WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.298 Hi, I'm Chris Cooper. 00:01.298 --> 00:04.364 Welcome to "The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South." 00:04.364 --> 00:05.831 Thanks for joining us. 00:05.831 --> 00:08.164 Orchids are becoming increasingly popular as 00:08.164 --> 00:11.231 flowering houseplants and many orchids are easy to grow. 00:11.231 --> 00:14.331 Today we're going to give you some pointers on how to grow 00:14.331 --> 00:15.564 orchids successfully. 00:15.564 --> 00:18.598 We're also going to talk about the fall vegetable garden, 00:18.598 --> 00:21.431 weed control, soil testing and what should be 00:21.431 --> 00:23.198 planted right now. 00:23.198 --> 00:24.598 All of that and more is just ahead on 00:24.598 --> 00:28.264 "The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South" so stay with us. 00:28.264 --> 00:32.064 (female announcer) This is a production of WKNO - Memphis. 00:32.064 --> 00:33.231 Production funding for 00:33.231 --> 00:36.698 "The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South" is provided by 00:36.698 --> 00:39.698 Good Winds Landscape and Garden Center 00:39.698 --> 00:43.531 in Germantown since 1943 and continuing to offer it's 00:43.531 --> 00:47.298 plants for successful gardening with seven greenhouses and three 00:47.298 --> 00:49.298 acres of plants plus comprehensive landscape 00:49.298 --> 00:51.431 services.. 00:51.431 --> 01:03.831 [soft music] 01:03.831 --> 01:14.198 ♪♪♪ 01:14.198 --> 01:15.898 Hi, welcome to "The Family Plot". 01:15.898 --> 01:17.264 I'm Chris Cooper. 01:17.264 --> 01:19.231 Joining me today is Laurie Williams. 01:19.231 --> 01:21.131 Laurie is the adult education manager 01:21.131 --> 01:23.231 at the Memphis Botanic Garden. 01:23.231 --> 01:24.764 And Walter Battle is here. 01:24.764 --> 01:27.564 Walter is a U-T county director in Haywood county. 01:27.564 --> 01:29.098 Thanks for joining me. 01:29.098 --> 01:30.231 Thanks for having us. 01:30.231 --> 01:31.631 Alright, so y'all ready for this? 01:31.631 --> 01:32.464 Ready for this. 01:32.464 --> 01:33.431 Alright, Laurie. 01:33.431 --> 01:34.531 We have orchids all around us. 01:34.531 --> 01:35.864 Walter, I know you like that. 01:35.864 --> 01:36.864 Oh yes. 01:36.864 --> 01:38.864 Why are orchids intimidating though? 01:38.864 --> 01:40.931 Well people think they're really hard to grow. 01:40.931 --> 01:43.464 And we might be able to blame the Victorians on that. 01:43.464 --> 01:45.464 Because we went out and collected all these plants and 01:45.464 --> 01:47.464 they stick them in these really hot, 01:47.464 --> 01:50.131 humid greenhouses -- no air circulation or anything. 01:50.131 --> 01:51.264 And the plants died. 01:51.264 --> 01:53.264 Well so they became hard to grow. 01:53.264 --> 01:55.264 If you give them what they need, they're really not hard to grow. 01:55.264 --> 01:56.264 Okay. 01:56.264 --> 01:58.264 The important thing is to know what you've got though. 01:58.264 --> 01:59.331 Because orchids grow all over the world. 01:59.331 --> 02:01.564 They grow in the desert. They grow in the forest. 02:01.564 --> 02:02.664 They grow in swamps. 02:02.664 --> 02:04.231 And you can't grow a swamp orchid like you would grow a 02:04.231 --> 02:05.331 mountain orchid. 02:05.331 --> 02:07.898 So you need to know what you're buying or what you're getting. 02:07.898 --> 02:08.964 And just give it what it needs. 02:08.964 --> 02:11.898 Okay. Now what does it need? 02:11.898 --> 02:13.064 Let's go ahead and talk about that. 02:13.064 --> 02:14.464 Depending what kind it is. 02:14.464 --> 02:17.098 Like this purple one over here, this Vanda -- that needs bright, 02:17.098 --> 02:18.231 bright sunshine. 02:18.231 --> 02:19.164 Lots of sunshine. 02:19.164 --> 02:21.398 You probably could not get that plant to grow indoors and bloom 02:21.398 --> 02:22.098 like that. 02:22.098 --> 02:22.764 Wow. 02:22.764 --> 02:24.798 Okay, now Phalaenopsis, you can or even this Phragmipedium, 02:24.798 --> 02:27.564 that tall pink pinkish colored one. 02:27.564 --> 02:28.931 That you could probably grow indoors with some supplemental 02:28.931 --> 02:30.431 light. 