soap they originated more than two decades ago. Last
year their Slug & Snail Pellets, non-poisonous to other creatures unlike the
infamous metaldehyde, became available and have been justifiably praised
wherever used. Finally, and answer to these loathsome mollusks without
threatening other animals. Stepables Coming soon to your local garden
center are these tough, easy to grow plants that endure light to moderate foot
traffic and so are ideal for both pathways and borders. These are specially
selected plants, raised locally, and sold in attractive displays with full
instructions. And yes, many of them are shade tolerant so solving that perennial
problem for which city gardeners are especially renown. Follow the footprints
that are the feature of the commercial displays of this line. Van Noort Dutch wholesale perennial and
bulb growers promise over 120 new perennial varieties for spring 2002, including
hemerocallis, hostas and groundcovers. They also list over 150 varieties of
clematis, including many that will tolerate shade. Gardening in the Headlines A round-up of the past few weeks news of interest to
gardeners
§
Elaine Beck, student in the graduate arts program at the
University of Iowa creates a novel landscape for the front yard of her
Oskaloosa, Iowa home by decorating it with a collection of chairs.
§
Pam Charbonneau of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute warns
that the very mild weather that extended into December with lawn grubs still
feeding actively at that time, will likely result in spring damage earlier than
usual this coming season
§
A Christmas tree too close to the fireplace is reportedly
the cause of a Vancouver fire suffered by Clint Eastwood’s ex-partner Frances
Fisher, bringing a whole new meaning to Magnum Force §
California’s redwood trees are threatened by the same
virulent pathogen that has been decimating the coastal oak §
Norway maples, brought from Europe for landscaping
gardens, are taking over eastern North American forests to the detriment of
native maples and other trees and, even more alarmingly, are reported as
smothering out by some unknown means native wild flowers. §
The appalling fungal disease inflicting U.S. west coast
oaks, as well as some European countries, known as Sudden Oak Death syndrome
(SOD), results in sever restrictions being placed on the importation of much
plant material a well as soils and soil-less mixes from those areas. §
Although the Plum Pox
Virus (PPV) continues to cause substantial financial losses to Niagara
Peninsular ornamental nurseries, no signs of the disease are detected for the
second consecutive year in any ornamental Prunus species within the
Ontario quarantine zone §
Descriptions and more on over 800 North American trees
are to be fund at a new web site set up by a former forestry professor and his
colleagues to promote sales of landscape software. Check out www.treeguide.com. §
Michael Kesterton reports in The Globe and Mail of
a new sport from France, ‘accrobranching,’ practiced by a small group of
arborists who enjoy swinging through tall trees on their ropes, with safety
harnesses, of course. All are said to be devout “nature lovers”
who do not harm the trees or birds nesting therein. Shrubs §
Witch hazels respond to the warmer winter weather by
blooming several weeks early in Vancouver’s VanDussen Botanical Garden
§
Many flowers fluoresce and this is often very distinct at
dawn and dusk, affirms New Scientist in response to a reader’s query.
Examples are at http://vertigo.derby.ac.uk/BiologicalImaging/Shows/fys97/Eddie/biology.html#Guides.
§
No less than 85% of all potatoes grown in North America
end up as French fries, reports the Canadian Geographic in their
January/February issue which concentrates of food from Canada. §
The same magazine also notes the re-introduction from the
brink of extinction of the fabulous Montreal melon, once the rage of chefs on
the eastern seaboard. Thanks to Mark Abley of the Montreal Gazette §
Ireland’s Consumer Affairs Minister orders a probe into
the excessive price of potatoes in that country Fruit §
Bananas taste a little odd? Stopping a truck in northern
Mexico, authorities discover, packed behind a screen of banana boxes, 146
illegal immigrants who had been standing in a space of about 11 by 2 meters for
38 hours.
§
Italian researcher Bice Fubini and her colleagues at the
University of Turin discover that eugenol extracted from cloves safely
neutralizes deadly asbestos fibres in buildings being freed of the deadly
mineral
§
Purina Cat Chow Cat Tips includes the advice that
placing bowls of vinegar around houseplants will deter feline friends Propagation § Canada’s Hardy Rose Breeding Program in 2000 made 14,248 crosses, resulting in 3,649 hips that yielded 59,051 seeds, commences a report by Claude Richter. The program is supported by private industry, and through royalties received on the sale of the roses developed. Would that every government program was so efficient. More at http://res2.agr.ca/stjean/
§
Some birds are efficient seed dispersers, others not so
effective discovers researcher A. Traveset experimenting in the Balearic Islands
off Spain on European blackbirds, Turdus merula and Sardinian warblers, Sylvia
melanocephala and feeding them the fruit of five species of Mediterranean
scrub vegetation, reported in Functional Ecology.
