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Spider plant, Chlorophytuomm cosum

November 1, 2015 by lheideman

by Jes-c Brandt,  Somervell County Master Gardener Intern

My interest in gardening didn’t start in a garden, but with a house plant. It was a spider plant, to be specific. When I moved from Massachusetts four years ago, my boss gave me a little plantlet that her own spider plant had put off. Since then, that plantlet has grown into a great big spider plant that reproduces plenty of its own.Airplane or Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Now that spider plant, along with being beautiful and easy to care for, represents something I love about gardening: sharing. I can’t count the number of little spider plants I’ve potted for friends and family, and likewise, I can’t count the number of other plants I’ve received from fellow gardeners.

When I think of gardening, I think of childhood summers when our kitchen counter was filled with zucchini and tomatoes from our neighbors’ overflowing harvest. I think of my mom, gathered with her friends, shucking countless ears of corn for each of them to stock up their freezers. I think of a fresh bouquet of flowers shared with a friend. I think of jars of jelly, applesauce and salsa being shared amongst family, when there is more than enough to go around.

There are many ways for a gardener to share her passion, be it sharing the harvest or helping to propagate new plants. Spider plants, like many houseplants, easily propagate through asexual reproduction, producing a new plant that is genetically identical to the first. A spider plantlet can begin to root in either water or soil. Personally, I prefer to use soil, leaving the plantlet connected to the parent plant by the shoot until it has had a chance to take root. Once it’s rooted, snip the shoot, and the new plant is ready to be shared.

If you have any questions about propagating plants of your own, contact the Somervell County Master Gardeners.

Filed Under: Current Newsletter, Favorite Plants, Newsletters

Pink Texas Skullcap

August 28, 2015 by lheideman

by Merilyn Crawford, Somervell County Master Gardener

Pink Scullcap   This interesting plant belongs to the Scullaria genus and has a botanical name of Scutellara Suffrutescens.  It is known to be drought tolerant, heat resistant, and sun-loving.  Altogether, this makes it perfect to grow in any Texas garden, especially in our area.

Additionally, it is in the mint family along with other drought tolerant plants such as Salvia.  The flower is reminiscent of tiny snapdragon flowers and is rose-red to pink in color.  Although small in size, this flowering plant produces in abundance which makes up for its size and will hold its bloom  from late spring until early fall.

Pink Texas Skullcap has Thyme-like foliage and has a dense growth habit, remaining neat and compact.  It can, however, benefit and respond well to occasional shearing, which will prevent it from getting thin in the middle.  Use Pink Texas Skullcap for rock gardens, dry hillsides, xeriscaping, or even for container gardening.

This hardy plant grows as a perennial as well as an ornamental.  Being a perennial, it tends to grow best over several years (approximately 3 years and greater).  Due to how easy it is to grow in a variety of conditions, Pink Texas Skullcap is great for beginner gardeners and those that like low maintenance gardens.

Happy Gardening!!

Filed Under: Favorite Plants, Gardening, Newsletters

Wild Texas Grapes

July 30, 2015 by lheideman

WILD TEXAS GRAPES

By Christine Morgan, ND and Master Gardener

Here in Texas, there are two main types of wild grapes. Many people think all wild grapes are the same, but that isn’t true. The important thing to know is that most parts of these two grape plants…the tendrils, leaves, and fruit are edible.

Muscadine leaves

Muscadine leaves

The first is the Muscadine grape. It has a solid leaf shape that ends in a point with a few ridges around the edges. Its scientific name is Vitis rotundiflora.

It ripens in August to September and is usually in East Texas. The leaves are used in vegetable fermenting and to make dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and other dishes with grape leaves. The fruit makes jelly or jam. They are slightly sweeter that Mustang grapes.

