HOUSE PLANT SALE & : \ xq BULBS FOR INDOOR FORCING Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. TEA ROOM Sun. Noon - 6 p.m.
l Winter Bouquet Workshop by Garden Club ofToronto
CHRISTMAS WITH MILNE HOUSE I 1, Tree Decorations and Christmas Gifts Galore e ha3e? And our own CHRISTMAS GREENS & SPARKLE Door Swags and Wreaths and Do-it-yourself Decoration kits N | Admission: Adults $1.00, Seniors and Children (under 12) 50¢
MESSAGE TO MEMBERS
by Gordon D. Wick, Executive Director
Judging Seminars Delayed
Unfortunately, we have not been able to finalize the details for the proposed Judging Seminar series I spoke of in the last Trellis. We have, therefore, had to delay the start of this course to the new year. I hope we will be able to line up a full compliment of specialists who can work into our available schedule of dates.
Edwards Memorial Lecture
Once again this year, our response was exceptional with over 460 people attending. We had started by setting up 420 chairs and at the last moment added about 40 more. I do want to recognize the outstanding work of our many volunteers who helped prepare for the evening: Our members night program committee of Rae Fowler, Hazel Lyonde and Brian Bixley enlisted the help of many other members to make for a delightful evening. A particularly fine cathedral type floral design made the focal point of the stage in the Floral Hall. Congratulations to Joan Pratt, who was assisted in preparing the design by Helen Skinner and Dodie Wesley. Ella Irving, Pearl Wilby and Lillian Holmes prepared the many arrangements which decorated the lobby, the Garden Hall, the link and the shop and library.
.To all our members who helped serve tea, direct those attending, take coats, clear dishes and man the shop our sincere thanks.
CNE BOOTH
Our CGC exhibit at the CNE has brought us excellent public comment. I certainly want to thank the many volunteers who manned the booth for 18 out of the 21 days of the Ex. We were able to make our exhibit self sufficient enough to be left unmanned for the evening hours and we worked in two shifts 10 - 2 pm and
2 to 6 pm except for 3 or 4 days when we had evening volunteers or when staff felt the booth was too busy to leave.
My own hours of duty went very quickly indeed with a very wide variety of questions being asked and widespread interest being shown in our fall course list as well as the 15 or so cultural leaflets we have published in the Growing and Creating series.
Many of our volunteers brought back direct reports and encouragement to myself or Dorothy Whiteman and their feedback is much appreciated.
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT NEEDS
As pleased as I am with our outstanding volunteer participation during the CNE, I feel compelled to issue an urgent request for volunteers who can be called upon for evenings and occasionally weekends. As you know, we are heading towards one of our main fund raising events of the year, Cornucopia Nov. 2, 3, 4th. We need help in a great many areas both NOW preparing Kkits and items for Xmas Greens and Sparkles and during the set-up days and the actual sale dates. We have consistantly had the most trouble filling our evening slots. What can you do? Many areas need helpersticket sellers; roving security; plant sales booth personel; help in preparation serving and cleanup in the Tea Room; maintaining the plants for sale and our displays of plants; demonstrations and sales help at the greens and sparkles booth; extra personel to man the phones, the library and the Trellis shop (packaging, filling shelves, wrapping and bagging purchases, cleaning shelves, neatening displays); helping erect and dismantle displays.
On an ongoing basis we need people with a flair for display to come up with ideas for and carry out production of inexpensive seasonal lobby displays for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines day, Easter, etc.
Oct.7
9
The CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
1984 PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
S. Ontario Orchid Society meeting - 1 to 5 p.m. Doug Kennedy speaking on Paphiopedilum hybrids
Gesneriad Society QPEN HOUSE - Flowering plant exhibit 2 - 4 pm
Toronto Bonsai Soc. meeting 8 p.m. Demonstration by Maggie Snell
N. Toronto Hort. Soc. meeting 8:15 pm - Monte Watler on Gesneriads
New members welcome
Botanical Drawing & Painting - 7 week course starts 10 am to 2 pm
17 MEMBERS NIGHT 7:30 p.m. Speaker Ray Desmond, Deputy Director of India Office Library, London on Development of the Gardens of India
22 Can. Rose Society SALE of New Rose Varieties & Perennials
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
22 Driftwood course - one day only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
24 Beginners Corsage course - one day only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
27 Green Thumbs (Junior Garden Club) 9:30 am to noon
27 CANADIAN CHRYSANTHEMUM LATE SHOW 1 -6 p.m.
28 i v 10 am to 3:30 p.m.
