Quail Valley Garden Club

October 10, 2013 Meeting

Once again we had our popular coffee at 9:30. Pat Jones, Social, thanked the hostesses headed by Mary Chan,  who included Joyce Smith, Mitzi Tolman, Jerre Anne Wagner, and Linn Wells. They provided a beautiful and tasty coffee and break!

Lynn Ellis, Joan Fox and Sandy Smith enjoy coffee and social break!

Barbara Thompson, President, introduced Inspiration Chair Linda Walker who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and provided a short inspirational.

President Barbara Thompson and Parliamentarian Penny Johnson

Second Vice President Jo Ann Mayhall introduced our visitor, Bobby Strain, who is married to member Marsha Strain. Bobby attended the meeting to get the latest tips on lawn care and seemed to enjoy the program, which was very up-to-date and informative for Bobby and the 32 members present.

Juanita Ayres, Marsha and Bobby Strain enjoy Bob's presentation . . . glad to have you, Bobby!

First Vice President Rose Ann Acosta introduced Bob Patterson of Southwest Fertilizer, which has been in business for 58 years and is located at 5828 Bissonnet at Renwick.  They have the largest section of “natural products in Houston.” Bob provided a Nature’s Guide handout along with his Lawn Care Program (whether you are using synthetics or organics.) Of interest to members is that SW Fertilizer provides a 10% discount to garden club members on full price products except bird seed or lawn mowers and equipment.

Rose Ann Acosta and Bob Patterson (both in forground) show one of several books Bob has authored.

Bob is a terrific speaker and said the key to good lawn care was a schedule . . . an easy way remember the holidays: Valentines, St. Patrick’s, Judy 4^th, and Halloween.  He thinks 3 is enough, but if you can only do one, do Halloween and use a winterizer fertilizer. In general he recommended a fertilizer that is 3 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorous, and 2 parts potassium.  He also reminded us never to cut more that 1/4 “ from St. Augustine grass (except in the early Spring). There were many other great tips. Bob brought 3 door prizes which along with crotons from QVGC, that were quite popular with members.  

Joanne Gore, Joyce Smith and Jerre Anne Wagner.

Bob is willing to take calls 713 666-1744 or emails about questions you may have on organics, chemicals or any other question regarding garden care, fetilization, preventive or curative weed control, amendments or insect control. Members who have contacted Bob will vouch for how helpful he is even when he doesn't make a sale because he can help you with what you might already have.

Announcements:

Ways and Means Chair for Caladiums Rose Ann Acosta encouraged members to keep selling. Please have your caladium order forms to her between November 1-5. A box will be provided on her front porch at 2803 Glenn Lakes. You can email totals to her if you so desire. Last day for orders for people to save is Oct 31.

Field Trip to Enchanted Forest on November 14.
Meet at MacNaughton Park parking lot (Hampton at East Creek Club) at 9 to car pool to Enchanted Forest for the program at 10 on container gardening. No charge for this event, but please sign up with Rose Ann Acosta at 281 437-2234.
Directions: Enchanted Forest is located at 10611 FM 2759, Booth Tx. 281 937-9449
Take 59 South to Crabb River Road, Exit, turn left at light
Take Crabb River Road to FM 2759 (Turn left just before the Railroad tracks).
Enchanted Forest is on the left side of the road just beyond the city limits of Booth.

There is an optional luncheon at noon at Sandy McGee’s for Chicken Salad, Cheese Broccoli Soup and Fruit and drink for $17.50. Please pay by November 5, but must sign up in advance with Rose Ann Acosta at 281 437-2234

Jo Ann Mayhall reported that internal communications go out the last Wednesday of every month.

Marilyn Ellis announced Yard of the Month for October as Linda and Nathan Walker of 2819 Hampton Drive. Marilyn will also be handling the flower arrangements for our Holiday Party at City Centre on Dec 12. More to come about that!

It was also announced that Mary Frances Ashmore had been ill, but was on the mend, and that SaRita Parker was also not feeling well. Karen Meier celebrated her one year anniversary of her lung successful lung transplant.

Horticulture Sharing  . . . with Mary Chan and all of us!

