The Online Garden Gossip
October 2007/Issue #17

Overwintering tropicals

Most tropical plants, such as hibiscus, mandevilla, and gardenia, are perennials in their native climate.  As fall approaches in St. Louis, you have several options when it comes to overwintering your tropical plants:

1.  Grow them as houseplants.  Many tropicals can be overwintered indoors if there's enough bright light and humidity.  Grouping plants together in pots helps create humidity, as well as setting pots in shallow dishes layered with rocks and water. Expect some leaf drop when plants are brought indoors.

2.  Dig up the bulb or tuber for indoor storage.  Tropicals such as elephant ear, canna, and caladium develop bulbs, tubers, or corms. When these plants die back, their root structure can be dug and stored in a cool, dark place inside.  The best time to dig the bulbs and tubers is after a light frost has killed the foliage. Trim the stems down to 4-6 inches and dig up the plant.  Allow everything to dry for a few days before storing.  Place tubers in a box with ventilation holes and bury tubers in peat moss or wood shavings.  About 6 weeks before the last frost in spring, pot the dormant tubers and bulbs and place them in a warm sunny window.  Once the weather warms, you can take them outside.

3.  Store tropicals indoors as a dormant plant.  Bring woody tropicals inside before frost. Don't cut back or prune them. Store plants in a cool (40 degrees F) place.  All leaves will yellow and drop off. Keep plants on the dry side, checking for moisture every 2 to 4 weeks and watering lightly if they appear dry.  New leaves will grow when you return the plant to warmth and light. This is when you would prune the plant for shape.  Do not introduce to hot light too quickly.

4.  Take cuttings.  Many plants, like coleus and mexican petunia, Ruellia brittoniana, will root quickly in a little water.  Once rooted, put them in a small pot filled with potting soil and keep them in a bright spot in your house until warm weather returns.

Upcoming talks at Sugar Creek
You're invited, and they're free!

“The Garden in Autumn,” Sat., Sept 22, 10 a.m., Peggy Hoelting, Horticulturist.  As the days grow shorter you still can have wonderful displays of color with the ever-expanding list of fall blooming plants.  Learn about the perennials that boast exceptional fall flowers and bright foliage, and freshen your window boxes and containers with fall annuals.

“Spread the Wealth: Propagating Perennials,” Sat., Sept. 29, 10 a.m., Roxanne Cronin, Horticulturist.  This class takes you through the basics of plant division, along with other techniques of perennial propagation.

“Window Boxes and Containers for Fall and Winter,” Sat., Oct. 6, and Oct. 13, 11 a.m., Tina Paletta, Horticulturist.  Enliven your window boxes and plant containers with the festive foliage and plants of the season.  Learn how to use an exciting variety of plants for great color and texture that will last through fall, the holiday season and beyond.  

“Holiday Decorating with Tina Paletta,” Sat., Oct. 20 and 27, 11 a.m.  Tina will give you a wealth of ways to adorn your home for the holidays, from front porch to party table, hall to hearth.  Learn about the newest ideas for wreaths, mantels, chandeliers, and entryways. 


Plant pansies and spring bulbs at the same time

...with our biodegradable pansy pots that have tulip or daffodil bulbs already planted in the bottom. Plant once for two seasons of blooms!  Only $10.99.

Have a question or comment? Send us an e-mail.

Our popular "turkey parts" are fun to add to pumpkins, squash, watermelons, apples -- you name it.  Large turkey parts are $29.99, and small turkey parts are $14.99.  Bring a set home for the holidays to give to the favorite turkeys in your life...

Karen's gardening calendar

Karen Collins, a longtime Sugar Creek employee, has identified things you can tackle in your garden this month:

• Plant tulip and daffodil bulbs now. Use bone meal as a fertilizer when planting.
• Mums can be cut back to within several inches of ground once flowering ends. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch after ground freezes.
• Roses should be winterized after heavy frost. Place a 6- to 10-inch deep layer of mulch over each plant.  Prune sparingly, just enough to shorten overly long canes. Do not prune climbers now.
• A special note about Knock Out Roses
  Knock Out Roses are all incredibly hardy shrub roses that do not require the same winterization as the more tender hybrid tea roses. Knock Outs simply require pruning and shaping when they are dormant to keep a good shape with lots of blooms. Because these roses bloom well into fall, we recommend that gardeners wait until spring, around the beginning to the middle of March, to cut them back.  Other plants on the "wait until spring" list include:  buddleia, caryopteris, crape myrtle, and lavender.
• Mulch flower and bulb beds after the ground freezes to prevent plants from frost heaving.
• Drain and shut off outdoor water pipes or irrigation systems that may freeze.
• Rake and collect fallen leaves.  Shredded leaves make wonderful organic compost in the spring. Make sure your compost pile is watered as new material is added. Alternate layers of course and fine debris.
• Now is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. Remove all wires, ropes, and non-biodegradable material from roots before planting.

Unusual
plant of the month
Gillenia trifoliata
Bowman's root

This dainty flower features upright, branching stems with with or pinkish star-shaped flowers that bloom in spring or early summer. The plant's basal foliage is sharply toothed with compound leaves. An attractive and easily grown flower. Prefers a bit of shade during hot afternoons, and will tolerate drought when established.

Available at Sugar Creek in one gallon containers for $7.99.

You may not know it, but Chloe is the *real* boss at Sugar Creek.  Don't let those "sad eyes" fool you -- she's just trying to get more dog cookies from her helpless coworkers, and it works every time.