Finally We Have Snow

Tundra Swan
February 22, 2010

We have had such a mild, precipitation winter this year that I have been extremely concerned as to what this will mean to our local farmers and home gardeners. Despite getting little more than a light flurry with no accumulation between November 2009 and January 2010, February gave a bit of home with now the second of two snow storms consisting of good accumulation. This is a good thing as we need the snow for spring runoff and proper moisture content for spring planting. I'm quite happy with this turn of events!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Changing Times

Change is part of every gardener's life. At the moment many of us are dealing with changing climate issues that are changing the way we garden. This year may prove to be more change for us than we originally planned. If all goes according to plan I will be setting up 2 home gardens in 2 very different growing zones. I don't want to say a lot until I am sure but rest assure I will be posting on this as details unravel. This has all come to light as of last Friday so it is even hard for me to fanthom but when the dust is settled and providing things go according to plan you are seriously going to be amazed at this gardening turn of events. Stay tuned and I will be adding updates as so as I get them. In the meantime I am starting seeds indoors so will post more on that as well.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Tropical Canopy

tropic canopy
Tropical Canopy
January 23, 2010

This is the last post on our visit to the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I hope you have enjoyed walking through the domes with us. If you have the opportunity to visit this wonderful conservatory I hope enjoy it as much as we did. There are so many amazing plants to see and don't forget to look up. The domes themselves are quite impressive lending themselves for interesting photo opportunities.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Corpse Flower

Corpse Flower
(Amorphophallus titanum)
January 23, 2010

The Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum) gets it name from the distinctive odor of the inflorescence that resembles rotting flesh. It has an unbranched inflorescence that can reach over 3 metres in diameter. The inflrescence contains a male and female flower. The female flower opens first followed a couple of days later by the male flower to prevent self pollination. The fragrant spalix of flowers are wrapped by a splathe that resembles a single flower petal. The corpse flower is native to the equatorial forests of Sumatra, Indonesia.

We visited the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Dome) missing the corpse flower in bloom by only a few days. I was quite disappointed as how many chances to you get to see such an amazing plant in bloom?

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

More Images from the Tropical Dome

The tropical dome at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was simply delightful. I could have stayed there for hours soaking in the warmth and beauty of the many tropical plants and trees. One question arises as to the difference between a greenhouse and a conservatory. The first difference is the layout. Most greenhouses are designed so plants are in pots sitting on specially designed tables whereas a conservatory is set up as an indoor garden oasis complete with water features that may or may not include fish. They often do though as fish are an important part of the ecosystem. Benches and other sitting spots are common in conservatories whereas greenhouses are meant mainly as organized aisles of plants. Both are concerned with the propagation of plants but conservatories specialize in rarer and harder to grow plants. Conservatories became popular during the Victorian era.

Orchid

Isn't this orchid just gorgeous? Unfortunately I did not write down the name of it and the picture didn't capture the tag. I rely heavily on my camera to capture not only the plant but the tag in this type of situation so must have been distracted to miss the tag.

I checked the Tropical Dome Plant Inventory online to identify this beauty. I think this is Phalaenopsis Jungle Gem X Golden Buddha Red Star a member of the Orchidaceae family if I have identified correctly. If I am wrong I hope someone will correct me. I'll email the conservatory to confirm my identification.

Banana Tree

Some of my most pleasurable moments have been spent in conservatories and greenhouses. They just have a wonderful peacefulness about them. I can remember sitting quietly in the university conservatory that surprisingly doesn't see a lot of traffic despite being gorgeous. It was one of my favourite hide-outs to spend a bit of free time during the winter months. There was a banana tree in there that just fascinated me so this banana tree brought back some lovely memories. Notice how the bananas grow upside down. One would think the hang downward so even this is quite interesting. I love the huge banana leaves.

What is interesting is a banana tree is not a tree at all but actually the world's largest herb! Most banana trees are hardy to USDA hardiness Zones 9 - 10 but Musa basjoo may survive outside as low as Zone 5 if well mulched. We are in Canadian hardiness Zone 6A so I am looking for this particular variety of banana for my garden. Smaller varieties make good houseplants as well so that is another option.