Linda Walker, Pat Jones, Joan Fox, Mitzi Tolman, Sandy Smith, Shirley Renfrow, Mary Chan, Barbara Thompson

Judy Belt, Joyce Smith, Sandy Smith and Lynn Ellis discuss Night Blooming Jasmine

Some of the beautiful sharing . . . Aster, Purple Hyacinth Vine, Torenia, Night Blooming Jasmine, looks like Lantana, but what is the orange flower in the lower center?

Congratulations to Sandy Smith on her new book, The Way We Ate. Visit Amazon.com, select Kindle Books to get a chapter sample or buy the book!

Karen Segura is one of the happy drawing winners!

Linn Wells, Jo Ann Mayhall and LaJune McCrea

Donna DeRouen and Pat Jones

Questions about Caladium Bulbs . . .

Digging up and storing bulbs over winter. If we have a severely cold and/or wet winter, caladium bulbs will not usually winter through those conditions in the ground. They can be dug up in the fall, dusted with dusting sulpher and stored during the winter and early spring in panty hose or mesh bags in protected areas such as a garage. If temperatures in the garage or storage area fall below 40 degrees F for an extended period of time, they should be moved to a warmer area. The bulbs can then be replanted in the spring after daytime temperatures are 65 F and above for several days.

Janice Scanlan digs hers up while there is still foliage and initially put them in paper bags with the leaves in tact by color and lets the leaf die naturally as well as soil dry off. She marks the bags by color. Letting them dry for a few weeks in the garage, she puts the bulbs in mesh bags or panty hose and hangs in the garage. If they are still damp, she dusts with dusting sulpher, found at garden stores, to prevent rot and fungus. However, air circulation does the same thing. If they are in boxes, the dusting sulpher is more important. You may also want an old carpet or an airspace off a cold concrete floor in a garage.

For other Questions about Caladiums . . .press here.

Lasting Summer Color

Caladiums produce lasting summer color. For six years the Quail Valley Garden Club has been documenting caladiums late summer to fall with pictures and growing conditions. Findings: caladiums produce and last through summer in drought, high humidity, heat and record temperatures. Photo shows the 5 varieties  Quail Valley Garden Club offers in our pre-sale. All photos from Missouri City, Texas.

All of these pictures were taken in 2013 in August after a record summer of consecutive days over 95 and 100 degree Farhenheit.

Pre-order and save by October 31, 2013, Pay in March when delivered.

Bulbs are 70 cents each pre-ordered by October 31. After October 31, 2013, price 80 cents each.

Volume Discount. A discount on boxes of 200 bulbs (of one color/variety) are $130 per box if ordered by October 31, 2013

 For the past six years, we've sold out of varieties the first week. Pre-order, reduce disappointments.

To order,  The public can order by phone or email . . .
 
from Nancy Lindsay at 281 499-2047 or email Nancy,

or Mary Chan at 281 437-7179 or email Mary

--or any Garden Club member. Chair is Rose Ann Acosta (281 437-2234)

Pre-order before Halloween, because orders after October 31 are filled first come first serve. For the past six years we ran out of some varieties within the first week of arrival and could not fill orders or had to substitute colors because open stock quantities are limited.

for reference on one page you have a reference to place your order.
Download Caladium Flier 2013-14

Lasting summer color. The Quail Valley Garden Club has been working on a demonstration of caladium bulbs for six years. When we started, we never guessed that Mother Nature would provide so many weather records for this demonstration! The summer of 2013 has been a humdinger. Record temperature and number of days over 95◦ F as well as over 100◦ F with high humidity and low rainfall has been tough on our gardens; but our pictures demonstrate that caladiums perform heat, drought, and heavy rain. How well do bulbs last for more than one growing season? In general, first-season growth is more lush. Supplementing bulbs works well if winters are mild and not too wet. A Fall Caladium Garden? Member Joan Fox has been having great success supplementing caladiums past the normal spring planting season. Because of the warmth, the bulbs come up quickly and last until frost. Joan sets aside some bulbs and plants where she needs color. Fall is an excellent time to inventory for next summer’s color needs. Consider caladiums in areas you may have had trouble finding color plants to grow such as under trees. We offer five varieties including a new red strap that is smaller and great for borders. You can save money by pre-ordering.  Bulbs are 70 cents per bulb plus volume discounts available if ordered by October 31.  Contact Nancy Lindsay at 281 499-2047. Order now, pay during March delivery. You can see pictures and learn our full results by visiting our full demonstration story. We also have planting information, how to store for winter, and guides for in-ground and containers,  press here.