Campsis grandiflora-Morning Calm
Photo courtesy of Dave Gordon
Semi and Crested Sago Plants er. When it grows leaves again, you will see more of the effect as the new leaves are produced.” There appears to be a number of theories as to the cause of the semi-crested and crested growth including insect attack before the cones emerge, herbicide spray drift and cold injury. Also, literature that I’ve read concerning sago plants that do this states that this occurs only in male plants; never has there been a crested female cone. I suspect that the cold weather we experienced this winter was the cause for this. What is much rarer is when the cones are fused together forming a true crested growth.
Larry Williams, UF/IFAS Extension Agent, In last month’s newsletter, I included a photo of a male sago plant with multiple cones as the “do you know what this is” photo. This photo was taken by a landscaper in Fort Walton Beach area. When this happens, it is referred to as either crested or semicrested. In the case of this sago, it is semi-crested.
Okaloosa County, June 26, 2018
It is unknown as to the exact cause of this phenomenon. I contacted a Ph.D. Horticulturist with UF who has done much work with Cycads, including sago plants, about this phenomenon. His response is below. “I saw much of this right after our cold winters here in Gainesville in 1984-85. What you are seeing is the plant’s apex or growing point becoming crested or cristate. We don’t exactly know why this happens. But plants can grow in or out of this condition. There are many types of plants besides the sago that have this phenomenon. Sometimes the cones actually never separate from each other and are fused together. But, I’m sorry I can’t tell you why it happens – we speculated that the cold weather had some effect, but this hasn’t ever been proven one way or the othphotos: Larry Williams
2
3
seen snakes (non-poisonous), insects, lizards, and a variety of birds in the garden. All of us gardeners are providThe hot weather has certainly arrived in our gardens. We also re- ing a unique habitat for various living animals to enjoy as we do. ceived the much need rain that I was hoping for. Actually, if you are Our garden is filled with plants from the nursery that growing vegetables, especially to- do well year after year. I am very appreciative of the matoes, you received too much plants, seeds, and cuttings that have been shared with rain. It seems to be feast or famine when it comes to me over the years. As the summer heats up, enjoy your rainfall. garden, but be careful in the heat. Master Gardeners are like a colony of bees-always in motion. Every activity that I attend, Master Gardeners are involved in the event taking place. There were more Master Gardeners at the plant clinic that we had individuals needing help.
Again, all that you do for the organization is appreciated. Sometimes just a word of encouragement, a card, or a hug can make someone’s day. I hope that I do not forget to say thank you. Enjoy your garden and activities of the OCMGA.
As you read this column, Pam Allen will have already presented the exciting plans regarding a new Extension Office in the south end of the county. There will be so many advantages to having a new building. I appreciate the work that Pam and Larry are putting forth to secure an Extension Office in the Ft. Walton Beach area. I have been expecting the city to reclaim the space we are now using at the Annex. After all the hard work you have put into your garden, you should be seeing the fruits of your labor. Our gardens support a food chain for many organisms. I have 4
Evergreen Rhododendrons
Master Gardener Webinars
There is only one evergreen rhododendron in the state of Florida-Rhododendron Chapman. Two years ago, while walking through the garden section of Lowe’s, I spotted a number of evergreen rhododendrons. The plants are from a Southern Living collection that has been developed for the Deep South. Of course I had to purchase two of the plants. They are both continuing to do well. They receive filtered morning and afternoon sun. One of the plants has bloomed and the other one has not but has put on lots of new growth. The pic-
Webinars provide a convenient and free professional development option for people who want to learn new strategies and tools without taking time off work and paying travel expenses. Each hour-long session will be recorded and available on our website to view whenever you'd like.
tures for the article are for the plant called Radiance. I’m hoping that both plants will tolerate the heat in the coming years and continue to do well. I will keep you posted each year. By Dave Gordon Photos: Dave Gordon
Webinars will be facilitated in Zoom. For help, see "Getting Started" on Zoom.com. Webinars that were recorded prior to this date were in Adobe Connect and must be converted for you to access them. Please bear with us as we make the transition.
