Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

[grandma2]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

yes GB spring was nasty girl, yes mi not goin to worry till mi go to mi breda house on de w/end [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

yes we compare gardens in our mind [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[kthydvs]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

the most likely 2 causes are cold and wetness/condition of soil. soil in a pot warms much quicker than ground soil and also loses excess moisture through the drainage system of the pot. potted soil also loses less heat during the night. the effects of frost are less because the pots are above ground level. it may also be that the condition of the soil is better within the pot. there are less micro-fauna available in potted soil to attack the root systems of plants. your growing the same plant but in 2 different environments, so they will not produce identically, but this can happen in ground soil. my guess is the cold and damp within the ground soil has delayed the plant producing.

[Pepper]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

I pulled up my peppermint plant.

It was growing really well, but the leaves were weak (in taste). Not even a strong minty smell. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

I got tired of drawing tea and getting a blah taste.

Is there a special kind of mint I should look for?

[ohliz]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

I'm not sure what kind of mint is best for tea, but beware....don't plant any kind of mint where there are other plants growing that you want to keep...it spreads like crazy. I have some lemon mint that took over a corner of my yard by jumping through the drainage holes in the pot it was in....just sitting on the grass.

[Guest]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Hey I saw that on the agricultural extension while searching for info on some trees and shrubs I bought while in Va. It is called a umm...something which means pest. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] well anyway it is considered a very destructive exotic plant that spreads rapidly over indeginous vegetation and is actually responsible for wiping out millions of dollars worth of good trees and forestry across the country. It originated in Japan or China. It is only one of them there are several others. It can be seen most often growing along the highways. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Anyway my question is to SandyF- Sandy are you familiar with these plants: Osmundus Fragrans, Vitex, or Crape Maple? I live in zone 6b and I wondered if any of these will survive here? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

((((Hello))))) is this a dead thread...just came back in from my backyard and wondering what happened to my question. Anyhow I have planted the trees. The osmundus fragrans is definitely a tropical, but folks in Maryland have had sucess with it outside. Well since I can't be bother with anymore indoor plants, I have planted it close to the house and plant to bag it up when it gets cold. If it lives great if not aw...well!

[SandiF]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Yes, Jedi, I know Vitex, but the other two plants, Osmondus Fragrans and Crape Maple I'm not familiar with those plant names.

Anyway, with the zoning, and you're planting in summer, plant in an area where the plants are getting enough sun and some shade. Water every other week. You may not have a need to dig up the plants for winter, as most plants go through their natural sleep cycle at that time of year.

There are two Vitex species ~ Chaste Tree, Monks' Pepper Tree and Round-leaf Vitex, Beach Vitex

The pic you posted looks more like Monks' Pepper Tree, which is recommended for Zones 4-10, and it's a *very* hardy plant, drought tolerant, plant in full sun, which can tolerate temperatures below zero. When a lot of other plants can't tolerate the high summer temperature, Vitex are known to do better in these type of temperature. Water the plant maybe every two weeks, but don't soak it through with water, just a little.

[i]*Btw, Monks Pepper Tree is known as a herbal tree ~~ used to regulate menstrual cycle and some believe it to curb sexual appetite.

The Round leaf Vitex is recommended for Zones 8-10, but you it will be okay for zone-6. Plant in full sun, and it grows up to 18-ft and water moderately ~~ every two weeks.

Osmundus Fragrans, Vitex, or Crape

[Guest]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Thanks SandyF [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I actually found out about the crape maple it is also okay for my zone. The osmundus is a tropical, but can withstand down to 30 deg.F. Now I also bought a wax myrtle which is supposed to be very hardy as well, it has a nice fragrance to it, except that I think I got contact dermatitis from handling it. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] And about the watering, I am so exhausted from watering I am seriously thinking about installing a sprinkler system. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Now do you have roses, what a pain in the neck [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] they did well for the beginning now they are mostly bald. I had to replace at least three after the winter. Those haven't even started to grow. This weekend I applied bone meal, I heard coffee grounds should also help. Any suggestions? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[SandiF]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

I think the name is Crape Myrtle and not Crape Maple.

