Show#28
Fall Color
Dr. Rick gives us the technical
reasons for the beautiful fall leaf
colors. From Eastern U.S. to Canada, some parts of Western
U.S., Eastern Asia and S.W. Europe, these are the only places
in the world that get vivid leaf color. That is because
they have Broadleaf Deciduous forests. During Spring and
Summer leaves serve as factories where foods necessary for
plant growth are manufactured. At that point there is an
abundance of Chlorophyl (the substance that gives plants
their green color). Yellow and orange are present but masked
by the Chlorophyl. Leaves change colors because chemical
processes in the tree change as Summer turns to Winter.
In the Fall partly because of shorter days and cooler nights,
leaves stop their food making, the Chlorophyl breaks down,
the green color disappears and Yellow and Orange become
visible. This is what gives leaves their splendid Fall color.
Fall conditions that favor abundant color are warm days
and cool nights
with temperatures below 45 degrees. During warm sunny days
sugar is
made, if it is cool at night the metabolism of the plant
slows down.
This prevents the movement of sugar from the leaves resulting
in intense color. Color on the same tree may vary from year
to year depending upon the weather.
Visit To Saul's Nursery
Dr. Rick and Judy Knesel
visit this unique nursery. People are looking
for Fall plants in addition to Pansies. They want plants
that tolerate
cold weather, yet are colorful and unique. We see some beautiful
examples. Several plants discussed are: Yucca Filamentosa,
Garland Gold, Pinus Palustris, Long Leaf Pine, Cryptomeria
Japonica, Yellow Twig, Cryptomeria Japonica, Black Dragon,
Brassica Oleracea Nagoya, White Imperial, Cryptomeria Japonica,
Araucaroides, Chamaecyparis Octusa, Nana Gracili, Dwarf
Minoken Cupress, Rosmarinus Officinalis, Rosemary, Origanum
Vulgare, Golden Oregano.
Fall Flowers - Tartarian
Daisy and Joe Pye Weed
Dr. Rick shows us two plants that
do very well in the Fall. Tartarian Daisy. Most of the year
this looks like a weed. It is beautiful in the late Fall
and blooms from September through November. Its' blooms
are Lavender with a strong Yellow center. It is adaptable,
likes full sun or shade, thrives on plenty of moisture growing
to between 5 and 7 feet tall, if kept dry it is well behaved
and short. Joe Pye Weed. Dr. Rick specifically likes Eupatorium
Rugosum "Chocolate." It is filled with white or
cream colored clusters of flowers and has a chocolate stem.
It loves full sun, tolerates some shade and needs a well
drained soil.
Planting Fall Fescue
Grass
Fall is the best time to seed Fescue. We show you how. First
mow the
area to remove sticks, stones, Pine cones, etc., to insure
good soil to
seed contact. In this case we have previously sprayed with
a herbicide
to kill all weeds and grass. We use a motorized seeder,
it makes grooves in the soil and spreads the seed. Set the
seeder to make grooves about one quarter inch deep and put
fescue seed in the hopper. You should use 6 pounds per 1,000
square feet. We set at 3 pounds per thousand square feet,
apply, then set at 3 pounds per thousand square feet and
apply in the opposite direction. Then apply a 20-27-5 fertilizer.
The 20 is Nitrogen, the 27 is phosphorous and the 5 is potassium.
Apply 5 pounds of fertilizer per thousand square feet. Then
water. The first couple of days water every day, after 3
or 4 days water every other day, then after a week or so
every 3rd or 4th day, after a couple of weeks, just once
a week. In no time you should see a green lawn.
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