Mustang leaves

Mustang leaves

The second is the Mustang grape. The shape of its leaf looks like three fat fingers and a hand, but more correctly called a 3 lobed leaf. As the leaf matures through the summer, it fills

Muscadine leaves

Mustang leaves

in and looks much like other grape leaves. Also it is white underneath and somewhat fuzzy looking unlike the Muscadine leaf. Its scientific name is Vitis mustangensis. It ripens in Mid-July. Mine ripened on the dot this year, July 15th. Mustang grapes are quite acid

Mustang Grapes

Mustang Leaves

and may make your hands itch or burn for a while after handling. I use small pruners to clip the grapes and a little stem from the vines with no problem. After washing and preparing is when they might bite you a bit. No worries…it goes away with soap and coconut oil rubbed in to your hands.

To store:

I fill my sink with cold water and 2 capfuls of a vegetable wash called FIT. Let them soak a few minutes to make sure there is no highway, pesticide or dirt junk on them. Rinse thoroughly. Next, I pull the stems off from the grapes. If you only want juice to make jelly, you can leave them on. If I’m not making jelly-jam now (because I’m too tired and hot from picking), I put them in gallon bags and freeze them for another day. FYI- they do not do well at room temperature or even refrigerated for more than a day, and even then you can tell they are changing, hence why I pick, clean, and freeze them.

Here is my recipe for Mustang grape jelly/jam… It is really a cross between jelly and jam.

 

Mustang Jelly-Jam

4-5 cups juice and pulp

1 box Sure-Gel pectin

½ teaspoon unsalted butter

7 cups organic sugar

Hot, sterilized 4 oz. or 8 oz. jelly jars, with lids and rings.

Prep work:

Clean and fill water bath canner with empty jars, lids and rings. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes; then turn off heat and leave lid on to stay warm.

 

Make the juice:

  1. Put fresh or frozen grapes (1-2 gallon Ziploc bags) in large stockpot with 1 cup of water. Bring them to a simmer. I look for no solid grapes in pot to know if they are done (about 20 minutes). Turn off heat and let sit for 20 minutes.
  2. Strain the juice and pulp through a mesh strainer or metal colander into a large bowl. Taste and if extremely acid, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
  3. Wash your stock pot and dry, or use another one if you have it.

 

Makin’ Jelly-Jam:

  1. Remove jars, lids, and rings and dry. Leave jars upside down until time to fill them on clean towel. Leave water in canner.
  2. Measure 4-5 cups of juice/pulp into a stockpot. Add ½ t. butter and 1 box of Sure-Gel and bring to boil. Add 7 cups of sugar and bring to rolling boil…boil for 1 minute exactly after it starts a rolling boil (I use a timer). TURN OFF gas heat or move to another burner if you have an electric stove. Note: Do not try to double this recipe, it won’t work. Instead make it batch by batch if you are swimming in grape juice.
  3. Use canning ladle to fill jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Fit with lids and rings and tighten.

Load water bath canner rack with jars. Lower into canner and add hot tap water if necessary to cover jars by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes on timer.

Remove to counter and let cool completely. Check lids for sealing. If it pops up and down…it’s not sealed. Refrigerate and use ASAP.

Label and store in pantry or give as gifts. Enjoy!

 

Sources: Texas A & M Agri-Life

Ball Canning guide 2014

www.foragingtexas.com

 

Filed Under: Favorite Plants, Gardening, Newsletters

Moonflower – My Favorite Plant

July 1, 2015 by lheideman

by Julie Conner, Somervell County Master Gardener

datura_bloomMoonflower or Datura or jimson weed or thorn apple by any name is a large leafy  perennial which develops a large trumpet-shaped white flower after hours. A  nocturnal bloomer, it is perfect for a Moonlit garden. The blooms glow all night  in  the moonlight and as the sun rises fold their blossom and, if germinated, develop their thorny seed pod.Datura_fruit

Their seeds can be sown directly in the soil and grow easily and quickly. They prefer a sunny location with good drainage. They tolerate poor soil and bloom summer through fall.

As lovely as they are, there is a sinister side to Datura. Many species are poisonous and have a long history as a potion or witches brew. But like the caster bean, poinsettia and Oleander, do not ingest. Enjoy their night time beauty and fragrance.

