Flower Power Garden Hour

Mutations happen, just ask the X-Men. Zane Moore, PhD student, wants to know why. Specifically, he wants to know possible long term ramifications – an effect known as Mutational Meltdown. Zane’s particular area of study are Albino Redwoods, mutant trees that lack chlorophyll. We discuss the possible evolutionary benefits of having no chlorophyll such as acting as a heavy metal sink, clonal populations & associated risk/rewards, & the rarity (?) of these trees. Zane Moore – the Professor X of Redw

A listener questions episode this week featuring: • Hydrangeas not blooming – why?? • Fungus on Squash • Lemon tree issues – dropping fruit • Plumeria not growing after transplant • Best indoor plants for low light workspace • Best flowers for a cutting garden • Apple Cider Vinegar for fertilizer?

All things Begonia this week. Paul Tsamtsis (lifetime Begonia expert) & Mike Tentis (lifetime gardener with more recent Begonia fetish) discuss a favorite undervalued flower - Begonias. Both are active members of the Sacramento Begonia Society, a chapter of the American Begonia Society. Topics discussed: •Different forms •Preferred soil types •Propagation techniques (leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, confetti, mop head) •Light exposure •Fertilizer types (Osmocote, bone meal, max sea) •Pests

Listener questions answered, ranging from protecting vegetable gardens from the summer heat, water strategy with regards to landscaping, causation & prevention of yellowing leaves, protection of plants from birds & insects, and how to best keep fuchsia flowers alive. Fertilizing and organic soil amendment technique and product choice is a common theme. Use these Q&A shows to help build your diagnostic capability to become a master gardener!

This episode covers many of the common vegetable garden problems Marlene gets asked about. She covers tomatoes, peppers, squash and more – spanning problems ranging from overwatering, over-fertilization, deficiencies, pollination issues resulting in lack of fruit set.

Jason Carter is a PhD candidate at UC Davis studying Pine Pitch Canker, which is a fungus responsible for mass death of Monterey Pines in California. As part of this, he is investigating specific fungus ability to tolerate grass defense compounds, and if there is a correlation to the capability this particular fungus has for resisting pine defenses.

We all know of common gardening hints and tips. Sometimes these are passed on through family generations, and sometimes they seem to pop up in the social media world. Some are based in solid principles, and some are based in logic that belongs deep in the sewer. This episode covers some of the more popular “garden myths” and whether they have any merit or are the fake news of the horticulture world. Lots of focus on vegetable and fruits.

Catch up week! Loads of listener questions this week, with topics ranging from fruit trees, vegetables, soil amendments and prep, to flower and shrub health in harsh summer conditions.

Following her grandfather/father, Gloria has grown the same lineage of peppers since 1920. Each year she starts 1,000 of these sweet peppers, giving away most. She then hand selects 100’s & to dry & harvest, furnishing seeds to grow from the next year. This pepper represents the history Spanish immigrants have with CA Agriculture. To chronicle, Gloria interviewed hundreds of families complying their stories into a book & documentary, An American Paella. Find Gloria's book at anamericanpaella.com

Taylor Lewis, UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery Manager, discusses water-wise, drought tolerant, CA native gardening. Removing a lawn can be back-breaking..Taylor shares his easy method for transforming a lawn into a water-wise garden. Also discussed: low water usage irrigation types/technique, ideal plants & flowers for water-wise gardening, Mediterranean gardening Search for the UC Davis "Arboretum All-Stars” list for high performing, low water usage plants. Past episodes found @ marlenesimon.net

A round of listener questions fills this episode, with a mixed focus on vegetables, pest control & flowers. Marlene answers questions regarding artichokes – how to keep healthy, pest free (or pest “controlled”) & how/when to harvest. On the floral front, Marlene tackles rose & lavender questions around care & specific variety blooming attributes. She dives into the unique Jericho rose – aka the Resurrection plant. Bonus -- hear about The Plant Lady’s unhealthy obsession with the My Favorite Murder

Orchidelerium anybody? During the Victorian era orchid fever took hold amongst the wealthy. While poaching of rare plants such as the Ghost Orchid still happens, the frenzy has subsided. Cloning orchids from meristematic tissue has made these once rare flowers now easy to find. In this episode Marlene & orchid exert Eric Cendejas touch upon the most commonly grown orchids & issues. What to do once Phalaenopsis stops blooming? When to divide Cymbidiums? These questions along with pest, disease & fertilizing

Listener questions are the focus of this episode, predominantly looking at flowers and succulents (with of course a dabble of tomato and vegetable gardening advice). Also, a discussion takes Marlene down the path of nurseries that sell PAINTED plants. Store deceit or wishful thinking of the budding gardener…..you decide. This week’s questions include cactus, poinsettias, hydrangea health and how to attract the insects you want (bees & butterflies).

This episode is a deep dive into tomato planting – how to set your spring/summer vegetable garden up for success.  First half of the episode focuses on the tactical aspects…when to plant, what & where to plant (containers vs native soil), soil amendments (fertilizer & compost), pruning & training, & varieties (ie heirloom, roma, cherry).  Second half of the show turns attention to the most common questions – diagnosis & treatment of diseases, pest infestation & environmentally controlled health prob

You say potato…Horticulturalists say Solanum tuberosum. This week Marlene delves into vegetable gardening discussing potato planting…the do’s & don’ts. In addition she will be answering your listener submitted garden questions. Questions include suckers, mites, hummingbird plants, rose leaf spot, planting garlic, bareroot trees, what is “organic”…. and she introduces Beetlegoat! To ask questions for future shows, submit at Flower Power Garden Hour FB page, The Plant Lady FB page, or Instag