Crape Myrtle is a deciduous (soft wood) tree, that blooms 'til late summer. Very popular in the upper-north zone6 areas. Mulch well during the winter. Select plant site that gets southern exposure, but any location is good enough, just as long as it's gets ample sunlight (particularly morning sun). Too much shade *will* prevent it from blooming.

Roses...

My first year with Roses, I had no clue. Mi just plant, water, and wait, then I saw buds, then full bloom. Absolutely beautiful! Then the leaves started looking mildewish, and chewed on, and bugs that were identified as Japanese Beetles having a feast.

I learnt couple things about growing Roses over the past 3 years...

1. prune after the first blooms

2. always snip off the old/dead bloom heads. this encourages new buds

3. organic and effective way to help with the petal/leaf mildew== mix 15ml of powdered milk to 1 litre of water. just apply like once a week or once every other week.

4. always cut stalks at an angle, and not straight across.

I had very little hopes about one of my Rose bushes after it did so poorly last year, but it came up this spring and blooming like crazy.

[Pepper]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

So how did everyone's garden turn out?

I did much better this year than I did last year. Scotch bonnets and habaneros, corn, thyme, tomatoes (beefsteak and grape), strawberries, spanish thyme, I understand pineapple takes two years to grow, so I have a long wait to taste my pine.

The zucchini and cucumbers did not do well at all...to much sun.

The mango and ackee trees are doing well, sprouting new growth all over the place.

[Pepper]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Oh I almost forgot, I got some fever grass and it is doing well, springing up like crazy. I haven't cut any yet, its still young.

[SandiF]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Did a bit better this year than last year...

My Gladiolas only bloomed once, and I know that they're suppose to bloom couple times out of the year...

I planted a Butterfly Bush and it's an awesome, lovely scented plant, but it's going to spread out further and cramp the style of a few flowering plants close to it. Don't know what to do, if I should up-root it and plant it elsewhere, or just let it stay where it is...

The Coleus's are a definite saver in the garden, and fill out spots that were a bit bare. Such a pity they're annuals, require replanting every spring.

Mi have some new plants growing, but don't have a clue what they are ... kinda like knowing my plants.

The Dahlias (dinner plate size flowers) not doing too hot this year at all! Last year they were in full bloom, but this year dem just lagga lagga.

My garden is looking very beautiful. Some plants surpassed my expectations and some did not. The berry plants I'd planted on the farm were ran over by husband's tractor, and I was p'd off big time! Not to mention the Redbud and Dagwoods... mi get depressed when my plants don't make it.

There will always be next year!

Originally posted by Pepper:
[qb] So how did everyone's garden turn out?

I did much better this year than I did last year. Scotch bonnets and habaneros, corn, thyme, tomatoes (beefsteak and grape), strawberries, spanish thyme, I understand pineapple takes two years to grow, so I have a long wait to taste my pine.

The zucchini and cucumbers did not do well at all...to much sun.

The mango and ackee trees are doing well, sprouting new growth all over the place. [/qb]

[grandma2]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

oh Pepper mi so glad yu ackee tree doin well DWL. girl wah bout de gungo dat season coming yu knoh. look like mi have to come visit soon.

SandiF your garden always sounds so wonderful,like i would want my to be. girl i would move the butterfly plant like now and put some fertilizer in the new hole,i like osmocote (tink a so it spell).

as to my garden,well i got a hell of alot of tomatoes dis year. only one cucumber [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] dont knoh why,but my brother got tons dis year. oh and my callalo never did well, i lost the first batch to the freeze and had to re plant,dont knoh if thats why.

oh but my flowers garden an my herb garden was wonderful,i am so pleased. with my herbs i use a book i had an planted just like the lay it out an i am tell yu, the diffrent shades of green an the diffren hights [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] everybady tink mi good DWL.

[Green_Biscuit]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Sandi, move your butterfly bush to a place in full sun that it can have plenty of room. You may want to wait until spring though, then cut it back severely, as they bloom on new wood. Don't worry, I cut mine to the ground this spring and it is 4/12-5 feet tall now. Lots of things can be moved now with great success though. Good luck!

[hippietoad]

Re: Fellow Gardenists, wey unnu dey??!!!!

Hurricane Isabel just trashed my yard so there's not much left. Shredded my banana trees so bad.
I could of cried [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]