§
What few crops Saskatchewan farmers are likely to be able
to grow will be attacked by swarms of grasshoppers, says the 2002 Grasshopper
Forecast. The province’s chief specialist on the pest, Scott Hartley, found
populations at some locations exceeding 40 per square meter last fall, and
ominous outlook for this season’s cereals and legumes §
Correcting the idea that humans who had just reported
creating artificial hydrophobocity were the first, M. Inbar of Haifa and J. C
Schulz of Pennsylvania write to the journal Nature pointing out that
aphids, whiteflies and other Homopteras got there first. They cover their sweet
“honeydew” or excrement, the pair report, with a special waxy coating to
prevent it leaking everywhere. §
Leaf-cutting ants are efficient agriculturists, reports
Francis Ratnieks at Sheffield University, researching the Panamanian Atta
columbica. They avoid a parasitic fungus called Escovopsis by practicing
diligent sanitation and locating their rubbish dumps well from the nest. § “New Zealand artist Richard Lomas has created 26 ‘bug paintings,’” reports The Globe and Mail’s Michael Kesterton, by “strapping oil-slathered canvases to the front of his car and driving 13,000 kilometers, gathering insect impacts.” The paintings are on display on the Internet at http://www.wellingtononlinegallery.co.nz/ §
Feared fire ants have some how made their way down under
to Oz, where Cas Vanderwoude, lead scientist with the Fire Ant Control Centre in
Queensland. Is reportedly optimistic that Australian now-how will succeed where
Americans failed, and the illegal immigrants will not be tolerated. §
Despite importuning by entomologists, no U.S. agencies,
government or private, are willing to provide the $6-million or so it takes to
decipher the genomes of prominent insects pests causing an annual $26-billion in
damage to crops and livestock. The U.S. Air force B-1 bomber that crashed in the
Indian Ocean in mid-December was worth $200-million.
§
Some yams, like the hardy cinnamon vine Diascorea
batatas are magnificent ornamentals. D. oppositifolia, Chinese Yam,
is most emphatically not, reports Wildflower magazine. A virulent weed
over most of the U.S. eastern seaboard. It has made its way inland and is know
as far north as Indiana and Illinois. Wildflower suggests contacting Jody
Shimp of the Natural Areas Association Chinese Yam Task Force at
jshimp@dnrmail.state.il.us
for more information, identification and control methods.
§
Toronto’s continuing financial mismanagement threatens
the start up of the much hyped household organic waste municipal composting
scheme, originally due to commence in July for Etobicoke. §
Dr, Calvin Chong at the Horticultural Research Institute
of Ontario, completes a report on the using composted turkey litter in nursery
stock production, in which he refers to the material by the letters ‘TLC.’
§
Toronto’s commuter tabloid Metro Today helpfully
advises on “activities for weight management” on 3 January. Fourth on the
list is “Active Hobbies (Gardening)” which is bound to be appreciated if not
practiced even in Toronto’s mild winter climate §
A thriving bat colony is no longer welcome at Melbourne,
Australia’s famed Botanical Gardens and are forthwith evicted by the municipal
council to a reserve elsewhere. §
Toronto city council’s economic development committee
finds $73,000 to establish seven new community gardens this coming season. §
The
Toronto Environmental Alliance attempts to float another scare by claiming the
mild winter weather will result in more mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus this
spring. The Toronto Sun sportingly notes that there has been but one case
of the disease recorded in all of Canada. Tools §
A woman in Plantagenet, Ontario, east if Ottawa, is
reported to have used a large wood chipper to commit suicide Inventions §
The U.S. Army approaches their counterparts at the U.S.
Agricultural Research Service to develop plants capable of standing up to military personnel and their vehicles, demonstrating admirable
environmental concern.
§
A species of wasp are trained by scientists to “sniff
out” buried landmines and believe the same insects could be used to test for
biological weapons. The insects indicate the presence of explosives by rubbing
their long antennae on the floor of the box they are housed in. §
The journal Science recommends the World Biodiversity
Database at www.eti.uva.nl/Database/WBD.html
that,
to date, has entries on about 200,000 species of plants, fungi, animals,
bacteria and protists. §
Three-quarters of a century ago, viruses were unknown;
now they run in the thousands and affect our everyday lives. Molecular biologist
and website editor Sondra Schlesinger, Washington University, St. Louis has
fascinating information on the history of human discovery of viruses at
Medicine.wustl.edu/~virology/index.htm. §
New Zealand Prime Minster Helen Clark gives the green
light to genetically modified crops in her country but while field trials will
get under way immediately, commercial releases will not be permitted until at
least 2003 §
Hugh Beckie of Agriculture Canada’s Saskatoon Research
Station reports finding that the pollen from GM canola crops can spread
in minute but worrisome quantities at least 800 meters from test fields. §
Montreal scientists spin artificial spiders’ silk from
genetically modified Nigerian goats, the fibres reportedly being useful for
bullet-proof body Armour and biodegradable fishing lines. §
Three Guelph engineering students develop edible food
trays from Soya protein to replace the ubiquitous plastic jobs that are anything
but biodegradable. §
Scientists working in China and Ireland invent a film,
also from Soya protein, to cover fruits and vegetables in a preserving cover
that drastically slows their breakdown.