The Okaloosa County Master Gardeners have 3 office locations to assist you with your gardening and grass questions. In addition, you can bring your soil samples by our office locations for a PH soil test. Our Fort Walton Beach office is located at 127 Hollywood Blvd and is open for walkins on Fridays until Noon. Our Niceville location is at the Niceville Youth Center, at 200 Campbell Drive and is open on Mondays from 11 am to 1 pm. Our Crestview office is located at 3098 Airport Road and is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday. Call 689-5850 before going to insure there is a Master Gardener on duty to assist you. Soil testing at the Crestview location is on Mondays only. For on-line assistance, please go to gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu or solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu.
5
Summer is Pollinator Time National Pollinator Week is only recognized in June, but efforts to encourage pollinators shouldn’t be limited to June.
Most species of bees don't sting. Although all female bees are physically capable of stinging, most bee species native to the U.S. are "solitary bees,� that is, not living in colonies and don't sting
Pollination occurs when pollen grains are moved between two flowers of the same species, or
within a single flower, by wind or animals that are pollinators. Successful pollination, which may require visits by multiple pollinators to a single flower, results in healthy fruit and fertile seeds, allowing plants to reproduce. Without pollinators, we simply wouldn't have many crops! Worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce the goods on which we depend. Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, pumpkins, vanilla, and almonds. About 75% of all flowering plants rely on animal pollinators and over 200,000 species of animals act as pollinators. Of those, about 1,000 are hummingbirds, bats, and small mammals. The rest are insects such as beetles, bees, ants, wasps, butterflies, and moths. Western honey bees are the most common.
6
unless they are physically threatened or injured. Only honey bees are defensive and may chase someone who disturbs their hive. It is wise, though, to avoid disturbing any bee or insect nest.
What everyone can do for pollinators: Watch for pollinators. Get connected with nature. Take a walk, experience the landscape and look for pollinators which are most active midday in sunny, planted areas. Reduce your impact. Reduce or eliminate your pesticide use, increase green spaces, and minimize impervious surfaces. Plant for pollinators. Create pollinator-friendly habitat with native flowering plants that supply pollinators with nectar, pollen, and homes. For a list of plant choices go to: http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/ gardening-with-wildlife/bee-plants.html
Select old-fashioned varieties of flowers whenever possible because breeding has caused some modern blooms to lose their fragrance and/or the nectar/pollen needed to attract and feed pollinators. Install 'houses' for bats and native bees. For examples go to: http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw290 or http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/ gardening-with-wildlife/pollinator-hotels.html Avoid pesticides, even so-called "natural" ones such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). If you must use them, use the most selective and least toxic
ones and apply them at night when most pollinators aren't active. Supply water for all wildlife. A dripping faucet or a suspended container with a pinhole in the bottom is sufficient for some insects. Other wildlife need a small dish of water. Provide water for butterflies without letting it become a mosquito breeding area. Refill containers daily or bury a shallow plant saucer to its
rim in a sunny area, fill it with coarse pine bark, sand or stones and fill to
What you can do to create a pollinator-friendly habitat:
overflowing with water. Fun facts:
Design your garden so that there is a continuous succession of plants flowering from spring through fall. Check for the species or cultivars best suited to your area. Plant native to your region using plants that provide nectar for adults plus food for insect larvae, such as milkweed for monarchs. If you do use non-native plants, choose ones that don't spread easily, since these could become invasive.
A tiny fly (a “midge�) no bigger than a pinhead is responsible for the world's supply of chocolate One out of every three mouthfuls of food we eat is delivered to us by pol-
linators.
Sheila Dunning Extension Agent, Commercial Horticulture 7
cious, bearing all male or all female flowers. Female flowers will mature into dense groups of red or reddish-brown berries. Growth is rapid and individual shrubs may live to be 25 years of age. In the fall, the leaves turn bright scarlet.
