Botaniverse

Plant Societies - The Pacific Bulb Society

2011-05-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

Worsleya procera (rayneri) - Photo Bill Dijk, from the PBS wiki

Did you know that many plant societies maintain large online data bases of plants loaded with pictures and information? Yep! Lots of them even have seed, bulb, or plant exchanges. There are both local groups so you can share your new addictions with those who understand face to face, and international groups that share seeds and experiences from around the globe.

Being a huge bulb fan, one of my favorite groups is the Pacific Bulb Society (PBS). Despite the local sounding name, it has grown to be a wide reaching, international group.

The PBS Wiki pages are amazing. Its many contributors have made it an amazingly impressive data base. All this information is available to anyone, any time, all free. Pictured above, from the PBS wiki, is the much sought after Worsera procera (aka rayneri), Yes, it really is a blue amaryllid.

One of my favorite features of the society, ( a feature that does require membership), and the is the seed & bulb exchange, Members donate seed/ and or bulbs, and the material is made available to members for a few bucks a pack. Cheap! Especially considering how rare and unusual some of the species offered are. It's also nice to know the money goes to sustaining the non profits group's efforts.

Being that I'm moving to NYC at the end of July and leaving my plant collection behind, I'm sure to be spending a lot of time on the PBS wiki.

2011-05-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

I love Trey Pitsenberger's blog, It's always thought provoking and relevant reading for anyone in the nursery business. Today's post,"The big boys have gotten the social media bug bad", is of special interest. I've been pondering the topic for some time now. It's about corporate interest and influence in the blogosphere.

Being the leftist that I am, there is nothing I'd like more for us all than to contribute to our ability and take what we need; but that utopia exists only in the mind. Living costs money.

Horticulture is my profession. I've been so fortunate through the years to make a living sharing my passion with people. There is a value to my knowledge.

Still, I've always felt very strongly that my blog should be a labour of love-- not only free from advertising, but completely public domain. The words, pictures, everything free-- use them as you wish. I've been contacted by scouts looking for pictures for textbooks, organizations making databases of plant material, and nurseries wanting pictures of plants. However, sometimes I ponder, by giving away my material am I devaluing my interests? Worse yet, am I contributing to the devaluation of someone's career? Perhaps someone who would also be glad to make a living out of doing something they love ?

While I have never made a penny from blogging, just about every dollar I've ever earned has come from horticulture (except for that calendar I did when I was in college, but hey, I really needed the money).

I agree with Trey that the corporate invasion of small media should raise a lot of suspicion. Heck, I think one should always be suspicious, at least always questioning. Nonetheless, where there is value, honesty, willing buyers, and a capitalist economy, then perhaps there is a place for commerce.

I think I can safely say that corporate sponsorship isn't inherently evil. Corporations themselves aren't inherently evil, just as small independent companies aren't inherently good.

I think part of the problem comes from an indebtedness one feels to their sponsors. It's like lobbyists contributing to your champaign -- it's just to easy to be swayed. To this end, rather than unsolicited sponsors tempting innocent bloggers with arm loads of cash , a blogger should seek out sponsors that they truly believe in. OXO don't call me. (but should there be an interest in my blog from, say BMW motorbikes, or Green and Black's Organic Chocolate, contact me privately, I don't want to lose Trey's respect)

I'm really hoping to see "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" soon. That should provide some insight on the topic.

I've got to run.. going to see TV on the Radio in San Diego tonight.

Coming soon: "Why I love Monsanto".

World Naked Gardening Day - May 14th

2011-05-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

The sixth annual World Naked Gardening Day is May 14th.

It seems like a fairly good idea. After all it does involve gardening. Still, I don't know. While I'm a huge fan of nakedness, I'm also quite enthusiastic about technology (ie: sharp tools, sturdy boots, gloves,.......pants!)

I'm glad that there are people that like to garden naked, but mostly I'm just glad that there are people that like to garden.

May 14th, World Gardening Day! (Clothing Optional)

The horticulture event of the year?!!

2011-05-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming as I read the following from Roger's Gardens website.