31 Hobby Greenhouse meeting 8 p.m.
Nov. 2,3 AUTUMN CORNUCOPIA Open to public 10- 6 p.m. 4 it i 12-6 p.m.
6 Mens Garden Club meeting 8 p.m. Speaker Keith Squires - subject Alpines, Rock Garden Plants
7,8,9 York Hentage Quilters Guild- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
10 i 2 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bus groups welcome
10 Green Thumbs (Junior Garden Club) 9:30 am to noon
11 Gesneriad Society regular meeting 2 - 4 p.m. speaker will be Beresford Watt from Green Cross on Pesticides - All welcome
11 S. Ontario Orchid Society meeting 1 - 5 p.m. Guest speaker will be Alex Bristow, Pres. of British Orchid Society of Great Britain
12 Miniature workshop - one day from 10 am to 3 pm
12 Toronto Bonsai Society meeting 8 p.m.
13 North Toronto Hort. Soc. meeting 8:15 p.m. Prize and Party Night
18 York Rose Society meeting 2 - 4 p.m.
24 Ikebana International Show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
28 Hobby Greenhouse meeting 8 p.m.
29 MEMBERS NIGHT - 7:30 p.m. slide presentation by Brian Bixley entitled A Country Garden
Art at the Centre
In the Link Gallery:
Sept. 28 - Oct. 11 - Willowdale Group of Artists
Oct. 12 - 30 - Jackqueline O Hora Watercolours, pen and ink
Nov. 12 - 26 - Janet Waterhouse Watercolours and silver point Landscape and flowers
Nov. 27 - Dec. 23 - Brian Bixley
Photographic exhibit titled A Country Garden
COURSES STARTING IN OCTOBER
Oct. 9 Journey Into China 4 week lectures on Tuesday morning 10 am to 12 noon Chinese Tea will be available at these lectures
Oct. 9 Botanical Drawing & Painting FILLED
Names being taken for next course in 1985
Oct. 11 Intermediate Sogetsu
Japanese Flower Arranging 6 week course starts at 1:30 Must have taken the Basic Sogetsu last June
Oct. 22
Driftwood one day workshop from 10 to 3 pm - A new workshop to learn how to finish your driftwood you collected this summer
Oct. 24 Beginners Corsage Workshop one day workshop from 10 to 3 pm - Nice to know how to make corsages at Xmas time
YORK HERITAGE QUILTERS GUILD presents
A CELEBRATION OF QUILTS on NOV.7,8,9 10 am. to 9 p.m. NOV. 10 10 am. to 4 p.m. ADULTS $3.00 SENIORS §$2.50 Bus groups welcome
%
Specializes in dried and silk flower arrangements.
Arrangements for sale in The Trellis Shop or
Come to the Centre Mon. or Tues. 9.30to 2 p.m.
Bring your favourite container or try one of ours, and give us your colour scheme and size requirements. P e
FALL HOURS
from Sept. 4th to Nov. 11th
Trellis Shop and Library Mon. to Fri. 9:30 - 5 pm Sat.Sun 12-5
WINTER HOURS
from Nov. 11th to April 30th
Trellis Shop and Library Mon. to Fri. 9:30 - 4 pm,Sat.,Sun.124
General Information
Volume 11, No. 8 ISSN 0380-1470
Executive Director: Gordon D. Wick
Advertising: G. D. Wick (416) 445-1552
Printed by Munns Press Ltd., Whitby, Ont.
Trellis is published ten times per year as a member s newsletter, by the Civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Ave. East, Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2 Telephone (416)445-1552
The Centre is located in Edwards Gardens, at Leslie St. and Lawrence Avenue East, at the geographical centre of Metropolitan Toronto. It is a non-profit, volunteer based, gardening and floral arts information organization with open membership. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre.
