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Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine • Doña Ana & Luna Counties • U.S. Department of Agriculture • NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Website @ Link: Magazines can be downloaded at the NMSU http://aces.nmsu.edu/county/donaana/mastergardener/monthlymagazines.html & the Luna County Website @ Link: http://www.lunacountynm.us JULY 2016 Beginning our 8th Year of Providing Gardening-Related Information & News CONTENTS: • Plant-of-the-Month: Texas RedBud Tree • Water-Wise Plant-of-the-Month: Globemallow …Other Species & Cultivars • Tropical Plants of Interest: Hawaiian Ginger • Grow Native: Bringing Natural Beauty To Your Garden (Book) Page 1-3 15-16 17 17 17 19-21 • Homemade Fertilizer From Household Items 22-23 WILDLIFE • Awake to Secrets of a Moon Garden: (Evening Pollinators) 23-24 FRUIT, VEGGIES & HERBS • Building Better Beefsteaks • ‘Pretty N Sweet’ Chile Pepper Plant • Goji Berry: Chinese Healing Herbs 14, 18 25 25-26 INSECTS • Cicadas: Life Cycles & Behavior 27-28 • MG Monthly Meeting Minutes • MG Hotline Duty Information (Cercis canadensis, var. texensis) This is a large native shrub/ small tree, that is fast-growing, highly cold-and heat-tolerant and very adaptable to alkaline soils. It differs from the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) in having smaller, more glossy, and usually hairier leaves with wavy edges, and it has more of a tendency to have red seedpods, and a smaller stature. 8 • Honey-Do List for July 2016 • 16 Plants That Could Kill You TEXAS REDBUD 4 4 5-7 9-10 11 11-14 • July 2016 MG Birthdays • NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic • 2016 New Mexico MG Conference Vol. 17, Issue 7 PLANT-OF-THE-MONTH • Take Time To Smell the Flowers • Smelly Plants in Gardens • 14 Stinky Plants RANGELAND TREES & SHRUBS: … Sleepygrass … Tufted Hairgrass Doña Ana County Cooperative Extension Office 530 North Church Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001 Phone: (575) 525-6649 Fax: (575) 525-6652 MG Program Administrator: Jeff Anderson Editor: Ann Shine-Ring, Certified Master Gardener 29 30-31 31 Produces clusters of blooms in magenta, deep rose, pink, purple and even white. With a natural range extending from the mountains of southern Oklahoma through the limestone spine of central Texas south to northeastern Mexico, the Texas Redbud is also more drought-tolerant than the Eastern Redbud, though less so than the smaller, more western Mexican Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. mexicana). The Texas Redbud is a deciduous tree, native to southwestern North America, which can reach 30 to 40 feet in height with a 15 to 20-foot width, and grows into a rounded or vase shape. It and the Mexican Redbud are the best suited Redbuds for the western and central Texas and Oklahoma areas of the country. Young trees tend to be irregularly-shaped and benefit from some training and pruning to form an upright, more uniform crown. The incredibly shiny, thick, leathery, dark green leaves have rounded or notched tips, are two to three inches wide, and turn yellow before dropping in the fall. The pink-purple-magenta flowers appear in profusion on the tree limbs in springtime, well before the leaves begin to emerge. The four-inch-long seedpods that follow are a lovely purple color and remain on the tree well into the winter. Article Continues on Page 2 Master Gardener Hotline Contact Data (May 31 through June 30, 2016) # Total Contacts 24 # Total Issues Addressed 61 Ethnicity of Contacts Hispanic Females 4 Hispanic Males 4 Non-Hispanic Females 7 Non-Hispanic Males 8 Asian Female or Male 0 Don’t Know 1 Geographic Area Las Cruces 21 Chaparral 1 Las Palomas 1 White Sands 1 Subject of Inquiry Animals 1 Irrigation Disease 3 Lawns Fertilizer 9 Shrubs Flowers 2 Soil General Info 0 Trees Herbicides 0 Veggies Insecticides 6 Weeds Insects 5 Misc. 5 5 6 2 7 3 1 6 (pruning 3, rooting 1, recycled glass 1,fungicide1) Thank you to Certified Master Gardener Laurie Davidson for collecting this data. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. Doña Ana County, NMSU and USDA cooperating. Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 2 Texas Redbud Tree—Continued from Front Page Texas Redbud Leaves TEXAS REDBUD CHARACTERISTICS: • Small deciduous trees with light grey bark covered in white spots. • Commonly multi-trunked and rarely exceed 25-30 feet in height. • Flower in a variety of colors. In addition to the most common magenta, you can find varieties that bloom deep rose, pink, purple and even white. • Its leaves have a very distinctive “heart” shape that is dark green and waxy on the top and lighter on the bottom. (See photo above.) • Produces a flat seedpod in late summer that is attractive to many birds and varmints. • Technically an understory tree, it does well in full sun but does appreciate some afternoon shade. • Its drought-tolerance and adaptability to the alkaline soils of Central and South Texas make them an excellent choice for our yards and gardens. • Redbuds make fine lawn trees, look great in groupings, and have their place in shrub borders and even foundation plantings. • In winter, the dark, its leafless branches form an attractive silhouette, especially effective against a light-colored wall. Larger types make nice small shade trees for patios and courtyards. • Pests and diseases include:Treehoppers, scale insects, borers, and Verticillium Wilt, Canker, and Leaf Spots • NATIVE USES OF REDBUDS: Native peoples used the Redbud in a number of ways: o The flowers are quite tasty and nutritious and were often incorporated into meat and nut dishes, or simply eaten fresh. o The pea-like pods where the seeds form were also used when small. They can be quickly cooked and eaten like their relative the garden pea. o As the pods mature, they become astringent and unpalatable, but were used as a tonic to stop diarrhea, fevers and whooping cough. o The twigs made excellent baskets and trees were often coppiced (cut to the ground to stimulate new growth) to produce more material. o The roots produce a reddish dye. USE AND MANAGEMENT: ...Branching Issues The Redbud usually branches low on the trunk and if left intact forms a graceful multi-trunked habit. Be sure to avoid weak forms by pruning to reduce the size of lateral branches. Keep them less than about half the diameter of the main trunk to increase the longevity of the tree. This will reduce branch splitting. The low branching habit makes Redbud ideal for use as a specimen, deck, or patio tree, and it is especially suited for planting on 15-foot-centers on both sides of an entry walk or long entrance driveway. Article Continues on Page 3 Texas Redbud Tree FACTS Fabaceae (Pea) Other Name: Judas tree Deciduous shrub or multi-trunked tree; understory, specimen tree; also good as shade tree; an outstanding ornamental or specimen plant Origin: Native to North America in Texas, Oklahoma, Mexico Height: To 30 to 40 feet Spread: 15 to 25 feet wide Growth Pace: Fast-growing; short-lived (25 to 30 years) Habitat: Dry slopes of canyons and foothills below 4,500 feet and limestone soils; best grown at 5,000 to 6,500 feet elevations; can thrive at lower elevations with afternoon shade. Shape: Round, vase-shaped Light: Full to part shade; give dappled shade while tree is young Water: Low to medium water; do not plant under sprinkler irrigation where it will be watered with the lawn. While young, keep soil moist, but not soggy so tree can adjust to new surroundings Soil pH: Alkaline to 7.2 (neutral); well-drained, calcareous, rocky, sandy, loamy or clay soils, usually limestone-based. Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 9a; cold-tolerant and very high heattolerance; needs some winter chill to improve profuse flower production Bloom Time: Early spring Flower Color: Pink to magenta, deep rose, purple and white in some cultivars Leaves: Dark green; heart- to kidney-shaped; waxy upper surface helps retard transpiration; leathery, coarse texture Fruit: Green to reddish brown pods, about ½ inch wide, tapering at both ends; small, flattened pod and seeds Bark: Thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact; light grey bark covered in white spots Pruning: Prune during the dormant season or after bloom Propagation: Can be grown from seed but seeds have extremely hard outer coat; frequently stratification is not enough—must be scarified as well; often takes two winters of chill and thaw in the wild to sprout seeds. Disease/Pests: Treehoppers, scale insects, borers, and Verticillium Wilt, Canker, and Leaf Spots Wildlife: Pink flowers are first nectar choice for honeybees and hummingbirds; host plant for some butterflies (Microtia elva) and moths. Birds, deer and other wildlife enjoy the seedpods and cattle also graze on its leaves and pods. Uses: Excellent specimen plant, a fine lawn tree, looks great in groupings, and nice shade tree near patios and decks Family: Type: Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Texas Redbud Tree—Continued from Page 2 USE & MANAGEMENT: Continued ...Disease & Pest Issues Unfortunately, disease often shortens its life, but the tree puts on quite a show for a couple of decades and it is well worth the effort to have to replant at this time. Treehoppers lay eggs under the bark of twigs. The insect itself is not seen but the white, sticky froth covering the eggs is quite noticeable. Control is usually not needed. Scale insects can usually be controlled with horticultural sprays if needed. Diseases Canker is the biggest problem with Redbud. The fungus enters through wounds or dead and dying branches. Dieback begins as a canker on a branch. The cankers, at first small and sunken, enlarge to girdle the branch. Bark in the canker turns black and a crack forms between diseased and healthy bark. Once girdled, the part of the stem beyond the canker wilts and dies. There is no chemical control. Prune out diseased branches. Leaf spots can be a problem during wet weather. Since the disease is rarely serious, no chemical controls are suggested. Verticillium Wilt attacks and kills Redbud. Fertilize affected trees and prune out wilted branches. ...Hardiness & Water Texas Redbud should be grown in full sun or partial shade on moist, well-drained soil. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and grows well in all areas within its hardiness range. PLANTING & GROWING TIPS: • The ideal time to select and plant the Texas Redbud is late winter or early spring. Selection is best at your local retail nursery within that time frame. Select trees that are flowering so that you can chose the true color that you desire. • When planting, Texas Redbud trees should be spaced at least 15-20 feet apart. • Do not plant under sprinkler irrigation where it will be watered with the lawn. Be sure to incorporate compost at the time of planting. • The planting hole should be dug twice as wide, but at the same depth as the root ball. Trees are typically available and purchased in 5 or 10gallon nursery pots. • Carefully remove the tree from the container, gently supporting the root ball. Loosen the root ball, if there is compacted soil around the roots. Roots may need to be pruned if tightly wound around the pot. Plant the tree so that the root collar is above ground level. • Do not cover or touch the tree trunk area with any surplus soil or mulch. A 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree will help in conserving water and aid in quicker establishment. Water the tree thoroughly and consider using a root stimulator. Page 3 PLANTING & GROWING TIPS: (Continued) Source: Judith Phillips • Water to a depth of 30 inches every two weeks when temps are above 85°F, and monthly during cooler weather. • Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring for three or four years after planting to establish the tree/shrub in garden soil. Ongoing fertilization after plants are established is usually not necessary. • Can be trained as a single or multi-trunked tree. Either remove suckers in early summer to establish single trunk or leave shapely lower branches and gradually remove twiggy growth within several feet of the ground • Trim off seedpods when they begin to look weathered. • Root rot and borers can become a problem if tree is stressed too much or by too little water.¢ ‘TEXAS REDBUD’ REFERENCES Cercis candadensis var. texensis on ‘NPIN Native Plant Database’ at link: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CECAT Cercis candadensis var. texensis, Texas Redbud, authors Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson on ‘US Dept. of Forestry’ at link: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/cer canf.pdf Redbud Cercis Species in ‘New Mexico Gardener’s Guide (Revised Edition)’ by Judith Phillips, Cool Springs Press, 2004 Redbud: Essential Southern Plant on ‘Southern Living’ at link: http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/southerngardening-redbud Texas Redbud on ‘Bexar County Extension Education’ at link: http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/homehort/archives-of-weekly-articlesdavids-plant-of-the-week/texas-redbud/ Texas Redbuds on ‘Aggie Horticulture’ at link: http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/CERCISCANADENSISV AR.TEXENS.HTM Texas Redbuds on ‘The Masters of Horticulture’ at link: http://masterofhort.com/2011/03/texas-redbuds/ The Redbud Tree: Cercis Canadensis on ‘DavesGarden.com’ at link: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/printstory.php?rid=0&bn=%2 Farticles%2Fthe-redbud-tree-cercis-canadensis Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 4 WATER-WISE PLANTS S. grossulariaefolia Shared Spaces Globemallow (Sphaeralcea species) Sources: Globemallow in ‘Water-Wise Plants for the SW by N. Sterman, M. Irish, J. Phillips and J. Lamp’l, Cool Springs Press, 2007. And NM Gardener’s Guide, by J. Phillips, Cool Springs Press, 2004 5-11 Mounding with thin flower stems covered in blooms in spring and late summer. Growth & Mature Size: Fast-growing, woody to 30 inches x 30 inches. Uses: Borders, perennial garden, understory, sweeps Soil: Any well-drained sandy or gravelly soil Pests: Susceptible to rust if grown in wetter conditions. Description: More than a dozen species of Globemallow brighten the Southwest in spring and late summer. Species that make good garden plants are those with the longest and more intense bloom times, the most refined foliage, and most compact forms. Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) starts to bloom in January at the coast, in February in the low desert, March at 6,000 feet, and so on. It forms a 24-by 30-inch mound; has small, pale green leaves; and spikes of watermelon or cantaloupe-colored flowers for several months. Gooseberry Leaf Globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia) has 30-inch stems covered in orange-sherbet flowers that resemble hollyhocks. (See photo of S. grossulariaefolia at top of Column One on this page.) Cultivation: Zones: Form: o Globemallow blends well with Catmint, Mexican Blue Sage, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, and Torch Lily in spring or Russian Sage, Turpentine Bush, and Pitcher Sage in autumn. o Grouped between Mexican Elder or Fragrant Ash, their color adds dash to the most subtle tones of their companions. o They compete with grasses planted as low-maintenance ground covers. Globemallow gives focus to vast seeps of prairie grasses. Other Species and Cultivars: (See all plants below) • (S. ambigua) ‘Papago Pink’™ grows 3 feet x 3 to 4 feet with extremely large pink blossoms. • Munro’s Globemallow (S. munroana) grows 3 feet x 2 feet in Zones 4 through 10. It has deep orange to tangerine flowers. • Scarlet Globemallow (S. coccinea) has flowers in a soft cream-sickle orange, is smaller at only 8 inches tall, but can form colonies 30 inches across. The flowers are only part of the value, as the soft green lacy foliage makes a lovely filler in all but the coldest winter months. • ‘S. Louis Hamilton’ has amazing grenadine-coral flowers.¢ ‘Papago Pink’™ ‘S. munroana’ • Plant in late summer or autumn, taking care not to overwater plants when the weather turns cold and rainy. • Water to a depth of 2 feet every week or two when temperatures are above 85°F every two or three weeks when temperature are 65° to 85°F, and monthly or less during cooler weather or if there is rain or snowfall. • No fertilizer is needed. • To prolong bloom time, trim off spent flower stems. • Plants may self-sow if seeds are left to ripen. ‘Scarlet Globemallow’ ‘S. Louis Hamilton’ Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 TROPICAL PLANTS of INTEREST Hawaiian Ginger The Private Naturalist @ Link: https://theprivatenaturalist.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/hawaiian-gingernot-just-for-eating/ I live on a part of the Island of Maui’s leeward shore that is surrounded by and engulfed in many small private and larger public gardens and parks. The enclosed courtyard of my own housing compound is a modest botanical garden that includes tall Coconut Palms, Strangler Figs, banana trees, and many of the flowering bushes and shrubs that grow on Maui. Page 5 Aside from being the ideal subjects for amateur photographers (unlike birds and whales, they tend not to move around much), the various species of Ginger have long been known for their aromatic properties and as an ingredient in prepared ethnic foods. More recently, many “root ginger” species that belong to the taxonomic family Zingiberaceae have been found to possess chemical compounds sought after by the pharmaceutical industry. Zingerone, gingerols, and shogaols are the volatile oils (about three percent by weight) responsible for Ginger’s fragrance, distinctive taste, and numerous beneficial medicinal properties. Several extracts and distillations of Ginger plants possess antibacterial, analgesic, sedative, and antipyretic (fever-reducing) medicinal properties. In addition, several species of Ginger are currently being researched as candidates for the treatment and cure of skin and ovarian cancer. There is also ongoing research into the blood-thinning and cholesterol-reducing properties of Ginger. Powdered Ginger root capsules have been shown to be effective in treating and preventing the nausea associated with morning sickness and motion sickness; however, clinical studies in this area have proven inconclusive. The following are my photographs of a few of the most common species of Ginger plants growing in Maui’s gardens and rain forests. These species also grow in my housing compound’s garden in Kihei (leeward Maui). Despite competition from the usual hordes of gaudy hibiscus and orchid tree blossoms, the plants whose flowers stand alone in that crowd of colorful blossoms and foliage are the different species of the Zingiberaceae Family, or Ginger. Now that I’ve been photographing and blogging about Hawaii’s plant life, I’ve grown to appreciate the members of this plant family because of the great variety of their size, form, and color. It should be no surprise, then, that along with all of the photographs of palm trees and hibiscus, the online photo galleries of recent visitors to our islands are crowded with images of Hawaii’s photogenic species. The English word “ginger” comes to us from the French word “gingimbre” by way of the ancient south Asian words “inji ver” (literally, “the root of Inji” in Dravidian) and “singivera” (Pali), from which the Greek word “zingiberis” and the medieval Latin word “gingiber” probably were derived. As you might expect, the Hawaiian names for individual species of Ginger evolved along a different linguistic line. Alpina Purpurata 'Polynesian Princess’ Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior) Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior), Hawaiian = ‘awapuhi ko‘oko‘o A herbaceous perennial, individual plants grow in large clumps whose stalks can be as much as 6m high with leaves as long as 85cm. Although it is cultivated throughout the tropics and has escaped to become naturalized in some localities, its original native range is thought to be a few isolated islands in Indonesia. Typically it prefers a moist climate with somewhat acidic soil (pH = 5.6 to 7.5). It prefers full sun but does well in the partial shade of the rain forest. It is found at altitudes up to 9,000 feet. The various plant tissues and parts of this species of Ginger are rich in volatile aromatic compounds. The majority of the essential oils extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, and rhizomes of Torch Ginger are monoterpene hydrocarbons. Terpenes are the primary constituents of the essential oils of many types of plants and flowers. Essential oils are used widely as natural flavor additives for food, as fragrances in perfume, and in traditional and alternative medicines. Synthetic variations and derivatives of natural terpenes and terpenoids also greatly expand the variety of aromas used in perfumery and flavors used in food additives. Vitamin A is an example of a terpene. Currently, this and other species of Ginger are the subjects of extensive research into the various antioxidant compounds present in their leaves and rhizomes. Article Continues on Page 6 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 6 Hawaiian Ginger—Continued From Page 5 White Ginger, Ginger Lily (Hedychium coronarium) Crepe Ginger (Costus speciosus) This species is a native of the Greater Sunda Islands of Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula. Although it has become naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, its invasive tendencies enable it to crowd out native species. Its preferred habitat is moist fertile soils and partial sun, but will grow well in full sun if it gets plenty of moisture. One of the most cold-hardy of the Gingers, it has been shown to withstand freezing temperatures as low as 17 degrees Celsius. Crepe Ginger is a tall and substantial-looking plant with large (15-30cm long by 5-7cm wide) dark-green leaves arranged on the stalk in a spiral. Hawaiian = `awapuhi ke`oke`o – A native of India, it was exported throughout the tropics because of its popularity as an ornamental species. It soon escaped the confines of private gardens and became naturalized throughout the Hawaiian Islands. It is considered an invasive weed because of its ability to propagate quickly by sending out many shallow roots (rhizomes) in all directions, creating dense thickets of individual plants. This creeping growth quickly overwhelms and crowds out other low-growing plant species. Hedychium coronarium is a perennial herb that can grow as tall as two meters in height. It prefers moist habitats, such as rain forests, the banks of streams, moist forest, roadsides, and open fields and pastures. It has large (30cm long by 10cm wide at maturity) simple elliptical or lance-shaped leaves. It produces large numbers of flowers throughout the year. The fragrant white flowers are borne on long (10-20cm) elliptical spikes in groups of two to six flowers atop a leafy stem. The fruit is borne in an oblong many-seeded capsule, but is not usually present or easily seen since propagation of the species is usually accomplished by spreading rhizomes. This species can grow to more than 3m tall under ideal soil and climatic conditions. The unusual-looking flowers bloom throughout the year in tropical climates, but only in late summer to early fall in colder conditions. The flower’s single petal (actually the male part of the flower) looks like crepe paper, hence the common name “Crepe Ginger”. This and other Ginger species propagate most effectively by producing a large network of thick fleshy rhizomes that are similar in appearance to the “ginger root” sold in grocery stores and at farmer’s markets. A single rhizome will produce new shoots and grow into a clump more than one meter in diameter in less than two years. Traditionally, the rhizome has been used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. In India and Southeast Asia, this species is still used to treat boils, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and vertigo (“seasickness”). This species is also a source of diosgenin, a compound used for the commercial production of clinically important steroids such as progesterone. Indonesian Wax Ginger or Pineapple Ginger (Tapeinochilos ananassae) Like other Ginger species growing in Hawaii, this plant was introduced for its ornamental attributes: a large, showy inflorescence and beautiful foliage. Its foliage consists of thick, jointed bamboo-like stems that grow directly from numerous rhizomes. The long, smooth, lance-shaped leaves are arranged on the stem in an inward-curving spiral typical of this species; the leaves radiate outward from the spiral. The small yellow flowers (which function as attractors to pollinating insects and birds) are aggregated in a large (10-30cm long), bright-red pineapple-shaped terminal spike consisting of what appear to be waxy bright red flower petals, but are actually bracts (modified leaves that enclose the actual flower). To reach its full height (about 3m), this species requires very high humidity. It prefers the full shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soils of the rain forest. Unlike many other tropical Ginger species, this plant possesses no aromatic essential oils. Article Continues on Page 7 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 7 Hawaiian Ginger—Continued From Page 6 Scarlet Spiral Flag Ginger, Indian Head Ginger, or Red Button Ginger (Costus woodsonii Maas) Hawaiian: ‘awapuhi ‘inikini po‘o This species has gently spiraled stems and grows to about a meter in height. The leaves are deep green. The bracts of the inflorescence are bright waxy red, forming a pine cone-like spike (10-15cm long) from which the yellowish-orange flowers protrude outward one at a time. The numerous small black seeds (1-2mm long, the smallest of the true gingers) are usually dispersed by birds, but it is possible that they are also dispersed by water if the plant is growing in a wetland environment. C. woodsonii is an aggressive and invasive species. Its rhizomes spread rapidly and, once established, they are difficult to remove. This species grows well in full sun, flourishing even in the sandy soils and dune sands of tropical coasts, but it prefers the shade, ample moisture, and deep, fertile soil of the rain forest. Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata) Hawaiian = ‘awapuhi ‘ula‘ula Originally a native of Southeast Asia, A. purpurata was introduced to Hawaii as an ornamental species in 1928; it is now naturalized. Grows to about 3m tall in the wild (can grow to more than 9m tall under cultivation) and forms large clumps of foliage bearing large oblong leaves (30-80cm long by more than 20cm wide). As with other ginger species, the large inflorescence (15-30cm long, getting longer as the plant ages) consists of brightly colored (usually pink or red, occasionally white) bracts that look like a bloom, but the true flower is a small white blossom (corolla) at the outermost tip of the inflorescence. The fruit is a globular seed capsule about 3cm in diameter that contains numerous small seeds (2-3mm long). Although this species of ginger will tolerate direct sunlight, it requires very high humidity and soil moisture, as well as warmer air temperatures (more than 50 degrees F) to grow to its full size. Research has revealed that this species is a possible natural source for bioactive compounds useful for the treatment of hypertension.