02:30.431 --> 02:31.931 But the Vanda you would pretty much have to have a greenhouse 02:31.931 --> 02:32.798 for. 02:32.798 --> 02:33.464 Wow. 02:33.464 --> 02:36.131 So the thing they look for to grow in their indoors is maybe a 02:36.131 --> 02:40.098 Phalaenopsis or a Phragmipedium or a Paphiopedilum. 02:40.098 --> 02:41.564 Those sometimes will do okay in a window. 02:41.564 --> 02:43.131 Wow, look how you spit out those names. 02:43.131 --> 02:44.464 Pretty impressive! 02:44.464 --> 02:45.564 Well if there's a botanist watching, 02:45.564 --> 02:46.764 I probably butchered them. 02:46.764 --> 02:49.064 But you do what you can. 02:49.064 --> 02:51.398 Well look, how about repotting? 02:51.398 --> 02:52.298 Okay. 02:52.298 --> 02:53.464 Let's make sure we cover that. 02:53.464 --> 02:55.464 Yeah, that's probably the most question I get asked the most. 02:55.464 --> 02:57.264 Because people would get an orchid as a gift or get one in a 02:57.264 --> 02:58.498 big box store. 02:58.498 --> 03:00.331 And after they're done blooming, they probably need to be 03:00.331 --> 03:01.198 repotted. 03:01.198 --> 03:03.798 Orchids need to be repotted every two years for sure. 03:03.798 --> 03:06.664 Even if it doesn't look like it's filled the pot because the 03:06.664 --> 03:07.698 stuff breaks down. 03:07.698 --> 03:10.731 This is like a bark and it breaks down after two years. 03:10.731 --> 03:13.198 So you end up with this kind of mush that makes the roots rot, 03:13.198 --> 03:14.131 okay? 03:14.131 --> 03:16.298 So very important. 03:16.298 --> 03:18.864 You just dump it out of it's pot and if it's in a clay pot, 03:18.864 --> 03:21.398 sometimes it will adhere to it because these roots actually 03:21.398 --> 03:22.631 cling on to trees in nature. 03:22.631 --> 03:24.631 They're epithetic, a lot of orchids. 03:24.631 --> 03:26.631 They grow up in the tops of trees. 03:26.631 --> 03:28.631 And so they'll cling on to this clay pot. 03:28.631 --> 03:30.631 Well if you soak the whole thing in water for a little while, 03:30.631 --> 03:32.631 it'll loosen them up a little bit. 03:32.631 --> 03:35.631 But that's what the plant looks like, okay? 03:35.631 --> 03:37.631 And in nature, that would be a tree branch. 03:37.631 --> 03:39.564 It would be growing on something like this. 03:39.564 --> 03:41.564 You know and it would just adhere to that. 03:41.564 --> 03:43.564 So what you want to do is make sure everything you use is going 03:43.564 --> 03:44.564 to drain well, right? 03:44.564 --> 03:46.564 And so the pots have big holes in them. 03:46.564 --> 03:48.564 And these are even good orchid pots. 03:48.564 --> 03:49.564 Look at that. 03:49.564 --> 03:50.564 Big holes in the bottom. 03:50.564 --> 03:52.564 And then this one is even a homemade orchid pot. 03:52.564 --> 03:54.598 You see it's got the bottom broken out for those of us that 03:54.598 --> 03:55.764 don't have large budgets. 03:55.764 --> 04:00.898 And just this I add to my garden soil because it's nice composty 04:00.898 --> 04:04.364 stuff now, kind of broken down a little bit. 04:04.364 --> 04:07.164 And so what I would do if we have enough time is prune off 04:07.164 --> 04:09.164 anything that's not nice and white lookin'. 04:09.164 --> 04:11.164 You know these are kind of old roots. 04:11.164 --> 04:13.164 See how that ones just sort of.. 04:13.164 --> 04:15.164 And all that's gonna do is rot in the soil. 04:15.164 --> 04:17.531 So any of these that are kind of brown and squishy, 04:17.531 --> 04:18.731 I would take off, okay? 04:18.731 --> 04:21.064 And then just put it back in the pot. 04:21.064 --> 04:23.431 And it's okay if you bury some of these but it's also okay if 04:23.431 --> 04:24.431 some of them hang out. 04:24.431 --> 04:26.431 Again, this grows in the tops of trees. 04:26.431 --> 04:27.431 And so that's it's nature. 04:27.431 --> 04:30.931 And then you would just put your new mix in there. 04:30.931 --> 04:32.098 You can get this. 04:32.098 --> 04:34.098 Some of the big box stores are carrying it now. 04:34.098 --> 04:35.931 Good nurseries have it. 04:35.931 --> 04:39.198 The orchid guys told me their favorite website is 04:39.198 --> 04:42.031 repotme-dot-com for ordering stuff. 