Filed Under: Favorite Plants, Newsletters

My Favorite Plant – Nandina

February 25, 2015 by lheideman

by Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener

Nandina domestica, or commonly known as heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo is my favorite  plant.  It is a species of flowering plant native to eastern Asia.  Despite the common name, it is not bamboo but an erect evergreen shrub that can grow to as much as 7 feet tall.

In spring, the glossy leaves are brightly colored pink to red before turning green; old leaves turn red or purple before falling.  Nandina’s flowers are white, borne in early summer in clusters held well above the foliage.  Nandina domestica, 2The fruit is a bright-red berry which ripens in late autumn and is attractive to fall landscapes.

Although grown extensively in Texas due to its tolerance for dry conditions, some varieties are considered invasive.  However, this is primarily due to birds spreading seed into natural areas where nandina proliferates and crowds out native species, both through seeding and by the growth of underground stems.

Nandina is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant and is hardy to heat and dry growing conditions.  A true low-care plant, it needs no special care or pruning.

So through the aforementioned description, maybe you can understand why  this plant is my favorite.  Since it needs no special care in our hot, arid summers, and yet prNandina domesticaoduces the most beautiful orange and red leaves in the fall, it holds a special place in my garden.

 

The next time you are shopping for a plant that needs no special care, consider adding Nandina to your landscape for that splash of color you need.   HAPPY GARDENING!

Source:  Wikipedia

Filed Under: Current Newsletter, Favorite Plants, Newsletters

Favorite Plant – Christmas Cactus

February 1, 2015 by lheideman

(This article first appreared in the Somervell County Master Gardeners Newsletter in 2010.  However, since many folks may have received or bought this plant in November or December of 2014, it was thought it would be a good idea to repeat this information.)

by Sandi Stringer, Somervell County Master Gardener

images (1)

The Christmas Cactus is not your normal cactus that is found in the desert. Most are native to the tropical areas of Central and South America and are members of the Xygocactus family. These plants are typically long-lived and easy to grow.  However, if you want to get them in bloom for the holiday, they will need a little special care.

When selecting a plant, make certain it has an even green color throughout.  Yellow spotting and branches that appear purple can be indicators of disease.  But, don’t buy the plant that is full of blooms, buy the one with the most buds that are just beginning to elongate and open.

When caring for your plant, make sure the soil is moist, not completely dry or saturated. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.  Humidity is very important so have a glass, tray, or vase of water near the plant.  Keep in a cool room with temperatures remaining around 50 degrees, don’t expose it to freezing temperatures or drafts and have it in a place where it receives bright indoor light during the day but at least 12 hours of total darkness at night.  Having met all of the previously listed conditions, you should have a blooming Christmas Cactus during the holiday season.

images

After the holiday season, give the plant a 30-day rest, place it in a cool room and provide limited water. Do not prune or shape until March or April when new growth begins.  Likewise, the best time for repotting a cactus is in February, March or April but keep in mind that the plant will do better if it’s in a container where it’s pot-bound.  With proper care and placement of the plant, the cactus may flower several times throughout the year.

Other indoor plants that you might want to consider for holiday decorating or, as gifts for friends and family are the Poinsettia, Amaryllis, Rosemary Topiaries, Norfolk Island Pine, and the Cyclamen.

Source: Cactus and Succulent Society of America; Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac

Filed Under: Current Newsletter, Favorite Plants

The Tree

November 2, 2014 by lheideman

by Sheryl Kleinschmidt, Somervell County Master Gardener

DSCF2219One deciding factor in choosing my house in Glen Rose was the fact that “the tree” was on the property.  Being a tree-hugger/appreciator, it was love at first sight when I saw the old native pecan hugging the carport behind the house.  This sturdy tree has stood guard near the Paluxy River for well over a century—his girth will attest to that fact alone.

Old Man isn’t the only native pecan in my yard, but he is the biggest and has thrown his weight around (literally) more than once.  He has been known to shed some rather large limbs, seemingly at will, in some rather inconvenient places such as my neighbor’s driveway!

