Gardening

Whether you know them as old garden roses or antique roses or Old World roses, they’re easy to grow, low maintenance plants and the blooms are typically fragrant. Old garden roses can also be readily increased by a variety of propagation techniques. A workshop on "The ABC’s of Old Garden Roses Propagation" will be held on Saturday, October 16, at the County Extension Office. Photo by William M. Johnson.

Gardening: Rose Propagation & Seasonal Decorating Workshops To Be Held

by Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture
October 13, 2004

Rose Propagation Workshop on October 16

Whether you call them old garden roses or antique roses or Old World roses, this popular class of roses is tough, low maintenance plants and the blooms are typically fragrant. Old garden roses can also be readily increased by a variety of propagation techniques. Whether you’re a beginner at rose propagation or wish to expand your propagation skills, the upcoming "ABC’s of Old Garden Roses Propagation Workshop" will be of value.

The workshop will be conducted on Saturday, October 16, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. Pre-registration is required due to limited seating and reservations are made on a first-come, first serve basis. Visit or contact the County Extension Office (phone 281-534-3413, ext. 6 or e-mail GALV3@wt.net) to make your reservation.

If you want to propagate old garden roses in your landscape or in the landscapes of friends, be sure to attend this workshop. A variety of propagation techniques will be demonstrated. The workshop will be presented by Anna Wygrys and John Jons who are expert rose growers and Certified Texas Master Gardeners with the Galveston County Extension Office.

Seasonal Decorating for the Home Workshop on October 23

It's never too early to start creating festive holiday decorations and gifts yourself. Be sure to make a notation on your calendar to register for a hands-on workshop to learn techniques for "Seasonal Decorating for the Complete Home . . . Inside & Out." The workshop will be held at the Galveston County Extension Office on Saturday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Era Mathews, who is a Certified Master Gardener and a Galveston Island resident, will demonstrate a variety of easy-to-master techniques that the homeowner can use to provide a creative and festive touch to the holiday seasons. While the rest of the world spends time prowling the malls for the perfect holiday decoration or gift, you can be creating your own festive holiday decorations and gifts with very little financial investment.

There is a $5.00 registration fee with includes a light lunch and program materials. Each participant will leave with one self-decorated item. Pre-registration is required (phone 281-534-3413, ext. 6 or by e-mail GALV3@wt.net) as seating is limited.

Gardeners’ Q&As

Question: This year my azaleas and sycamore leaves developed a bleached-out appearance and the underside of the leaves was covered with black tar-like spots. What causes this?

Answer: Both azaleas and sycamores are susceptible to damage caused by an insect called a lace bug. Lace bugs are usually found on the underside of leaves and, although small, the adult stage is visible to the naked eye. Damage results from the insect sucking out cell sap, resulting in mottling of the leaf. The black tar spots are actually the insect's excrements (frass). Control on azaleas can be accomplished with recommended sprays such as Orthene or Isotox. Control on sycamore may be impractical if the trees are large. If no action is taken on sycamores, the trees may drop leaves early, but no permanent damage will result.

Question: My family has always dusted vegetables rather than spraying them and we have always debated the question as to how long is the insecticide dust effective. Sometimes, unless it rains, the white dust residue will remain for weeks.

Answer: Garden dusts are only effective for 5-7 days regardless of how long the actual dust particles applied remain visible. This is why it is so important to apply only a very thin—almost transparent—layer of dust when spraying. If you pour it on, as many people do, after several applications you will have a "whitewashed" plant which can actually be damaged by the excessive accumulations. All vegetables and fruits should be washed before use.

Question: My pecan tree produced a bumper crop last year but set a light crop this spring. Can you tell me the likely cause for the difference?

Answer: Pecans tend to produce heavy crops on an alternate year cycle. However, under a properly managed production system, the alternate-year bearing characteristic can be reduced. This usually amounts to applying adequate nitrogen fertilizer and proper watering throughout the production season. Zinc sprays and a pest management program are beneficial as well.

Question: Do you recommend use of fertilizer spikes around landscape trees?

Answer: While fertilizer spikes will not harm landscape trees I do not recommend their use. Fertilizer spikes provide a concentration of nutrients in a limited area while not providing any nutrients in the remaining area. The roots of most trees extend out as far as the limbs (known as the dip line) and in many cases, extend out much farther than the limbs. Tree roots that absorb water and nutrients are also distributed fairly uniformly under a tree’s drip line. I recommend use of a complete fertilizer (such as 15-5-10 or 13-13-13) that is spread uniformly around the tree within its drip line.

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