04:42.031 --> 04:44.031 And I looked it up before I came today. 04:44.031 --> 04:46.031 They have 27 different orchid potting mixes. 04:46.031 --> 04:48.298 So again, know Repotme-dot-com. 04:48.298 --> 04:50.098 How about that? 04:50.098 --> 04:52.198 And so know what you got so you'll know what to use because 04:52.198 --> 04:54.198 some like sphagnum moss a little better. 04:54.198 --> 04:56.198 Some of them like this bark mix. 04:56.198 --> 04:58.198 This has a little bit of volcanic rock in it, 04:58.198 --> 04:59.198 that blown up volcanic rock. 04:59.198 --> 05:02.264 And that's really all there is to it, okay? 05:02.264 --> 05:04.264 This has been soaked overnight before I used it. 05:04.264 --> 05:06.264 It's not a dry mix that you're putting it in to. 05:06.264 --> 05:09.264 And then more orchids are probably killed by overwatering 05:09.264 --> 05:10.264 than anything. 05:10.264 --> 05:12.264 People think they need lots and lots of water. 05:12.264 --> 05:13.331 And so they keep watering them. 05:13.331 --> 05:16.431 Well what happens is the roots start to rot down below this 05:16.431 --> 05:17.431 soil. 05:17.431 --> 05:18.431 Well, this mix. 05:18.431 --> 05:20.431 And then the leaves start to shrivel. 05:20.431 --> 05:22.431 So people water them more because they think they need, 05:22.431 --> 05:24.431 you know, because they're shriveling. 05:24.431 --> 05:26.431 But it's actually because there's no roots to hold the 05:26.431 --> 05:27.431 water up. 05:27.431 --> 05:29.431 I've done that. I will admit to that. 05:29.431 --> 05:31.431 I went to one of the big box stores and bought an orchid. 05:31.431 --> 05:32.431 And yeah, that's what happened. 05:32.431 --> 05:33.431 That's what happens. 05:33.431 --> 05:34.431 Overwatering it. 05:34.431 --> 05:35.431 Really not much to it. 05:35.431 --> 05:36.431 I mean that took me, what? 05:36.431 --> 05:37.431 -- less than a minute. 05:37.431 --> 05:38.431 Didn't take long at all. 05:38.431 --> 05:39.364 Not too bad. 05:39.364 --> 05:41.364 Now there's another thing you can do with orchids that's kind 05:41.364 --> 05:42.364 of fun too. 05:42.364 --> 05:43.364 If you'll hand me that one. 05:43.364 --> 05:45.364 Again, in nature they cling to bark. 05:45.364 --> 05:47.664 And so this is a piece of cork bark but you can also use drift 05:47.664 --> 05:48.831 wood -- works really good. 05:48.831 --> 05:51.331 And what I've done is soak some sphagnum moss. 05:51.331 --> 05:52.331 And you just.. 05:52.331 --> 05:54.631 If I had fishing line, I woudl go ahead and do this. 05:54.631 --> 05:56.631 But we really don't have the time. 05:56.631 --> 05:58.631 This is just to protect the roots. 05:58.631 --> 05:59.631 The plant doesn't need this. 05:59.631 --> 06:01.698 But when I wrap it with fishing line, 06:01.698 --> 06:02.698 I would cut those roots. 06:02.698 --> 06:04.698 And so I'm just going to pack that around it and then just tie 06:04.698 --> 06:06.698 it on there with fishing line, okay? 06:06.698 --> 06:08.931 Now the bad news about it is the birds like this to make their 06:08.931 --> 06:09.931 nests. 06:09.931 --> 06:11.931 So all summer long they pull and pull. 06:11.931 --> 06:12.931 Yeah, they'll pull on it. 06:12.931 --> 06:14.931 So what happened was I went out to get this plant this morning 06:14.931 --> 06:16.931 and it was laying on the ground. 06:16.931 --> 06:18.931 The birds had loosened so much of the mix, 06:18.931 --> 06:20.931 the fishing line couldn't even hold it in anymore. 06:20.931 --> 06:22.931 That's why I decided I'd bring this one just to show. 06:22.931 --> 06:25.798 But just wrap it to protect it and then just hang it outside. 06:25.798 --> 06:26.931 I hang it under my trees. 06:26.931 --> 06:29.231 And then you can just hit it with your water wand. 06:29.231 --> 06:33.298 Now in the winter, this is a problem because it's indoors and 06:33.298 --> 06:35.298 you can't just water it with your water wand. 06:35.298 --> 06:37.631 So what I do with my big orchids that are on rafts like this, 06:37.631 --> 06:41.098 I take them in to my shower once a week and shower them. 06:41.098 --> 06:42.098 Once a week? 06:42.098 --> 06:43.098 Once a week. 06:43.098 --> 06:44.098 How long? 06:44.098 --> 06:46.098 Uh, just run the water on them enough to get it moist. 