Sat

& Sun June 18th & 19th, 9am

Roger's Gardens Rare Plant Show & Contest

Do you have a blue rose, a fragrant hydrangea or a new species of succulent? Maybe you just like to show off (don't we all). Bring your rarest, most unusual or most bizarre plant to Roger's Gardens today for our Rare Plant Contest and Show. Customers and employees are invited to display their personal plant treasures, with prizes and ribbons for the best entries. If you don't think you have anything worthy of the display table y...ou can still come gawk at the rarities on display. Please limit your plants to no more than five and in containers no larger than 16" diameter. To be eligible for the competition you must be an amateur and your entries should arrive between 9am and 11am. Staff will be on-hand to assist you. If you know the name of your plants, bring that as well, if not we will try to identify them for you. First ($100), second ($50) and third ($25) place gift cards will be awarded when the judging is completed, at approximately 12pm. Entries will be on display throughout the weekend.

It should be fun and informative. I can't wait to see what people bring.

See you there!!

Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd
Corona del Mar, California 92625
949-640-5800 or
800-647-2356

Store Hours:
Open Daily 9am to 6pm

Quote of the Day

2011-04-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Garden centers are boring local gardeners to death by offering the same plants every year. Nothing new and exciting ever graces their shelves, and most of the people who work there are barely even knowledgeable, much less passionate, about the plants they sell."

By Sarah Larson | Email the author | April 20, 2011

Read the article here: http://doylestown.patch.com/articles/boring-gardeners-to-death

The handout for Saturday's Class- Warm Season Veggie Gardening

2011-04-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, you'll be joining me at Living Green Nursery this Saturday at 10 am for a talk on warm season vegetable gardening. Should be fun. Here is the handout.

Planting an Organic Veggie & Herb Garden

With Erick Lux

A great-and practical-way to enjoy the wonders of the botanical world is to start a vegetable and herb garden. Here are some basic instructions on planting a 10 x 10 (100 square foot) plot. Keep in mind that these are rather generic instructions based on amending typical Orange County clay soil for vegetables.

Mix 6 cubic feet or more of Soil Booster, 10lbs of gypsum and 5lbs of E.B. Stone Sure Start thoroughly into the soil to a depth of 8” or more.

Make raised rows for planting; they make proper watering easier. I like to make 3” high and 6” wide raised rows. The rows can be close together for smaller plants like radishes, carrots and beets. Larger plants like Peppers will need to be 24” or more apart (tomatoes ; 3’). Plant taller growing crops, such as trellised beans and corn, towards the northern side of the plot so they won’t shade smaller, lower growing plants.

Some veggies to plant now include carrots, squash (all types), beans, corn, peppers and tomatoes.

I like to also feed monthly with Liquid Seaweed. Use one tablespoon of each per gallon of water. Drench the foliage as well as the ground.

Generally, it is best to keep an eye out for pests and treat them specifically as needed. If you have had reoccurring past problems, it may be wise to consider preventative measures. For many pests, there are predator insects that can be introduced before real problems arise. There are lots of great organic pest controls out there, but most work best on a focused range of pests. For example, B.t. will kill Tomato Hornworms, but it won’t do anything for aphids. Consider growing tomato plants; in late spring, when Tomato Hornworm eggs are being laid, the introduction of Trichogramma wasps can help keep future problems in check. For just about any problem there is a natural solution.

Rotating crops can also help prevent problems. Planting the same thing in the same spot can build up levels of pests and pathogens that normally wouldn’t be a problem. This can be especially important with heirloom vegetables that have not been bred for resistance like many modern hybrids have. Also, different crops place different demands on soil. Rotating different crops in an area can give the soil a break. Some plants such as beans and peas can even help replenish the soil.

Don’t be afraid to ask your nurseryman questions. If you have a pest or any other problem, bring your question and any evidence you may have (i.e. dead foliage) in to Living Green garden center. We’ll be glad to identify the problem and suggest a solution.

Organic Gardening
Why garden organically? It’s fun and you can feel better about yourself & your yard for it. Even setting aside a portion of your yard, such as a vegetable & herb garden, and implementing some basic principles can make a difference. The most important elements of organic gardening are universal.

