I Canna Forget You

Growing Orchids

by Judy Cotner

Our speaker at the January 2022 meeting of the Kent Garden Club, Mei Ling Clemens, has served as President of the Grand Valley Orchid Society and President of the Frederick Meijer Gardens Orchid Show. She has been growing orchids for the past 25 years and shared her extensive knowledge of as well as passion for growing this unique flower.

In the rainforest orchids grow on the bark of trees high up in the canopy so they are able to capture the tropical sunlight. In our homes they like the early morning sun provided by an eastern exposure or the bright afternoon light from a western window. Orchids actually prefer a change of temperature throughout the day and night. This helps initiate the blooming cycle.

We can simulate the natural environment by growing an orchid in a well-draining, bark-based mix or in peat-based sphagnum moss. A good showering of non-softened water when the roots have dried and turned white will magically change the color to green, and photosynthesis begins. Orchids like a moist environment with plenty of circulating air. One should apply a weak strength of fertilizer on a weekly basis.

There are more than 25,000 different species of orchids. The most common variety is Phalaenopsis (or the moth orchid). It will reflower and continue to bloom from its old spike for weeks or months. Some of us love them madly but are intimidated by their complicated care. Perhaps it’s time to give it another try.

Lenten Roses

by Pamela DiMuzio

Hardy, pest-free, beautiful Hellebores are among the first blooms of Spring, hence their common name Lenten Roses.  These perennial members of the buttercup family ranunculaceae ask so little of us, yet give so much. They thrive in humous-rich soil, preferring shade to part-shade, and are hardy to Zone 4.  Hybridizers continually expand the range of color and form of hellebores, now available in single and double blooms and a rainbow of colors from white and palest cream and pink through brighter shades of rose, red ,plum and purple to near-black. Some are stippled or bear fine-lined shading of color in their petals, or picot edges which gradually shift over their lengthy bloom time. It is wonderful to watch the colors evolve, and they will last two months at least in the garden.  Collecting hellebores is addictive, as there will always be just one more you cannot resist. It is a treat to snip some hellebores just below the blossom and float them in a shallow bowl, creating a kaleidoscope of color and pattern for your table and showing off the markings and shading to advantage since the blooms are pendant on their stems in the garden. Perhaps you have a spot atop a wall or ledge that would provide viewing from below.  When the blossoms fade at last, the glossy umbrella shaped foliage of the Lenten Rose remains attractive pretty nearly year-round. In the early spring, just cut any stalks whose leaves look worn, and stand back to await the emergence of flowering stalks and the incredible show they will provide. Hellebores form clumps, and if allowed to go to seed there will be offspring to share with other gardeners, though not necessarily duplicating the parent plant. Other spring bloomers such as wood anemone and hepatica will happily nestle between hellebores. In my garden primroses and crocus are lovely companions. Even in February I see the glossy, leathery parasols in my hellebore bed, a joyful hint of the pleasures to come.