Trellis Shop
LIST OF BOOKS NOW IN STOCK IN OUR BOOKSHOP
1. Bonsai Techniques II by John Y. Naka $ 37.95
2. The Colour Dictionary of Flowers and Plants for Home and Garden by Roy Hay and Patrick M. Synge 18.95
3. Diseases and Pests of Ornamental Plants 5th Edition by Pascal P. Pirone
Thomas D. Church Gardens Are For People
Garden Ornament by Gertrude Jekyll A Giant Among The Dwarfs - The Mystery of Sargent s Weeping Hemlock by Peter Del Tredici
7. The John Tradescants - Gardeners To The Rose and Lily Queen
8. The Japanese Art of Miniature Trees and Landscapes by Y. Yoshimura and G. M. Halford
9. Native Trees of Canada by R. C. Hosie
16. Pruning Simplified by Lewis Hill
11. Pulbrook and Gould s Flowers for Special Occasions
12. The Use and Significance of Pesticides in the Environment by F. L. McEwen and G. R. Stephenson
13. Landscape Architecture by John Ormsbee Simmonds
14. Shrubs of Ontario by James H. Sopher and Margeret L. Heimburger
15. Perennial Garden Plants or The Modern Florilegium by Graham Stuart Thomas
16. Orchids in Colour by Brian and Wilma Rittershausen
17. Orchids as Indoor Plants by Brian and Wilma Rittershausen
18. The Colourful World of African Violets by A.G.W. Simpson
19. Ikebana A New Illustrated Guide to Mastery by Wafu Teshigahara
20. Landscape Plants for Eastern North America by Harrison L. Flint
The Book Department also carries a large selection of Brooklyn Botanic Garden handbooks, Garden Way Bulletins, H. P., Ortho and Sunset gardening books.
SOUTHERN ONTARIO UNIT
of the HERB SOCIETY OF AMERICA is having a sale of Herb Specialties NOV. 13th 2-4:30 p.m. at Lawrence Park Church
AUTUMN CORNUCOPIA
The Civic Garden Centre s main fund raising event of this year, Cornucopia, will take place on the first week-end of November. It will be open to the public on November 2nd and 3rd from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on November 4th from 12 - 6 p.m.
Volunteers will be needed for ticket sales, tearoom duties, demonstrations, etc. etc. Please help!!
If you can give some time to Cornucopia phone Dorothy Whiteman at the Centre 445-1552, or Gerda Ferrington at home 231-0362.
BOOK REVIEW
by Don McLaren (Board member)
The Low Maintenance Garden by
Graham Rose
Published in Cooperation with the New York Botanical Garden Institute of Urban Horticulture
This book is dedicated to the idea of having much less mowing, weeding, staking, tying up, pruning, plantingout and dividing . Every builder who sells a new house, with unfinished landscaping, should give a copy of it to the young couple who have made the purchase, to get them on the right track. Every couple or person wishing to develop or re-develop a garden, and not wanting to become its slave, will find the book full of useful and inspiring information.
The chapter headings tell the story: Creating a low maintenance garden; Minimum care plants; Labour saving designs; Low maintenance techniques.
The first chapter discusses not just dry principles, but ways of pleasing the eye and saving the back muscles. For example, the author talks about how to use perspective tricks, reducing areas of lawn by planting groundcover, using evergreen shrubs (they are less subject to pests and diseases and virtually take care of themselves), and the importance of considering the overall effect of the planting as well as the little payoff details.
The book is extremely well illustrated. Photographs of gardens and parts of gardens help to show all in colour what the author is talking about, in each section. In the chapter on Minimum Care Plants photographs and coloured illustrations are used, all very nicely done.
Available in our library and also for sale in the Bookstore cloth 335.00
SOILSINER COMPOSTER
Convert your garden and kitchen waste into FREE, nutritious compost in weeks.
Unique thermal construction and complete ventilation system ensure complete rapid decomposition. Two easy access doors to remove compost. Designed to be seen forconvenientbackdoorcomposting. Available at The Civic Garden Centre
WONDERLAND OF
BULBS
Send $1.00 for our new catalogues, refundable on first order.
The multitude of rare and interesting bulbs listed, over 700 varieties, many difficult to obtain elsewhere, will prove to be a revelation. By far the most complete bulb catalogue in Canada.
C. A. CRUICKSHANK LTD.
Since 1925
Canada' s Leading Bulb Specialists
1015 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto M4P 2M1 488-8292
MULTIPLYING YOUR
by George A. Elbert
There are numerous ways of carrying out vegetative and seed propagation, all of which have proved relatively satisfactory in practice. Here I will describe only one procedure in each category. This is because no complications are involved and the systems have proved effective in small scale production.
The methods work with all light gardening setups. The only limitation is temperature. If you maintain a low temperature garden you will have to provide heating so that you will have the 70 degree temperature which is required. Propagating boxes with electric heating cables are available, but most light gardeners will not face this problem. Any 2 tube fluorescent fixture will provide the necessary light.
