Show#27
Layering Tulips
Tulips provide a blast of color
in the Spring. What we want to do is plant them this time
of year. In many parts of the world Tulips are a Perennial,
meaning they come back year after year. Because of our warm
Summers in the South we treat them as Annuals. The metabolism
of the Tulip bulb is high. Because our Summers are hot the
bulb doesn't get a chance to rest and restore its' energy.
Usually after the first year they are short, stunted and
produce leaves but very few flowers. You could plant the
bulbs deeply or in a shady area, but again, it's better
in this climate to treat them as an Annual.
When buying Tulip bulbs, check the interior part. They should
have layers like an Onion and the center should be light
yellow to white. If they are brown they've been exposed
to heat and not good. Any Blue Mold on the bulbs is a bad
sign.
Today we are planting Tulip bulbs below a layer of Pansies
and Violas. These could be planted in a garden bed or container.
but we're using a container. Make sure you use at least
a 12" container. Fill about half way with a good potting
soil. Put in the Tulip bulbs, pointed side up and with the
flat side of the bulb against the container. You could place
them shoulder to shoulder, Dr. Rick allows a little space
between bulbs, planting around the outside edge and also
filling the middle of the pot. Think about the color of
the Tulips and how they will go with the Pansies. Now cover
with more potting soil and move on to the Pansies/Violas.
Place the Pansies so there is a lip around the top of the
planter. Don't compact the soil. Group them by color and
concentrate the plants at the edge of the pot. Point the
plants out at about a 45 degree angle, allowing them to
cascade over the side. Check the roots, don't cut them,
instead squeeze them, even pinch them allowing them to spread
out. They aren't heavy feeders, put in a slow release fertilizer
at the beginning and completely saturate with water. You
will have good looking plants all winter and in the spring
an explosion of color with the Tulips as well as the Pansies.
Trough Making With Helen Phillips
Everyone has a place
for a garden container. And many have been enamored with
old trough containers. Helen Phillips from Callaway Gardens
shows us how to make this unique planter. You can make them
in any shape, she uses an old plastic planter and a modified
Styrofoam cooler as a mold. Mix two parts sand, one part
Peat Moss, one part Portland cement and water. Make the
bottom 2 inches thick, the sides 1-1.5 inches thick. Use
dowels to make drainage holes, cover with plastic and let
sit for 24 hours. Then take a wire brush and rough up the
edges. Cover again with plastic and let it cure for one
month. Flush it liberally with water, then plant. Helen
uses full sun plants: Hens and Chicks, Thymus Minus and
Acorus Grass. This will be a beautiful, welcome addition
to any setting.
Callaway Gardens
Ivy In Trees
A viewer has sent us an email asking
is it a good thing to leave English Ivy in Trees? Simply
put, No! Ivy doesn't use the juice of the tree, what it
does do is climb the tree looking for sunshine. When it
gets to the top it shades out the lower limbs of the tree
and the tree can then lose those limbs. The best way to
control these vines is to cut them at the foot of the tree.
Then cut the vines back about a foot away from the tree
itself so they don't grow back rapidly. It isn't necessary
to pull the vines out of the trees, they will eventually
turn brown and die.
Thanks to all who have emailed us this year. We sincerely
appreciate your watching the show and hope the answers have
been helpful. TSG
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