Plant the right plant in the right place. – Due to natural selection every plant living on earth is a survivor. No plant is difficult to grow as long as all of its light, nutrient, temperature, humidity and water requirements are met. Ok, so some plants do have exacting requirements that can be hard to duplicate in your landscape. As a beginning gardener, you will probably want to avoid plants that are from climate zones dissimilar to yours or that are very specific in their needs. It is much easier to pick plants that will like you, (and your yard), for who you are than to completely change for them. Happy plants have fewer insect and disease problem to deal with than those that are under stress.

Plant it right.
Plant at the right depth.
Use the right planting mix for the type of plant you’re planting. Apply a top layer of much.
Don’t skimp on the size of planting hole you dig. Width is more important that depth.
Incorporate the right kinds of nutrients into the soil and inoculate new planting areas with myccorhyzae.

Garden in harmony with nature rather than fighting it.
When it comes to pests, nature has an amazing way of taking care of itself. Understand that the good bug vs. bad bug relationship is cyclic. You will have an outbreak of damaging insects before the good guys establish themselves. Using harsh chemicals will kill not only the damaging insects, but also their predators. Remember that the goal is pest management, not complete annihilation.

Feed the soil, not the plant.
The soil is the foundation of the entire garden. There is a myriad of organisms that make up a garden; many of them are too small to see. Feeding to maximize a healthy living soil will reduce problems and maximize plant health.

Water as deeply as possible, as infrequently as possible. – Most of us have clay soil. It absorbs water slowly, and dries slowly. You want to water deep to get those bottom roots the water the need and to encourage them to even grow deeper. I wish I could give you a time frame like “Water once a week for an hour,” but it doesn’t work like that. How long and how frequent you’ll need to water will depend on things like temperature, humidity, soil type and type of plantings. Keep in mind; you’ll also want to adjust that automatic sprinkler timer with seasonal fluctuations of these variables.

Ask Questions- It is the first step in learning more. Nurserymen are there for your questions. If you have a pest or problem bring it in to your local independent nursery and most likely they can help find a solution for you.

Hand Pollinating Corn

Ever grown corn that had partially empty ears? Not worm eaten- just kernels missing in action. That is due to poor pollination.

Unless you're growing 12 square meters or more of corn, you will probably need to hand pollinate the ears to insure that all the kennels develop. Hand pollinating corn is easy, but you've got to plant ahead and keep a watchful eye out for the emergence of the silks. The silks are part of the corn plant's female flowers. They channel the pollen down to the ears so that kennels can develop. In corn fields, winds take care of pollen dispersal, but in small gardens, we might need to help.

Timing is everything.
Look for emerging silks emerging from new ears. The silks begin to peak out of the new ear and have a slightly fuzzy appearance. The silks purpose is to receive pollen.

The tassels, found at the top of the stalks are the male, pollen producing part of the corn plant. When they're ripe they release dusty pollen when bumped or shaken. Fortunately, the silks are receptive at the same time the pollen is ready. To ensure the growth of kernel filled ears, one just needs to make sure the pollen gets to from the tassels to the silks. Often simply shaking each plant will do the job, but I manually touch a piece of tassel to silk.

I break off a tassel and go from ear to ear, "knighting" each one. I try to do this every few days or so while new silks are emerging, ensuring that I get nice full ears. I grow successive plantings, so that they aren't all ripening at once, so I have to pollinate over a longer season.

"I dub thee Lady Andrea" I say as I knight each tassel. I always name them after my fiancé as she's always more than happy to give me an earful. (what a corny joke!)

When the silks begin to look dry at the ends they are no longer receptive. Hopefully, full, ripe ears of corn are just around the corner.

Links:

Living Green Nursery: http://www.livinggreennursery.com/

Erick’s Plant Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/botaniverse/

Erick’s Blog: http://luxbotaniverse.blogspot.com/

my plants are dead

2011-04-06T17:32:00.001-07:00

2011-04-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what you might think, the most humorous fruit is not the cucumber, or even the kumquat, but the mango. That's why so many jokes begin with "Mangoes into a bar....."

2011-03-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

No time to blog today. I'm hard at work writing the pilot to a television show about a guy that psycho-kinetically fixes peoples teeth. It's tentatively titled, 'The Dentalist'

2011-03-26T16:24:00.001-07:00

It's hard to say if fish have feelings, but they definitely have emulsions.

Don't miss this one bulb fans!