§
While the southern U.S. and central and south-eastern
Europe are hit by ferocious winter storms southern Ontario basks in
comparatively mild weather which, beside worrying ski operators, threatens this
season’s ice wine by stubbornly refusing to freeze the grapes Niagara is so
famous for. §
Biologist William Bradshaw of the University of Oregon
demonstrates that global warming affects a mosquito’s genes by shortening the
period the larvae remain dormant for over winter §
In early January, temperatures reach 16 in Medicine Hat
as the effects continue to be felt of the warm Pacific airs flowing into Canada
from as far away as Hawaii, leading meteorologists to dub the effect the
“Pineapple Express.” §
Enthusiasts bemoan as warm temperatures cancel the
Alberta International Dogsled Classic for ther second time in three years but
lack of snow dismays the province’s farmers who question if the “Dirty
Thirties” dustbowl is set for a replay. §
A resident of Regina. noting that the city basked in a
record +10C, wondered what environmentalists blamed back in 1899
when the old record of 8.9C was achieved. §
In India Chirananda De reports finding what he claims are
the fossils of rain drops that fell to Earth a billion years ago.
§
Street hockey and football will be permitted, even if it
does damage gardens and cars, rules Hamilton Justice of the Peace Wendy Casey,
dismissing charges against a father who encouraged his children to continue
their sport activities despite a neighbour’s protests and municipal street
signs forbidding such recreation. §
A thousand
Saskatchewan organic farmers launch a class action law suit against biotech
giants Monsanto and Aventis in connection with alleged damages caused by pollen
from genetically modified canola pollen. §
The solicitor for London, Ontario, warns that any bylaw
passed attempting to ban the use of pesticides will likely result in lawsuit
that the municipality is very unlikely to win.
§
Business as usual for former Green-peace head Lord
Melchett, who has joined a British public relations firm with clients that
include Monsanto, whose GM crops Melchett for years has so vigorously opposed. §
Highly annoyed at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
blocking sales of its products south of the border, Canadian hemp grower and
processor Kenex Ltd, resolves to sue the U.S. government for $20-million. §
India decides after all to sell the cotton from
experimental genetically modified tests fields scattered over 40 sites across
the country since much has been sold already and is impossible to recall. §
Toronto-based Forbes Wild Foods offers all Canadian
delicacies from the fields, woods and waysides for the adventuresome gourmet – and it is all organic. See www.wildfoods.ca.
§
Check out what or who is polluting your home zone using
your postal code at www.scorecard.org/pollutionwatch, the Pollution Watch Web Site §
Antarctica should be melting, according to climatologists’
best models. Trouble is it that it isn’t. In fact it is getting colder, much
to the puzzlement of scientists. §
The arsenic that has polluted the ground water supplies
of millions of Bangladeshis has worked its way into crops via water used for
irrigation , reports Mahmuder
Rahman, a professor at Dhaka Community Hospital §
Forest fires in northern Canadian and Russian forests
release far more polluting carbon monoxide than was previously believed,
researchers from discovered. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of
Colorado discovered and, if temperatures rise as predicted resulting in more
fires, the problem can only become worse, they predict. §
The herbal medicine trade, expanding by 10 per cent
annually, is threatening plants as well as animals, reports The Globe and
Mail’s Laszlo Buhasz. Native Ginseng from Manchuria, North Korea and
Siberia, Devil’s Claw from South Africa, the Chinese Happytree and desert
Cistanche, even the Monkey Puzzle Tree of Chile and Spring Adonis from Eurasia
are all endangered.
§
Health Canada orders products containing excessive
amounts of the natural herbal medicine Ephedra withdrawn from all store shelves.
On some labels this may also appear as ephedrine or as the Chinese Ma Huang but
whatever it appears as, dosages exceeding 32-milligranms per day can lead to
heart attacks, strokes, seizures, psychosis and possibly even death. §
Kava, the popular herb from Piper methysticum of
Polynesian islands is contraindicated according to Health Canada, who say there
does seem to be “a serious concern” with the alternate medicine. It has
already been banned outright or voluntarily withdrawn in several major European
countries after serious liver damage has resulted from its use. §
Afghanistan’s new interim government reaffirms the ban
on opium poppy growing that the deposed Taliban had decreed against in 2000,
prompting local farmers to again plant thousands of hectares of Papaver
somniferum §
Garlic supplements may reduce the effectiveness of the
protease inhibitor saquinavir, say researchers at the US National Institutes of
Health, which is bad news for HIV sufferers, who use garlic in capsule form to
combat high blood cholesterol cause by treatment for their condition. § An obscure agreement signed by Canada with the UN’s World Health Organization in the 19670s, may make it mandatory for the federal government to provide the world body with scientific proof that marijuana does have provable medical benefits prior to distribution to those deemed needy of it in this country, reports Toronto’s NOW weekly on prevalent rumors. More at www.medicalm.com |
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