PREPARATION FOR ALL VEGETATIVE CUTTINGS MATERIALS
A plastic bread box, the all clear kind, is best because there is a greater transparent surface. Bread boxes are domed and allow more room for growth. They are available from many variety stores. Second best are bread boxes with opaque bottom halves. Plastic storage boxes with clear tops can be bought in many sizes. They are all satisfactory for propagation. If you need to root only a few cuttings the container can also be quite small.
Vermiculite. Standard horticultural grade. Beware of products labelled as such but consisting of large flat scales which are greasy in texture. The vermiculite should consist largely of crisp, silvery cubes which are exfoliated and resemble an accordion.
PLANTS
Hormone Powder. Seradix or Rootone. Efficacy has not been proved but it does protect the wounded tip of a cutting and is a sort of insurance. The material is a powder which comes in jars.
PREPARATION OF THE PROPAGATING BOX
Fill the lower half of the box to a quarter inch from the rim with vermiculite. Add three quarters cup luke warm water. The vermiculite should be just moist to the touch not wet, and the box should contain absolutely no free water. With practice you will be able to mix the vermiculite with the water and use the box immediately. Beginners should add the stated amount of water and, after closing the box, allow it to stand overnight so that distribution of the moisture is even.
If there is any free water in the box after the wetting process, pour it off and allow the box to stand open until the medium has become just moist. It may appear to you to be too dry. This is not the case. Cuttings root best when the moisture is barely perceptible. This is the most important process in preparing for rooting cuttings. Some cuttings will root in wet medium but all cuttings will root in just moist medium. There is far less danger of rot and other causes of failure by adhering strictly to this procedure.
PLANTING AND CARE
Into the vermiculite, you plant cuttings of all kinds. Dip the lowest node and tip of the cutting in hormode powder, shake off the excess, poke a hole into the vermiculite and set the cutting in it deep enough so that the medium supports it. Cuttings can be placed almost touching each other at the base. Crowding does not interfere with rooting and saves space.
After planting is completed, cover the box, set within a foot of the lights and keep at a temperature of 70-75 F. If the temperature is higher the top of the box must be left slightly open and Y% a cup of water added every 3 weeks. cont.
MULTIPLYING YOUR PLANTS (cont.)
Leave the box undisturbed for one week. Then test rooting. If a tug on a cutting offers resistance it is probably rooted. Pull up the plant (the vermiculite is loose and will not break the roots). If the amount of root does not satisfy you it can be poked back again in the medium with no damage to it. If the root is sufficient the plant can be potted up in house plant mix.
Cuttings normally take anywhere from one to four weeks to root, rarely more under proper conditions. Some root rapidly, others slowly. Be patient with the slow ones.
As cuttings are removed from the box others can take their place. In this way the production of your box will be increased and you will have a continuous supply of young plants coming on. With three breadboxes I root approximately 150 cuttings per month without crowding. This involves all kinds of house plants.
Some cuttings which are potted up do not suffer from the change, others do. Those which show a tendency to wilt a few hours, or less, after planting, should be enclosed in a clear plastic bag until they recover. After recovery more air should be allowed to reach them each day until they are no longer dependent on the very high humidity of a closed space. The process should not take more than a week. Then the pots can take their places in the light garden along with other plants.
STEM CUTTINGS
Stem cuttings are taken from branching plants only. Plants with single stems are handled differently. Likewise, plants with little or no stem are unsuitable.
Where leaves join a branch there is always a ring which is called a node. Cuttings consist always of two or more nodes of which one is planted below
ground with the rest standing above. Any branch with two nodes or more can be used. Three nodes or more is best. But if the branch is long, support of excess leaves inhibits the development of roots. Whether to use three nodes or more depends on whether they are close or far apart. Also you have to consider the height of your box.
The branches to choose for cutting should be the outer ones, as young as possible. The more woody the branch, the more difficult the rooting.
The cut is made with a very sharp knife or scissors just below the node. If the branch is long and there are numerous nodes, then several cuttings, each consisting of at least two nodes, can be made. But always be careful to lay out the cuttings so that you are aware which end of the cutting is up. A piece of branch which is reversed (with the end toward the tip of the branch placed in the medium) will not root.