The part we want are the berries. Between September and November you'll see the large berry clusters. They are covered in tiny hairs. You can tell if they are ripe by wetting your finger and touching the berries. You'll taste the malic acid which very closely resembles lemon juice.
To make the juice, clip off the clusters after a few dry days (rain washes off the acid). Pour a couple quarts of hot (not boiling) waYou've all heard the phrase, "When life hands you lemons, make ter over them, take out the stems and let them soak for several lemonade!" Well, what if you really want lemonade and you don't hours, stirring occasionally. Strain the juice through several layers of cheesecloth to filter out the seeds. Filter the seedless juice have lemons? You could go out into the hedgerows and wooded through a coffee filter to remove the small hairs. Add sugar or areas (with permission please) and look for Rhus copallinum or honey to your juice to taste. winged sumac. Specifically you want the berries.
There are several sumac species: R. aromatica, R. glabra, R. michauxii, and Toxicodendron vernix. The first one is commonly known as fragrant sumac. It is very rare and only found in two counties in the panhandle. Glabra is found in the central panhandle. Michauxii is endangered and found only in north-central Florida. Toxicodendron vernix is poison sumac. This is a relative of poison ivy and other rash-producing relatives. It is relatively rare and inhabits wetlands.
Since you haven't boiled the berries, those seeds are viable. You can try planting your own lemonade stand instead of hiking through the woods. Plus you'll be providing a home for Calycopis cecrops the Red-Banded Hairstreak.
Sources:
Florida's Edible Wild Plants, by Peggy Sias Lantz
Florida's Best Herbs and Spices: Native and Exotic Plants Rhus copallinum is a deciduous shrub with an open growth habit Grown for Scent and Flavor, by Charles R. Boning and can get as tall at 15 feet. Leaves are pinnately compound, with http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st568 between 11 and 31 leaflets. Tiny greenish-white or yellowish-white 5-petaled flowers form in the summer months and are borne on erect flower spikes that emerge from branch tips. Plants are dioe-
Marg Stewart 8
9
10
11
let' are touted for their disease resistance. 'Adam' and 'Blue Stocking' do better in heat and drought than most other cultivars.
Monarda or bee balm...most of us have it thanks to Lee and the No matter which you choose, this is a wonderful plant for our polnursery folks. Who haslinators and our dinner plates. n't heeded his siren song to plant this member of the mint family to help Note: As with all herbal preparations, the bees and other pollimedicinal use has not been approved by the FDA and no herbal preparation should nators. be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor. Herbal supplements are not regulated and care should But did you also know be exercised when purchasing. Only purthat this particular plant chase those products from reputable even celebrates our nasources. Always check with your doctor tion's drive for indebefore taking any herbal supplements and make sure to provide a complete list of pendence? Indeed, one of its common names is "Liberty Tea." Now why would it have tea in the common name? This wonderful herbal supplements you are taking to your medical provider. plant makes a great tangy tea that is more citrusy than minty. Perhaps you've seen the name bergamot--that's because Monarda leaves evoke the bergamot orange scent--the peel of which is used Marg Stewart in Earl Grey tea.
For use in the herb garden you want to look for M. citriodora which has the lemony flavor for teas and other culinary uses. M. punctata is very high in antiseptic compounds. M. fistulosa is high in geraniol which helps prevent tooth decay.