06:46.098 --> 06:48.098 And then I let them drain for a couple of hours before I hang 06:48.098 --> 06:50.098 them back up in the greenhouse area. 06:50.098 --> 06:51.098 How about that? 06:51.098 --> 06:52.098 Yeah. 06:52.098 --> 06:54.098 Now let me ask you about I've heard people using ice cubes. 06:54.098 --> 06:55.398 Have you heard that before? 06:55.398 --> 06:56.798 Yeah and it's okay. 06:56.798 --> 06:58.798 It's a little bit of shock to the roots. 06:58.798 --> 07:01.364 You know you go from a nice 80 degree greenhouse and all of 07:01.364 --> 07:03.364 sudden there's ice cold water on your roots. 07:03.364 --> 07:05.364 But it doesn't usually kill them. 07:05.364 --> 07:06.364 Okay. 07:06.364 --> 07:09.364 But it's, you know, I mist them. It's just a little bit easier. 07:09.364 --> 07:10.364 So you just mist it. 07:10.364 --> 07:12.364 And then how often would you mist it? 07:12.364 --> 07:13.364 All winter long. 07:13.364 --> 07:15.364 I don't really water my orchids much at all. 07:15.364 --> 07:17.364 I mist them. But I mist them quite a bit. 07:17.364 --> 07:19.498 I mist them until this, this little sheath on this root turns 07:19.498 --> 07:20.498 light green. 07:20.498 --> 07:21.598 That means its absorbed water. 07:21.598 --> 07:23.764 This is kind of like a sponge and it's absorbed enough water 07:23.764 --> 07:25.798 that the plant can then take it up. 07:25.798 --> 07:28.498 And then I'll water them maybe two or three times in the 07:28.498 --> 07:29.498 winter. 07:29.498 --> 07:30.498 Summer is a different story. 07:30.498 --> 07:32.731 They go outsdoors and everybody gets watered quite a bit. 07:32.731 --> 07:33.931 Okay, all yours go outdoors? 07:33.931 --> 07:34.964 Everybody goes outdoors. 07:34.964 --> 07:37.231 Okay, then how often would you water them outdoors? 07:37.231 --> 07:38.398 When this gets dry. 07:38.398 --> 07:40.631 You want to let it get pretty dry. 07:40.631 --> 07:43.831 So on a real humid day, it may not need water. 07:43.831 --> 07:46.131 But on a hot, really hot, dry day, 07:46.131 --> 07:48.164 it will probably need to be watered, 07:48.164 --> 07:49.631 oh, every couple of days. 07:49.631 --> 07:50.631 Okay. 07:50.631 --> 07:52.631 Now again, the light requirement. 07:52.631 --> 07:54.631 So it depends on what kind of orchid? 07:54.631 --> 07:56.864 High light, low light, yep. So it just kind of depends. 07:56.864 --> 07:59.298 Low light. So away from a window. 07:59.298 --> 08:02.364 Wouldn't want it in a south window, no. 08:02.364 --> 08:03.364 It would probably burn. 08:03.364 --> 08:05.364 And you can tell if it's burned a lot of times because where the 08:05.364 --> 08:07.364 leaf bends like this, there will be a spot. 08:07.364 --> 08:10.064 And it's basically sunburn just like people do. 08:10.064 --> 08:11.998 That's what happened to mine. 08:11.998 --> 08:13.098 [laughter] 08:13.098 --> 08:15.031 I overwatered it and put it next to a window that got 08:15.031 --> 08:16.031 too much light. 08:16.031 --> 08:18.031 Yep, give them what they need and they'll grow fine. 08:18.031 --> 08:19.031 Alright. 08:19.031 --> 08:21.031 I didn't have that soil mix either though. 08:21.031 --> 08:23.298 I think it came with something else. 08:23.298 --> 08:25.864 Well yeah, some people use a gravel almost. 08:25.864 --> 08:28.031 When I went in our greenhouse to see what we had to bring today, 08:28.031 --> 08:30.764 this is like just a clay pellet almost. 08:30.764 --> 08:33.931 And they had taken some wire tubes and basically loaded it 08:33.931 --> 08:34.931 with this. 08:34.931 --> 08:38.131 And the orchid is growing all within this stuff. 08:38.131 --> 08:41.164 It's just in this long cylinder of pea gravel. 08:41.164 --> 08:43.164 Well let me ask you about fertilizer. 08:43.164 --> 08:46.098 Mhm, they say weekly, weakly. 08:46.098 --> 08:49.831 So you fertilize them weekly and you use a real weak strength 08:49.831 --> 08:50.998 fertilizer, okay? 08:50.998 --> 08:54.031 And again, you need to know what you got to know when to 08:54.031 --> 08:56.031 fertilize and that kind of stuff. 