¢ Although the genus Costus sp. is found throughout the tropics on all continents, this species was first collected and described in Panama in 1941. It was an introduced ornamental garden plant that became a naturalized escapee in some parts of Hawaii. It is considered to be an invasive weed on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai islands. It is present in large but widely scattered populations at low elevations on Maui, particularly along the Hana Highway. This species also displays a classic behavior of species mutualism: it exudes what is known as “extrafloral nectar” from the bracts of the flower spike, attracting ant species that harvest the nectar. In turn, the ants protect the plant from the larvae of flies and other flying insects that lay their eggs in the flowers. Hawaiian Kahili Ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) To read a very worthwhile and detailed article on Hawaiian Ginger written by the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawaii at Mänoa, see Link: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-37.pdf Ornamental Ginger, Red and Pink, Kent D. Kobayashi, Janette McEwen, and Andrew J. Kaufman, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 8 Grow Native: Bringing Natural Beauty to Your Garden Author: Lynn M. Steiner | May 1, 2016 Cool Springs Press | Available in Kindle & Paperback Learn how to transform your yard into a beautiful landscape using native plants! You don't have to compromise beauty for natural landscapes with ecological responsibility and sustainability. In Master Gardener Lynn Steiner’s book Grow Native, you'll find guidance for planting stunning gardens using native species that support your local ecosystem. Organized in an easily accessible way, the book offers instructions for planting, maintenance instructions, helpful tips about soil, watering and fertilizing as well as gorgeous photography. With guidance about how to weave native plants into your landscape and replacing common ornamentals with natural plants, this book should have a place on every gardener's bookshelf. Grow Native combines inspirational garden shots of native landscapes with plant specific chapters and photos. Topics Covered Include: • Hardiness Zone Maps • Inspiration Gallery: Gardens Full of Native Plants • Why Grow Natives? • What Do You Mean by "Native"? • Lower Water Usage / Drought-Tolerant • Hardier / Tougher • Easier Care • Sustainability • Design with Natives • How to Incorporate Natives into Your Landscape • Replacing Common Ornamentals • All About Native Plants Ornamental Grasses & Grass-like Plants Trees & Conifers Wildflowers Woody Ornamentals (Shrubs and Vines) Succulents Bog Plants Basic Growing Tips (planting, soil, watering, fertilizing) Pests Resources Native Solutions for Special Situations Glossary Additionally, sidebars throughout the book offer pointers for attracting specific butterflies, birds, bees and other beneficials to your yard-all through plant selections. Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 9 The fragrant season can differ in its longevity and diversity depending on climatic conditions. In warmer zones, the season opener could be Chinese viburnums such as the Farrer viburnum (Viburnum farreri) and the Bodnant viburnum (V. x bodnantense). They both are undoubtedly the longestblooming fragrant shrubs that send bursts of sweetly scented flowers from November until March. Bodnant viburnum has an extraordinarily long blooming period, with its peak at the end of January into early February TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE FLOWERS Lee Valley & Vertias® Gardening Newsletter | May 2016 Author: Gina Dobrodzicka (Author Gave Permission To Print) Article Submitted by Certified Master Gardener, Alberta Morgan Oddly, modern plants and, as a consequence, modern gardens are becoming increasingly scentless. Larger and more colorful flowers are the ultimate goal of most hybridizers. Newly created plants are often superior to old favorites, but the scent is usually lost in the improvement process. First things first – fragrance in the plant kingdom, although delightful, does not exist solely for our enjoyment. Scent is an effective method of sending a simple message to potential pollinators such as various insects and occasionally mammals or birds. It says, "Here I am, please come." Fragrance can be most commonly found in flowers, but some plants display other scented parts such as foliage, stems, roots, bark or seeds. This article, however, will present only plants with scented blooms. Some flowers are fragrant at certain times of the day or at night. Certain plants, such as honeysuckle, send their fragrance far across the garden, while others, such as peony, have a far more subtle scent. The size of the flower does not determine the quality or quantity of scent. The Oregon Grape produces spikes of yellow flowers with an intoxicating fragrance. Another long-term bloomer is the winter variety of honeysuckle such as the Chinese Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) with its creamy-white honey-scented flowers. In January, it can be joined by Sweet Box (Sarcococca spp.), an evergreen shrub with plentiful blooms that send rich, penetrating fragrance. Sweet Box can be followed by various witch hazels (Hamamelis spp.) with their pungent scents. They have strong competition from another fabulously fragrant bloomer, the Oregon Grape (Mahonia spp.) shown above. C Japanese Skimmia is a shade-loving evergreen shrub. Its dark green leathery leaves provide a backdrop for masses of creamy-white fragrant flowers and longlasting bright-red berries. Bear in mind that all plant parts are poisonous if ingested. In mid-winter, witch hazels blooms produce an intoxicating citrus scent. A garden planted for fragrance can be arranged in different ways. The scented plants can be placed in raised beds so that most emitted scents will be at nose level. If garden space is not an issue, scented plants can be planted along a meandering path or around the periphery of a patio or lawn. An alternative approach that may be particularly appealing to owners of small gardens is planting all fragrance producers in "scent pockets". Shortly after Groundhog Day, February Daphne (Daphne mezereum) appears with flowers that emit an impressive scent. Similarly, the small, unassuming Skimmia (Skimmia spp.) can impress with its lily-of-the-valley scented blooms. The white flowers of the Armand Clematis (Clematis armandii) are magnificent, but it is its strong, sweet fragrance that makes this climber so valuable. In early spring, some of the most spectacular fragrant trees are magnolias. Many offer scented flowers including Saucer Magnolias (Magnolia x soulangeana) with a particularly fine variety called 'Lennei'. More suitable for smaller gardens is the Star Magnolia (Magnolia xloebneri), which, true to its name, produces starry flowers. Article Continues on Page 10 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 10 Some scented climbers that never fail to please include Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and Poet's Jasmine (Jasminum officinale). Most large-flowered Clematises are scentless, but the small-bloomed species are frequently fragrant such as the cultivars of the robust Himalayan Clematis (C. montana). Take Time To Smell The Flowers—Continued From Page 9 The Tree Heather produces masses of tiny flowers with overpowering fragrance that carries far. Another scented white-bloomer with showy flowers is the Bottlebrush Shrub (Fothergilla spp.). Again, true to its name, its blossoms are shaped like miniature bottlebrushes. The shrub that can really perfume the garden in the early spring is Sweet Olive (Osmanthus delavayi). With its jasmine-like flowers, this shrub is regarded as one of the best white-flowered spring evergreens. It has strong competition, however, from the tall Tree Heather (Erica arborea) (shown above) with its white, almond-scented blooms. Winterflowering viburnums may still be in flower when they are joined by the most fragrant member of the genus, the Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii). Its white blooms emit an intoxicating fragrance reminiscent of spice cake. Mid-spring belongs to rhododendrons and azaleas. All can color a garden, and some can also perfume the air. The Mock-Orange Shrub is well known for its heady scent. All Mock Oranges display dazzling pure-white flowers, with the exception of the pinkeyed cultivar 'Belle Etoile' (shown above). Many perennials also send perfumed flowers. The most fragrant include Carnations (Dianthusspp.), particularly the old-fashion Clove Carnations, Monarda (Monarda didyma) and Summer Hyacinth (Galtonia candicans). The back of the border can be occupied by the tall Oriental Lily (Lilium spp.) and the towering Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata). The blooms of the garden phlox 'Prime Minister' are particularly valued for their sweet fragrance. A large space that can handle a tree could be home to a summerblooming one with fragrant flowers. Some examples include the evergreen Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), deciduous Catalpa (Catalpa spp.) and the honey-perfumed Linden (Tilia spp.). All can take scent to new heights. A shrub that is commonly associated with summer is the Rose (Rosa spp.). Among hundreds of species and thousands of hybrids, many are fabulously fragrant. However, no flowers are sweeter than those of the old-fashioned shrub roses. Examples include the French Rose (R. gallica), the Musk Rose (R. moschata) and the Rugosa Rose (R. rugosa). The list of fragrant summer shrubs is topped with Daphne (Daphne spp.). Its strong fragrance can be described as spicy with a little citrus touch. Some scented climbers that never fail to please include honeysuckle A number of annuals can be included in a fragrant summer display in borders, window boxes and hanging baskets. My personal favorite is the old-fashioned Cherry Pie (Heliotropium arborescens) with its richly scented blooms in a royal-purple hue. There are many more to choose from: the honey-scented Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), hybrids of the Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus), the sweet-scented Catchfly (Silene armeria), the Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) and the Mignonette (Reseda odorata). Warm summer nights can reveal some nocturnal fragrance emitters such as Night-Scented Stock (Matthiola bicornis), Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana alata), Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa) and vanilla-scented Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis). Their scents, borne on the evening air, attract night pollinators such as LongTongued moths.¢ Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 11 Smelly Plants In Gardens: Learn About Common Plants That Stink Kristi Waterworth | GardeningKnowHow.com When most people think of plants, they imagine a field full of sweetly scented flowers or a garden of savory herbs. But what about the others – the stinky plants? Although smelly plants in gardens are uncommon, a few that make interesting landscape additions also pack a pungent odor. These common plants that stink aren’t necessarily related, but they do have a common purpose behind that undeniably bad smell. ❖WHY SOME PLANTS SMELL BAD We like to think of butterflies and bees when we think of pollinators – these insects are drawn to sweet smells and often fill up gardens where fragrant flowers abound. The lesser-known pollinators, like flies and beetles, serve an equally important function for a small subset of plants. These plants emit a horrific odor that may smell like rotten meat or feces. They also bear fleshy flowers that may be covered in hair to give the full impression of decaying flesh to their pollinators. The Voodoo Lily (shown above) is a close cousin of the Corpse Flower and does sometimes appear in catalogs and landscapes. This flower is just as pungent as the corpse flower, so if you decide to plant it make sure it’s away from windows and patios. It’s tempting to show off your stinky garden, but friends and family may not be as botanically accepting as you hoped when you planted these stinkers.