How is possible to have a civil war? Powdery mildew can be a problem with Monarda so if you want to harvest as an herb look for cultivars and hybrids that are resistant. There are a lot of colors available and they all make a great addition to the pollinator garden and your herb garden. 'Croftway Pink' and 'Cambridge Scarlet' are two old forms that are still widely available. 'Marshall's Delight,' and 'Gardenview Scar-
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? Sign near small pond: “Frog parking only. All others will be toad.� HUMOR : COURTESY OF SCOTT BERRY
12
Dwarf Tomato Project Update 2
Wild Cherry) for size comparison. Last, there’s Franklin County, which are the little pleated things that look like miniature pump-
…and other tomato topics My dwarf tomatoes. They continue to get ever taller and to set more fruit as they grow. I think they will top out at about four ft. and, as I mentioned in my previous update, although they don’t send out long
sprawling limbs, they definitely require support especially when tomatoes begin to weigh them down. Thus
Tomato Haul
far I have harvested
tomatoes from 3 of my 4 varieties and these are pictured in the accompanying photo. All were harvested during a period of excessive rainfall which explains some of the cracking at the tops. Counterclockwise from top: Pink Coorong is the largest; they are averaging about 3” across and about 8
oz
each. Bendigo Dawn
is a
large cherry tomato
and is
a lovely blush-pink
color;
looks great in a sal-
ad. At
the bottom of the
photo
are some non-dwarf
cher-
ry tomatoes (the variety is
Dwarf Varieties
Matt’s
Photos : Karen Harper
kins. I gather from the seed catalog description that Franklin County is supposed to resemble a miniature beefsteak. The flavor of all the dwarf varieties is excellent. I’m still waiting for Adelaide Festival to ripen but she looks promising, along the same lines as Coorong Pink. (Note: as I finalize this article, Adelaide Festival has begun to ripen, and the fruit is a beautiful dark stripey color, about the same size as Coorong Pink. No photo of my personal Adelaide's but here is a pic of it at Victory Seeds, from whom I bought the seeds: https:// www.victoryseeds.com/ tomato_adelaide-
festival.html) Canning. I’m in the thick of my tomato canning season now and as I compare Coorong Pink with some of
Tomato comparison
my standard canning varieties, she wins, hands-down, for deep color and great texture and flavor. The photo of peeled and cored
tomatoes shows two Coorong Pink on the left and one Amelia on the right. You can see the difference in the two varieties. Amelia is a good, reliable variety for our area and I will continue to grow a few Amelia plants, along with Bella Rosa, my other canning standard, but I do wish I had about six more Coorong Pinks growing in
13
my garden to provide that beautiful rich color and flavor as I set about can-
Tomato trellising. I’ve tried many different things over the years to man-
ning my salsa and marinara sauce. I most certainly will have at least that
age my tomato plants, including tomato cages and tomato towers (ka-ching,
many next year. And speaking of canning, this year I discovered a very nifty
ka-ching). For the past several years I’ve limped along with metal trellises
tool for coring tomatoes which, if you can
which are not tall enough to truly support tomatoes when they are in full sprawl mode and require creative (and frequent) tying up of those wayward branches. I always tell myself that when the trellises all finally rust and fall apart, I’ll get serious about this and find a lasting solution. Well, those metal trellises have been surprisingly tough and I’m using them again this year, reluctantly. I did try something new this year, which is growing my toma-
toes in a sort of espalier fashion along the tops of the trellises. You can (maybe) see the method to my madness in the photo. The method works, kind of, but it’s not something I’ll do again because it has turned out to be just as labor intensive as tying the plants to upright supports and with the same consequences of broken or badly damaged branches if you fail to get out there diligently and keep the plants tied up as they grow. So, here’s something I ran across that I think is going to be the answer to my tomato
staking problems. It’s called the Florida Weave because obviously other
Espalier Tomatoes
Florida growers have also had unruly tomato plants and have been more creative than I in dealing with them. So, this fall and winter I will set out some permanent metal fence posts and then be ready with the twine next
tomatoes, is probably a very familiar activity. I’ve always used a paring knife spring to support the plants as they grow. Looks easy peasy but I will report for this purpose and I generally make a fairly large mess of it. Then I spotted in the future as to whether that is true or not: https:// this item and, well, it has certainly cleaned up my coring act as well as mini- www.gardenbetty.com/trellising-tomatoes-with-the-florida-weave/ And mized waste of good tomato stuff. It’s a very sharp little scoop and once you get the hang of it, it makes very short work of removing the tomato stem and
now I am off to can a double batch of killer salsa!