2011-02-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

I love South African Bulbs, They're lovely, surprising, and they generally naturalize well. Try planting some and I'm sure they will win you over too.

Perhaps the area's biggest South African Bulb event of the year happens this weekend. Sadly, I'll have to miss this one, as I'll be in NYC ( working on a top secret project).

I've never been to the Big Apple, I'm pretty excited about it. So, do me a favor wouldaya, go to the bulb fest and take pictures & notes. Don't forget a wee bit of cash, as they have lots of rare goodies for sale too.

Here is what the UCI Arboretum states:

Winter Bulb Festival

The UCI Arboretum hosts its popular annual Winter Bulb Festival on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Winter Bulb Festival features our beautiful South African Bulb Garden in peak bloom. These unique and unusual wildflowers boast an array of colors, shapes and sizes. Experts from the UC Master Gardeners will be present to answer our guest’s questions.

During the Festival the Arboretum nursery will host a plant sale featuring potted, blooming bulbs from the garden, early spring perennials, succulents, and other plants for your garden. Our plants are unique yet easy to grow. Expert advice on selection, planting and care is available from our volunteer staff.

Admission is $2.00 per adult, with children under 12 free. There is ample free parking right next to the Arboretum.

For more information please call (949) 824-5833.

Map: http://arboretum.bio.uci.edu/Docs/ArboretumMap.pdf

Great Park Garden Lecture Series

2011-02-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, at least in the sense that you live in Orange County and like gardening, you wont want to miss the spring garden series at the Great Park in Irvine. (Darn, we already missed one).

These will be a lot of fun and informative too. All of the speakers have lots of knowledge and pizazz. Here is the schedule from the Great Park's website:

Spring 2011 Garden Workshops

Spring 2011 Garden Workshops

Saturdays, March 19–May 7, 2011

Time(s): 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays
Location: Farm & Food Lab | Map & Directions
Free Parking & Admission
The Orange County Great Park is proud to present a series of gardening education workshops in sustainable home gardening practices led by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County.
For more information please call (949) 724-7420.

Workshop Schedule

Grow it NOW: The Heat Lovers
Saturday, March 19, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 Noon
Presenter: Kay Havens
Don’t forget your sunscreen when you bask in the sunshine while tending your summer veggies! What do they need to stay healthy? When, how and where do they like to be planted? Join us for all the details.
Edibles in Containers
Saturday, March 26, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 Noon
Presenter: Teena Spindler
No room to grow veggies? Think again. Learn what to plant in containers that is both attractive and edible. Soon you will be able to harvest your own vegetables no matter how small your space.
What’s Bugging You?
Saturday, April 2, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 Noon
Presenter: John Kabashima
Got creepy crawly critters in your yard? Are they bad or beneficial? If you’re not sure, this presentation is for you! We will update you on the most recent pests to look out for and the ones to invite into your plant world.
Herbs – From the Garden to the Table
Saturday, April 16, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 Noon
Presenter: Cristen Fusano
Fresh vegetables are even tastier when flavored with herbs fresh from the garden! Spice up your culinary adventures with the addition of herbs harvested just before they’re used.
Low-Water Lawns and Alternatives
Saturday, May 7, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 Noon
Presenter: Tom Larson
Tick. Tick. Tick. What you hear is the water meter and it is beginning to tick faster and faster. Slow it down by finding out about low water lawns and lawn alternatives. Get ready to take action!

2011-02-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

There have been times when I haven't posted as I had not much to write. Lately, I've a lot is going in but time is tight.

Got engaged. School is going super well. Plants are happy. Spring is just around the (very cold) corner.

Lots of changes to look forward to.

2010-12-22T00:11:00.000-08:00

"And so now I'd like to say - people can change anything they want to. And that means everything in the world. People are running about following their little tracks - I am one of them. But we've all got to stop just following our own little mouse trail. People can do anything - this is something that I'm beginning to learn. People are out there doing bad things to each other. That's because they've been dehumanized. It's time to take the humanity back into the center of the ring and follow that for a time. Greed, it ain't going anywhere. They should have that in a big billboard across Times Square. Without people you're nothing. That's my spiel."
— Joe Strummer

reasons to be thankful, pt.3

2010-11-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

Saw the National at the Fox a bit ago. Can't get them out of my head. Good.

you tube sunday

2010-11-14T01:52:00.000-08:00

2010-11-13T04:25:00.000-08:00

"When you're out to get the honey you don't go killing all the bees"
— Joe Strummer

Oh, to be in England...