If there are leaves on the bottom node these should be clipped off very close to the branch. The bottom of the cutting is then dipped in hormone powder, the excess is shaken off, and the bottom node planted deep in the vermiculite with the leafy upper nodes exposed. After that follow directions for planting and care.
HEEL CUTTING
In some instances a branch may be very thick and paired leaves very large making it difficult to fit a standard cutting into the box. In this event, a half circle cut is made in the branch which starts just above the joint of the leaf and the branch (the node) and ends just below. This heel is then dusted with hormone powder and with a leaf planted just like other cuttings.
AN EXCEPTION STOLONS
Stolons are long suckers which are produced by some plants (Strawberry Geranium and Episcia, for instance) which can be handled in either of two ways. These stolons are usually without nodes, quite long and hanging and are tipped with a cluster of young leaves. Since their purpose is to extend the growing area of the plant they root very easily.
One way to handle them is by pinning. For this you require some standard hair pins. Set small pots filled with house plant mix around the parent plant close enough so that the tips of the stolons will reach the centers of each. Set the leaf cluster in the center of the pot and press a hair pin, with it s tines on either side of the lead, into the soil just behind the leaf cluster in such a way that the cluster is held firmly in the soil. Do this for the others. Water the pots regularly and the tips will soon root. Once rooted the hair pin can be removed and the young plant cut loose from its parent.
The other method is to treat the tip of the stolon like any other stem cutting. Just cut it loose allowing a half inch of stolon and set it in moist vermiculite in your propagating box.
LEAF CUTTINGS
Leaf cuttings are usually made with non-branching plants. There are exceptions, such as begonias, which can be handled in this way. But you will find that the leaves must be succulent or fleshy or hairy. Hard, thin leaves (fruit tree leaves are a good example) will not normally root.
African Violet leaves are most often used for propagation. Choose ones which are firm, unblemished and have a healthy look. Cut the stem of the leaf a half inch below the blade.
Dip the end in hormone powder, shake off the excess, & poke into the vermiculite until the bottom of the leaf is just above soil level.
An African Violet leaf roots itself rather rapidly but must be maintained for a longer period until young plants appear above ground. It is quite normal for the underground piece of stem to produce two or more separately rooted plants. When the above ground growth of leaves is well established the whole root and leaf are pulled out of the vermiculite. The young plants, which are rowed up the stem are carefully cut apart with scissors and potted up separately. It is not unusual for an African Violet leaf to be used over again the same manner and be productive.
A leaf cutting from a tuberous plant produces not only root but tuber, and the tuber usually appears before the root. Gloxinia, Sinningia and other tuberous plants can be propagated in this way. Whether the leaf has a petiole (stem) or not doesn t matter. Just cut it off where it joins with the branch, dip in hormone powder and plant in vermiculite.
Tuberous rooted leaf cuttings often take much longer to develop than fibrous rooted types. It may take a couple of months. The tip of the cutting in the vermiculite swells and becomes a small tuber which may or may not grow roots immediately. When a clearly recognizable tuber has developed, leaf and tuber can be potted up. S. Cindy is an example of a plant which develops quite a large tuber rather quickly and then nothing else happens for a long time. The problem is to get the tuber to start growing above ground. This is often accomplished by placing the pot in a plastic bag over heat. The reflector of a fluorescent fixture just over the ballast is a good place. This often stimulates growth.
MULTIPLYING YOUR PLANTS
LEAF CUTTINGS
(cont.)
Small Begonias having small leaves are handled in the usual way. The leaf is cut with a length of petiole and planted in vermiculite. Other methods have been developed for large leaf kinds. You can root such a leaf by simply cutting away all of the leaf except an inch of arc surrounding the stem. That will give you one cutting. But the rest can be cut in wedges, triangular in shape, pointed toward the center of the leaf and wide toward the margin. Each cut should contain a major vein of the leaf. The pointed tip is just slipped into the vermiculite to a depth of a half to an inch and should be left there till young plants show above ground. If even the wedge is too big and broad, it can be curled and planted that way, taking up less space.
SLIT ROOTINGS
This method can also be used for begonias but we do not recommend it for the beginner. It is however easy with a leaf like that of Chirita sinensis which is very large and leathery. The whole leaf is removed from the plant and slits made across the centervein every inch of its length. The slits should reach only part way to the edges of the leaf. The leaf is then laid bottomside down on the vermiculite after dusting with hormone powder. It may be necessary, so that contact be established, that it be pinned down with a couple of hair pins. Left in the propagating box, young plants, after several weeks, will wusually grow up through the slits.
