March Newsletter

There are climbing roses of all sorts, but I’m especially fond of this one. Actually, my son Quin picked it out; the catalog said “thornless, fragrant” and it was pink. The thornless feature is what made me order it, because when you are planting something on a gate trellis, you really don’t want prickles grabbing you and your clothes! ZD is primarily a May-blooming rose, with sporadic bloom thereafter.

She is fragrant, and she doesn’t seem to be bothered overmuch by insect and disease problems. Each spring I cut off the really old wood that’s acquiring a bark-like appearance. This is about all climbers need; cutting back the old canes near the base. And she needs deadheading of course, which I’m pretty casual about. Once a week I also lead the tips of the canes through the trellis lattice, or across the fence. Climbing roses don’t really climb; they merely have canes that can get really, really long. So they don’t cling in any way, but need to be woven around or tied down. A helpful tip: canes that are more horizontal than vertical will produce more flowers! ZD is perfectly hardy here, having survived several years of obnoxious, Kansas weather. Like other roses, she does get thirsty, so I’ll give her a good soaking two or three times a month.

Melissa’s Monologue

The daffs are up and I’m ready for winter to be over. One thing the cold, snowy days are good for is that it gives me more of an opportunity to think about some of the plants I want to try and grow. I’m looking forward to this month’s program on irises. I have a bed of irises that needs some perking up. What a great way to celebrate the first day of spring! Happy gardening.

March 20 March OGOA Meeting – Irises by Dr Norlan Henderson, Powell Gardens

March 20-23 Spring Home and Garden Show – Bartle Hall

March 24 Flower Delivery of spring bulbs

March 31 OGOA Scholarship Applications Due

April 11-21 Tulip Time @ Binkley Gardens, Topeka, 9-5 daily

April 12 Compost/Mulch Day

April 17 April OGOA Meeting – Soil Amendments by Lew Leonard, Master Gardener

April 26 ^t9^h Annual Plant Sale, 9am-1pm

February Meeting Recap

For those who couldn’t make it to the last meeting, you missed an informative program on bats. We learned that they are the #1 predator of mosquitoes and can eat up to 5 times their weight of insects in a single night. For those who are interested in attracting bats to their gardens, a food source and a home--either in some trees or in a bat house, are the most important requirements.

Brainstorming Session for Fundraising Ideas

There will be a brainstorming session on Tuesday, March 18^th, 7pm at the Church to find ways for the club to escape our current financial straights. Based on the projected budget for the next year, we will have approximately $1000 remaining in the treasury at the end of 2003. Is this enough to operate the club? Should we explore other options to make money for club activities or is a plant sale the best option? Please bring all ideas, large or small. If you can’t attend, but have an idea or opinion, contact Melissa and your thoughts will be included. If you would like to see the budget for the year, let Melissa know and she will send it to you.

NO decisions will be made, however suggestions will be made available for all club members to consider and eventually decide. This is your club! What direction do you want us to take?

New Peanut Available

In a shameless abuse of power, the editor of the Horticultural Highlights took advantage of his position to brag up his new daughter, Kaitlyn Laree Savoy, under the guise of presenting relevant gardening information. “He even had the gall to mention that both mother and daughter are safely home and resting,” said one source close the family. “Rest assured, he will be punished.” Such frivolous actions carry a minimum sentence of extended sleep deprivation.

Spring Plant Sale Update

According to Barnes Greenhouse, a few varieties have had crop failures and won’t be available. These include the Tidal Wave Petunia—Silver, and the Blue Merlin Morn Petunia. The vincas will be a little slower/smaller too. Melissa is keeping in touch with Barnes and we will keep you updated on any others that we find out about.

In addition, during the February meeting a few questions arose concerning the number of plants in flats. In an effort to keep the list simple, Melissa didn’t include this information on the plant list previously sent out. The quantities per flat are listed below.

Questions arose at the meeting about preorders for those who are not members. If you know someone who wants to order, they must have their order with payment turned into me by April 1 and they must order at least a half flat of any variety for a 25% surcharge.

While not completely official yet, the Blackbob Branch of the Olathe Public Library will allow us to sell our leftover plants in their parking lot on Saturday, April 26^th, 8-noon with a rain date of May 3^rd. If you can help, sign up at the March meeting or call Melissa

Informal Plant Selection Party

Need an idea for that sunny spot in the corner? Does your privacy fence need beautification?

Several members expressed interest in getting together to look at some of the plants available from the greenhouse and around town. If you need some ideas or just haven’t had time to search out some of the new varieties or want others’ opinions on what they have liked (or not liked) growing, I urge you to attend or get together with a gardening buddy. Bring any catalogs or other materials you have describing plants and we will also have a computer to search the Web if needed. Contact Melissa for which time works best for you. All of these are at my house.

Trading Post (Stuff for Sale)

Nancy Langley has a pair of Toro compost bins with lids that are taking up space and for $15 apiece, she would be willing to part with them.

If the worms in your garden need a new picnic site, contact Nancy at (913) 829-0207.

Discounts Available around Town

With spring right around the corner, you will soon be making trips to the local nurseries and greenhouses. As a perk of membership, show your Gardeners of America membership card or name tag and get 10% percent off non-discounted items at these Olathe garden shops:

What’s your favorite place to go? Maybe we can add it to the list. Let us know!

Check Plants for Scale Insects

The dormant season is a good time to check woody plants for infestations of scale insects. This time of year deciduous plants are without leaves and the scale are more easily seen. If you detect an infestation, make plans to apply a dormant oil application to control them late this winter. Scale insects are easily overlooked because they are small and immobile most of their lives, and they do not resemble most other insects. Many of them resemble little 'shells' which are circular to oval in outline, but some have more unusual shapes like oyster shells.

Color varies and includes white, tan and brown. Plants that should be inspected for scales include apples, pears, other fruit trees, bush fruits, euonymus, lilac, crabapple, oak, ash, elm, lilac, maple, linden, arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce and yew.

Plants are not harmed if only a few scales are present. But populations of some scales can increase dramatically during the growing season within only a few months. Heavy scale infestations can damage fruit crops, destroy branches and even kill entire plants when repeated heavy infestations occur.

Olathe Gardeners of America

Plant of the Month: ZEPHERINE DROUHIN