Golden Shrimp

The Golden Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea) is a small shrub native to Peru that reaches a height of about 3 feet. It grows best in full sun with medium humidity as a houseplant or in the greenhouse. Mist the leave regularly to ensure proper humidity or use a stone humidity tray. The golden shrimp plant can be grown as a landscaping plant in tropical areas. This plant is prone to mealy bugs so always inspect any new plant and isolate it for a couple of weeks before introducing it to your other houseplants. This plant can easily be propagated via cuttings. Year round blooming can be encouraged by removing dead brads and trimming the plant a third way back to encourage new growth.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Tropical Dome at The Mitchell Park Conservatory

If you have been following this blog you will know that I have highlighting our visit to the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The last dome we visited was the tropical dome. Unlike the show and desert domes, the tropical dome was blissfully warm and humid. It was wonderful walking through enjoying the sights and sounds. Many tropical plants make wonderful houseplants where the growing conditions can be controled. I'm always drawn to the plants that I can't easily grow at home indoors or outdoors.

Zebra Plant

The Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is a woody shrub native to Brazil. It is named for the white veins on the dark waxy green leaves. The zebra plant became a houseplant during the Victorian era when growing tropical plants indoors became popular. When used as a flowering houseplant it grows well in moderate to bright filtered light. It does best with higher humidity so either mist regularly or place on a rock humidity tray. The plant has a lovely yellow spike when in bloom as pictured but it can sometimes be difficult to get to bloom as a houseplant. The flower will last for several weeks.

Grapefruit

I love citrus trees! At one time years ago I had a small ornamental citrus tree as a houseplant. We've visited Florida several times. The citrus groves are amazing to see but even better but seeing citrus trees growing in backyards is just pure envy. I would have a field day!

I really liked that the conservatory had several temporary signs to draw attention to various plants in bloom or setting fruit so you wouldn't miss them. Looking up the grapefruit tree sure enough there were several nice sized but green grapefruits. Aren't they gorgeous?

Neem

The Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) is a fast growing evergreen native to India. It certainly earns its reputation for being nature's drugstore. Products of neem tree are widely used in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurvedic)and have proven medicinal properties including being anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fertility, and sedative. Neem oil is pressed from the fruit and stems of the Neem Tree. It is used for cosmetics and skin care as well as being an effective mosquito repellent. Neem gum is used as a bulking agent and for diabetic foods.

Carob Tree

The Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua) is native to the Mediterranean that grows well in dry climates. The bright, shinny unripened green seedpods are about 5-7 inches in length resembling green beans. They darken to almost pure black becoming somewhat withered when ripe. The edible seeds inside the pod can be eaten as is or ground to use as a chocolate substitute, flour, molasses and alcohol. The seed yield a tragacanth-like gum (manogalactan), called Tragasol an important commercial stabilizer and thickener used in may food products including baked goods, ice cream, salad dressings, sauces, cheese, salami, bologna, canned meats and fish, jelly, and mustard. Once the gum is extracted the seed residue is made into a starch- and sugar-free flour of 60% protein content for diabetics.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

The Desert Dome Pond

Desert Dome Pond
January 23,2010

When it comes to deserts a lot of people don't think of ponds being part of the natural landscape however they are. The desert dome at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) had a lovely, peaceful small pond in the centre of the landscape. I could just imagine thirsty wildlife stopping briefly on their journey for a bit of refreshment.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

The Desert Dome Continued

As promised the desert dome in the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin conversation continues. Despite the temperature in the dome being close to the cold outdoor temperatures we spent a fair amount of time in the desert dome. There is just something about arid plants that appeal to me perhaps because they are just so exotic.

Graham's Sage

Graham's Sage (Salvia microphylla [in US Salvia grahamii]) is a low growing perennial, evergreen shrub indiginous to southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico. It is a member of the dead-nettle Lamiaceae family sometimes referred to as blackcurrent sage. There are numerous hybrids and cultivars since the 1990s because the plant easily hybridizes. It is favourved for conservatory cultivation due to its long flowering season of up to 9 months outside and all year indoors. The flowers are arranged in whorls, with a wide range of color (magenta, red, pink, rose) depending on the cultivar. Unfortunately the Graham's Sage was not in bloom during our visit.