Rodent-Proof Bulb Plantings

by Pamela DiMuzio

Two methods that ensure you will get to enjoy your crocuses and tulips

Nothing is more frustrating than planting crocuses or tulips in the fall, dreaming of the beauty to unfold in spring, only to find you have created a buffet for rodents. Many of us have had this bitter experience, or at the very least have found crocuses coming up where we never put them because a rodent thought better to tuck them in somewhere else. Crocuses can be planted securely by using the black plastic pots we all accumulate from greenhouse perennial purchases. These seem to multiply like rabbits in our garage, but now have a new purpose in my garden. First, fill a pot with a couple of inches of sand to ensure good drainage, then add potting soil up to about two inches from the top of the pot. Next, place crocus bulbs in the pot and fill to the rim with more potting soil. Cut a square of Hardware Cloth, which is a metal mesh like fine-gauge chicken wire, available in rolls at garden centers, big enough to cover the top of the pot and fold the edges down around the rim. Voila! a rodent proof container. Next dig a hole large enough to accommodate the pot and deep enough to sink the bulbs to the correct planting depth. Place the pot in its place, and cover over with garden soil to complete the job. Tulips can be secured in wire boxes you can easily make using Hardware Cloth. You will need to cut a length sufficient to fold into a box shape deep enough to hold the tulip bulbs you are planting. A shirt-size gift box can be used as a pattern if you unfold the corners and flatten it. Once you have done this a time or two, you will know what to do to fold the sides up, form corners, and fold the wire again to form the top of your box. Next, dig a hole where you want to place the tulips, wide and deep enough to hold your tulip box and deep enough to plant at the correct depth. Place your tulip box in the prepared place and cover with garden soil, being careful not to leave air pockets. Ready-made tulip boxes are available from White Flower Farm and perhaps other suppliers but they are very dear compared with the price of a roll of this versatile small mesh wire. You will need some wire cutters or tin snips to cut with, and will want to protect your fingers from the cut wires with garden gloves. Oh, how I enjoyed the view of an industrious chipmunk sniffing about and making futile efforts to dig the bounty of bulbs I planted last fall. My bulbs bloomed magnificently right on cue in the spring; results well worth the effort.

In Love with Lavender

by Becky Goodspeed

Here is my confession.  I am a lavender freak!  I don’t just like lavender, I adore it!!  My daughter always says, “But Mom, it’s just a plant”.  No, it certainly is NOT just a plant, it is heaven and earth and all that good stuff! Author’s note:  You will notice my chosen picture in our member picture directory is of me crouching down in a lavender field.  Enough said.

Lavender probably originally came from Persia and the Canary Islands, but of course now it is so well known in Provence, France.  The Greeks and Romans used it for its scenting properties; indeed in Rome women used the flowers to perfume bathing water and to sweeten their tongues. During the Great Plague, travelers used to carry a bouquet of lavender around with them to protect themselves against the disease.

Lavender has a calming effect and is good to use for anxiety or nervousness.  It is slightly hypnotic and is used as a sleep aide.  Being antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, lavender essential oil effectively treats infections of the respiratory system.  It is reputed to help with digestive problems, be a diuretic, and to act as an insect repellen

It is amazing to learn that lavender grows very well in Michigan. Who knew we were the perfect climate? (Except for polar vortex years!) We have a number of lavender farms that are lovely to visit.

• Cherry Point Farm and Market in Shelby.  This one has a labyrinth and a farm market along with a small café.

• Harbor View Lavender Farm on Old Mission peninsula north of Traverse City.  This one is almost all the way up the peninsula and has a small gift shop with hand crafted products.  They will let you wander among the lavender plants. They also have a shop in downtown Traverse City.

• Indigo Lavender Farm in Imlay City

• Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City.  You can walk through the lavender.  The barn is on a hill and you can sit and gaze out over the fields below.  Just beautiful! They have events such as Lunching in Lavender, concerts and more.  Their gift shop is wonderful with a wide variety of products including lavender salt, pepper, sugar and syrup.  Lavender lemonade, lavender shortbread, need I say more

• The Secret Garden at the Brys Estate on Old Mission peninsula. This one is my favorite!  It is about halfway up the peninsula.  It is beyond gorgeous.  You can get lavender shortbread cookies in the shape of the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan as well as lemon lavender white chocolate chip ice cream made by Moomers!  Their products are very, very high quality and they have a robust website and will ship products to you.  You will swoon at the scent.  I use the lotion, shower cleanser, hair cleanser, and liquid hand soap.  Mmmmmmmm.

• Lavender Hill Farm of Niles   Beautiful spread out plants over hilly land.  Blackface sheep walk around the farm and sometimes they have Plein Art painters with their easels sprinkled throughout.  Their bee hives are nearby and of course the bees are buzzing all around.  You may cut your own lavender and they have a nice shop with hand crafted products.