Karen Harper
core: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LNQ6Y0/ ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Lavender-Herb Lemonade
MARTHA DANDRIDGE CUSTIS WASHINGYON
By Asten Swartz Photo courtesy of Lori Dunn
First lady of US - 1789-1797 CONGRESSIONAL CLUB COOK BOOK –ED.. 1993
Ingredients: 4 cups crushed ice
CHESS CAKES
1 cup fresh lemon juice 2 sprigs fresh dill
1 cup butter
3 flowering lavender heads
6 egg yolks, beaten
2 sprigs fresh oregano
1 cup sugar
7 sprigs fresh lemon thyme
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Circa: Age 27
Grated rind of 1 lemon Directions: 1. Place ice in two 32-ounce glasses or four 8ounce glasses. Set aside. 2. Juice lemons into large bowl; set aside. 3. Chop dill, remove lavender flowers from stem, remove oregano leaves from stem, and remove lemon thyme leaves from stem; set aside. 4. In blender, blend lemon juice, sugar, lavender, and other herbs. Pour over crushed ice. Stir and serve.
¼ teaspoon salt Cream butter and beat into it, slowly, ½ cup sugar, reserving the rest of the sugar. Beat egg yolks with salt until light and lemon colored, then slowly beat in the remaining ½ cup sugar; with a whisk fold in the lemon juice and grated lemon rind. Combine with the creamed mixture , stirring in the wine. Pastry for 1 -9 in. pie or 12 tart shells made in muffin tins. Pour into pie shell or tart shells and bake at 350 degrees for 50 or 60 minutes until set.
Recipe research courtesy of Margret Stewart
Recipe research courtesy of Lockey Buhrow
15
July
What to Plant
•
Vegetable garden: Use summer heat to solarize garden soil
Annuals/Bedding plants: As the heat continues, water annuals for fall planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and when needed to keep the soil evenly moist. See Annuals: http:// nematodes, so start now. See Soil Solarization: http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_annual_landscape_plants Bulbs: Butterfly lily, gladiolus, and society garlic can be planted during the middle of summer. See Bulbs for Florida: http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_soil_solarization
•
Azaleas: Flower beds have formed. Prune no later than mid-
July to protect next spring’s bloom. See Azalea:http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_azalea
•
Irrigation: Install an inexpensive rain shutoff device to con-
Palms: Continue planting palms while the rainy season is in full
serve water and save money. If one is already installed, check that
swing. Support large palms with braces for 6–8 months after
it is operating properly. See Landscape Irrigation: http://
planting. Nails should not be driven directly into a palm
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscape_irrigation
trunk. See Palms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_palms
Trees: Prepare for hurricane season by checking trees for damaged or weak branches and pruning if needed. Hire an ISA-
Vegetables: Start your tomato and Halloween pumpkin seeds!
certified arborist. See International Society of ArboriculCucumbers, peppers, and southern peas, can also be planted now. ture: http://isa-arbor.com/ and Pruning Landscape Trees and Watch for insects and disease symptoms. See Vegetable Garden- Shrubs:http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_tree_pruning
ing in Florida: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening
•
What to Do •
Pests on ornamental plants: Inspect for caterpillars on
trees and shrubs. Large trees can normally withstand caterpillar
Lawns: Determine the cause of any lawn problems before tak- feeding, but specimen shrubs may need treatment if damage is
ing action. If an insect is the culprit, treat only the affected area.
extensive. See Landscape Pest Management:http://
Rule out disease or sprinkler malfunction. See Your Florida
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_landscape_pests
Lawn: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/yourfloridalawn/
•
Peach and nectarine trees: Consider planting one of the
many new peach and nectarine cultivars that grow well in North •
Fertilizer Bans: Certain municipalities in north Florida
Florida. Newly planted trees should be fertilized now. Apply 1/2
prohibit the application of fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape
lb. per tree of 8-8-8 fertilizer. See Temperate Fruit for the Home
plants during the summer rainy season (June–September). See
Landscape: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_home_temperate_fruit
if such an ordinance exists in your area.
