Flower Power Garden Hour

Got pests? In this episode I cover the most problematic pests (and their damage) that are attacking your vegetables as well as your ornamental plants. I’ll go over the safest and most organic methods of controlling them and why it is important to not aim for zero pests. Learn what my new favorite control for powdery mildew is, what I used to eradicate whiteflies from my squash, and what the newest “it” pest has been.

Listener question episode. Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week, including: • Rose bushes – what is the white film on them & how to treat. Also – many small leaves growing in a cluster….disease/issue? • Sunflowers – timing to plant seeds • Cymbidium orchid – not flowering….should it be separated • Cherry tomatoes – as they grow, should they be transplanted numerous times to larger containers • Possum feces – harmful in a vegetable raise

One of my most popular annual shows – what I’m planting in summer vegetable garden. I like to mix it up year to year, but cover the varieties of tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, beans, cucumbers, melons, corn and eggplant I’m planting this season. I list out in the episode notes the names of each, and the places I like to buy seeds from. I purchase most all of my tomato seeds from Wild Boar Farms. Most of my other seeds I get from either Baker Creek, Select Seeds, or Territorial Seeds.

Gardening is a great pastime while practicing social distancing. However…gardening can be so much more. Every aspect comes with a lesson in science, art and patience. For those at home with children, if you choose to every gardening project can be turned into a deeper scientific lesson; alternatively it can be a therapeutic retreat in these stressful, uncertain times. We talk about some of my favorite projects that can be done with kids

There are plenty of money saving garden hacks floating around, but many are gimmicks & not economically savvy or realistic. For instance, starting veggies from kitchen scraps - you may get a few wimpy stalks from your sprouted celery, but to me this is a pie-in-the-sky gimmick. Others are very functional, such as making your own soap spray to kill off pests, seed collecting & making your own compost. Here are some that I use for both fiduciary responsibility & the simple fact that they actually work.

Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. It’s a grab bag of topics this time, including: • Jade plant – yellowing leaves…overwatering? • Portulacaria afra – durability? • Rose bushes – should leaves be thinned • Plumeria & gardenia – recommendations for success • Leaf curl on citrus • African violets – 2 growing in one pot…separate

This is the second part of my “Growing Roses” series. I sit down and talk to two consulting Rosarians -- Judy Frederick and Charlotte Owendyk -- who give their expert advice on growing spectacular roses. They simplify growing techniques and even bust one of the oldest rose myths out there. We cover when/how to prune, pest and diseases, their favorite fragrant roses and more. They even tell you when to shovel prune!

Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week – mixed bag of questions. • Lilac bush – how to trim • Japanese Maple – soil too wet….solutions? • Woodpecker damage • Aloe – how to propagate • Rick Rack plant – how to get to bloom • Gardenia – also how to make bloom

Mike Allarea (VP Cultivation) of Fireworx Farms discusses methodology for growing Cannabis. In the industry for years, Mike has a proven formula to provide top quality product to their dispensaries. Amongst other things, we discuss beneficial insects, grow lights & container method he has had most success with. • Lights: Gavita HID • Rooting Hormone: Clonex • Rockwool cubes: Grodan Hugo Blocks ( 1” and 6”) • Water Sensors: Grodan GroSens Multisensor • Fertilizer/Beneficials: Shalepeakhor

Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. Topics this week include: • Dwarf Lime tree – growing indoors, but not fruiting • Birds of Paradise – best way to prune/control growth • Hibiscus – method to prune to ensure fuller growth next season • Amaryllis – how to treat after blooms disappear • Peach Leaf curl – timing of liquid copper spray application • Dragon fruit – what are the long white things growing off it

What do you do when you inherit several decades-old bonsai? For my guest it was easy… become a bonsai grower yourself. Now over 10 years in, those inherited bonsai (some as old as 50) are thriving…in addition to many more Jimmy Jet Black has added. In this episode I talk to Jimmy about the fundamentals of bonsai and what his tips and tricks are including: • What are the easiest plants to start with • What is the best soil to use • How exactly do you grow bonsai with its roots exposed

Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week. It’s a grab bag of topics this time, including: • Hydrangea – did not flower…why? • Lemon tree – plant producing fruit, but appears sick…is it? • Tomatoes – late season, still producing, but not ripening • Irises – time of year to transfer? • Christmas Cactus – care during winter months • Oranges – splitting and molding….why?

Hoyas produce some of the most beautiful flowers, and the fact they can do so as a houseplant is a win-win. I sit down with the owner of Flori-Culture nursery, Jonathan Robbins, and we discuss the care and cultivation of Hoyas and other not-as-common houseplants. Included in this are the epiphytic cacti Rhipsalis, Dischidias and even the much sought after Selenicereus wittii. Learn Jonathan’s propagation tips, soil recommendations and watering techniques

Marlene answers a variety of listener submitted questions this week -- grab bag of questions. • Persimmon tree. Best time of year to buy/plant? Seed or bare root? • African Daisies – starting to die….advice? • Purple potatoes – can you let them grow over the winter? • Lemon tree. How to propagate….seed or cutting? • Jade plant. Severe damage due to freezing…can it be saved? • Gnats &/or chewing insects – how to get rid of • Timing of liquid copper spray

Poisons, spines, secondary metabolites…plants have numerous ways of ensuring they are protected & dispersed. I sit down with botanist Jonathon Holguin to discuss our favorite ways plants protect/disperse themselves. Why does Stevia taste sweet, what are the compounds in stinging nettle, what happens when you get Euphorbia sap in your eye, & many more? Some of these defenses we encounter often while hiking, & others we hope to never experience -- such as Giant cow parsnip or Monkshood poisoning.