Greg was so responsive to questions from the members and I loved seeing the enthusiasm in all the discussions! On behalf of Green Acres, he gave members gift certificates, plants and seed packets! How generous! Thank You Green Acres!

Some of Greg's comments reinforced how long time gardeners & horticulturists are eco gardening - we are now working WITH the environment, not against it. Build up your soil with organic materials, such as vermiculture, compost, mulch, 2x a year; don't disturb the native soil - just add to the top. Planting pollinator flowers with your veggies attracts good bugs which help to control the bad pests. And yes, lady bugs are good aphid eaters, but a green lace wing is better - they eat up to 300 aphids a day! There was quite a discussion about the benefits and usage of nematodes and parasitic insects.

Some of the plants Greg brought and shared information about:
Blonde Ambition Grass - blooms in the fall; beneficial as insect home
Texas Sage (low maintenance evergreen shrub; grows tall, don't hedge it as it will get woody inside; hardy)
Lupines break down the soil; plant in full sun; seed now before the rains begin.
Spring Bulbs should be plants in the fall; plant pansies or polyscias chrysanthemums over the bulbs, which will grown right up through them. Refrigerate tulips 6 weeks prior to planting.
Others to plant now: garlic bulbs, tulips, daffodils, ranunculus, iceplant poppies, stock, snapdragons, rudbeckia, cyclamens. Soak well, let soil dry to depth of your finger, then water again. Don't over water.
Fertilize with organic product like E. B. Stone, when planting and then again in 6 weeks.
If plants need cutting back, do so in late March.

Pesticides are still getting into our water, even through water treatment - via rain water runoff and taps 7 toilets. It's up to us to Reduce our use as much as possible. Many pesticides say they focus on 1 pest, but in fact can kill multiple 'innocent bystander' bugs. 90% of insects are beneficial; only 2% have potential to be bad, and they typically only last 2 weeks during their "pesky" season. Pesticides typically don't work on adult insects - they work on eggs or larvae.

2 kinds of fertilizers: (synthetic and organic)
Each has levels of Nitrogen (N) helps with leaf and stem growth - makes it green and can move to where it's needed; Phosphorus (P) helps with roost, flowers, seed & fruit development; and Potassium (K) helps with strong stem growth, water movement, flowering and fruiting. If your Nitrogen is high you'll get lots of leaf growth, weak stems and little flowers or fruit. Organic fertilizers typically have a more balanced NPK ratio.


Struggling plants are susceptible to disease and cannot stand up to pest infestation. If your plant isn't doing well, (1) check the irrigation (2) is it getting too much fertilizer and (3) is it in the proper place (soil, sun etc)
Irrigation test: Water deeply for 5 minutes using an emitter or soaker hose, let water percolate for 10 minutes; test to see how far down the water reached. Example: water reached 2" down in soil - how many increments of 5 minutes would it take to reach to 1" below the bottom of the plant. i.e. plant is 12" deep - it takes 35 minutes for water to reach one inch below plant (12" / 2" + 1"). If you don't let the water reach that depth the plant's roots will not grow deep and perhaps die. After approximately 6 months move the emitters or soaker hose out from the base of the plant to ensure roots along the drip line are receiving water. Place emitters 12" apart from each other. Multiple plants nearby, water to depth of deepest rooted plant.

Do not use DIY applications. i.e. dawn disperses oil, using on your leaves removes the protective oils on the plants' leaves.

Take away: manage your use of pesticides; read labels; let good bugs do their job; water properly; healthy plants can fight off pests.

The next class opening is 2026; application, orientation meeting, personal interview and background check May be required. Training is provided by University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources typically during the winter months. After training volunteer service hours are required as well as continuing education each year.

Feng Shui encourages the use and balance of the five natural elements or forces: wood, fire, earth, metal and water

Dutch Iris: plant the small bulb with point down about 2x the height of the bulb.

Bearded irises:
Are grown from rhizomes
After blooming (end of summer usually) cut the leaves off in a fan shape about 4-5 inches from rhizomes
When dividing break off soft parts, and plant with top half above the ground.
Divide where there is a leaf bud (the bump at the point)
Do not over water as they easily rot.
They need lots of sun in order to bloom.
Divide every few years to keep them blooming and healthy.
They don't need fertilizer but can use bone meal which is high in phosphorus.
If fertilize best is right before rain; be sure to water after

Walking Iris:
You can break off the tiny 'bulbs' that grown along the stem to propagate new rhizomes
Once in the ground the plants root and start a new plant; the large clumps May lay on the ground and
spread in every direction - walking along the ground.
You can sometimes get 10-12 buds on one plant
Pollinators and Beneficial wasps love this plant
Trim the stems at end of growing season.
Remove dead flowers to encourage propagation.
grows best in light to full shade and moist soil

Coleus:
House or outdoor plants
From the mint family, clue: square stems
Can get tall spiked flowers; pinch back to avoid leaves from stopping growing
They are annuals but may come back if doesn't freeze
Propagate from leaf stem; take bottom leaves off and put in water to cover the leaf nodes
they like shade, especially from afternoon sun
Low Water
Pinch head to keep compact
Diseases: white flies - low air circulation & too much water
Can use Neem oil with water & spray underneath of leaves

Become at member of this valuable resource and help it continue to keep our history front and center
https://sanjoaquinhistory.org/

Camellia Society meets 2-5 pm 4th Sunday of October-April See Web for more information