¢ 14 STINKY PLANTS ‘Dutchman’s Pipe’ ‘Shunk Cabbage’ Smelly plants in gardens are less common in America, but for the most part, you have to have invited them in since most grow wild on other continents. A few, like the Dutchman’s Pipe and Skunk Cabbage (both shown above) Corn Lilies, and Dragon Arum may appear from time to time, depending on your location. ‘Starfish Flower’ ❖TYPES OF STINKY GARDEN PLANTS The most offensive plants are hardly in widespread cultivation, though many are popular as novelties in greenhouses and subtropical locations. The succulents known as the Starfish Flower are members of the Milkweed family and may be the most popular choice on the smelly plant list. The Arum family has produced a few stinkers as well, including the enormous corpse flower. This botanical garden favorite is commonly believed to have the largest flower, but the “flower” is actually a compound flowering stalk and protective cowl. The remarkable thing about corpse flowers isn’t the size of the bloom, but its infrequency – it can take a decade or more for a single flower to appear. Source: HGTV Gardens (Flowers & Plants) Author: Julie Martens Forney Meet a group of pretty plants that add strange—and even repulsive—odors to the garden. -Shasta DaisyOld-fashioned daisies are a must-have plant in cottage gardens and make a great addition to bouquets, at least as far as looks go. Not all, but some daisies bring a stink to the garden and bouquets that resembles either cat urine, toe jam or cow manure, depending on whose nose is sniffing. This makes sense, since flies visit the blossoms to help with pollination. Not all varieties are malodorous (i.e., foul or unpleasant smelling). Buy daisies in flower so you can test drive the scent. Article Continues on Page 12 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 12 14 Stinky Plants—Continued From Page 11 -LantanaHeat- and drought-tolerant, Lantana provides steady summer long color in areas with even the most sizzling summers. The flowers shift colors as they age and beckon butterflies by the dozens. Sandpapery leaves conceal a somewhat pungent surprise. Brush against or break lantana leaves, and you’ll encounter an odor that’s somewhere between cat urine, gasoline and fermented citrus. -Flowering Pear TreeSpring brings a burst of color when flowering pears (Pyrus calleryana) break bud. These trees are urban favorites, and the fruit beckons wildlife. While the white blossoms are beautiful, they release a lessthan-pleasant fragrance. Some say it smells like cat urine or fish that’s been left at room temperature too long. Chemically, the culprit for the foul smell is butyric acid, a compound found in vomit. -Crown ImperialA stunning late spring bloomer, Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) is famous not only for its unusual look, but also for its unmistakable aroma. The scent typically earns descriptors like foxy, sweaty or sulfurous and permeates every part of this plant. Even the bulbs reek. The culprit behind the stench is a sulfurous terpene, which is likely present to repel hungry critters. -Sea HollySea Holly provides the missing blue element in perennial gardens during summer’s brightly tinted flower show. But think twice before adding the prickly steel blue blossoms to bouquets, because the pollinators that flock to these flowers are flies. Globe Thistles smell like dog or cat poo. Florists do use these blooms in arrangements—after washing off any pollen that’s present. Apparently that’s the smelly component. Or simply pick flowers before pollen appears. For sure, don’t plant these near a seating area. -DaturaThis tropical beauty has a host of names, including Thorn Apple, Green Dragon, Devil’s Trumpet and Stinkweed. Trumpet shape blooms open at dusk and release a heady perfume. The leaves, on the other hand, emit a strong, offensive odor when jostled or crushed. The smell is similar to rancid peanut butter. -‘Globemaster’ AlliumAnother common name—flowering onion—hints at the odor you’ll encounter when you tuck these oversize bulbs into soil. Giant flowers appear in late spring, measuring up to 10 inches across and happily lacking any of that classic onion scent. Leaves do smell of onion, especially if you disturb or crush them. That aroma helps repel leafeating critters, including deer and rabbits. Article Continues on Page 13 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 13 14 Stinky Plants—Continued From Page 12 -Paperwhite NarcissusBeauty is truly in the eye—or nose—of the beholder with this bulb bloomer. Paperwhite blossoms exude a pervasive perfume. Some people love it, but roughly a quarter of the population likens it to the smell of manure or urine. The odor is due to indole, a chemical that’s also given off by E. coli. Paperwhites belong to the Tazetta group of narcissus. Tazettas with white cups have the most offensive odor, while yellows smell better. -CleomeAlso known as spider flower, Cleome is a grand dame of the flower garden. Its textural blossoms stand atop graceful stems that ‘bob and weave’ on the breeze. Whiskered blooms beckon butterflies and hummingbirds. But this beauty releases a skunky aroma when you jostle stems. The older, self-sowing varieties are the most offensive. Newer types, like ‘Senorita Rosalita’ (shown at the left), lack the stink. -Butterfly Flower PlantPretty two-tone blue blooms resemble butterflies in flight as they open from summer into fall. The leaves have a strong, offensive smell—tough to describe, but it’s overwhelming and permeating. In cold regions, gardeners often bring this bloomer indoors for winter, but are quickly overpowered by the stench. Clip stems before bringing indoors and overwinter roots only by placing the pot in a cool spot and keeping it barely moist through winter. The botanical name for this is Rotheca myricoides ‘Ugandense’ or also Clerodendrum ugandense. -Mountain Ash TreeBotanically known as Sorbus, Mountain Ash brings strong multiseason interest. White flowers in spring fade to eye-catching clusters of orange-red fruit in fall. Leaves turn purplish red in autumn. In addition to boasting fireblight resistance, this tree also releases a repulsive aroma when it blooms. The flowers are pollinated by flies, so it’s no surprise they contain a compound found in rotting bodies. -MarigoldWidely recognized and celebrated for its critter and insect repelling abilities, Marigold is a long-time favorite annual. It owes its repellent reputation to oils known as terpenes, which are found in small sacs on leaves. Brush against a Marigold, and the odor can be pungent and strong. In the past, Burpee Seed Company developed a stink-free Marigold, but gardeners rejected it, saying they preferred Marigolds that smell like Marigolds. -Skunk CabbageA native wildflower, Skunk Cabbage is one of the earliest bloomers to appear in spring, often sending up flowers through frozen ground and snow. The blossoms generate their own heat to melt through frozen coverings. Leaves, when crushed, release a distinctive skunky odor, while the flowers emit a scent between skunk and rotting meat. Flies and carrion beetles pollinate the blooms, drawn by the stink. Article Continues on Page 14 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 14 14 Stinky Plants—Continued From Page 13 -Hawthorn Tree & BerriesHawthorn is a small tree that’s sure to turn heads when it flowers in spring. Blossoms fade to form red berries that linger into winter. The flowers stink, releasing an odor akin to a rotting corpse. In Medieval England, Hawthorns came to be associated with the smell of the plague. The blooms contain trimethylamine, one of the first compounds formed when animal tissue starts to rot.■ Topic Suggested By Dale Petzold, Certified MG -Rafflesia keithiiOther articles on the subject of Stinky Plants that may be of interest: Stinky Plants, on ‘RottenBotany’ @ link: https://rottenbotany.com/category/stinky-plants/ Nine of the Worst Smelling Plants in the World, on ‘Mother Nature Network’ @ link: http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farminggardening/photos/9-of-the-worst-smelling-flowers-in-the-world/holdyour Top Ten Plants That Smell Really Bad on ‘ListCrux.com’@ link: http://listcrux.com/top-10-flowers-that-smell-real-bad/ Understanding the genetics of stem cell population maintenance in plants producing jumbo tomatoes could help scientists generate more massive fruits. Building Better Beefsteaks Tracy Vence | The Scientist | August 2015 He doesn’t garden at home, but plant geneticist Dr. Zachary Lippman does cultivate his own small kitchen crop of grape tomatoes among the five acres of the fruit grown for research in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s fields each year. Having studied tomatoes for nearly two decades, Lippman, an associate professor at Cold Spring Harbor, knows the fruit well. He’s partial to plants that produce smaller tomatoes, because they “grow like weeds” compared to the many hefty varieties commonly found at Farmers’ Markets. Tomatoes weren’t always so beefy. Much like Lippman’s grapetomato plants, wild ancestors of the domesticated crop (Solanum lycopersicum) bore berry-size fruit—a far cry from the SteakHouse variety of up-to-three-pounders currently sold by seed company Burpee. “Since domestication, diversity at the genome level has been significantly reduced,” says Mathilde Causse, head of the genetics and improvement of fruit and vegetables department at France’s National Institute of Agronomic Research in Avignon. Over time, farmers selected for larger, less lumpy tomatoes. “Now fruits are round and they are very homogeneous.” By identifying mutations affecting flowering, fruit size and shape, and nutrient content, among other characteristics, Lippman and other researchers hope to improve the agricultural output of tomatoes and other food plants. In 2008, four years before researchers published the full S. lycopersicum genome, a team led by Cornell University’s Steven Tanksley—who was Lippman’s undergraduate research advisor from 1997 to 2000—identified a mutation in fasciated, a gene encoding a transcription factor, that appeared to be responsible for the beefsteak phenotype. As it turns out, the fasciated mutation, which can alter the number of seed-bearing structures called ‘carpels’ in fruit, was only part of the puzzle. Article Continues on Page 18 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 15 Honey-Do List for July 2016 Much of our suggested garden task information comes directly from Month-by-Month Gardening in the Desert Southwest by Mary Irish (2002). We wanted you to know that this is an outstanding gardening resource book. Also, some of our recommendations come from Southwest Planting Tips by the Month and the Tucson Gardening Calendar both of which are produced by the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Another resource used in our Honey-Do Lists is The Desert Gardener’s Calendar: Your Month-by-Month Guide by George Brookbank (1999.) Recommendations from Sunset Magazine’s monthly Southwest Garden Guides may also be included. GENERAL: Hopefully the “monsoon” season will start soon but there are no guarantees. Continue life support. Be prepared to harvest rainwater with barrels or buckets placed under downspouts. Also, this is a good time to update your garden journal with notes on plant performance successes and failures. ORNAMENTALS • Plant seeds of pansy, stock, and snapdragon this month for fall transplant. You can still sow seed of cosmos, globe amaranth, lisianthus (Texas bluebell), marigold and sunflowers. They will grow quickly if kept well watered and will bloom again in late summer. • Continue to plant summer-flowering native annuals like Arizona poppy, coyote gourd or chinchweed. These plants may germinate with the onset of our summer monsoons. • Deadhead flowering plants but stop pinching back chrysanthemums now to allow flower bud formation. • Provide shade for newly planted succulents, container plants, everything. Water plants in containers everyday. Be sure that the water drains through the holes. Skip watering if it rains more than 1/2 inch. As temperatures and humidity increase fungal infections may become a problem. Irrigate early in the day to maximize water uptake and minimize disease. • Fertilize annuals in pots with a water-soluble formula once this month. Do not over-fertilize if it is very hot. Do not fertilize plants in the ground. • Water plants from below to prevent mildew and provide plenty of mulch to reduce water loss. • Time to order winter annuals from catalogs. FRUIT, NUT, CITRUS & SHADE TREES • Continue with cover sprays to apples and pears but re-read pesticide label directions about when to stop sprays. • Continue zinc sprays to young pecans. • If citrus trees look chlorotic, use a soil probe to check and see if water is being used between waterings. It is always best to water deeply and less frequently. • Maintain vigilance against tree pests such as stink bugs, leaf footed bugs, and fruit beetles. All may damage ripening fruit but remember some damage is tolerable. Cut out the bad spot and enjoy the fruit. • Be on the look out for signs of peach tree borer damage (a gummy substance near the base of the tree.) Treat now according to directions. • Continue deep watering schedule. • Do not fertilize any fruit trees this month. VEGETABLES, FRUIT & HERBS • Early this month, plant Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, and sweet corn. Continue to plant Armenian cucumber, black-eyed peas, bush beans corn, melon, pinto beans, pumpkin and winter squash after mid-month. Also plant broccoli, cabbage, Swiss chard, collard greens, kohlrabi, and turnips. • Monitor watering of lavender, rosemary, sages and thyme carefully during the monsoon season. These herbs enjoy a dry summer, but if temperatures have been exceptionally hot, water deeply to keep them healthy. Double-check to make sure they get adequate drainage, as they will rot easily in hot, wet soil. • Summer squash may be planted anytime this month • Amend soil and prepare fallow beds for fall planting. LAWNS / TURF / ORNAMENTAL GRASSES • Raise mower height, especially for cool-season grasses, to allow deeper rooting and to provide extra shade for the plant crown. • Do not fertilize fescues, blue grass, or rye grass. • If you did not fertilize your warm season grasses last month, then do so now. • Water lawns deeply to a depth of 8–10 inches. • Grubworm damage may become obvious with dead patches of grass lifting up like a piece of carpet. Grass has no roots to hold it down. Treat early this month while larvae are young, near soil surface, and easier to kill. • Don’t mow when grass is wet. This will dull the blade and gunk up the mower. • Watch for adult May or June beetles flying around porch lights. Treat the lawn in late June or early July. Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 16 Honey-Do List for July 2016—Continued CACTI & SUCCULENTS • Water large cactus, yuccas, ocotillos, and desert spoon at least once a month. Be sure to water deeply, to a depth of at least 3 feet and in a large radius around the plant. • Water all other warm-season succulents at least every 3 weeks to a depth of 2-3 feet, depending on the size of the plant, and in a wide radius around the plant. • Stop watering cacti and succulents if moderate to heavy monsoon rains have arrived. • Do not overwater desert-adapted plants. Acacia, dalea, lavender, rosemary and salvia do not like wet feet. • Cochineal scale, which looks like a white cottony mass, may become a problem on cactus. Hose them off frequently. • Prune only if necessary this month. Old blooming stalks from hesperaloe, agaves, or yuccas may be pruned any time they are dry and blooming has been completed. • Fertilize succulents at ½ the usual strength. You can fertilize container-grown plants with a water-soluble fertilizer once this month. Use only lownitrogen formulas for succulents, especially agaves and cactus. Some of the above recommendations came from the Tucson Botanical Garden’s monthly “calendar of care” for cacti and succulents. ROSES • Watch for symptoms of heat stress: 1) plants with leaves that turn brown and fall off, 2) have flowers that are small or misshapen and with bleached-out colors, and 3) have dying limbs or canes that crack or split may be suffering from too much sun and heat. • Roses and other ornamentals may develop brown dried leaf margins. This may be due to heat stress and/or salt burn. Irrigate deeply to leach salts. Water-soluble fertilizers are salty so water well before and after application. • Keep your roses deeply watered, mulch heavily and do provide afternoon shade. • Many roses will lose leaves during the heat of summer, but if you maintain a steady watering schedule, they will • Continue to wash off roses every day or two to add extra humidity, keep dust down and to control spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. Aphids can easily be removed by hand, a strong jet of water or soapy water spray but spray early in the day as you may burn leaves when the sun is out. PESTS • Use BT mosquito dunks in any standing water. • It’s always important to correctly identify any insect you suspect may have caused damage to your plants. If you do not know what the insect is, collect one in a plastic bag or small jar and take it to the Doña Ana County Cooperative Extension Office. It is always important to correctly identify any pest or insect you suspect may have caused damage to your plants. If you do not know what the culprit is, collect one in a plastic bag or small jar and take it to the Doña Ana County Cooperative Extension Office located at 530 N. Church in Las Cruces (located just north of the Main Post Office downtown.) MISCELLANEOUS • Maintain your compost pile by watering and turning it; add mulch and weed-free grass clippings. • Hopefully—at last—monsoon rains have arrived! Use the rain delay function on your irrigation time to delay irrigation. Clean and repair, if necessary, your drip irrigation systems. • Temporarily discontinue watering after any heavy monsoon rains—stop watering cacti and succulents if moderate to heavy monsoon rains. • If appropriate, check your water harvesting system and other garden structures after any heavy rains. Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 17 REMINDER! Our next monthly MG meeting is scheduled for: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Meeting Location: Branigan Library—Roadrunner Room Meeting Room Our meeting time is 9:15am to 11:30am Per a recent directive from the Branigan Memorial Library, we are now prohibited from bringing refreshments to the Roadrunner Room where our monthly meetings are held. (This was not due to any issue related to Master Gardeners.) To everyone who has provided Refreshments over the years, a very big “thank you”! JULY 2016 MG BIRTHDAYS ★ Marcia Brown ★ Mona Nelson ★ Frank Connor ★ Claudia Smith ★ Nancy DeLouise In order to reduce the chances of Identity Theft for our MG’s, exact birthdate info will no longer be printed in our Magazine. Date: Events of Interest July 6, 2016 Onion Field Day @ Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center (8:30am-12noon) August 2, 2016 National Night Out (Downtown Las Cruces Mall) Grape Day @ Fabian Garcia Science Center (8am-12noon) August 8, 2016 MG 2016 Student Classes begin* (8:30am to 3:30pm) August 20, 2016 Butterfly Flutterfly (8am for volunteers to arrive) Sept. 11, 2016 Apple Festival at Burke Orchard (12 noon to 6pm) Sept. 16-18, 2016 2016 NM Master Gardener Conference (Santa Fe) Sept. 23-25, 2016 Native Plant Society Conference (Farm & Ranch Museum) August 18, 2016 Sept. 27 to Oct. 2 Southwest New Mexico State Fair Link: http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/plantclinic/index.html The Plant Diagnostic Clinic is designed to provide plant diagnostic services for the State of New Mexico. Its services include analysis of plant material for plant pathogens and environmental stresses as well as suggesting appropriate control measures when available. The Clinic also facilitates insect and weed identification through referrals to other specialists. Its clients include extension personnel, crop consultants, growers, retailers, landscape professionals, golf courses, researchers, government agencies, and homeowners. The Plant Diagnostic Clinic works very closely with the New Mexico Cooperative Extension county offices. For initial assistance with plant problems first contact the County Extension office near you. The County Extension staff will assist you with sample submission to the clinic if needed. No diagnostic service fees will be applied to samples submitted through extension offices. Doña Ana County Cooperative Extension Office (575) 525-6649 Luna County Cooperative Extension Office (575) 546-8806 GOT IDEAS? If you have a gardening-related article or a suggestion about a Plant-of-the-Month, a vegetable or fruit, tree, invasive plant or weed to share for our MG Magazine, please send me a link or email me your idea. MG CONTACT INFORMATION Be sure your email address is current so that you will be able to receive important information throughout the month from the MG Program. I regularly update our MG Contact List. If you need a copy of this file, let me know. MG MAGAZINE DEADLINE The deadline for submitting articles and information for inclusion in our August 2016 MG Monthly Magazine will be Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Contact Info: Ann Shine-Ring, Editor [email protected] (575) 640-7177 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Building Better Beefsteaks—Continued From Page 14 Working independently to determine the genetic drivers of inflorescence architecture and fruit morphology, respectively, Lippman and Esther van der Knaap, an associate professor at Ohio State University, converged on the same pathway. The CLAVATA gene-signaling pathway, well studied in the model plant Arabidopsis, had been overlooked by researchers working on the tomato. Page 18 Homing in on the CLAVATA pathway, Litt adds, the researchers “found a link in an incredibly important mechanism that affects not only tomato fruit size, but affects the size and arrangement of pretty much all [plant] organs.” “This provides one possible explanation why, during domestication, selection for larger and larger fruit with more and more compartments also resulted in larger and larger plants with larger leaves and thicker stems—a whole syndrome of gigantism,” says Roger Chetelat, director of the C.M. Rick Tomato Genetics Resource Center at the University of California, Davis, who was not involved in the work. The results “could give clues to geneticists working on other fruits on some genes to check for homologs,” says Causse, who has collaborated with van der Knaap but was not involved in the work, “particularly for fruits in which meristem size” can be manipulated. Lippman and his colleagues are now working to manipulate CLAVATA signaling to improve crop productivity in tomato and other plants. Realizing their research goals overlapped, Lippman and van der Knaap—who had worked together before in Tanksley’s lab at Cornell— decided to collaborate. Through a series of forward genetics and targeted mutagenesis experiments, they homed in on three genes that caused an increase in branching and flower production, as well as in the size of fruit. “We thought that we were going to land on some known genes already described in other plants [that] control stem cell production,” says Lippman. “We didn’t.” Instead of finding genes that directly affected stem cell populations within the ‘shoot apical meristem’, the plant tissue where most growth occurs, the researchers found genes that encode enzymes, called arabinosyltransferases, which add a sugar called arabinose to other proteins, affecting meristem size. Three different arabinosyltransferasegene mutants showed enlarged apical meristems and varying degrees of the beefsteak phenotype. The finding added a new layer of complexity to the genetic control of meristem size in tomato plants. Dr. Lippman and his genetically improved tomatoes “The potential is vast for all crop plants. Stem cells . . . are required for continuous plant development throughout life, and the stem cell population [in the meristem] is balanced in a precise way,” says Lippman. “There’s this small window where the stem cell number is optimal for what nature has selected for.” “We’ve actually demonstrated that [altered expression in] the fasciated locus is due to a change in the promoter sequence of CLAVATA3,” says van der Knaap. The number of rows of kernels on a cob of corn, for example, appears proportional to the number of stem cells residing in the meristem. “More stem cells, more rows,” Lippman says. While knockout experiments pointed to the fasciated mutation reported in 2008, van der Knaap, Lippman, and their colleagues found mutations that directed the expression of that mutation. “Phenotypic traits [are governed by] complex genetic mechanisms. It’s possible to knock one gene out and find out that gene is partly responsible for that phenotype, but it’s almost never going to be the only gene responsible for that phenotype,” says Amy Litt, an assistant professor of plant evolution and development at the University of California, Riverside, who has collaborated with Lippman but was not involved in this research. “People thought that they knew which genes were responsible for the fasciated mutation, and then Lippman and his colleagues discovered that there’s another gene, CLAVATA3. It’s interesting that people sort of thought they had answered the question, but it turns out there was more to the answer.” But with crop plants, bigger is not always better. And increasing production can come at a price. “If you mutate CLAVATA3, you swing the pendulum really far to one side, such that now you’re really out of control—you’re going to make way too many stem cells,” says Lippman. “That’ll give you a lot of kernels or it’ll give you really big beefsteak tomatoes, but the problem with that is it compromises other aspects of growth,” such as the plant roots’ ability to take up additional water or the stalk’s ability to support larger fruits. The key to using the newly identified genetic pathway to manipulate fruit size could be subtlety. “Maybe you can move the pendulum just a little bit,” he adds. “I think the potential is there to fine-tune the system of stem cell control.”■ Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 16 Deadly Plants That Could Kill You The Mother Nature Network | Bryan Nelson | February 2016 Over the millennia, people have learned through trial and error, which plants are good to eat and which are best to avoid. In our modern, urban world, much of that cultural knowledge has been forgotten. Many gardeners may be surprised to discover that they are growing some of the world's deadliest plants in their own backyards. Page 19 pROSARY PEA This plant may sound pious, but it's actually deadly. Rosary Peas got their name from their traditional use as ornamental beads for rosaries. They are used in jewelry around the world. Many jewelry makers have died after pricking a finger while handling a rosary pea. The poison contained within the seed is abrin — a close relative of ricin and one of the most fatal toxins on Earth. Here are 16 plants with lethal tendencies. pAPPLES An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but the same can't be said for apple seeds. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, making them mildly poisonous. If you consume enough of the seeds, you could ingest a fatal dose. But that's a lot of apples. Healthline did the math: You would need to finely chew and eat about 200 apple seeds, or about 20 apple cores, to receive a fatal dose. If you cut up apples for your children or prefer to eat whole apples down to the core, you may want to remove the seeds, just to be safe. pDEADLY NIGHTSHADE The name says it all — both the foliage and the berries of this plant are extremely toxic. Deadly Nightshade has a long, colorful history of use as a poison, but what many people don't realize is that the Nightshade family includes common food plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and chili peppers. In fact, all of these plants contain toxins — usually in their foliage — that can be harmful. In particular, humans and pets should avoid potato and tomato foliage and vines in the garden. pOLEANDER Oleander is one of the most toxic, commonly grown garden plants in the world — and oddly enough, it's often found in schoolyards. Ingesting any part of this plant can be deadly, especially for children. Even smoke from burning Oleander can be fatal. The plant's use as a poison is well-known, reports WebMD. Oleander is reportedly a favorite suicide agent in Sri Lanka, where Oleander poisonings exceed 150 per 100,000 people each year. About 10 percent of those cases are fatal. pEUROPEAN YEW Relatively common in Europe, northwest Africa and the Middle East, nearly all parts of this slow-growing tree can be poisonous. The exception is the red fleshy aril that surrounds the toxic seeds. The aril is frequently eaten by birds. Some people have chosen to commit suicide by ingesting the leaves or the seeds, both of which contain a poison called taxanes. Sometimes there are no symptoms of poisoning and a person or animal can die within a few hours of ingesting Yew seeds or leaves. If there are symptoms, they can include a fast heart rate, muscle spams and labored breathing. Article Continues on Page 20 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 20 16 Plants That Could Kill You—Continued From Page 19 pDAFFODILS Prized for their beauty, Daffodils grow from bulbs that could be mistaken for an edible food, like an onion. Daffodils — also known by their Latin name Narcissus — are common ornamental plants with a bright, cheery and mostly toxin-free flower. Most Daffodils are deer- and vermin-resistant, but gardeners shouldn't overlook the dark side of this plant. The Greek philosopher Socrates sometimes referred to Daffodils as the "Chaplet of the infernal Gods" because of the plant's numbing effect. pSTINGING TREE Found in forests in Queensland in Australia and Indonesia, Dendrocnide moroides is the deadliest and most potent stinging nettle in the world. Accidentally brushing past any part of this plant or its stinging relatives can deliver a potent toxin that will cause a painful stinging sensation lasting for days or even months. pDOLL’S EYE It's a good thing the creepy-looking berries of this plant aren't enticing, because consuming the fruit of a Doll's Eye plant (or White Baneberry) could kill you. The berries contain cardiogenic toxins that can have an immediate sedative effect on cardiac muscle tissue. pCASTOR BEANS If you have consumed castor oil before, you might be surprised to learn that Castor Beans contain one of the most poisonous substances in the world, ricin. Just one Castor Bean has enough ricin to kill an adult within a few minutes. Symptoms of poisoning include burning of mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness and hallucinations. Ingestion of the berries can eventually lead to cardiac arrest and death. Despite this grim quality, Castor Bean plants are frequently grown for decorative purposes, even in parks and public places. pHEMLOCK This is one of the most famous poisonous plants in history. It’s the flora responsible for killing Socrates. All parts of the plant contain the relatively simple alkaloid coniine which causes stomach pains, vomiting and progressive paralysis of the central nervous system. Hemlock is also known by several common names, including Devil's Porridge, Beaver Poison or Poison Parsley. A severe sting from this plant will cause a severe allergic reaction in pigs, horses, dogs and many other animals, but there's not as much evidence that it has killed humans. (One researcher documented her time working with Dendrocnide excelsa, which is considered a less dangerous plant, and her increasingly allergic reaction to the plant offers a sense of what's possible.) pANGEL’S TRUMPET Angel's Trumpets are woody-stemmed bushes with pendulous flowers that hang like bells. They are prized as decorative additions to the garden because of their elegant flowers. The catch is that all parts of these plants contain dangerous levels of poison and may be fatal if ingested by humans or animals. Angel's Trumpets have occasionally been used to create a recreation drug, but the risk of overdose is so high that these uses often have deadly consequences. Article Continues on Page 21 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 21 16 Plants That Could Kill You—Continued From Page 20 pMONKSHOOD Monkshood has a long tradition as a deadly plant and was used by ancient warriors to poison the water of their enemies. It was also once used as a popular werewolfdetection tool. The flower was held near the alleged wolf’s chin, and if a yellow-tinged shadow appeared, that was confirmation that the person was a werewolf. Recently, a gardener died of multiple organ failure after brushing past this deadly purple flowering plant on the estate where he was working in the United Kingdom. pWHITE SNAKEROOT White Snakeroot contains the toxin tremetol, which can be poisonous if consumed directly or second-hand. When Snakeroot is eaten by cattle, the animals' beef and milk become contaminated with the toxin, and ingesting those substances can lead to a condition called ‘milk sickness’. Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks, reportedly died after swallowing Snakeroot-contaminated milk. Human disease is uncommon today because of current practices of animal husbandry and the pooling of milk from many producers, but milk sickness does still occur. pLARKSPUR The seeds and young plants of the Larkspur are toxic to both people and animals. Toxicity decreases as the plant ages. Larkspur has several alkaloids including delphinine, delphineidine, ajacine and others that can cause very unpleasant issues. According to the USDA, symptoms of poisoning include general weakness and muscle spasms, as well as abdominal pain and nausea. Eventually, it can lead to respiratory distress, paralysis and death. Larkspur is responsible for heavy livestock losses, particularly with cattle in Western states when the animals are allowed to graze where the plant is abundant. pFOXGLOVE The seeds, stems, flowers and leaves of the Foxglove plant are poisonous. They contain digitalis glycosides, which are organic compounds that act on the heart. When someone eats part of this attractive plants or sucks on the flowers, the glycosides affect cardiac function, causing an irregular heartbeat. Symptoms can also include digestive issues, headache, blurred vision and confusion and can eventually lead to death.■ Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 22 • Green Tea has anti-oxidant properties and as a diluted watering solution can increase plant resistance to disease. • White Distilled Vinegar is another enhancement for plants like roses. Water with 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Homemade Fertilizer Made from Household Items Bonnie Grant | Dave’sGarden.com | March 2016 You don't need to be a chemist, biologist or any type of scientist to make your own fertilizer. Plants need certain basic nutrients for vigorous growth, optimum health and best yields. Producing a natural plant food is as easy as opening your pantry door, recycling clippings or assiduously saving your kitchen scraps. For centuries, our ancestors have known the secrets to feeding crops the natural way. Harness the knowledge for yourself and mix up a batch of old-fashioned power juice for your plants. Most of us are familiar with the magic of compost as a mulch, soil amendment and plant food. Composting simply requires warm temperatures, moisture, aeration and organic material. It is one of the best ways to compliment a natural landscape and continue the carbon nitrogen cycle that makes up most of life. Compost also offers an accessible source of nutrients to plants but there are many other items in the average home that can enhance plant growth and fertilize crops. Even something as simple as using your aquarium fresh water after tank changes, can add nutrients from the fish waste and algae that tend to form in tanks. Making a homemade fertilizer is easy once you know some of the basic ingredients. The things we eat are basically composed of natural ingredients. Good cooks keep a pantry or larder stocked with the basic building blocks of meals. Many of these building blocks have the potential to escalate plant growth and boost bumper crops. • Molasses seems to increase microbes in soil. It is as simple to use as mixing 3 tablespoons of molasses in 1 gallon of water. Water your plants as usual. • Use your banana peels in newly dug rose beds to release potassium for bigger blooms. • Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate and can help fend off blossom end rot. Washed, crushed and worked into the soil, these usual "discards" are important nutrient powerhouses that also increase soil tilth. • Coffee grounds are another ‘throw away’ item that still has life in it yet. Coffee increases the acidity of soil which plants like azaleas, blueberries and roses, love water. Another way to recycle kitchen items is by using a vermi-composting system. These can be purchased or they are easy to make yourself. Vermicomposting relies upon red worms or wigglers. These small worms break down food scraps fairly quickly and release castings, which are rich in organic nutrients. The key to keeping an odor-free worm bin is to make sure your food scraps are cut up no larger than 1 inch. This promotes quicker breakdown. The worm castings are useful mixed with potting soil or worked into the garden bed. They can also make a formidable tea to use as a foliar spray or soil drench. There are other places in the home other than the kitchen to look for fertilizer ingredients. Epsom salts are mostly magnesium with some sulfur. The magnesium is one of the basic micro-nutrients necessary for photosynthesis and sulfur accelerates root growth and assists with the formation of chlorophyll. This common muscle soak is easy to use by mixing 1 tablespoon of the salts with 1 gallon of water. Almost any plant will react enthusiastically to an application of this mixture. Borax is another common household item. It is a stain fighter and laundry booster. In large amounts borax, which has high levels of boron, can be dangerous to plants. In large garden beds, a minute amount of boron will enhance plant germination and growth. The recipe to use relies upon our old friend Epsom salts and some dolomite lime. Mix 10 pounds of lime, 2 ounces of Borax and 8 ounces of Epsom salts. Apply at a rate of 1 ounce per foot in the garden bed prior to planting. The entire recipe treats 225 square feet of soil. Don't dispose of your fireplace ash. Store it until spring and then make a soil drench to enhance soil pH. The ash is a good source of lime, potassium and trace elements. It can be worked in in its dry state or soaked and strained as a tea. Do not use it around acid-loving plants. Article Continues on Page 23 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 23 Homemade Fertilizer—Continued From Page 22 Awake to the Secrets of a Moon Garden Tammi Hartung | Birds & Blooms | April/May 2016 Items outside the home are also beneficial as fertilizers. o If you are lucky enough to keep chickens or know someone who does, use the manure directly worked into the soil or make a manure tea by soaking the solids for a week and then straining them out. o You can also use horse or cow manure but this is best composted and aged before applying around plants. o Grass clippings are full of nitrogen, one of the main nutrients for plant growth. Grass tea enhances green leafy growth and promotes vigorous plants. Even weeds can outlive their "enemy" status and redeem themselves. Allow them to dry and then weight them down in a bucket of water for a few weeks. Stir frequently. Drain away the weeds and add them to a compost pile and use the water as a foliar feed for any plant. They release nitrogen and other nutrients into the water for a dose of needed energy for the plants you do want to keep. There are many recipes for combining these natural fertilizers into a powerful plant punch. o One for the lawn, which is accessible and easy to use, is made up of beer, ammonia and baby shampoo (the non-antibacterial type). Beer gives soil microbes needed food, while ammonia adds nitrogen. The baby shampoo enhances absorption. Use 1 bottle of beer and 1 cup each ammonia and shampoo. Apply to the lawn with a hose end sprayer every 2 weeks in spring. This will encourage green, lush growth and a healthy turf. Take a nighttime stroll through moonlit flowers and evening pollinators. Most of us notice how gorgeous gardens are when the sun is shining, but how often do we see what a garden looks like at night? Between dusk and dawn, when moonlight illuminates the plants, visitors can enjoy unique insight into a garden’s personality. Night pollinators such as moths, native bees and bats are attracted to plants in a moon garden with white and pale-colored flowers that are intensely fragrant and produce a lot of nectar. As you walk through the moon garden, you will be able to watch these varied and industrious third-shift pollinators as they go about their important work. -Sphinx Moth❂ MOTHS Moths fly to white and pale blooms, which show up well in moonlight. These creatures have an amazing sense of smell; they love flowers that are highly scented. Some moths hover over the plants to sip nectar with their very long tongues, and others land on flowers while they feed. Many kinds of moths, like Sphinx Moths (like the one shown above), will visit Honeysuckle, Columbine and Amsonia Blue Star. More recipes are available online or in the many natural and organic gardening books.