But, even with the surliness that comes with age, Old Man has his finer points.   For starters, he gives me much-needed shade from the Texas heat, puts off a lot of fresh oxygen, and looks good in the landscape.  The squirrels are especially fond of him and lie on his knotty (arthritis?) ledges for naps.  He also is a quiet companion when family or friends come over to sit around the fire pit beneath his branches—or maybe he’s just napping.

After living with Old Man for seven years now, I’ve gotten to know his habits fairly well.  For instance, he has only been generous with his pecan crop once in all this time—the year when even the acorns were abundant (2012). Given we’ve been in a drought for several years, I can’t fault him too much, but I would appreciate a little more effort on his part! Native pecans generally produce every other year, but they will adapt to survive.  I guess Old Man must be thinking of self-preservation.

Now I must tell you of the trick Old Man played the year of the big harvest (2012).  Between him and the other pecan trees, I had more nuts than the grandchildren and I felt like harvesting.  There were pecan pies, cookies, roasted pecans, and nuts in the freezer!  I’d give anything to have another year like that one.

One morning as I was kicking around the grass in search of yet more pecans, my eye zeroed in on a huge, round pecan—no not just one, there were two, three……then more.   Where did these come from?  Old Man’s tasty pecans were small, round natives.   I picked up the strange fruit and put them in my sack, the whole time looking over my shoulder for the trickster who tossed them out.  I even considered that a squirrel had carried them in from across the street and dropped them.       DSCF2220

Continuing my harvesting routine, I took a few more steps only to find oval-shaped pecans in the mix.  Okay, now I knew someone was messing with me.  This continued on/off for a couple of weeks until I consulted an expert who explained what was going on.

Apparently, an early settler grafted some other pecan wood onto Old Man when he was but a youngster.  Since these branches are on top of Old Man’s head, they are not easily seen from the ground (he’s very tall).   For some reason, the grafted branches had not produced fruit for me up until the big harvest year.

Yes, Old Man stymied and stumped (pun intended) me alright, but now I’m onto his tricks.  So far, I have found 2 of the large, round pecans that fell during the thunderstorm last week.  I expect he’ll toss me another one or two just to keep me interested, but it doesn’t look like we’ll have much pecan pie this year!

But, given his history and stamina, I must give Old Man his due respect.  After all, my relationship with him will be found in but a few tree rings that record his life here on earth.  He was here long before I was born and will likely surpass me by decades—I hope that is the case.  To your health, Old Man!

 

 

Filed Under: Current Newsletter, Favorite Plants, Newsletters

American BeautyBerry

November 2, 2014 by Donna Hagar

By Donna Hagar, Somervell County Master Gardener

Common Name: American Beautyberry – Botanical name: Callicara americana

beautyberryAmerican beautyberry is a fast growing native perennial shrub; growing five to eight feet tall and almost as wide. It has long, arching branches and yellow-green fall foliage, but its most striking feature is the clusters of glossy, iridescent – purple fruit (sometimes white) which hug the branches in clusters along the branches in the fall and winter.

The fruit is an important food source for more than forty species of songbirds. The berry clusters are eaten by armadillo, foxes, opossum, raccoon and squirrels. White tailed deer consume the fruit in the fall after leaf drop. They will also browse the leaves in summer when highly preferred foods are not available.

The roots, leaves, and branches were used by various Native American tribes for medicinal purposes to treat fevers and rheumatism. In the early 20th century, farmers would crush the leaves and place them under the harnesses of horses and mules to repel mosquitoes. The farmers rubbed the crushed leaves on themselves to repel mosquitoes and biting bugs.

American beautyberry is used as an ornamental shrub in mass plantings or borders or can stand alone as a speciman shrub. It is best suited to semi-shaded sites with some moisture. It is remarkably tolerant of various soils and habitats.

I can attest that this is one hardy shrub. I transplanted a sapling from a friend in the dead heat of August. It has been dug up by armadillos and my chickens several times, but hasn’t given up yet! Maybe next year the chickens will be able to eat the berries!

Filed Under: Current Newsletter, Favorite Plants, Newsletters

Cowitch Plant (Mucuna pruriens)

October 5, 2014 by lheideman

by Merilyn Cranford, Somervell County Master Gardener

         Mucunaprurien Have you ever seen a plant called Cowitch?  Actually, I haven’t either, but due to some quick research I’ve come up with the following that might be helpful in identifying this very prolific and hardy southern plant.