WEDGE CUTTINGS
Streptocarpus leaves are another example of ones which are too long usually for normal handling. All that is necessary is to cut the leaf into wedges, the point facing down and the vein in the centre.
DIVISION
Plants which grow large, without stems; such as Streptocarpus, can be divided. This can also be done with
African Violets at times, but other methods are easier.
With a very sharp knife, a cluster of leaves which is relatively homogeneous is held in one hand while the knife is driven down into the wood of the plant in such a way as to remove as much root with it on that side as possible. The wounded parent plant also needs treatment in this case. The hole where the division has been removed should be left open and the wound dusted with hormone powder. The wound should be left exposed to the air for several days and then covered.
The cut section of the division should also be dusted with powder before planting in house plant mix and the area on that side left open below soil level for a few days. These precautions preserve parent and propagant from infection.
The method does have application to African Violets which have developed clusters of suckers. The procedure is the same. The suckers are cut loose with some wood and as much root as possible.
RHIZOMATOUS PLANTS
Some favorite gesneriads produce underground rhizomes rather freely. These are the scaly type which look like elongated pine cones.
When the plant has passed its prime it can be dug up, the soil shaken loose, and the cluster of rhizomes divided. Be careful to break the rhizomes off at the base. They are brittle and easily break into several pieces. Put them when dry into a plastic bag (so that you can watch them) and store until they show tip growth. Then they can be potted up producing new plants.
Our thanks for permission to republish this article prepared for the Indoor Light Gardening Society of America, Inc.
GARDENING NOTEBOOK
by Ruta Stancikas
OCTOBER
This is the month when Mother Nature puts on one of the greatest shows on earth. And it s free! A day trip to any of Ontario s provincial parks will be rewarded with a show of the most riotous colour vivid reds, purples; outrageous yellows and oranges.
In the gardener s calendar, October is also the month to clean-up Mother Nature s rubbish. Raking leaves, pruning out deadwood, clearing out the flower and vegetable garden seems hardly appealing, however it s been my experience when it comes to burning leaves there is never a shortage of younger help! And the delightfully pungent aroma of burning twigs and leaves more than compensates for my labour. Alas, due to the advent of air pollution control, urban dwellers will have to settle for bagging leaves or adding them to the compost heap.
GARDEN FLOWERS
Potted up cuttings of geraniums and bedding fibrous begonias will brighten up a sunny windowsill indoors or flower in the greenhouse. If you opt for bringing in entire pots of geraniums, remember to spray for bugs, then cut the stems down to within two inches of their base to encourage fresh new growth.
BULBS, CORMS & TUBERS
Now is the time to store tender bulbs. Gladioli are best lifted this month. You can dig the corms anytime after the foliage begins to yellow. Cut the foliage one inch above the corm, air dry to avoid mildew, clean and label cormlets then store, hung in onion mesh bags, in a cool, frost-free location.
Cannas, particularly the dwarf varieties are difficult to keep over winter. Since they are relatively inexpensive to buy, most gardeners consider them expendable. Should you decide to try to keep them, cut the tops off at ground level when frost has damaged the plants, dig the tubers and leave them for a few hours to dry out a bit. Bring them indoors to dry for several days, but not to the point of shrivelling. Pack them in vermiculite and store at 5 deg. C. Sprinkle the vermiculite with a little water if you notice signs of shrivelling during the winter.
When frost has damaged the tops of Dahlia plants they should be cut back four to six inches above ground level and dug carefully to avoid damage. Allow the tubers to dry off for a few hours then clean off as much soil as possible. Although many gardeners divide tubers in the fall, I find it is much easier to wait until spring when bud growth appears. Tubers should be stored in slightly dampened peat moss or vermiculite. Remember to check them occasionally and if you see signs of the tubers shrivelling, lightly sprinkle the packing material with water.
Remember, when digging and storing bulbs you must be selective and ruthless. Discard any bulbs showing signs of disease or injury. :
BULB FORCING
My biggest treat in the dead of winter is having my own miniature flowering spring garden indoors! For a splash of colour, bulbs such as dutch hyacinths, crocuses, tulips and paperwhite narcissi, to name a few, can be forced into early bloom. By starting bulb forcing in early October, you can expect flowering as early as December. Forcing is a method of tricking bulbs by simulating an artificial winter and spring. If you re interested in trying, you ll find the Centre carries a number of excellent how-to books on this subject.