¢ ❂ BATS In the arid Southwest, three kinds of nectar-feeding bats pollinate night-blooming plants. They prefer the nectar of large flowers, such as Agave, Yucca, and many types of cacti. Blooms of white, purple and green, along with very strong scents, will attract these beneficial nighttime creatures. Article Continues on Page 24 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 24 Moon Garden Nighttime Pollinators—Continued From Page 23 ❂ NATIVE BEES Although most bee species, including domestic honeybees, do their pollinating during the day, a few native bees, such as small Sweat Bees (see above photo), work by night, using the moon and starlight to navigate through the garden. They pollinate Evening Primrose, Monarda and Campion. Lavender lures daytime fliers and nighttime pollinators -Night-Blooming Cereus- ❂ NIGHT-BLOOMING FLOWERS A moon garden should include flowers in pale hues of yellow, blue, purple, green, white or cream, and pink, along with plants that have either silver or gray foliage. The pale blooms and silvery foliage reflect the light of the moon and stars, giving the garden a delicate glow. Plants with flowers that stay open through the nights, such as Yucca, or blossoms that open at dusk and close in the morning, such as Evening Primrose, are magnets for night pollinators.■ PLANTS WITH SILVER AND GRAY FOLIAGE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Lavender: Wooly Lambs’ Ears: Horned Poppy: Sea Kale: Helichrysum: Santolina: Silver Blade Evening Primrose: The gray foliage of Wooly Lambs’ Ear shines in the moonlight. Flowers of purple and blue Pink Flowers Yellow or orange flowers Sprays of white flowers Yellow clusters of tiny flowers Yellow button flowers Large pale yellow flowers ! Pussy-Toes: Delicate white or pink flowers ! Sage: Flowers of purplish-blue The gray foliage of Wooly Lambs’ Ear shines in the moonlight. Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 ‘Pretty N Sweet’ Pepper Its name says it all: This pepper is just that; plus tips and tasks for early spring Niki Jabbour | Horticulture Magazine | April/May 2016 Back in August of 2015, I had the opportunity to attend the California Vegetable Trails, an annual event that showcases many of the outstanding varieties produced by the leading seed breeders. One of these breeders was Seeds By Design, a family company started by Patty Buskirk in 1994. Patty loves breeding peppers (and watermelons, squash, tomatoes and more) and she has won ten All-America Selections Awards for her many vegetable introductions. One of her recent winners is, ‘Pretty N Sweet’, a compact sweet pepper that is perfect for both gardens and containers. No need to hide this one in your vegetable garden—‘Pretty N Sweet’ is highly ornamental; growing into an 18-inch mound of bright green foliage smothered in dozens of one-to-one-and-a-half inch sweet peppers. The peppers emerge green, but they soon turn yellow, orange and red, and they sit atop the foliage for easy picking. This variety matures early, with the harvest beginning just two months from transplanting. Peppers need full sun, well-drained soil and plenty of warm weather. I like to grow, ‘Pretty N Sweet’ in big pots on my super-sunny back deck. The plants thrive in the heat and supply us with a bumper crop of bite-size sweet peppers from late July through early October. • If you’re planting a garden, dig in some aged manure or compost and pre-warm the soil with a sheet of black plastic—a black garbage bag will do in a pinch. • Leave the plastic in place for two weeks, remove it and plant your hardened-off seedlings once the danger of frost has passed. • The peppers need about an inch of water per weeks, so get out the hose if there has been no rain. Page 25 GOJI BERRY BUSH (Gou Qi Zi) Source: Chinese Healing Herbs | Link: http://www.chineseherbshealing.com/goji-berry/ Goji Berry Bush is a real treasure. All its fruits, leaves, flowers, and root bark (Di Gu Pi) are superior herbal tonics. Goji Berries, also known as Gou Qi Zi, have been regarded as general nutritive tonic, noted antiaging herb, and eyesight-improving medicine since long time ago. In order to keep in good health, promote good eyesight, and slow down aging, people keen on nourishing life consume it on daily basis by making tea, soaking in rice wine, stewing soup, cooking congee, and many other ways. That is why this herb is frequently found in many excellent cuisine and herbal recipes. Thanks to it is rich in a variety of nutrients such as carotene, vitamin A1, B1, B2, C, calcium, iron and other necessary nutrients, today this miracle fruit has been extensively applied for many purposes. So, what is Goji Berry good for? How to eat and how to use it to make the most use of its health benefits? If you have not got a clue on these questions, seemingly you have to know more information about Goji Berries. WHAT IS GOJI BERRY? Medicinally it mainly refers to the dried ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum L., a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae. It is usually harvested in summer and autumn when the fruits turn red. After the harvest, dry by hot air before remove the stems, or dry in the air till it wrinkles first, and then dry in the sun. As a matter of fact, Goji is the general name for Lycium fruit commodity and the plants of Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense Mill. And sometimes it also means some other varieties. • Container-grown plants will need to be watered more often. • An occasional dose of a balanced liquid organic fertilizer will also keep plants productive and growing strong. My kids have given this prolific variety their stamp of approval; they love snacking on the petite peppers, which also work well on veggie trays or chopped in half and stir-fried. Betcha can’s eat just one!¢ Article Continues on Page 26 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Goji Berry Bush—Continued From Page 25 The Goji Berry herb has many common names. Medicinally it is similar to spindle and oval, 6 to 20mm in length and 3 to 10mm in diameter. • Surface is red or dark red, with a small convex style mark on the top and white stem mark on the base. • Peel is pliable, tough, and slightly wrinkled. • Flesh is fleshy, soft and moist. • Seeds are similar to kidney, flat and warped, 20 to 50 in number, 1.5 to 1.9mm long, 1 to 1.7mm wide, and with pale yellow or brown skin. • In addition, it has slight odor and sweet flavor. • Ripe Lycium Barbarum contains betane, atropine, hyoscyamine, zeaxanthin, scopoletin, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. • Its seed contains amino acids, trace elements, 7.09% polysaccharide, taurine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and more. • Amino acids include aspartic acid, proline, alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, serine, glycine, glutamic acid, cysteine, lysine, arginine, isoleucine, threonine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and methionine. • Trace elements include potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, chromium, strontium, lead, nickel, cadmium, cobalt, magnesium and others. GOJI BERRY BENEFITS • This herb was initially recorded for medicinal purpose in The Book of Songs, with more than 3,000 years of history. Its name of Gou Qi Zi first appeared in Shen Nong’s ‘Herbal Classic’ and there it was classified as one of the best herbs. And ever since this herb has been one of the herbalists’ favorites. • In the East Jin Dynasty, Ge Hong, a medical master and alchemist, got juice by pounding it alone for the treatment of eye disorders. In Tang Dynasty, Sun Simiao, A famous Taoist and medical expert, combined this herb with others to make liver tonic teapills to cure blurring vision. And the famous Five Ancestors Teapills, formulated by Li Ting in Tang Dynasty, is composed of Goji, Semen Cuscutae, and other herbs for male impotence, premature ejaculation, infertility, premature graying, and urine endless. • Now this herb is enjoying the enormous popularity worldwide by made into Goji Berry tea, bars, beer, cookies, cuttings, drinks, dessert, extract, eye cream, powder, essential oil, face mask, facial cream, smoothie, jam, jelly, muffin, supplement, tablets, and more. In recent years, science has got a further understanding on Goji Berries by analyzing its chemical composition and pharmacology. Page 26 MODERN GOJI PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS/CLAIMS 1) It improves immune function, enhances the body’s ability to adapt to a variety of noxious stimuli 2) It significantly inhibits the generation and spread of cancer cells 3) It improves eyesight 4) It tremendously increases the reserves of muscle glycogen and liver glycogen. Thus it increases human energy and has anti-fatigue effect 5) It improves brain function and enhances learning and memory capabilities 6) It boosts the body’s adaptive defenses, which thus enhances the endurance to various noxious stimuli, such as hypoxia, cold, blood loss, and more 7) It enhances the body’s hematopoietic function by promoting the proliferation of hematopoietic cell, increasing white blood cell count, and reinforcing the body’s hematopoietic function 8) It effectively enhances various organs’ functions, improves brain function, resists free radicals as an antioxidant, and then delays aging 9) It dramatically reduces the levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride, reduces and prevents arteriosclerosis and hypertension 10) It relieves allergy symptoms, e.g. gastrointestinal tract bleeding and joint pain. And this effect is achieved by regulating the endocrine 11) It protects liver and nourishes kidney by inhibiting the deposition of fat in the liver cells and promoting the regeneration of liver cells 12) The guanidine derivatives contained can lower blood sugar. So it can be used as health product for people with diabetes 13) Its tea helps with weight loss and obesity 14) It treats chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis PROVEN GOJI HERBAL REMEDIES Traditional Chinese Medicine tends to believe that it is sweet in taste and neutral in properties. It goes to channels of liver, kidney, and lung. Common functions are nourishing the liver and kidney and moistening lung. Key Goji Berry uses and indication are the deficiency of liver and kidney, light-headedness, blurred vision, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, ED (erectile dysfunction) and damage of essence, consumptive cough, extreme thirst, and so on. Recommended dosage is 5 to 15 grams in decoction, tea pills, powder, paste, and liquor agents. Regularly the preferable Goji Berry daily amount is 20 grams for healthy adults and 30 grams for treating patients. GOJI BERRY SIDE EFFECTS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS As you can see now, Goji Berry is very rich in nutrients, which can be of great help on prevention and treatment of some diseases. Unfortunately, not all people are suitable to take this herb due to its warm nature. It is reported that overdose might lead to a few adverse reactions like skin sensibility, epistaxis, fever, and more. Traditional Chinese Medicine wise, it shouldn’t be used in cases of excess heat caused by exogenous pathogenic factors and spleen deficiency accompanied with dampness and diarrhea.■ Article Submitted by Certified MG, Gail Ross Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 27 á If you go out at night when Cicada nymphs are emerging, you should be able to find the teneral (newly molted) adults, which first appear creamy-white before acquiring their final color. Periodical Cicadas Life Cycles & Behavior Source: http://entomology.osu.edu/bugdoc/PerioCicada/PeriCicadaBehav.htm â Periodical Cicada nymphs often construct openings and mud tubes in areas where they will eventually emerge. This is most commonly seen in wet conditions. Immature Periodical Cicadas (nymphs) develop underground and suck juices from plant roots. After 13 or 17 years below ground, mature nymphs emerge from the soil at night into the morning hours and climb onto nearby vegetation or any vertical surface. They then molt into winged adults. Their shed outer skins or exoskeletons are found attached to tree trunks and twigs. The emergence is often tightly synchronized, with most nymphs appearing within a few nights. á Hundreds of nymphal exoskeletons can be found on tree trunks, branches and leaves after Periodical Cicadas have emerged. Adult Cicadas live for only two to four weeks. During this short time, they feed relatively little. Male Cicadas sing by vibrating membranes on the underside of the first abdominal segment. Male courtship songs attract females for mating. Females are silent. Each species of Periodical Cicada has a distinctive song, and two to three of the species are common within each brood emergence. After mating, females lay their eggs in twigs ¼ to ½ inch in diameter. The female's ovipositor slices into the wood and deposits the eggs. One to several dozen eggs can be laid in one branch, with up to 400 eggs being laid by each female in 40 to 50 sites. Cicada eggs remain in the twigs for six to ten weeks before hatching. The newly hatched, ant-like nymphs fall to the ground where they burrow six to 18 inches underground to feed. á Periodical Cicada nymphs crawl up tree trunks and other surfaces at night to find places to molt into adults. â Hundreds of nymphal exoskeletons can be found on tree trunks, branches and leaves after Periodical Cicadas have emerged. á Female Cicadas use their needle-shaped ovipositor to cut slits into small branches. They insert their eggs into these slits. Article Continues on Page 28 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Periodical Cicadas—Continued From Page 27 á Female Cicadas locate males through the male songs. Female Cicadas do not produce a song. ã ã Damage to branch from Periodical Cicada egg laying. If the bark continues to peel back, the branch will be girdled. During the spring of the emergence year, Periodical Cicada nymphs may build mud tubes that project three to five inches above the soil, apparently to escape wet or saturated soils. These tubes are often mistaken for the tubes that crayfish build. Annual Cicadas usually emerge from June through August. Their emergence is scattered over this time and they rarely emerge in noticeable numbers. Annual Cicada males also sing to attract females. The Cicada Killer Wasp often captures these insects to provision its nest in the ground.