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31
Blogs and Diaries / Re: Robert's and Jasmin's Garden Paradise
« Last post by Robert on February 13, 2025, 10:12:12 PM »


Stormy weather returned to our part of Northern California at the beginning of February. There have been a few pauses in the precipitation. This provided an opportunity to finish most of the winter pruning in the garden. The pruning might be finished, however the garden is a mess with most of the prunings still scattered under the fruit trees and maples. The soil is too soggy to deal with the weeds. For us, a messy late winter/early spring garden is just part of the yearly rhythm/cycle. With warmer and drier weather the garden will get cleaned up and put in order.



I have been training our Acer rubescens ‘Silver Cardinal’ in a niwaki-type style. I can’t say that I know what I am doing, however it is slowly taking shape and I am pleased with the results.



When our mature walnut tree was removed in early July 2024, the west side of our Acer rubescens became severely burned. At first I thought that this might be ugly, however now I have second thoughts and believe the burn scar could be turned into an asset. I hope the scar will eventually give the tree character, something like an ancient tree that has survived a lighting strike and other adversities. It will be interesting to see what develops over the years. Over the next few years I will grow pole beans, sunflowers, or Tithonia on the west side of the tree so the burning does not kill the remaining part of the tree trunk. This is a good excuse to grow some common plant species that I enjoy a great deal.

[Jasmin]:  Actually, we planted a couple of fruit trees to buffer the plants we did not move to the front.  The fruit trees we will espalier, to maximize our space and the shade screen they form.  Around each tree, we created water basins of the soil, to maximize water for the plants we desire, and to diminish weeds.  Seasonally within these basins we will plant various annuals, either early spring and spring-blooming California natives, and perhaps some sweet common violas.  Interspersed between the fruit trees, we will set the containers of pole beans, sunflowers, and Tithonia in alternating cycles for shade until the fruit trees grow a bit more.  I need no excuses.  The satisfaction of gardening isn’t all about challenging, difficult, and rare.  It is inclusion, for what does well, and what we enjoy.  Ultimately, if it does not bring us joy, if we do not deem it beautiful, then what is the point?



Our Aristolochia californica is in full bloom now. It is an early late winter bloomer.



Carex multicaulis is one of my favorite California native Carex species. This species remains reasonably small and has showy white flowers. It is a clumping species so I do not have to worry about it running all over the garden.  [Jasmin]: Grass skippers apparently enjoy it, as they do Tithonia.
32
Plants Wanted Or For Exchange / Re: Andean Tropaeolum species
« Last post by MarcR on February 13, 2025, 09:44:57 PM »
Hi Vinny,

I believe you are referrinf to Chileflora.  E-Mails will be answered if addressed to Michael@Chileflora, otherwise, he never sees them.
33
Plants Wanted Or For Exchange / Re: Looking for species hellebores
« Last post by Jeffnz on February 13, 2025, 07:38:45 PM »
Agree, with some species OP may not be an issue but not so with hellebores.
34
Seed Exchange / Re: SRGC Seed Exchange 2024-2025
« Last post by ashley on February 13, 2025, 06:20:39 PM »
... You will know that there are more and more problems each year with sending seed overseas. 

Sorry to hear that Richard. Your efforts, and those of the team, are greatly appreciated.
35
NARCISSUS / Re: NARCISSUS 2025
« Last post by Maggi Young on February 13, 2025, 06:13:42 PM »
Anne Wright beside her Farrer winning plant, photo by Julia Corden
36
Seed Exchange / Re: SRGC Seed Exchange 2024-2025
« Last post by Richard Green on February 13, 2025, 05:56:10 PM »
This is an update for our overseas members.  You will know that there are more and more problems each year with sending seed overseas.  Both Brexit and Phytosanitary certificate regulations have caused us some big problems.  Here is a summary by country or area:

European Union (including Switzerland and Northern Ireland, excluding Norway) - your seeds have been checked by the Scottish Government Seeds Inspectors in Edinburgh and they have provided Phytosanitary Certification to allow the seeds to be sent from the UK to your area/country. Unfortunately, this year it seems that allium seed is not allowed by the EU to be imported from UK into the EU, so sorry to those of you who ordered allium. These allium seeds have been removed from your orders, but it happened too late to add any replacement seeds.  The seed has left the UK and we have friendly members organised to ensure your seeds are delivered soon - so orders are being made up now. They should be mailed to you in the next two weeks.

Australia - the box of seeds for your orders has just reached Sydney (12 Feb). It may be inspected under Australian BICON rules, and should then be delivered shortly to our friendly member who is helping to ensure your seeds are separated and delivered correctly.  They will be distributed as soon as possible.

United States of America - your seeds were mailed to your chosen USDA APHIS Inspection Station three weeks ago. Unfortunately a number of envelopes were returned by the Royal Mail (in some cases twice). This was due to misunderstandings by the Post Office about Customs forms and other barcoded labels. These problems have now been resolved, and all envelopes mailed out, but some may be delayed this year.  It may explain the delays experienced by Eric and Marc (see previous posts).

Rest of World (including Canada, Norway, New Zealand etc) - your seeds were mailed three weeks ago, and we know that some have been delivered in Canada, China and New Zealand, so the rest should now be in your own country's postal system.

We hope this explains the position for your country, and that you can be patient for a little longer. Exporting seeds to you is now a big and major undertaking. Apologies for any delays which are now entirely out of our control.
37
NARCISSUS / Re: NARCISSUS 2025
« Last post by YT on February 13, 2025, 02:36:16 PM »
Congratulations on winning, annew ;D

Your winning medal proves not only your growing skills but outstanding breeding work with your life!
38
Seed Exchange / Re: SRGC Seed Exchange 2024-2025
« Last post by Eric NY on February 13, 2025, 01:16:21 PM »
Hi all,
I have already recieved 2 of the 3 packages I expect. First one arrived on Friday 2/7/25 and the second on Monday 2/10/25. The package on 2/10/25 was held up on Thursday by APHIS in Jamaica NY. I had wrong spieces listed on taxa list. They asked for updated permit. I went online and added the correct species to the permit, it took less than a half hour to submit the update and recieve new permit. I forwarded the permit to the inspector at end of work day on Thursday about 2:30pm. The seed arrived on Monday.
They took about 2 weeks to arrive, which is greatly reduced from last year. Last year they arrived in early March.
Thanks for everybody involved in making the exchange a success. Especially, Marc for being the donation contact in the US.
Eric Duma
39
Plants Wanted Or For Exchange / Re: Andean Tropaeolum species
« Last post by Vinny 123 on February 13, 2025, 08:26:26 AM »
Rather late on the scene, but two are offered by Chile Flora.

They are trustworthy but incredibly slow and never, ever, so far as I know, answer emails. Packet quantities are very generous and germination excellent. The main problem, apart from no contact, is the cost of shipping etc.
40
Plants Wanted Or For Exchange / Re: Looking for species hellebores
« Last post by Vinny 123 on February 13, 2025, 08:21:00 AM »
People who donate to seed exchanges can get overethusiastic in their description/claims.

Not infrequently data provided is for the parent plant, not the seed. This is particularly obvious if growing plants that carry the same identity/label but are from different sources.
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