08:56.031 --> 08:58.631 In the winter, some plants you don't even water during the 08:58.631 --> 08:59.631 winter. 08:59.631 --> 09:01.698 Dendrobium you basically don't water from November 'til March. 09:01.698 --> 09:02.731 Drops all of it's leaves off. 09:02.731 --> 09:04.731 When it starts to put leaves out again, 09:04.731 --> 09:05.731 you start watering it again. 09:05.731 --> 09:07.731 A weak fertilizer. So.. 09:07.731 --> 09:10.231 Maybe.. Well you don't want blue water. 09:10.231 --> 09:12.698 You know people hit their orchids with blue water and 09:12.698 --> 09:13.931 that's way too too strong. 09:13.931 --> 09:15.931 In nature, you don't get all your fertilizer once a month. 09:15.931 --> 09:18.664 You know you think about it, you get it just gently over time. 09:18.664 --> 09:21.598 And so that's what you want to do with the orchids. 09:21.598 --> 09:23.598 So there's an orchid society in town. 09:23.598 --> 09:24.598 Right. 09:24.598 --> 09:25.598 How active are they? 09:25.598 --> 09:27.598 Meet every month at the botanic gardens, 09:27.598 --> 09:28.798 Sunday afternoons 2:00 to 4:00. 09:28.798 --> 09:30.798 And if any of your viewers have questions about orchids, 09:30.798 --> 09:32.798 there is someone there that can answer it. 09:32.798 --> 09:35.398 These people have been growing orchids for a long time. 09:35.398 --> 09:37.398 Wow. So have you! 09:37.398 --> 09:39.464 Yeah actually but I don't do it full time anymore. 09:39.464 --> 09:41.464 So I've kind of gotten a little. 09:41.464 --> 09:43.464 I've forgotten an awful lot of what I've learned. 09:43.464 --> 09:45.464 So you can ask Laurie about orchids as well. 09:45.464 --> 09:46.464 She can help you out. 09:46.464 --> 09:48.464 Well and there's an orchid show and sale in May. 09:48.464 --> 09:49.598 It's around Mother's Day. 09:49.598 --> 09:51.964 It's the 16th and 17th. 09:51.964 --> 09:53.398 16th, 17th and 18th this year. 09:53.398 --> 09:55.531 And they actually do a judged orchid show. 09:55.531 --> 09:57.531 And there will be some phenomenal orchids there. 09:57.531 --> 09:59.698 It's put on by the orchid society here in town. 09:59.698 --> 10:00.864 And then you can also buy. 10:00.864 --> 10:02.864 They'll have a lot of vendors that have fairly affordable 10:02.864 --> 10:03.864 orchids. 10:03.864 --> 10:05.864 Alright, well there ya have it. Thanks Laurie. 10:05.864 --> 10:07.864 There are a number of gardening events going on in the next 10:07.864 --> 10:08.864 couple of weeks. 10:08.864 --> 10:10.631 Here are just a few that might interest you. 10:10.631 --> 10:51.064 ♪♪♪ 10:51.064 --> 10:53.164 Alright Laurie, thanks again for that information about orchids. 10:53.164 --> 10:54.164 Did you like that Walter? 10:54.164 --> 10:56.764 Oh, now that was great. Learned a lot! 10:56.764 --> 10:57.764 Learned a lot. 10:57.764 --> 11:01.198 Alright, so let's talk about crops here for a second Walter. 11:01.198 --> 11:03.264 What are some of the crops that are being harvested at this 11:03.264 --> 11:04.264 point? 11:04.264 --> 11:07.498 At this point right now we're wrapping up cucumbers, 11:07.498 --> 11:13.098 snap beans, summer squash, okra. 11:13.098 --> 11:14.898 Those are some of the things that, you know, 11:14.898 --> 11:17.664 are kind of playing out right now at this time of year. 11:17.664 --> 11:18.664 Okay. 11:18.664 --> 11:20.664 And okra will grow for a while, won't it? 11:20.664 --> 11:21.664 Oh, yeah. 11:21.664 --> 11:23.664 That's right, all the way up to frost. 11:23.664 --> 11:24.664 All the way up to frost, okay. 11:24.664 --> 11:26.664 Now is this the time of year to do a soil test? 11:26.664 --> 11:28.764 And if it is, then why is that? 11:28.764 --> 11:32.464 Well because yes, this is the best time to do it. 11:32.464 --> 11:38.564 And the reason being, it takes lime or calcium about four to 11:38.564 --> 11:41.864 six months before it's broken down where the plants can take 11:41.864 --> 11:43.698 it up as a nutrient. 