2010-11-10T11:18:00.000-08:00

Dear England,
I am so sorry about that whole tea fiasco. It was simply lack of communication and I take responsibility for my part in the misunderstanding. I've pondered the errors of my ways and I assure you it wont happen again. Please accept my application to re-join the Commonwealth.
Love,
Erick

There are a lot of reasons to be envious of the Brits; music, fashion, the cool accent, brilliant television shows(Jools Holland Later alone merits a vote in the category) comedy, arts, their fine beers, food (ok, maybe not the food), but what makes me most want to bow to the Queen and wave the Union Jack is the love that the English have for the botanical world. My perspective from this side of the pond is that the Brits have a love for plants that we Yanks seem to largely miss.

Being a Southern Californian, this makes me especially sad. We have such an epic climate here. We can pick our landscape pallets from so much of the world flora. Yet, so many of us take it all for granted. I don't want to soap box about change (for a change!) or ponder the hows and whys right now. Perhaps, our pal Dustin, who completed a horticulture internship in the UK can shed more light on this later, but for now, lets take a moment to appreciate some fine brit-bot-blogs (British Botanical Blogs).

I'm loving The Digital Botanical Garden http://digitalbotanicgarden.blogspot.com/
A blog by botanist Phil Gates, of Durham University. His photography is rich and stunning. His blog is filled with all sorts of interesting information. Dreamy!

The Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea
Flower Show http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2010
Ever gone to the "flower show" at the Orange County fair. I make my point that we don't take horticulture seriously.

Gardeners' World http://www.gardenersworld.com/
Sure we have some fine 'Outdoor Lifestyle" mags here, but honestly I could care less about chicken recipes or adverts for sending my kids to military school. GW takes it to the next level when you're all about the plants.

While you're at it, check out Dustin's Blog, Non-Secateur
Brilliant!

Perhaps asking for California weather coupled with the appreciation that the Brits have for plants is asking for a lot. Perhaps having three hundred and fifty days of sunshine per year is over-rated.

This blog was written to the music of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Bat for Lashes.

John Rader(s) of the Lost Ark

2010-11-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

Proven Winners is asking for you to vote on your favorite magazine ad. Clever. It is a good way to get one to really take a close look at the their adverts in a way that you probably wouldn't when just flipping through your fave garden rag.

I can help but notice the Home Depot co-branding at the bottom. As a chap that makes his living at an independent garden center, my first response is not positive, but really, that's just me being an independent supremacist. I have my own selfish interests in mind.

To be fair- Home Depot isn't evil. They offer their full time employees medical insurance, paid vacations and a stock option/ 401k thing. Many nursery people- myself included, got their nursery start at a box store. I can think of several reasons that I'm glad I don't work there now, but I did get a lot of training that helped me to be a better nursery team-member. To Home Depot founders, Bernie and Arthur, and all the staff I worked with along the way I owe a big thank you.

Similarly, Home Depot isn't bad place for a consumer to get his/her feet wet. Plants are fairly inexpensive and they carry a vast array of common and relatively easy to grow plants -- Plants that a consumer is likely to have success with. Proven Winners is a great complement to that. PW sells plants that are tested to perform in a wide array of conditions and will take a bit of abuse. Additionally, they make available spicy little plants that add a bit of joie de vivre to the garden at a value price.

Armed with garden success a new gardener is likely to branch out, experiment and seek more unusual, specialty plants-- Things that are more likely to be found at an independent garden center.

It used to be that I could really look down on box stores. I felt that the selection, service and expertise to be found at a local independent garden centers was far superior to that found at the chains. In this economy I'm not so sure anymore. When money is tight, it is harder for independents to justify stocking the wider variety of selections that separate them from the boxes. When sales are slow, it is harder to keep the stock fresh and looking it's best. Every plant that is in stock costs a nursery money every day in care and the physical space a nursery has to pay rent (or property tax) on.

It is also harder for independents to justify the costs of having experts on staff. With fewer customers, there are fewer tough questions, fewer people putting together large projects, and less demand for expert advice.