          Cowitch or Mucuna Pruriens is a member of the legume family.  It likes to climb or vine and grows up to 30 feet in length.  Its flowers are typically dull purple, lavender or even white in color, and the plant forms compound leaves that grow 4-10 inches long.  Additionally, it produces pods which contain 3-6 large black seeds.  These pods have barbed hairs that cause an intense stinging irritation to the skin. mucuna_pruriens

          Research reveals that the Cowitch plant has many traditional and medicinal usages including the easing of abdominal pain, diabetes, in-fertility, and treatment for snake and scorpion bites.  Due to the large amount of levo-dopa in the seed, it is used for treating Parkinson’s disease. 

          Unless you want to grow this plant for its medicinal properties, it is probably something you do not want in your garden.  Once planted, it is extremely difficult to get rid of.  Trying to dig it up is similar to trying to get rid of nut grass, but much worse.  BEWARE !!!

Filed Under: Current Newsletter, Favorite Plants, Newsletters

Purple Passion Vine ( Passiflora incarnata)

August 31, 2014 by lheideman

by Shirley Smith, Somervell County Master Gardener

Purple passion vine to me conjures up visions of exotic places, a rain forest perhaps or the sounds of the rolling surf.  But, thankfully, this beautiful plant resides in my side yard, and it’s extremely happy to be here.

The purple fashion-flower is an herbaceous vine growing up to 25 feet long and clings by way of axillary tendrils or sprawls along the ground. passion vine pic -22 It has intricate, 3” lavender flowers on a short stalk.  One common name is Maypop, which comes from the hollow, yellow fruits that “pop” loudly when crushed.  This unusual flower is distributed widely from Florida to Texas.  The plants were given the name Passionflower or Passion vine because the floral parts are said to represent aspects of the Christian crucifixion story, sometimes referred to as the Passion.  The 10 petal-like parts represent disciples of Jesus, excluding Peter and Judas; the 5 stamens the wounds Jesus received; the knob-like stigmas the nails used to hang Him on the cross; the fringe the crown of thorns.

passion vine pic -21My Passion vine is the host plant for the Gulf Fritillary butterfly.  And, oh my, do they love this plant!  This year seems to have been a particularly good year for the GF butterfly.  They (the butterflies) did not arrive until my Passion vine had really grown to a good size.  And when the GF got here, the females began at once to alight, touch their abdomens to a leaf and deposit a very passion vine pic-1tiny, yellow egg.  After a few days, the eggs began to hatch and the tiny ½” long caterpillar emerged.  And it was ravenous!   Because my Passion vine was so well established, all the hungry babies did not seem to phase it.  It grew faster than the GF caterpillars could eat it!  The vine is blooming now and the flowers are beautiful!

Not only is this plant the host to several other buttlerflies (Zebra Longwing, Crimson-patch Longwing, Red-banded Hairstreak, Julia Butterfly, Mexican Butterfly), but the American Indians consumed the fruit.  The Indians would poultice the roots for boils, cuts, earaches and inflammation.  A tea was brewed to sooth nerves and treat insomnia.

My plant dies back to the ground each winter.  This year, I had mulched it heavily so when those two freezes hit it was not harmed.  Can’t beat a good layer of mulch (think very warm blanket) for protecting plants during the winter as well as conserving moisture during our hot, dry summers.

passion vine pic -2The Purple passion plant may be propagated by seeds or cuttings.  I have had success in just digging up a piece that comes up where I don’t want it, burying it in the ground and then keeping it well watered for the next couple of weeks.  To have such delicate flowers, this plant is very hardy for our climate.  My plant is growing on a two-rail split rail fence in full sun.  I have had to add additional string for it to climb on.

So, if you have a chance (and a place) to grow this plant, don’t hesitate.  You will not be disappointed.

Source:  Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Internet) (Native Plant Database)

 

Filed Under: Favorite Plants, Newsletters

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