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Gardening Talk
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Gardening Talk
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This column is written by: Tim Wedekind, Dakota County Master Gardener
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A Gardening Crib Sheet |
Every activity has its own language. Gardening is no different. Put two gardeners together, and they may converse in what appears to be a strange tongue. As your interest grows and you read more about the subject, the vocabulary becomes more familiar. I thought I would include some common terms you might hear and describe each of them. Think of it as a gardening crib sheet.
People talk about annuals, biennials, and perennials, all terms referring to the life cycles of the plants. Annuals complete their entire life cycle in one growing season. Biennials require two growing seasons with vegetative growth the first season and flowering and fruiting the next. Perennials can flower and fruit each season but continue living from one season to the next.
Flower parts may be confusing. Pistils are the female parts of the flower and are typically found in the central part of the flower. Stamens are the male part of the flower, produce pollen, and are typically found around the pistil. Referring to a perfect flower may be a compliment related to appearance, but actually means a flower containing both pistil and stamens. So it follows that pistillate flowers do not have stamens, and staminate flowers do not contain pistils.
How about the terms referring to pollination? Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the stamen of one plant to the pistil of another. Self-pollination refers to the pollen transfer on the same flower or a flower on the same plant. Open-pollination is seed production where plants are allowed to intercross freely rather than under controlled conditions. Old-fashioned varieties are often open-pollinated.
When shopping for plants or seeds, a term referring to the effect of light on the plant flowering or bulb formation may be part of the description. Short-day refers to a plant where the flowering period or some other process begins or is increased by exposure to shorter periods of light. In contrast, long-day plants are influenced by longer periods of light. Day-neutral are those plants where light length does not affect the flowering or other process.
Have you read a tomato label and seen the words “determinate” or “indeterminate” describing their growth? Determinate means the plant will grow to a certain size and then begin flower formation. Indeterminate plants continue to grow and flower until the season ends.
Pesticide is a catch-all term for a substance that kills pests. Additional names provide more description of the specific pests affected. Herbicide (plants), insecticide (insects), fungicide (fungal), miticide (mites), bactericide (bacteria), larvicide (larvae or preadult insects), and nematicide (nematodes) are all pesticides. I think you get the idea.
Of course there are many more. Now when someone is talking about their indeterminate tomatoes with perfect flowers, the mystery is solved.
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Cooler Weather Means Drier Homes |
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As the temperatures fall and the furnace fires up, the humidity levels in our homes begins to drop. Part of this is due to outside air brought in to help furnaces operate efficiently. Outside air will have some level of moisture present; but this air brought inside and warmed up will see its relative humidity drop significantly.
This change will have an impact on indoor plants. It may not be obvious at first glance, but it will be necessary to watch the moisture level much closer during the winter months. Evaporation will be more rapid and plants sensitive to dry soils will suffer as a result.
Water conditions can vary by plant; but remember that many indoor plants originated in the tropics. They will be sensitive to dry soils. If you have the label, follow the recommendations for proper watering.
A good rule of thumb is to water when the soil feels dry just under the surface. Water thoroughly and discard any water remaining in the bottom tray after a few minutes. For plants like ferns and African violets, water as soon as the surface feels dry.
Cacti and succulents will need less water than tropicals. These plants suffer more from too much water than too little. Water them thoroughly only when needed. They do not need soil conditions that are continuously moist.
Some may recommend misting the leaves to increase humidity levels. While this may work, it also creates an environment conducive to fungal diseases. A better option is to cluster your plants to reduce exposure to dry air. You may also consider getting a larger bottom tray, filling this with gravel or marbles, setting the pot and current tray on the surface of the gravel and marbles, and filling the bottom tray with water. Evaporation of this water will help raise humidity levels around the plant. Room or furnace humidifiers will help also.
| Is It Too Late To Mulch? |  |
Actually no, and the recent weather provides a good reason to consider mulching if you have not yet done so. Of particular concern are plantings completed this season.
Some people believe the purpose of mulching is to keep the soil warm. Actually the goal of mulch in winter is to keep the soil temperature consistent.
What we are talking about is the mulch applied to completely cover a planting area. This material is typically straw, leaves, hay or other loose, organic material. Six to eight inches in depth is a good amount. Mulch, particularly organic materials such as shredded bark or wood chips, is always a good idea around the base of plants. This keeps weeds out and moderates soil moisture. When we cover a planting area with mulch in winter, our goals are different.
Mulch should be applied after the soil freezes and the plants are dormant. Applied too early and enough warmth may remain for the plant to continue growing. The environment would be warm and moist; a great place for mold to start. Waiting for the soil to freeze makes sure growth has stopped and mold will not have a chance to grow. At this point, the mulch will keep the soil temperature consistent. The mulch acts as an insulator, so avoid packing it down.
Our weather over the last month or so has alternated between cold and well above freezing. If a mulch is not in place, the plants can experience freezing and thawing cycles. When this happens, the plant may actually be forced out of the ground. New plantings are particularly susceptible. This is referred to as frost heave. Plants forced out of the ground can have their roots exposed and suffer enough root damage to actually die.
If you have not taken the time to apply a mulch to your planting area, there is still time. This is another instance where a little prevention avoids problems next spring.
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