Palms

I fell in love with palm trees our first visit to Las Vegas that lined the streets and graced most landscaping. That love was reinforced through a few trips to Florida but my gosh where I really started to appreciate them was in Key West. The palms waved in the wind making a rustling sound while providing cooling shade in the heat of the sun. In the evening hours the shadows created by the palms were amazing then at night listening to the rustling in the deep darkness it was easy to believe the local ghost stories. Perhaps the local ghosts were actually visiting us!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

More Pictures from the Desert Dome

Yesterday I posted on a bit on the desert dome at the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I took a fair number of pictures so will be sharing some of those with you over the next couple of days. Cacti can be grown successfully indoors in northern climates in a sunny window. It is amazing to see the variety of cacti available, some more suitable to growing indoors for the gardener than others.

Cleistocactus

A nice feature of conservatories is many of the plants are labeled with their common and scientific names. If this is a plant you are interested in trying your hand at growing then take a picture along with recording the tag information. This will help ensure you get exactly the plant you are looking for.

Cleisrocactus (Cleistocatus hyalacanthus) [note a typo on the card] is a columnar cactus that is hardy to USDA Zones 10 and 11. This tall, fuzzy cactus grows to 4 - feet in height with small pink or pale red diurnal flowers about 1.6 - inches long.

Welwitschia

Welwitschia (front bottom) is a low sprawling, sideways growing plant that grows from a short, thick, woody trunk. Two leaves continuously grow from their base for the entire lifespan (1,000 years or more) of the plant. These leaves split to form several strap-shaped sections disguising their origin. Welwitchia has a long, thick taproot.

Variegated Elephants Bush (Portulacaria afra variegata), just behind the Welwitschia is a small branching succulent shrub. It resembles a small variegated jade plant. This plant can make a fabulous indoor or outdoor container plant. If growing outdoor it is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 10. Indoors treat as would other succulents such as jade. Be careful to not overwater. Variegated Elephants Bush has tiny pink blooms but these are seldom seen under cultivation.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

Moving On To the Desert Dome

Living in Ontario, Canada I don't have a lot of experience with cacti other than the few I grow on my windowsill. My little cacti seedlings are coming along nicely and while they are about double in size they sure take a long time to grow! I can fully appreciate how long it takes for a cactus to get to any appreciable size. Mine are now 3 years old and aren't even big enough to transplant. I'll have to remember to post an update :)

Most think of the desert as a hot, dry area and it it but it is surprising how very cold the desert can get! We've been in the Mojave Desert several times. While the temperatures can be stifling hot as high as 134ºF in Death Valley during the day the low can be as low as 8ºF at night. The Desert Dome of the Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes) was really on the cold side not much warmer if any than outdoors when we went through. Coats were a must!

Aloe Vera

I took a lot of pictures in the desert dome. Despite the cold it was quite enjoyable. Understated yet rustic accents like a cattle sculls were scattered randomly throughout the dome. Once again the dome was set up with plants bordering the perimeter of the dome with a well planted central region containing a small pond and a meandering path with benches to sit and enjoy.

I immediately recognized the aloe vera plant in the lower left corner. Aloe vera is a must have plant in any home. It is low maintenance with healing benefits especially for kitchen cuts and burns. I love the natural looking landscape showing this wonderful plant in its natural environment.

Golden Barrel Cactus

The Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is a Mexican native that is a protected species even though it is a popular cultivated species especially for houseplants but also in landscaping in suitable areas. This cactus lives to to be several hundred years old. The spines provide shade yet help catch rainfall directing it to the base of the plant. The accordion like folds expand and contract depending on the amount of rainfall the plant absorbs. One myth is the barrel cactus is a reservoir for fresh water but this is wrong even though moisture can be squeezed from the pulp.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010