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January 24, 2001

Autumn Memories...
I hope that all of you had a chance to get outside either Monday or Tuesday during our warm up.  The boys and I set out with rakes in hand to finish the task we had started last fall.  Of course I get to do most of the raking as the boys busily jump in the piles that I seem to rake again and again.  All part of the fun.  What a great feeling it was to be outside in the yard.  I seem to be the happiest when I am working outside.  The sun, fresh air, soft breeze, I seem to stand in one place, motionless for several minutes just so all of my senses can take everything in.  I don't move for fear that I will miss just one thing.  That one thing that I remember from last fall which seems to be an eternity ago.  I am certainly glad that it all comes back because it makes me whole.  Isn't it amazing what a nice Winter's day can do for the soul?  

While working outside I noticed that things are quite dry.  We are in need of a good rain.  If the temps get high enough don't forget to pull out the hose to give everything a good soak.  Soon the Spring rains will be here to quench the thirst of the plants that are not getting enough moisture. Until then it is up to us.  

The Metropolitan Lawn & Garden Show is February 9th - 11th at the American Royal Complex.  Be sure to mark it on your calendar.  We would love to see you there!

~ Shelly  

How Hot Is Hot?
As we peruse the seed and gardening catalogs on these cold winter nights it's easy to be drawn to the allure of chili peppers.  Those of us that like to cook as well as garden can always find a place in both garden and kitchen for home-grown peppers.  But which ones are right for your taste buds?  Well, a  subjective measure, the Scoville Organoleptic Test, was invented by W. L. Scoville in 1912 and relies on trained tasters to rate chili heat.  A more objective measure of the amount of capsaicinoids (alkaloids that cause the heat sensation) present in chilies is measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.  Either way, peppers are rated in "Scovilles" with higher numbers corresponding to more "fire".  Here's a breakdown of some of the more popular types:

  • 'Habanero' and 'Scotch Bonnet' measure between 100,000 and 300,000 Scovilles. 
  • 'Thai' measures between 50,000 and 100,000Scovilles.
  • 'Pequin', 'Cayenne', and 'Tabasco' measure between 30,000 and 50,000 Scovilles.
  • 'De Arbol' measures between 15,000 and 30,000.
  • 'Serrano' measures between 5,000 and 15,000. 
  • 'Jalapeno' and 'Mirasol' measures between 2,500 and 5,000. 
  • 'Sandia' and 'Cascabel' measure between 1,500 and 2,500. 
  • 'Ancho', 'Chilaca', and 'Espanola' measure between 1,000 and 1,500. 
  • 'Big Jim' measures 500 to 1000. 
  • 'Mexi-bell' measures between 100 and 500
  • And for those of us with highly sensitive pain receptors, bell hybrids, 'Pimiento', and 'Sweet Banana' peppers have a 0 rating.

Source

Savvy Citrus Crop?
Here's a mid-winter project that is sure to be fun for Savvygardeners of all ages - grow plants from citrus fruit seeds.  Store-bought oranges, grapefruits, lemons and tangerines, may have viable seeds.  Try germinating them in a light, potting-soil mixture containing half peat moss.  Keep the seeds well watered and in a warm location.  If seedlings fail to appear in six weeks, try again with new seeds.  Citrus plants grown from seeds generally will not produce flowers or fruit, but they do have attractive shiny-leaved foliage.

Jade In The Shade?
Many Savvygardeners grow Jade plants because of their tolerance for low light conditions.  However, while jade will survive in low light, it needs as much direct sunlight as possible to look its best.  Insufficient light will cause your jade plant to lose most of its old, thick leaves and grow thin, new ones on spindly stems.  Not a good trade-off if you ask me.

Pruning Primer...
If you take advantage of winter to get some pruning done remember that when pruning large limbs, always undercut first.  This means cut from the bottom up, one-third of the way through the limb, then finish by cutting from the top.  The undercut keeps the limb from splitting and breaking off, which could damage the trunk and become an entryway for insects and diseases.  Also, don't cut flush to the trunk.  The collar or enlarged base of a branch produces hormones that help heal wounds.

Is Smooth Patch Rough On Trees?
Have you ever noticed a smooth, light patch on the bark of a tree?  Certain saprophytic fungi (those that live on dead organic matter) decompose the rough, dead outer bark of trees.  This results in smooth grayish patches that are adjacent to the normal, rough bark.  Small patches may expand slowly over time, coalescing to form smooth grayish areas that are several feet in length.  Aleurodiscus oakesii is one of the fungal species that can cause smooth patch and may occur on trees such as American elm, sugar maple, and various oaks.  

Some of these fungi can produce whitish fruiting structures that are visible on the bark, which sometimes cause them to be mistaken for serious wood decay.  These smooth patch fungi, however, do not cause cankers or internal decay.  They cause no known harm to the tree.

Source

Winter Wisdom...
Many gardeners who brought their outdoor potted plants inside are still facing some challenges as their plants cope with the change.  We've got lots of good advice for those struggling plants in this week's Winter Wisdom...

Be Savvy, Not Soggy...
Overwatering is a common problem with houseplants.  Remember, most indoor plants should not be watered until the soil feels dry.  Water thoroughly, let the water soak in, then water again until water drains into the saucer.  Empty the saucer within an hour.

Finally...
"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size."

~ Gertrude S. Wister, Horticulturist, 1905-1999

 

 

 

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