In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, guest host Larry King talks with Master Gardener Ross McCann about pets and houseplants. This is especially helpful during the holiday season, as we often bring extra plants and greens into the home—unaware of their toxicity. Ross mentions the ASPCA research into pet-poisonous plants. Here's a link to their site where you can look up specific plants and pets that do not mix.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardener Herb Fredricksen about fungi and their part in creating Mycorrhizal Networks. You'll even get a history lesson on how fungi and plants evolved.
Herb's fun fact: Scientists say their DNA tests prove that a single Armillaria organism covers nearly 3 1/2 square miles under the Malheur National Forest. Image by Todd Sonflieth of Oregon Public Broadcasting. Featured image of Mycorrhizal Fungi courtesy of University of New Hampshire Extension Services.
Sometimes we have too much material when editing our KYAQ radio show and important information doesn't make it into the episode. In this case, Master Gardener Joan Crall does a wonderful job of describing the five kinds of "bulbs" that produce spring displays of flowers. Master Gardener Ross McCann is the interviewer. Joan covers true bulbs, corms, tubers, tuberous roots and rhizomes.
Bulb
Structure: A bulb is composed of modified, fleshy leaves (scales) wrapped around a central bud, with a basal plate at the bottom.
Function: Stores energy and nutrients to survive and grow a new plant.
Examples: Tulips, daffodils, lilies, and onions.
Corm
Structure: A solid, swollen underground stem with a papery outer covering (tunic). It is not made of layered leaves.
Function: Stores food reserves in the stem tissue.
Examples: Crocus, gladiolus, and freesia.
Tuber
Structure: A swollen stem or root that stores food. It has "eyes," which are buds that can sprout new shoots.
Function: Stores nutrients for the plant's growth.
Examples: Potatoes and caladium (stem tubers) and dahlias (tuberous root).
Rhizome
Structure: A horizontal stem that grows underground or along the surface, with roots and shoots developing from nodes along its length.
Function: Serves as both a storage organ and a primary means for vegetative reproduction and spreading.
Examples: Ginger, iris, and canna.
In cross section, a true bulb has all of the parts visible that will form the whole plant. Diagram courtesy of University of Florida. Featured line drawing courtesy of Thursd.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardener Cathi Block about composting. She makes it easy to get started in this sometimes-confusing process.
A great place to start composting is with your own kitchen trimmings and waste. Image by Couleur from Pixabay. Featured image from the South Beach Demonstration Garden's 3-stage composting bins. Image provided by Steve Vogel.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann is on vacation, so Master Gardener Larry King talks with OSU Extension Service employee Stormi Dykes about the Master Gardener program. Stormi administers the program for Lincoln County.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardener Joan Crall about growing bulbs for winter holiday display. Both amaryllis (Hippeastrum) and paperwhites are discusses.
Hippeastrum unnamed variant, image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay. Featured image of Narcissus tazetta 'Ziva' growing outdoors in Arkansas, but more commonly "forced" indoors for winter display. Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardener Joan Crall about the many kinds of bulbs that you can plant in the fall for spring bloom. She covers selection, planting and long term care.
Narcissus triandrus 'Thalia' is one of thousands of varieties of "daffodils." Thalia's flower is orchid shaped, scented and naturalizes well in Lincoln County. Photo courtesy of Colorblends Wholesale Bulbs. Featured image of Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Canby, OR, courtesy of Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardener Pam Crobar about creating a bog garden featuring carnivorous plants. Many of the plants are native to coastal Oregon.
You can create a simple carnivorous bog using a container. Image by Steve Vogel. Featured Image of Darlingtonia State Natural Site in Florence, OR. Photo by Oregon State Parks.
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardeners Julie Roth-Carter and Martha Mills about creating gardens that are accessible to everyone. This includes garden planning and making modifications to gardens for specific accessibility Concerns.
Tall raised beds with access on all sides can make gardening easy for people with mobility restrictions. Image by Jeyaratnam Caniceus from Pixabay. Featured image of accessible wheelchair garden Image by Francisco Zuasti from Pixabay
In this edition of the Lincoln County Gardner, Ross McCann talks with Master Gardener Janice Smith about insects and other garden "bugs." They are mostly beneficial to your garden, so learn how to live with them and control the unwelcome ones.