With funds being tight, maintenance at independent nurseries can also suffer. too Notice a little more peeling paint, cracked asphalt, or plants that need to simply be dumped at the corner shop?

So what is the incentive for a consumer to shop at an independent nursery? A warm fuzzy feeling that they have supported a local business? That's not enough.

As a one who is crazy for plants and gardening it is frustrating to see the demise of the independent garden center. I treasure my hobby and profession and it is sad to see independent nurseries loosing their advantage.
The ones that have the best chance of making it through theses hard times will be the innovative-- those who think of creative ways to give their guests reasons to come in and see what's going on.

It's going to be a game of centimeters and the game is constantly changing, but hopefully there will be a lot of opportunities for those that make it through the economic drought.

Oh, did I mention that Proven Winners is having a vote where you can select which ad is your fave? Here are your choices. Vote here: http://www.provenwinners.com/ce_index.cfm?content=vote

We don't want any trouble, we just want to earn enough money to fix our spaceship and go home.

2010-11-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Commander,
On this planet they say that one learns from their mistakes. You'll be be happy to know that lately I've been learning a lot.
-Love, Erick

Change seems to be a re-occurring theme as of late. After using only PCs my entire life, I'm adapting to using a Mac. I have to say a huge thanks to Westin at the Apple store for all his help. Any readers out there that have not been to an Apple store? Nice place. Go. It is an experience in fantastic customer service and effective merchandising. Doesn't hurt that they make and sell superior products either.

Why the change? --here is the story. My partner Andy and I had our computers stolen last week. Mea Culpa. I left the doors to the apartment unlocked. While I deserve it, for leading a brother into temptation...I still wish humankind was a little trustworthy and we all didn't have to worry about locks and barriers. Oh, in my fantasy world. I do have to say thanks to the thief for not ransacking the place. He/She quickly made off taking only our laptops.

More than hating to shell out hard earned cash for replacements, its painful to know that our computer are going to be sold on the cheap. I had a lot of stuff on my machine that I'm going to miss -- pictures, music, old college papers..etc. (yeah, I learned a lesson about the merits of frequently backing up data too). I wish I would at least get a ransom note--surely the computer is worth more to me than to random craigslister. So, if by chance you have my laptop--I have some unmarked bills waiting for you at the train station, locker 17.

2010-11-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

I frequently add to my 'Erick Recommends' listing of blogs and other websites of interest. Usually with little fanfare. Well, this time with a raised glass (of coffee) and a font that I selected especially for this occasion, I'm pleased to announce that I will be adding the following sites to the list.

http://www.thegarden.org/

http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/

http://blog.anniesannuals.com/

I better run, Andy and I are heading to the Elton John / Leon Russel gig at the Palladium tonight.

Remember, anyone that doesn't vote doesn't get to complain!

2010-11-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

I feel like a fool admitting that I'm disappointed by the Democratic Party. What did I expect? But like a partner in an abusive relationship, I've kept crawling back. Sometimes I tell myself that "This time will be different." or justify that my vote for candidate A is at least better than candidate B. If I truly vote my heart, the opponents will win, I've worried.

Both national parties are just different brands of the same corporate crap that don't effectively represent progressive interests.   All progressives know this, yet we keep voting Democrat because we hate to throw away our vote on candidates that can't win. Personally, I've had it. No more excuses. it is time to do the right thing. I'm defecting. Tomorrow I'm voting for what I believe in. Tomorrow I'm voting Green.   If we all voted for what we believe in, we could actually make a difference.

Why Green? Check out the party's 10 key values:

Ecological Wisdom
Grassroots Democracy
Social Justice
Nonviolence
Decentralization
Community-Based Economics
Feminism
Respect for Diversity
Global Responsibility
Sustainability

Are these things that you're interested in?
Read More..

I'm tired of voting "against" - -choosing between the lesser of two evils. It time to start voting "for." It's time to select candidates that represent your long term interests. Please join me in voting Green tomorrow.