VEGETABLES
Before the ground freezes, root crops such as beets and carrots should be dug and turnips lifted, taking care not to bruise them. Clear all other crops and dig the garden.
SHRUBS
Evergreen planting should be completed by the middle of this month. In the early autumn deciduous shrubs will benefit from a dressing superphosphate. You 'll enjoy an extended fall flowering of your roses if you encourage them with continued feeding and watering.
LAWN
Rake your lawn religiously. Heavy accumulation of leaves will smother it causing unsightly patches in the spring.
HOUSEPLANTS
Move your plants to positions where they ll get proper light and stop fertilizing blooming specimens as it s time for their winter rest. Raising the humidity level around them will help keep them healthy during home heating season. Throughout their sojourn indoors, houseplants will benefit from a weekly misting which should help avoid some of the disappointments associated with warm, dry rooms. It will also help to place a layer of pebbles or crushed stone on the bottom of plant dishes. Keep the water at a level that will allow the flowerpot to sit on the surface of the pebbles just above the water level.
Water allowed to reach the bottom of the pot will percolate up through the drainage hole causing soggy soil and result in one of the most common houseplant problems overwatering.
A humidifier in the home is another ideal way to raise the humidity to a level plants prefer.
PEACE GARDEN RECEIVES
Ruta Stancikas is a Toronto journalist.
LANDSCAPE ONTARIO
RICHARD ST. BARBE
BAKER AWARD
The City of Toronto has been awarded the Landscape Ontario Richard St. Barbe Baker Award for promoting world harmony through the use of plant material in the Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square. The Award, named after and granted in the spirit of the world-wide conservation efforts of Dr. Richard St. Barbe Baker, is presented by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association.
Mayor Art Eggleton accepted a brass plaque commemorating the award from L.O. President Doug Taylor, in a brief ceremony hosted by Art Drysdale. Mayor Eggleton planted a Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) in memory of Dr. St. Barbe Baker s lifelong efforts to reverse the dangerously accelerating decimation of the world s forests.
The Peace Garden, constructed during the summer of 1984 to celebrate Toronto s Sesquicentennial and express this city s desire for world peace, features symbolic representation of human shelter in the natural habitat, an eternal flame of peace and plant material from many regions of the world. His Holiness Pope John Paul II lit the eternal flame on September 14 with embers brought from a similar flame in Hiroshima, Japan. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will officially dedicate the Peace Garden on October 2.
Landscape Ontario members are also active in promoting public awareness of the global problem of decreasing forest oxygen centres, the effects of pollution and the benefits of plant material to all mankind.
Your Executive Director was pleased to receive an invitation to both the reception in the mayor s office and the award presentation and tree planting.
The City of Toronto s PEACE GARDEN in Nathan Phillips Square
Where Great Gardens
At your closest Sheridan Be 'n And Sheridan's nursery Garden Centre you will IN. stockis guaranteed for find the finest selection of nur- ~one full year. sery stock in Canada, including At Sheridan Garden Centres you more than 750 varieties of will also find qualified nursery- plants and trees grown on men who will be pleased to help Sheridan 's own farms. you in any way they can.
L3R 1LS
The Trellis Shop
As we promised you in last month s Trellis our buyers have spent their Summer months hunting for new and interesting gifts for our members and friends. The shop is chock full of moderately priced quality items for gift giving and your own homes. Among these you will find beautiful cache pots, including plastic lined fabric holders for your plants, in many colours.
For your tables we stock a complete line of the English Pimpernal place mats and coasters including the Buttercup pattern exclusive to us in Ontario, and the ever popular glass nagkin ring to hold a fresh posy for each of your dinner guests; $13.95 for a set of 4.
We care about your gardening problems. Come and see us at our unique Garden Centre and Greenhouses.
For the children and grandchildren we have colorful polyvinyl Paddington bear pinafore aprons with Paddingtons front on the front and back on the back! These are sized for nursery school and kindergarten aged children and have companion vinyl bags - each under $10.00.
Very new for flower arrangers is plastic backed natural moss in sheets for covering mechanics in fresh or dried arrangements no mess, no waste. We also carry a new oasis pack with suction backing for dramatic flower arrangements on mirrors and glass. You will find also in the shop a good selection of coloured marbles, pebbles, quartz stone included with our excellent selection of mechanics.