11:43.698 --> 11:46.398 So if you put your lime down now, 11:46.398 --> 11:51.764 it kinda gives enough time to be ready by next spring so to 11:51.764 --> 11:52.764 speak. 11:52.764 --> 11:57.631 And also we like to have people soil test right now because 11:57.631 --> 12:01.331 usually come March, we'll get a back up at the soils lab. 12:01.331 --> 12:03.798 Because you have all the farmers and everybody else sending, 12:03.798 --> 12:07.164 you know, lab samples -- I mean, soil samples in. 12:07.164 --> 12:10.464 So just kind of keep everything quick. 12:10.464 --> 12:12.464 Right. And I always tell people. 12:12.464 --> 12:14.464 I know they've heard it from me before. 12:14.464 --> 12:15.464 Why guess, soil test. 12:15.464 --> 12:16.464 That's right. 12:16.464 --> 12:18.464 Before you throw anything out there, 12:18.464 --> 12:20.464 you need to know the nutritional value of your soils. 12:20.464 --> 12:21.464 That's right, that's right. 12:21.464 --> 12:23.464 So first things first. Get it tested. 12:23.464 --> 12:24.464 Seven dollars. 12:24.464 --> 12:26.464 A Seven dollar investment of your money. 12:26.464 --> 12:27.464 That's right, that's right. 12:27.464 --> 12:29.464 So we definitely want you to do that. 12:29.464 --> 12:31.464 And it also keeps us from polluting as well. 12:31.464 --> 12:32.464 Sure. 12:32.464 --> 12:34.464 Because we're not putting extra, you know, 12:34.464 --> 12:36.464 nitrates and phosphates and all that in to the ground. 12:36.464 --> 12:37.831 Yeah, because most people think, 12:37.831 --> 12:39.398 "Yeah, fertilizer -- more is better." 12:39.398 --> 12:40.598 But that's not the case. 12:40.598 --> 12:41.598 That's not the case. 12:41.598 --> 12:44.598 So you have to think down stream, you know. 12:44.598 --> 12:46.598 Especially the fertilizers are getting down in soil drains and 12:46.598 --> 12:47.598 things like that. 12:47.598 --> 12:50.331 So you gotta be careful because there's fish down there at the 12:50.331 --> 12:51.331 end. 12:51.331 --> 12:53.531 Okay, so what about planting a cover crop? 12:53.531 --> 12:55.531 More people are doing that these days. 12:55.531 --> 12:58.064 Yeah, so and it's being practiced quite a lot. 12:58.064 --> 13:01.898 Even on big scale agriculture, we're practicing that. 13:01.898 --> 13:06.764 And the reason being, it keeps the soil intact. 13:06.764 --> 13:08.764 You know, because we do have, you know, 13:08.764 --> 13:11.498 highly eroded soils here in the Mid-South. 13:11.498 --> 13:15.298 And also by planting some type of legume crop, 13:15.298 --> 13:17.664 it will fix nitrogen in to the soil. 13:17.664 --> 13:21.564 And it will also help build organic matter for the soil next 13:21.564 --> 13:22.564 year. 13:22.564 --> 13:25.664 So it's kind of a win-win all the way around. 13:25.664 --> 13:29.498 And there are several crops that we're looking at now at 13:29.498 --> 13:30.498 planting. 13:30.498 --> 13:34.498 I mean it used to pretty much clover but now radishes. 13:34.498 --> 13:36.564 People are using those. 13:36.564 --> 13:40.098 And there is a lot of research out there that is suggesting 13:40.098 --> 13:42.864 plant a combination of all of that. 13:42.864 --> 13:43.864 Wow. 13:43.864 --> 13:44.864 And you can really build. 13:44.864 --> 13:47.231 Within seven years, you can really build up layers of top 13:47.231 --> 13:48.231 soil. 13:48.231 --> 13:49.631 Okay, so what do you do? 13:49.631 --> 13:52.198 Do you till those cover crops under? 13:52.198 --> 13:54.464 Yes, just till them under. 13:54.464 --> 13:57.998 And for those who want to use some type of burn down herbicide 13:57.998 --> 14:00.331 application, you would burn it down and then, 14:00.331 --> 14:02.331 of course, still, you know, till it under. 14:02.331 --> 14:04.864 Wow, makes for some good soil! 14:04.864 --> 14:05.864 Yeah. 14:05.864 --> 14:06.864 Good organic matter. 14:06.864 --> 14:09.631 Okay, now what about weed control? 14:09.631 --> 14:11.931 Everybody has a question about weed control in gardens. 14:11.931 --> 14:12.931 Right Laurie? 