¢ A month or two after the Cicada adults have laid their eggs, many of the tree branches in which the eggs were inserted die. This is called ‘flagging’ and it can look like considerable damage has been done. Fortunately, this damage is only dangerous to small trees and shrubs. Mature trees rarely suffer long-term damage. Page 28 Cicadas are actually beneficial to the environment Source: http://ecowatch.com/2016/06/01/17-year-cicadas-are-back/ Cicadas may be a nuisance to humans, and a terror for those who aren’t big fans of flying bugs, but their emergence is actually beneficial to the environment. Laying their eggs in the trees provides a natural pruning that increases tree growth—though; the process can damage young trees. (To prevent this, simply cover the saplings with netting and they should survive, Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, told U.S. News and World Report.) Cicadas’ burrows aerate the soil and their decaying bodies provide nutrients. The invasion only lasts six weeks. Once the baby Cicadas, also called nymphs, have hatched from their eggs in the trees, they’ll fall to the ground and burrow into the soil, not emerging for another 17 years. Underground they survive off moisture from tree roots. Cicadas don’t eat solid food.¢ To answer all your questions about Cicadas, check out ‘What Is Up With Cicadas?’ at link: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2016/05/everyt hing_you_wanted_to_know_about_17_year_periodical_cicadas.html Topic suggested by Certified MG, Alberta Morgan Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 29 SLEEPY GRASS TUFTED HAIRGRASS (Stripa robusta Scribn.) Source: New Mexico Rangeland Plants, NMSU Circular 374 Revised by Christopher D. Allison & Nick Ashcroft, Nov. 2011 Description: Coarse, leafy, thick-bunched. Three to 6 feet tall. Bright green. Broad leaves, up to 2 feet long, hairy where the blade joins the stem. Densely flowered, pale green seedheads. Seeds covered with short, soft, white hairs terminated by a twice-bent awn about 1½ inches long. (Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv. Source: New Mexico Rangeland Plants, NMSU Circular 374 Revised by Christopher D. Allison & Nick Ashcroft, Nov. 2011 Description: Erect, 2 to 4 feet tall. Bright green leaves, purplish flower head. Leaves basal, flat, folded, or occasionally inrolled, coarse, and stiff. The flower head, usually open, may be drooping, and is 4 to 12 inches long. Cool-season, perennial, bunch grass Cool-season, perennial, bunch grass Occurrence: Throughout the northern and mountain areas of New Mexico at elevations of 5,600 to 9,000 feet. Typical of coarse gravelly soils. Forage Value & Management: Even when Sleepy Grass is green, it is not very palatable. Livestock graze it only when more palatable forage is absent. Although the grass is said to have a narcotic or sleepinducing effect on livestock, particularly horses, it does not cause death. Sleepy Grass increases under heavy grazing, and spreads quickly from its abundant seed supply. However, the grass is not aggressive when in competition with more preferred grasses under controlled grazing.¢ Occurrence: Moist open sites in meadows and ponderosa pine forests within mountain areas above 7,000 feet. May occur in pure stands. Forage Value & Management: When Tufted Hairgrass is growing rapidly, livestock relish it. Otherwise, it is usually moderately palatable. The grass occasionally becomes so coarse that cattle and sheep graze it only lightly. The plant withstands fairly close grazing.¢ Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 30 MASTER GARDENER MONTHLY MEETING – June 8, 2016 Introduction and Welcome – Jeff Anderson ² Notetaker: Sue Styer, Certified MG Introduction and Welcome – Jeff Anderson • Jeff Anderson welcomed everyone. He discussed the topic of our MG Hotline library--its importance and purchasing additional books. • Jeff announced that because of budgeting issues the Extension office will be moving to the corner of Solano and Spruce Streets (1170 South Solano Drive) in November/December of 2016. This is also the location of the New Mexico Dept. of Health. He asked the MGs to save smaller boxes for the library books that we will need to move. The building offices will be painted starting in August 2016. MG Hotline (David Ross and Gail Ross) David thanked the small dedicated group of volunteers that continually man our Hotline. He reminded everyone that if you have signed up and cannot make the commitment to call the office or him/Gail. Volunteers will be needed for July. Magazine (Ann-Shine-Ring) Ann reviewed her proposed articles for our July 2016 MG monthly magazine. She also requested articles and ideas for our upcoming magazines. You may send her the article or just a link. (Email: [email protected]) Plant-of-the-Month: Tropical Plant-of-the-Month: Water-Wise Plant-of-the-Month: Gardener Interest Articles: Books: Wildlife: Insect: Veggie/Fruit: Rangeland Trees & Shrubs: Texas Redbud Tree Hawaiian Giner Globemallow Take Time To Smell the Flowers Smelly Plants in the Garden 14 Stinky Plants 16 Plants That Could Kill You Homemade Fertilizer From Household Items Grow Native: Bringing Natural Beauty To Your Garden Awake to Secrets of a Moon Garden (Evening Pollinators) Cicadas: Life Cycles & Behaviors Goji Berry: Chinese Healing Herbs Building Better Beefsteak Tomatoes Pretty N Sweet’ Pepper Sleepy Grass and Tuft Hairgrass Luna County MG News (Ann Shine-Ring) The group met last week and decided they will not participate in the MG Class this year but are planning a series of Garden Mastery Workshops for the Deming community. This reflects the feedback they have been given by community members indicating that this type of education better meets the community need. The Sheriff’s office needs a native plant area and the MGs will try to help him. The Main Street project is waiting for information on drainage. Ann will be presenting information on growing roses to the local Garden Club at the Senior Center in July. Ann will also be representing Luna County MGs in a leadership workshop in Santa Fe at the State MG Convention. Community Gardens (Tony Nunez) Tony described how hail devastated the Munson Garden wiping out cucumbers, snap peas, green onions etc. The garden looked terrible but certain plants are beginning to come back. The compost and the flowers are doing well. Mesilla Valley Bosque (Tony Nunez) Tony reported that they are obtaining a used greenhouse from Vado and the Project is progressing well. Other – Jeff has had to report to the USDA on the effects of the hailstorm. Discussion: • Interns questioned whether the meeting hours would count toward their MG hours’ requirement for the year ending 9/30/2016. Discussion will ensue with Jeff, as there was possibly a misunderstanding about the hours. • Rachel Gioannini, MG, is conducting a research project on green roofs for her NMSU degree. She would like to show any interested MGs her project. Ann will send out an email to announce the date/time. • Jeff proposed that for the Southern New Mexico State Fair (SNMSF), we put school garden information on the back wall of our exhibit. • Questions arose as to how individuals submit veggies/flowers to the SNMSF for judging. There is a website with all necessary information – www.snmstatefairgrounds.net. • Ann has found some Kindle resources/apps on gardening and will put this information in future MG Magazines. • Discussion centered on inviting Kelly White to come down for a program. She has made some changes and it would be a good time to learn about them. Ann mentioned that Kelly updated a great deal of info on the MG Program on the NMSU website but that info was apparently not shared with our local MGs. OLD/CONTINUING/NEW BUSINESS: • 4-H Horticulture (Juliet Williams) There was a marvelous turnout for the County Contest. Juliet tutored and the kids did well on the test. Districts – June 16 – Silver City – Juliet and Jeff will travel to Glenwood for the day. State Contest – July 12 – 3 more volunteers are needed at Skein Hall (NMSU) for set-up in the morning and the contest in the afternoon. • Grape Day (8/13/2016, 8am – 12pm) To be held at Fabian Garcia Science Center. This is the 3rd annual event. • Onion Field Day (7/6/16, 8:30am – 12pm) To be held at Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center Minutes Continued on Page 31 Doña Ana County Master Gardener Monthly Magazine—July 2016 Page 31 June 8, 2016 Monthly MG Meeting Minutes—Continued from Page 30 OLD/CONTINUING/NEW BUSINESS (Continued: • National Night Out (8/2 6-9pm) – Jeff Anderson asked the MGs to start thinking of a project. It must be easy and quick. The event is familyoriented and held at the downtown mall. In the past they have done popsicle creations. • Butterfly/Flutterby (August 20 at 8am) – Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park - Juliet Williams noted that this activity is also for kids to learn about butterflies. She needs 2 or 3 people to help. • MG Class 2016 starting 8/18/2016– Jeff Anderson –The class will be starting, and they will also be moving the office. Ann will send out media announcements regarding this. • Apple Festival at Burke Orchard (9/11 – Noon – 6pm) – Jeff Anderson mentioned that hail hit the apple orchard but apples are still on the trees and the festival is still on. • SNMSF (9/27-10/2) – Gail and David Ross reminded MGs that this event is coming up quickly and that he needs many volunteers to man the booth, some to judge, some to help record entries and others for set up. This is a great way to get volunteer hours in before the end of the MG year which is 9/30/2016. Sign-up sheets were available. • NM State MG Conference (9/16-18 - $95 – Santa Fe location) Ann related some details on the Conference such as all the workshops will be on 9/16/16. There has not been any lodging information on the website thus far. Jeff will contact Kelly with any questions. Ann mentioned that she will submit a basket provided by the NM Dept. of Agriculture on behalf of both Doña Ana & Luna Counties to the Conference. Also there has been a request for a list of possible Showcase Exhibits for DAC. Ann questioned if Donna Knudson would be responsible for the table showcasing our activities including the magazine etc. Other – Joan Woodward announced that the Native Plant Society would sponsor a Conference in Las Cruces on 9/23, 9/24, 9/25, 2016. The cost is $90 if you register now and there are fieldtrips every day. To be held at Farm and Ranch Museum. Ann will send a link to this Conference info. Educational Presenter: Dr. Robert Flynn, NMSU Topic: The Ground Beneath Our Feet Our next monthly meeting will be on July 13, 2016 at 9:15 in the Roadrunner Room at the Branigan Library. LUNA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER HOTLINES Deming (At Extension Office) Thursdays 9:00-11:00am (575) 546-8806 Columbus (At Library) Mondays 10:30-11:30am (575) 531-2612 MASTER GARDENER HOTLINE DUTY As of September 11, 2013, per MG request, Hotline duty signups will no longer be listed in this Magazine. As of 1/8/14, we now can sign up for Hotline Duty online at the same website location where we now record our Volunteer Service hours. Connect to link: http://aces.nmsu.edu/county/donaana/mastergardener/ and click on Volunteer Hours Logging and you can click on either: “Go to my log sheets” or “Go to my Calendar” We are very grateful to Eric Graham, Certified MG, for donating many hours to create this great new resource for MGs. Thank you! IMPORTANT: Please remember to be present on your assigned date for the Hotline. If another MG forgets, please give him or her a “reminder” call. Be sure to get a copy of the Subs List, for your information. As of Monday, March 11, 2013, the Doña Ana County Extension Office hours changed to 9am–12 for receiving public phone calls and office visits Monday through Friday. However, Hotline volunteers will still be on duty from 9am to 1pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. Remember, the Extension Office is closed from 12 noon to 1:00pm daily for staff lunches. URGENT: We need at least 2 MGs at each Hotline Day, but please no more than four MG volunteers max as there is not enough room in the Hotline Office. Please consider volunteering for at least one, four-hour assignment to ensure we have adequate coverage for our Hotline. Thank you for your help.