Our garden section includes a wide mixture of Spring Flowering bulbs and a new selection of small scale gardening tools. Warning the bulbs are disappearing quickly. The bulbs, as all our gifts are competitively priced and with your members discount are an excellent buy.
Please keep the Shop in mind for Christmas gifts and Christmas decorations all of which will be arriving soon. We look forward to your visits.
HISTORIC ENGLISH GARDENS
A 22-day tour of the gardens in England that have inspired, influenced and indeed created landscape art for four centuries. August 31 - September 21, 1985
Led by Dr. Douglas Chambers University of Toronto
Designed by: Sparks, Slater & Associates Travel 1 Gloucester St. No. 102, Toronto M4Y IL8
Contact: Clare Slater, 921.3138
POLEMONIUM
by Ernie Pope
The best known variety of this perennial family is Caeruleum, which grows about two and one half feet high with fernlike leaves, and clusters of dainty sky blue flowers. It can be grown from seed or division. However a much more attractive, but less well known, variety is Reptans. It is in the writer s opinion one of the most attractive of all garden perennials.
The reason it is only occasionally seen in modern gardens would appear to be because it does not produce viable seed, and as a result is not available in nurseries. The plant grows about 14 inches high and has handsome mauve blue flowers, that completely cover the top of the plant in mid May. It is exceedingly attractive, especially in the rockery. The plant is completely hardy and will grow in full sun or light shade. It can be
Mini Rose Nursery
Collector of Miniature Roses For list and map Write Florence Gahagan
P.O. Box 873, Guelph, Ont. NIH 6M6
increased through periodic division of the clumps. It grows in any good garden soil.
The only fault this plant has is that, shortly after blooming, the stems die down like oriental poppies. However in late August, a cluster of new leaves appear and remain through the winter.
This perennial can be purchased from the Country Squires Garden located on Steeles Avenue, 2 miles west of No. 10 highway.
Fall planting is recommended because of its spring blooming habit.
Growers and distributors of quality garden plants and craft products
Open 7days a week
S12139
CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE
President Mrs. Camilla Dalglish
1st Vice - President Mr. Donald McLaren
2nd Vice - President Mr. Brian Bixley
Secretary - Mr. Gordon D. Wick
Treasurer Mr. Donald G. McLaren
Board of Directors:
For 1984: Mrs. Camilla Dalglish, Mr. Colin Ferrington, Mrs. Mae Macmillan, Mr. Grant Ross, Mr. Fidenzio Salvatori, Mrs. Helen Skinner, Mr. Howard Stensson
For 1984 & 1985: Mr. Brian Bixley, Mr. Charles Coffey, Mrs. Rae Fowler, Mr. Peter Hand, Mrs. Hazel Lyonde, Ms. Nancy Mallett, Mr. Monte Watler
For 1984, 1985 & 1986: Mrs. Janeth Cooper, Mr. Art Drysdale, Mr. Albert M. Fisher Mrs. Sue Macaulay,Mr. Donald McLaren, Mr. Harold Wakefield,Mrs. Katie May McCarthy Mr. Robert G. Bundy
Receipts issued for tax deductions for all but the basic annual ! At the Civic Garden $10. members fee (Charitable Registration No. 022811-56-13) | Centre you ll be among
THE CIVIC GARDEN CENTRE, 777 LAWRENCE AVENUE EAST (at Leslie), Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1P2
Basic Annual membership $10.00
445-1552
Other Categories by annual subscription:
Sustaining Member Contributing Member Supporting Member
$35.00 or more
$50.00 or more
$100.00 or more
Donation to the Civic Garden Centre
I wish to become a member of the Civic Garden Centre in the category marked.
Enclosed ismy chequefor $........0 000made out to the Civic Garden Centre. Please send my Trellis Newsletter to the following:
Pastal -Code . do eeyPhone/.. i/.; 84/10
friends, people who share the same interests you do in gardening & horticultural things.
As a member, you enjoy free borrowing privileges from our Hort. Library s 5,000 books.
On regular priced merchandise over $2. you save 10% in our Shop.
You earn a discounted registration fee when enrolling in our classes.
Trellis newsletter will be mailed to you 10 times per year.
The Basic membership fee alone cannot meet our total operating costs. If you share our commitment to promoting horticulture, we ask you to consider other membership cate| gories, which include tax deductible donat| ions.