• 16
Pest Identification Guides
Biology and Management of Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) in Ornamental Crop Production and Landscape - A 4-page publication developed to help identify and manage dodder
Bondar's Nesting Whitefly Paraleyrodes bondari - an infestations. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep556 emerging pest in Florida that targets ficus species, hibiscus, Caterpillar Pests of Tiki Huts and Other Thatched sugar apple, guava, and citrus, among others. Handy 2-page Structures - 4-page fact sheet written to help identify and guide. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1204 manage the two caterpillar pests that cause problems with Ficus Whitefly Singhiella simplex - found on ficus species, thatched structures. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1213
especially weeping fig. Handy 2-page guide to identify this major Florida pest. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1203
Wax Moth Control - 3-page fact sheet detailing steps beekeepers can take to control wax moths and keep them from
Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus ruining stored honey bee combs and equipment. http:// - feeds on over 118 hosts including coconut palm, gumbo edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa141 limbo, and other fruits and ornamentals. Handy 2-page identification guide of this major Florida pest. http://
Anthracnose on Southern Highbush Blueberry - 4page publication to use in the identification. http://
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1202
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp337 Solanum (Pepper) Whitefly Aleurotrachelus trachoides - A 2-page guide to help identify this emerging Florida pest that feeds on pepper, eggplant, tomato, other food crops, ornamental plants, and weeds. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
Cat's-Claw Vine Dolichandra unguis-cati - 6-page fact sheet providing guidance on identification and control of this invasive vine and suggests some similar native vines to use instead. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr391
in1201
Florida Crop/Pest Profile: Sugarcane - 19-page document discusses characteristics of the sugarcane crop and pests affecting its production in Florida. http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi207
Compiled by : Marg Stewart
17
Twinflower
“ AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DR. AWAY’
Dyschoriste oblongifolia or
Apple pie spice mix:
twinflower, is a Florida native wildflower. It is a
½ t ground cinnamon,
short-lived perennial growing to 8-12 inches high. It blooms with light blue flow-
¼ t ground nutmeg, 1/8 t ground allspice,
ers from early May through June. The plant does well in pots and may be used for
1/8 t cardamom, mix and store.
color pots in the garden. While it tolerates extended dry periods, it is not salt tolerant. Plants are propagated by seed or by division. This plant is currently available at the Master Gardener nursery
Johnny Appleseed; John Chapman (1774-1845) introduced apples to large parts of the
at the Extension Annex. Attracts many
US and Ontario. He became a legend
pollinators, especially
in his own life due to his generosity
bees. Larval host plant for
and the importance of apples.
common buckeye (Junonia coenia) butterflies
Native Habitats: Sandhill,
Researched by : Lockey Buhrow
flatwoods, upland mixed forest. By Lee Vanderpool Photos : Lee Vanderpool
By H. S. Knapp - A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. (1862), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php? curid=16368208 18
BONSAI – WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO I GROW ONE? MASTER GARDENER LECTURE SERIES continues with a lively presentation by Okaloosa County Master Gardener, Lee Vanderpool, as he shares his passion for Bonsai. Bonsai is a gardening art form and collectors of Bonsai trees enjoy this hobby for the personal pleasure of helping to create and grow these miniature trees.
