Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Fall Y'all !




Happy Fall Ya'll

It's that time of year in the garden. The weather is cooling, the plants are setting buds and seeds and there is much to be done. We are even getting some desperately needed rain! This has been an incredibly hot dry summer here on the coast. The tropical storms that we usually have early in the season didn't show up this year. I am not complaining though, I don't  ever  wish damage or destruction on anyone, but we sure needed the rain. The plants that are still alive are true survivors. ( note to self, plant more survivors for next year)
If you grow Camellia Sasanqua, or Camellia Japonica, now is the time to collect seeds. The pods are beginning to split and drop their seeds and these are best planted immediately. Try planting some as you would winter sow other seeds and see what surprises you get in the spring. It will take 3-5 years from seed to bloom, but you never know what you get may just be a beautiful new variety.
Propagation done now is also ideal. Things that you root now have a better chance of getting established without the stresses of heat and longer day times.
Try cutting some of your flowering shrubs and sticking  them in a forsythe pot. See this post..
I am also trying some cuttings in a propagator and some in water. I read an interesting article the other day about rooting clematis in water. Needless to say...

                            I FEEL AN EXPERIMENT COMING ON!
Have a great weekend, get outside and enjoy a fabulous fall!