The Sudbury Horticultural Society Newsletter

November 2013

The ladies got into the spirit of things at our October General Meeting - photo by Mother Nature (Lisa)

Editor: Hermina Hubert Phone: 705-692-1442 herminahubert@yahoo.com Membership: Linda Hugli Phone: 705-693-2476

Visit our web site: sudburyhorticulturalsociety.ca

Dedicated tothe beautification

of the Sudbury region

and the preservation of our environment

This tip from SHS member Ron Lewis:

While we Ontario gardeners wish to support our local and provincial horticulturalorganizations, nurseries and publications, many Greater Sudbury residents who gardenin colder climate zones in outlying areas (but also those in zone 4) would benefit, Ithink, from information provided by some prairie publications, specifically aimed atthose who garden in climate zones 3 or 2. One that I look forward to receiving is anannual publication, possibly unknown to many of our SHS members, called The PrairieGarden. I consider it to be of great value. Here is a link to its web site:http://www.theprairiegarden.ca/

The Spirit of Hallowe’en

Barb Ecker created a veggie burger pumpkin.Mamma Mia, Chris!

(Below) HelenCotnam elegantas ever!

Stunning Montreal Mosaiculture - submitted by Richard Toivonen

Once every three years, there is an international competition in horticultural sculpture called "mosaiculture," ina major city in the world. This year it was in Montreal. This is not topiary, rather creating sculptures out of livingplants. The greatest horticulturalists in the world, from 20 different countries, submitted plans a year in advance.Steel armatures were then created to support the works (some 40 feet high); they were then wrapped in steelmesh and filled with dirt and moss and watering hoses. Then they ordered 3 million plants of different shades ofgreen and brown and tan. These were grown in greenhouses all over Quebec. In late May, these horticulturalistscame to Montreal and planted all of their plants in the forms at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. They stood inplace for three months. There were 50 major sculptures along a path two miles long. They were incredible. Ifyou would like to visit a few and walk along the path with me, click on

http://myvirtualgarden2.blogspot.com/2013/09/mosaiculture-exhibition.html

Christmas Show“An Enchanted Winter”

Sunday, December 1 at the CNIB

We will hold elections, and be entertained by a lovely choir, The Northern Echoes

Bring entries between 10:30 and 11:30 am

Food items for the FOOD BANKappreciated

Enjoy Christmas treats and view the wonderful floral designs, wreaths,

and photos.

Tips for your Christmas Amaryllis

1. Size does matter! The larger and firmer the bulb, the more blooms it will produce.2. Keep your bulb in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant it.3. Soak the bottom of the bulb and the roots in tepid water for a few hours just before planting.4. Locate the planted bulb in a warm sunny spot to start.5. Water sparingly until the shoots appear, then whenever the soil is dry.6. Rotate the pot a quarter turn each day to keep the foliage growth balanced.7. Once the first buds are swelling, move the pot to a cooler location with less direct sunlight. This will encourage brighter and longer lasting blooms.8. Remove spent blooms to prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production.9. When your Amaryllis is at its peak, take a prize-winning photo!

- submitted by Linda Hugli

Ask a Master Gardener!

Q: I have a friend with concerns about the condition of his pine trees. They are turning brown in certainspots and the same on all of his trees. Can you advise on potential problem and solution.Thanks, Colette.

A: Hi Colette. Not to worry! Pines do indeed lose their older needles, particularlyin the fall. Notice in your photo that it's the older needles closer to the trunk thatare yellowing and dropping off. As long as there is no fungus visible and theneedles at the ends of the branches are green and unblemished, this is just 'SeasonalNeedle Drop' and not a disease or pest problem. You cannot 'solve' it, nor shouldyou try. It's a natural and necessary process. I've attached a shot I just took of ourpine this wet morning. Notice that the lawn is covered with needles. It happensevery autumn to this healthy tree.

You could suggest to your friend that he irrigate the trees' root zones well beforethe ground freezes. This will mitigate the stress the trees will experience throughdesiccation during the winter.

Linda Hugli

Reminders:

Volunteer Hours: If you have volunteered with the Society in any way (working at JohnStreet Park, Plant Sale, etc.) please advise Wayne Hugli as soon as possible so that he cansubmit them for this year.Awards: The awards and envelopes will be presented at the January General Meeting, as well asthe installation of officers. This will allow more time for careful tallying of the results and engravingof the trophies.

Announcing Carol's Christmas Workshops

Winterise the YardRemember to empty that rain barrelwater onto your trees and shrubs. Alsodrain the garden hoses. Hill up and/ormulch roses and tender plants and don’tforget to dig up the glads and dahlias.

Dates to Remember

Nov 28 - First day of Hanukkah

Dec 1 - Annual General Meeting & Christmas Show - First Advent

Dec 25 - Wednesday - Christmas

Jan 7 - Board Meeting at Red Oak

Jan 26 - General Meeting at CNIB

Feb 4 - Board Meeting at Red Oak

Feb 23 - General Meeting at CNIB

March 2 - Seedy Sunday

Carol Holla will be offering two workshops this holiday season

at Holla's Greenhouses in Val Caron:

~ Christmas Urn workshop Wednesday, Nov 27, from 1pm - 4pm…$60.00

~ Wreath and Centerpiece workshop Wednesday, Dec 4, from 1pm - 4pm…$65.00

Participants will be sampling some Christmas goodieswhile sipping hot apple cider. Everything you will useis from nature except the bows so the resultingcreations will look very natural. Materials will beprovided. Just bring your secateurs. It will be a funafternoon. Space is limited so register soon! Call Carolto register and for further details. 705-897-7554

The SHS Board Members wish you all the best for a

Happy and Healthy HolidaySeason!

We look forward to seeing you in 2014.

Season’s Greetings from our Sponsors

Southview Greenhouse GrowersBEDDING PLANTS - GERANIUMS - PERENNIALS

TREES - SHRUBS - FALL MUMS

Joe Reid 2500 Southview Drive Tel: (705) 522-4769 Sudbury, ON. P3E 4M9 Fax: (705) 522-0205

The Sudbury Master Gardeners

Ask Questions at www.mgsudbury.mgoi.ca