keep your bonsai indoors, or are you wondering if it would be better kept on your patio or out in the yard? How much sun does your bonsai need? What kind of soil should you use, what kind of fertilizer is best to use? Are there special tools for bonsai and where do you get those? What about those bonsai that you see for sale on the side of the road? Are they well priced and should you buy one? Lee will have answers to all these questions and a treasure trove of helpful hints to make your bonsai gardening a success. Lee’s introduction to bonsai was through the Hawaiian Bonsai Association in 1979. He joined the Fort Walton beach Bonsai Society, Inc., in 1985. Lee founded a study group for bonsai called Hama Matsu in 1989 and was the coordinator for that group until 2017. Lee belongs to the Bonsai Societies of Florida and received a lifetime achievement award from that organization in 2016. Two of Lee’s bonsai trees have been exhibited at Epcot in Disneyworld at the Japanese Pavilion. The lecture series is free and open to the public. The workshop is on Wednesday, July 18 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Extension Annex, located at 127 Hollywood Blvd, Fort Walton Beach. Please call 850 689-5850 to reserve your seat.
Japanese white pine from the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the United States National Arboretum.
Lee will start the program with a viewing of award winning bonsai and bonsai that are considered national treasures in the national bonsai collection in Washington DC. Following the power point presentation Lee will demonstrate how to create a bonsai from nursery stock. You’ll have your own list of questions about bonsai, regardless if you are just starting out, or an experienced bonsai gardener. Do you
Joyce Waters-Smith
Okaloosa County Master Gardeners – Publicity Chairperson 850 217-4888
19
A bit of Living History That Was Almost Lost
The SHELL APPLE By: Dan Mullins, Extension Horticulture Agent, Santa Rosa County
ples to the freight office in Brewton. They were shipped to northern markets and soon became known as “Shell Apples.” Mr. Shell also produced young trees of the Shell apple which sold readily. Within a few years, nearly every farm over a wide are had at least one tree producing fruit for family use. Soon after the turn of the century transportation improved fruits and other foods became more readily available at markets and the decline of homegrown fruit began. Old orchards died or were removed and backyard trees also declined or died. At one time there were 1,355 Southern apple varieties, each adapted to certain areas or even communities with the region and to date, only 231 have escaped extinction. The Shell Apple almost met that fate. Fortunately an old tree was found near Jay, Florida and the farmer allowed some cutting or scion wood to be taken. This selection has been perpetuated by grafting onto superior rootstocks over the past ten years. A recent report from an individual in Pace, Florida described two eight year old trees that yielded 8 to 10 five gallon bucketful's last year. The Shell Apple lives again!
It’s been said that very few kinds of apples will bear in the coastal South, but the Shell apple is a rare exception. This apple not only bears here, but was the basis of an apple industry long ago.
*References: Waters, Annie C. History of Escambia County Alabama
The history of the Shell apple began over 150 years ago in Escambia County, Alabama. Mr. Greenberry Shell was an enterprisBennett, David “Southern Apples Dying Out, Taking Part ing agriculturist who was born in 1840. He planted an apple orof Heritage chard near the intersection of highways 49 and 40, about 10 With Them” miles north of Brewton. This enterprise developed into business that gave the town its name– Appleton. Delta Farm Press, Friday, December 20, 1996, pp 6,7 The apple business had a large grading shed, complete with shipping barrels and a cider press. During harvest, Mr. Shell’s son, Andrew, made two trips per day by wagon to deliver the ap-
Eve: Eve ate the apple and we have had problems ever since. 20
Students at Shalimar Elementary
Field trip to the McMahon Environmental Center in Crestview
recently completed a unit on trees. They studied parts of a trees, photosynthesis and used a dichotomous key to identify trees by their leaves. They were then given an assignment to create a project incorporating what they had learned. Some of the projects included a skit demonstrating photosynthe-
Using a dichotomous key
sis, game boards using questions from the information, and posters to visually show knowledge gained. As a culminating activity we went to Crestview to the McMahon arboretum to identify trees. Sheila Dunning met us and assisted the students. Explaining parts of the tree: bark, phloem and xylem (cambium layer), tree rings
Demonstrating photosynthesis with the glucose molecule and release of oxygen
Learning about the formula for photosynthesis
Jennifer Yelverton and Dr. Lynda Penry, meet with the Shalimar Elementary Talented and Gifted (TAG) group twice a month during the school year. The students learn a variety of topics and must complete a project at the end of each unit. Jennifer Yelverton and Dr. Lynda Penry lead the lessons on campus. They completed a tree unit and in September will begin a unit on beneficial insects. 21
lot entrance onto the main road. FI-
tow truck driver? Such a sight. The
NALLY mash the brakes hard and get
beast is carted off to the shop.