Below is you Green Party Voter Guide:

STATEWIDE OFFICES
Any statewide partisan office --Vote for the Green
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tom Torlakson

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS
19 Yes
20 Yes
21 Yes
22 Yes
23 No
24 Yes
25 Yes
26 No
27 No

STATE LEGISLATURE
California Assembly, District 68: Phu Nguyen
California Assembly, District 72: Jane Rands
LOCAL OFFICES
Anaheim City Council: Rudy Gaona
Coast Community College Trustee: Lynn Riddle, J. Moreno
Fullerton City Council: Doug Chaffee
Fullerton Joint Union H.S. District Board: Vicki R. Calhoun
Irvine Unified School Board: Gavin Huntley-Fenner
Newport-Mesa School Board: Katrina Foley, Judy Franco
North OC Community College District, Area 3: Ruben Barron
Orange City Council: Yolanda Alvarez
Orange Unified School District Board, Area 1: Diane Singer
South OC Community College District, Area 2: Thomas Prendergast
South OC Community College District, Area 5: Marcia Milchiker
Tustin City Council: Sherrie Loveland

2010-10-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to be a sculptor, but with my minimal artistic abilities, everything I created ended up being a statue of limitations.

Echium candicans 'Star of Madeira'

New Palm Tree Pest in Orange County

2010-10-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

Following is an alert from CDFA regarding a new palm pest.

CDFA Release # 10-061

RED PALM WEEVIL, WORST KNOWN PEST OF PALM TREES, DETECTED IN LAGUNA BEACH

SACRAMENTO , October 18, 2010 - Agricultural officials have confirmed the detection of a red palm weevil in the Laguna Beach area of Orange County - the first-ever detection of the pest in the United States. The weevil is considered to be the world’s worst pest of palm trees. An infestation typically results in the death of the tree.

“This invasive pest is a threat not only to our nursery growers and date palm farmers,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “It also endangers all of the decorative palms that are so common in our landscape and so much a part of the classic California backdrop. I would like to express my gratitude to the landscape contractor who originally reported this pest. He is a Good Samaritan who did the right thing when he took the time to notify local agricultural authorities, and he has given us a very valuable head-start in our efforts.”

In response to the original contact by the landscaper, state and local agricultural officials, working in partnership with the USDA, began an extensive, door-to-door survey in the neighborhood and are setting about 250 traps to determine if an infestation exists. Protocols for this pest call for an initial survey covering a 1.5 square mile radius around the detection property, resulting in a trapping array covering nine square miles.

The red palm weevil, scientific name Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is a major pest of palm trees, many of which are highly valued as landscaping plants, generating approximately $70 million in nursery plant sales in California annually. Palm trees are also used for producing crops and marketable agricultural commodities including coconuts, dates and oils. In California , date palm growers harvest an annual crop worth approximately $30 million. The vast majority of these farms are in the Coachella Valley region.

The red palm weevil is native to Southeast Asia and has spread throughout the Arabian Gulf. It is found in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Oceania . Prior to the detection in Orange County, the closest confirmed infestation to the United States was in the Dutch Antilles in 2009, the first report of the pest in the western hemisphere. It was also confirmed in Aruba in 2009.

Female red palm weevils bore into a palm tree to form a hole into which they lay eggs. Each female may lay an average of 250 eggs, which take about three days to hatch. Larvae emerge and tunnel toward the interior of the tree, inhibiting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients upward to the crown. After about two months of feeding, larvae pupate inside the tree for an average of three weeks before the reddish-brown adults emerge. Adults live for two to three months, during which time they feed on palms, mate multiple times and lay eggs.

Adult weevils are considered strong fliers, venturing more than a half-mile in search of host trees. With repeated flights over three to five days, weevils are reportedly capable of traveling nearly four-and-a-half miles from their hatch site. They are attracted to dying or damaged palms, but can also attack undamaged host trees. Symptoms of the weevil and the larval entry holes are often difficult to detect because the entry sites can be covered with offshoots and tree fibers. Careful inspection of infested palms may show holes in the crown or trunk, possibly along with oozing brown liquid and chewed fibers. In heavily infested trees, fallen pupal cases and dead adult weevils may be found around the base of the tree.

Residents are encouraged to report suspect infestations by calling the CDFA Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.
http://cisr.ucr.edu/red_palm_weevil.html

Also visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/rpw/

Owen Pallet

2010-10-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Owen Pallet will be at the Echoplex this Friday. I'm going, are you?