14:12.931 --> 14:14.931 [laughter] 14:14.931 --> 14:15.031 Well you know really weed control is year round now 14:15.031 --> 14:16.631 if you really think about it. 14:16.631 --> 14:20.064 And what I would do in the garden right now is, 14:20.064 --> 14:22.231 you know, obviously besides cleaning it up, 14:22.231 --> 14:28.798 go out there and just spray a non-selective herbicide such as, 14:28.798 --> 14:31.864 you know, glyphosate which is sold as RoundUp. 14:31.864 --> 14:34.231 And just kill everything off, so to speak. 14:34.231 --> 14:37.831 And also that will prevent grass seeds and things like that from 14:37.831 --> 14:40.131 germinating next year, you know, because you would just kill it 14:40.131 --> 14:42.398 off before it can form seeds. 14:42.398 --> 14:46.364 And then put down some type of pre-emergent that will contain 14:46.364 --> 14:48.198 trifluralin. 14:48.198 --> 14:51.864 And just make you have a good, clean, 14:51.864 --> 14:54.531 you know, bed to plant in come next spring. 14:54.531 --> 14:55.531 You'll be ready to go. 14:55.531 --> 14:58.531 You'll be able to have weed gain, so to speak. 14:58.531 --> 15:00.598 But you know what somebody's telling me? 15:00.598 --> 15:03.598 You know what Chris? I don't want to use a herbicide. 15:03.598 --> 15:04.598 Yes. 15:04.598 --> 15:06.598 Is there something else that they can do? 15:06.598 --> 15:08.631 Well in warmer temperatures, you can use corn gluten meal. 15:08.631 --> 15:13.964 And that will serve as a, I guess a per-emergent type of 15:13.964 --> 15:15.064 herbicide. 15:15.064 --> 15:17.064 And of course you can always, you know, 15:17.064 --> 15:18.131 chop and till. 15:18.131 --> 15:20.131 You know so it's just kind of how you, 15:20.131 --> 15:22.131 you know, preference, so to speak. 15:22.131 --> 15:24.131 Yeah, that would be the hard way. 15:24.131 --> 15:25.531 [laughter] 15:25.531 --> 15:25.764 Yes. 15:25.764 --> 15:27.864 Alright now what about the freeze dates? 15:27.864 --> 15:29.864 Yeah, we get that question a lot. 15:29.864 --> 15:34.764 Okay, big day to remember here in the Mid-South is November 13. 15:34.764 --> 15:35.764 November 13th. 15:35.764 --> 15:37.764 Now hopefully that won't be on a Friday. 15:37.764 --> 15:39.531 I don't know about that. 15:39.531 --> 15:43.131 But according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, 15:43.131 --> 15:45.764 on November 13th according to their records, 15:45.764 --> 15:48.431 you have like a 50% chance of a freeze. 15:48.431 --> 15:51.498 So you would adjust your planting, 15:51.498 --> 15:52.898 you know, on that date. 15:52.898 --> 15:55.098 And obviously on the seed packages, 15:55.098 --> 15:57.898 it will kind of tell you how long it's gonna take before that 15:57.898 --> 15:59.298 crop matures and all that. 15:59.298 --> 16:01.464 So you'll kind of adjust it to that date. 16:01.464 --> 16:03.598 But kind of remember November 13th. 16:03.598 --> 16:05.164 There's a 50% chance. 16:05.164 --> 16:06.198 Fifty-percent chance! 16:06.198 --> 16:08.798 Yes, of a freeze according to records now. 16:08.798 --> 16:09.964 Now I'm not a weatherman. 16:09.964 --> 16:12.731 Okay but you're playing one now, right? 16:12.731 --> 16:13.731 That's right. 16:13.731 --> 16:15.731 Alright, are you writing that down? 16:15.731 --> 16:16.764 -- November 13th. 16:16.764 --> 16:17.764 I'm gonna remember that one. 16:17.764 --> 16:18.798 Okay. 16:18.798 --> 16:20.798 Alright, what about other cultural practices that we can 16:20.798 --> 16:21.898 perform now? 16:21.898 --> 16:27.231 Well I think a real good one obviously would be just to clean 16:27.231 --> 16:29.498 your garden up, so to speak. 16:29.498 --> 16:34.098 You know just get rid of all that old crop residue in regards 16:34.098 --> 16:38.031 to peach trees and things like that, mummified fruits. 16:38.031 --> 16:41.798 Just get rid of all that because disease will just harbor on its 16:41.798 --> 16:45.231 stuff and just be there next year waiting to attack. 16:45.231 --> 16:50.331 I also like to, you know, mow the grass around my garden area. 16:50.331 --> 16:54.931 Because you know insects will over winter on that grass. 16:54.931 --> 16:57.798 So you kinda get everything cleaned up real good. 16:57.798 --> 16:59.398 That just helps a lot. 16:59.398 --> 17:00.464 Okay. 17:00.464 --> 17:01.598 It goes a long way. 17:01.598 --> 17:03.731 So keep everything clean. Practice good sanitation. 