stopped. Shifter not working at all. So now what? Turn off the car (dumb) and call into the office (bless the inventor of Later, stop at the shop and find out that cell phones) to get a hand pushing the
(a) it's my shifter cable (b) they don't
beast back to the parking spot.
make shifter cables for my car just repair kits and (c) they still have no idea
why the brakes wouldn't work. We shall Of course this happens on a day when I sum up the experience to say a few hunI might just have to change the title of
decide to dress up a bit. I can't take my
dred $$$ later, the shifter is fixed (the
foot off the brake until someone is
repair kit worked), the brakes work,
this article to 'Disasters of the Month.' I wedged behind the car. Picture two
and eventually I will have to admit that
sum up the month of June as "My
nicely dressed women, in sandals,
I really should get a new car. But not
ducks aren't in a row, in fact I have
pushing a car that now won't start and
yet--I like my car (and I REALLY like
squirrels and they're all drunk!" It be-
without power the steering is about like no car payments).
gan with my car. Drive to the office, go
trying to turn the Queen Mary. Another
to park, and the shifter just goes--
person exits the building after we get
smoosh. (technical term) The other in-
the car pushed back and we yell for a
On top of all that, my phone started act-
teresting event is that I realize the car is wheel chock. Luckily there was a handy ing possessed. You know it isn't good rolling backwards, slowly, inexorably
paver and once wedged...the beast was
when the phone guy actually backs
backwards. (for the record, the office
corralled. Then it's on to pressing a
away from the computer screen where
parking lot has a slight slope to it)
gazillion numbers to get someone on
he's plugged in your phone to try to cor-
Brakes are not working, emergency
the line from AAA. They send a tow
rect the problem. So, I got a new phone.
brake doesn't work and where I pulled
truck. Question of the moment: Can
It's a 'smart' phone. I'm not so sure
in I have a direct shot down the parking you still call it plumber butt when it's a
about the 'smart' part but I have one now. I'm pretty certain that the recent Photo: Margaret Stewart
22
deluges we've been dealing with are due to the phone. Sorry--I upset the universe with that
Barred owl
one. I've handed the thing off to so many peo-
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
fact I finally had to retire my 10 year old
ple for help--as in "How do you bloody answer this thing?" to "How do you turn this bloody thing off????"
Those were the two major things. I did kill my oven thermometer and had jelly that wouldn't gel (sometimes you just have to admit defeat).
Inquisitive owl on our pool cage. from Stevie Gerber
Tomato fruit worms moved into the garden and the melon vines have taken over. The mystery fruit was finally identified as an heirloom, vining zucchini and is now residing in
the form of zucchini bread in the freezer. Dilly
The barred owl (Strix varia), also known as northern barred owl or hoot owl, is a true owl native to eastern North America. Adults are large, and are brown to grey with barring on the chest.[2] Barred owls have expanded their range to the west coast of the United States and Canada, where they are considered invasive. [2] Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they are also found in open woodland areas.[2] Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, but they are also known to prey upon other small animals such as birds, reptiles, and amphibians.[3
beans will be done up this weekend and hopefully there's a bit of drier weather so I can tackle other chores without hip waders. Walter says hi. He guards the sweet peppers when they come into the house. Don't know what it is about those things but he can't resist nabbing them out of the basket and chasing them around the kitchen.
Marg Stewart
Owls of North America Field Guide Painting kate@katedolamore.com
kate@katedolamore.com 23