One of the roles I’ve evolved into over the past decade as an extension specialist at MSU is that of ‘the Conifer Guy’. Conifers are great and fascinating plants. The oldest trees in the world are conifers, the largest trees in the world are conifers, and some of the most interesting (at least to me) landscape plants are conifers. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, in the Upper Midwest we have gravitated to Colorado blue spruce more than just about any other conifer. … Continue reading this article “Blue Spruce Blues”
Friday’s puzzle solved
Here’s Friday’s photo without my edits:
As you can see, there are tell-tale globs of hot glue around the base of the bud on the right. Hap was correct – it’s yet another “cactus strawflower” whose cactus portion had disintegrated, leaving only the strawflower graft behind. But out of context it could easily be mistaken for a bulb of some sort. Let the buyer beware!
Friday fun, part 2
OK, enough tormenting of my fellow GP. On to today’s photo challenge.
Is it a miracle? Is it a resurrection plant? How do you explain these large buds emerging from the soil?
A disclaimer: a portion of this photo has been Photoshopped. I promise the altered area was not of plant material. Monday’s answer will include the untouched photo in bigger context
Friday fun, part 1
This posting is for Holly, who I am sure is desperately trying to finish her annual review. I feel your pain! And I’m going to add to it today.
The poinsettia in these photos is not from this Christmas, but from 2008. You can see it thriving happily in its office environment. I’m told by its caretaker Nick (a nongardener) that it has no bugs or other problems, and seems very happy. And it’s blooming, without the benefit of the extended night period. … Continue reading this article “Friday fun, part 1”
Is This Really a Good Idea?
Transgenic plants have been with us for well over a decade now. I have had the opportunity to work with many of the tools used for this technology, though most of that is far behind me (over 15 years now since I “ran a gel”) — I’m much happier being outside or even in front of a computer writing than in a lab. Fortunately I have a number of “lab rat” colleagues so I’m relatively up to date on what’s going on and what “gene-jumper” scientists can and can’t do.… Continue reading this article “Is This Really a Good Idea?”
Why I dislike rootgrafted plants
I’m pretty much a live-and-let-live person in terms of plant choices (as long as they’re not invasive). But I’m becoming convinced that oddities grafted onto hardy rootstocks are poor choices, because the rootstock always seems to win. I posted one of these several months ago (see October 28, 2009 ), but just today have just found the poster tree for my anti-rootgraft movement.
A little backstory. I’m currently out at the Washington coast, trying to get some writing and seminars done without disruption. … Continue reading this article “Why I dislike rootgrafted plants”
And now for something completely different…
From this week’s e-mail file…
“Dear Dr. Cregg:
As I’ve done for many year, this year I harvested my “wild” Christmas tree from the Huron-Manistee National Forest. I cut the tree at ground level. Soon after I brought it home, it started sprouting new light green clumps of needles at the tips of many branches. Is the tree actually growing? It doesn’t seem possible that it’s still alive, but it seems to be thriving and I hate to toss the tree to the curb if it’s fighting for life.
Baptisia: Beyond the Blue
The Perennial Plant Association recently released the identity of the PPA Plant of the Year – for 2010 it is Baptisia australis (False Blue Indigo). Various blogs have noted this (including Garden Professor fave Garden Rant) and I’ve read some interesting comments, both pro and con.
True story: I asked for Baptisia at a small rural garden center years ago; the owner said “Don’t have any; but I think I have a Methodist running around here somewheres…” Badda-bump.… Continue reading this article “Baptisia: Beyond the Blue”
Friday’s puzzle solution
We have a winner! Brian correctly identified the windowed hood of a cobra plant (Darlingtonia) and its function in tormenting hapless insects. Here’s the entire picture:
Thanks to everyone who gave the puzzle a shot. Very imaginative guesses!
Friday Foto Fun!
I’m taking the easy way out this week, as I’ve got to get my annual review done by next Monday (and I haven’t even started it yet. Hah!). But over the weekend, let’s see if you can figure out (1) what this is, and (2) why it looks the way it does:
Monday’s photo will reveal all!