• Pinnebog Creek Lavender Farm in Bad Axe

• Shade of Lavender Farm in Mattawan

• Summerhouse Lavender Farm in Fennville

Generally, the lavender fields open in June and peak in Mid-July.  Color can last into August.  It is best to call ahead or check the website if you are planning a visit.  Visiting at peak color is absolutely amazing!!!  I highly recommend it!  Even when the lavender is being harvested, it is still great to visit the gift shops as the products are wonderful.

A Winter Oasis

by Jan Dildine

Taken from a January 2019 article in Birds and Bloom which is my favorite magazine. Tovah Martin, author of The Unexpected Houseplant has many great ideas to get started. 

Enjoy an indoor oasis at this time of year by tastefully adding houseplants to every room of your home. Her advice is to get started by picking up a plant in the nursery that catches the eye. Tovah encourages gardeners to think outside the box and experiment. Clematis for example are dormant in winter, but she under-planted them with moss or another groundcover, by early spring, they pop up with beautiful flowers. Her other favorites for beginners include coral bells, foam flower, Swedish ivy, dwarf kangaroo paws, begonias, mini hostas, hens-and-chicks, junipers and conifers. Boxwoods, grasses and hellebores are also excellent choices.

When choosing houseplants, the key is to be realistic about what grows indoors with the light you have available. Many houseplants tolerate low light. A south facing window works wonders but many plants thrive in any room as long as there is a window. In the winter months houseplants are in the doldrums, thanks to cooler temperatures and cloudy days in Michigan. Give them a boost by mixing two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and feeding the mixture to them once a month. Plants will grow bushier, produce more flowers, deter pests and increase chlorophyll production.

Finding the right container is the crux of it all. It’s a challenge to find a pot that perfectly complements a plant but when you find the right one it’s magic. Think about the plant you want to put in the container. An evergreen or a deep-rooted perennial needs a large enough pot for the roots to grow, whereas some succulents or other shallow-rooted plants do fine in a smaller container. The pot needs to be practical. It has to have drainage or be drillable and have a saucer or tray to keep messes contained.

The most challenging part of growing houseplants is figuring out when and how much to water. Most of us tend to overwater houseplants so check them daily to get the feel of when they become dry. Soil is also important. Use well-draining, organic soil without fillers. Some plants benefit from fertilizer, so add a little at a time during warmer months to keep them looking their best. Most houseplants can be moved outside during the summer months.

Tucking Your Roses In

By Pam DiMuzio

Michigan winters can be tough on everything in the garden, and roses are no exception. There are a few things gardeners can do to help get roses through our rough and changeable weather, and what you do depends in part on the types of roses you grow.Before the snow flies, it is good practice to give all roses a warm muffler of compost. This can be mounded up around the base of the bush, 6”deep or more.  It’s like buttoning up their overcoats.  Hybrid Tea roses should be cut back to 12-15 inches at the end of the season, and may benefit from being covered with a Rose Cone until spring arrives. Hardier and taller roses such as David Austin English roses, which may be 3-5 feet, are not cut back as hard.  Reduce their height by a third, and remove any weak spindly canes as these seldom flower. They will not need wrapping unless in an exposed site, and then you may wish to create a burlap enclosure close around each one and fill it up with dry leaves. The really tough customers, such as the Canadian Explorer rose group, need only be tidied up and pruned as desired to shape the bush to the form you want, whether spreading, arching or upright.  These roses are so cold tolerant that they often experience very little winter kill.  Voles have been a menace in our area in recent years, and will feast on the outer bark of rose canes (and lilacs) killing the stems to the ground if they succeed in chewing completely around the cane. Thwart them by spraying with a castor oil solution such as Liquid Fence Mole and Vole Repellent at the end of fall.  I do this in late October or by mid-November, when cold weather has set in. When the voles attack, this treatment will not kill them but will give them an almighty tummy ache.  This method has worked to perfection in my rose garden for many years now, following our first vole attack when I thought I’d lost all my roses. The own-root roses came back from their roots, but it took two years for them to regain their former size and vigor.  It feels so good to tuck your darlings up for their winter nap. Protecting your investment in these beautiful plants is worth the effort, and they will reward you when spring rolls around once more.