THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9503310111
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G4 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
THE NORFOLK Botanical Garden is starting a new series of classes, beginning with ``Plants and Designs for Floral Gardens,'' from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Other classes are: ``Some Like it Hot! Stress-Tolerant Annual Plants,'' from 7 to 9 p.m. April 11; and ``Successful Propagating Techniques,'' a hands-on workshop from 10 a.m. to noon April 22.
Cost for each course is $12 for members of the Norfolk Botanical Garden Society; $15 for others. Call 441-5838. IT'S THE PITS
Peaches normally set 95 percent more fruit than the tree can mature into large fruit. Although it's hard for most gardeners to do, they should knock off immature fruit, beginning after blooming, up until pit hardening, according to Louisiana State University authorities say.
Little effect is realized from thinning after the seed hardens.
Thin fruit on mature trees to a spacing of one peach every 8 inches. DAFFODIL SHOW
The Garden Club of Virginia's Annual Daffodil Show will be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Hanover Industrial Park, sponsored by the Garden Club of Ashland. Show hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. A green offering is taken. Call Anne Cross at (804) 746-2377. MYTHS ABOUT MANTIS
Contrary to myths you may have heard, praying mantis are not protected by law. In their natural surroundings, they are cannibals and eat each other. But they do also eat insects of whitefly size or larger, including aphids, flies, potato beetles and grasshoppers. They are not selective in their diet, so they also consume beneficial insects such as lacewings and lady beetles.
Rayanne D. Lehman, writing in ``Perennial Plants,'' says, ``Although egg cases are still commercially available, these insects are not recommended as effective bio-control agents and may even hamper efforts of other beneficial insects.'' SAFEKEEPING OF BEACH
Virginia Beach has a Habitat Enhancement Committee established to improve air and water quality, increase wildlife habitat, improve aesthetics and promote stewardship of natural areas. It is sponsored by the Chevrolet dealers of Hampton Roads. If you'd like to know more about it, call 427-3580, Ext. 358. To learn more about the program nationally, call (800) TREE-GEO. HARVEST A PROFIT
For a free 32-page book listing ways to harvest money from a backyard garden, send your name, address and a stamp to Homestead Gardens, P.O. Box 1058, Bellingham, Wash. 98227-1058. The booklet lists growing and marketing information for more than 20 high-value crops, including mushrooms, herbs, flowers and bamboo. TRIP TO ENGLAND
You can enter a contest to win a trip to England by sending a post card with your name, home address and phone number to Thompson & Morgan, P.O. Box 1144, Jackson, N.J. 98527. A winner's name will be drawn April 26, and the winner and a guest will be flown to England for a week, including a visit to the famous Chelsea flower show. START CALADIUMS INSIDE
It's time to think about caladiums, those attractive shade plants grown for their large leaves of varying colors. Peter Loewer, speaking at the recent Tidewater Horticultural Symposium, told gardeners that caladiums are really a jungle plant and should be treated accordingly. They like a warm, fibrous, well-drained soil and will not grow until the soil warms up to 70 degrees - that means the temperature 6 inches down into the earth. If you're a caladium fan, start them indoors now in pots in a sunny, warm location, to transplant outdoors later. THE POWERS OF FLOWERS
Want to know how to use flowers to heal, beautify and energize a person's life? The Association for Research and Enlightenment, better known locally as the Edgar Cayce Foundation in Virginia Beach, has published ``Flower Secrets Revealed by Carly Wall'' (A.R.E. Press, $14.95 paperback) to help novice and expert gardeners in their search for natural remedies.
Wall gardens in Somerville, Ohio, ``with a husband, two cats, a few chickens and a small herd of very tame cows.'' She is a longtime student of the work of Edgar Cayce. The book includes instructions for such things as natural colognes, hair products, massage oils, beekeeping, flower oils and making soap from flowers. To order, call 428-3588 or (800) 723-1112.
Robert Stiffler ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.
See a variety of daffodils at the Garden Club of Virginia's Annual
Daffodil Show.
by CNB