THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 16, 1997 TAG: 9702150055
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: 112 lines
THE MAYMONT FLOWER & Garden Show, Virginia's largest, opens in Richmond on Thursday and continues through next Sunday. The show at The Richmond Centre features many landscaped gardens and nationally known speakers. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Sunday. Admission is $9. For a free brochure and information, call (804) 358-7166.
In conjunction with the show, a Festival of Flowers will be held at historic Monumental Church, designed by Robert Mills, Jefferson's only architectural pupil. Tickets to the festival are $5, sold only with a ticket to the Maymont flower show. Fertilize emerging bulbs
Now is the time to fertilize emerging bulbs such as daffodils, crocus and tulips. Bulb specialists recommend a good fertilization before blooming. Wherever you see green shoots emerging, throw out a handful of low-nitrogen bulb fertilizer or an all-purpose plant food like 8-8-8. Camellia workshop
Want to learn how to air-layer, graft, gib or prune your camellias? The Virginia Camellia Society will present a free workshop taught by camellia growers at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Norfolk Botanical Garden auditorium. Disease control will be covered, as well as the how, when and why of growing camellias. Everyone is invited and it's free. To water or not to water
Knowing when houseplants need watering has long been a puzzle. More often, plants are overwatered. There is now a new device called Thirst Alert that reminds plant owners when to water. It's battery powered and sounds a soft musical alarm with a blinking red light when soil moisture levels become too low. Its small size and splash-proof construction allow it to remain in the soil, constantly on alert. If you don't want to leave the device in the pot, you can use it like an automotive ``dip-stick'' to check moisture levels in all your plants.
Suggested retail price is $8.99, which includes batteries. Thirst Alert is available at hardware, food, drug, variety and discount stores, as well as garden outlets. If you can't locate it, call toll-free (888) THIRST ALERT. Horticulture training
The zoo needs you. The Virginia Zoological Park is offering a four-week horticulture training program for volunteers, under the direction of horticulturist Mark Schneider.
The program begins March 5 and meets Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. After training, volunteers can work in the zoo's greenhouse, organic rose garden, butterfly gardens or other specialty gardens, including assisting with programs for the blind, mentally challenged and children. To volunteer, call Kimberly Boyer at 626-0803. Grape pruning chart
A few weeks ago I mentioned to a reader who wanted grape pruning information that I was enclosing an illustrated chart. A half dozen or so readers wrote to ask for the chart.
I thought I was short of copies but have since discovered plenty, so if you want one, write to: Robert Stiffler, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510. Mark the outer envelope: ``Grape Pruning.'' Include a stamped, business-sized, self-addressed envelope. Guide to tomatoes
``Tantalizing Tomatoes'' is the title of the newest booklet from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Botanically speaking, the tomato is a fruit even though in 1887, for reasons of taxation, the U.S. Supreme Court declared it a vegetable. This booklet contains all you'll need to know to reap a fruitful harvest.
A Guide to Cultivars describes 75 select varieties, from the delectable green-fleshed ``Green Zebra'' to the meaty heirloom ``Pruden's Purple.'' There are recipes for soup, salsa and bruschetta.
All Brooklyn Botanic Garden booklets are excellent and cost only $9.95. They're normally available in the Garden Shop at the Norfolk Botanical Garden or you can order by calling (718) 622-4433, Ext. 274. No soil in potting soil
``Have you ever pondered that there's no ham in hamburger, Madison Square Garden is actually round - and there's no soil in potting soil. Potting soils are actually soilless blends of sphagnum peat moss, sedge peat, composted bark, vermiculite, perlite, limestone, plant nutrients and wetting agents (if needed),'' said horticulturist George Ewing, president of A.H. Hoffman Inc.
Soil from your backyard is not good for houseplants. Most has an improper pH and may be contaminated with pesticides, insects or weeds. Often it will not drain well. The other extreme is the professional mixes in which your houseplant is growing when you buy it. They are formulated for highly controlled irrigation and fertilization.
If you want your new plant to last more than a few weeks, you may want to repot it in a houseplant mix. If a plant is growing spindly, it may need new potting soil.
For established plants, you should repot once roots reach the sides or bottom of a pot. Carefully remove everything from the roots and replant with something like Hoffman Original formula or a similar mix, available in all garden centers. If you want to know the Hoffman retailer nearest you, call (800) 725-9500.
Robert Stiffler ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
TAYLOR DABNEY
The Maymont Flower & Garden Show each year features a variety of
landscaped gardens.
Thirst Alert signals with music and light when soil is dry.