17:03.731 --> 17:07.264 Yes and you know some areas are.. 17:07.264 --> 17:09.964 You know I like to just till the stuff in to the soil and just 17:09.964 --> 17:12.498 let it compost and be ready for next year. 17:12.498 --> 17:15.398 But you know some places will permit you to burn, 17:15.398 --> 17:17.464 you know, if you live out in the county or something in some of 17:17.464 --> 17:18.464 the counties. 17:18.464 --> 17:20.598 You can burn some of that old corp residue that may have 17:20.598 --> 17:21.598 disease on it. 17:21.598 --> 17:23.598 And it will just kind of help a lot. 17:23.598 --> 17:24.598 Okay. 17:24.598 --> 17:26.598 And I'm pretty sure y'all can do that in Haywood County. 17:26.598 --> 17:28.598 Oh yes. That's what I'm saying. 17:28.598 --> 17:29.598 We can do it out in the county. 17:29.598 --> 17:31.598 There's some things we can do that you can't do in the city. 17:31.598 --> 17:32.964 If I can get away with it. 17:32.964 --> 17:33.964 Isn't that something? 17:33.964 --> 17:35.964 I don't think we can get away with that here. 17:35.964 --> 17:38.964 No, no, no, no. They're not gonna tolerate that. 17:38.964 --> 17:39.898 Okay. 17:39.898 --> 17:41.898 So those are cultural practices though. 17:41.898 --> 17:42.898 And those are important. 17:42.898 --> 17:43.898 Yeah, it is. 17:43.898 --> 17:44.898 They're very important. 17:44.898 --> 17:46.898 So we do those things and we'll be just fine. 17:46.898 --> 17:47.898 You'll be fine. 17:47.898 --> 17:49.898 Alright, well appreciate that Walter. 17:49.898 --> 17:51.898 Alright, here's our Q and A session. 17:51.898 --> 17:52.898 Okay. 17:52.898 --> 17:54.898 Ms. Laurie you jump in there with us, 17:54.898 --> 17:55.898 okay? 17:55.898 --> 17:57.898 Alright, here's our first question. 17:57.898 --> 17:59.898 It's a viewer e-mail from Jack in Bartlett. 17:59.898 --> 18:01.964 He writes, Hi Chris and friends. 18:01.964 --> 18:03.964 I really enjoy your show and hope to see you for many years 18:03.964 --> 18:04.964 to come. 18:04.964 --> 18:06.964 Pretty good! Thank you, Mr. Jack, for that. 18:06.964 --> 18:08.964 My question is when is the best time to prune back my roses and 18:08.964 --> 18:11.164 what are the best practices with pruning? 18:11.164 --> 18:14.364 Walter, you want to help out with that? 18:14.364 --> 18:17.264 Well yes, let me say this. 18:17.264 --> 18:23.664 Traditionally, um, March was kind of the best time to prune 18:23.664 --> 18:26.531 what we call the bush roses, so to speak. 18:26.531 --> 18:29.764 Of course I know now with these newer cultivars you can kind of 18:29.764 --> 18:34.098 prune anytime you want to, I believe. 18:34.098 --> 18:37.731 And I've always was told to counterprune back like a third 18:37.731 --> 18:39.164 of the plant, maybe. 18:39.164 --> 18:41.098 Now there are some other tips, you now, 18:41.098 --> 18:42.231 maybe I don't know. 18:42.231 --> 18:44.931 I just know March was kind of the time traditionally. 18:44.931 --> 18:45.931 Right. 18:45.931 --> 18:48.531 You know I always tell people just prune your roses back when 18:48.531 --> 18:49.764 the Forsynthias are in bloom. 18:49.764 --> 18:53.164 You know that's gonna be early spring, 18:53.164 --> 18:55.164 you know, in this area for the most part. 18:55.164 --> 18:57.398 Anything that's diseased, take it out. 18:57.398 --> 18:59.031 Crossing, take it out. 18:59.031 --> 19:02.131 You want to open up the middle and let sunlight get down in 19:02.131 --> 19:03.131 there. 19:03.131 --> 19:05.131 And that allows for good air circulation. 19:05.131 --> 19:09.298 Now if you have any canes in there smaller than the diameter 19:09.298 --> 19:11.364 of a pencil, you want to get that out as well. 19:11.364 --> 19:12.364 Okay. 19:12.364 --> 19:15.398 Once you do all of those, get rid of of course old leaves and 19:15.398 --> 19:18.564 things like that because they may harbor some of those 19:18.564 --> 19:19.998 diseases we talked about. 19:19.998 --> 19:23.064 Well and sterilizing your pruners too in between clamps is 19:23.064 --> 19:24.064 a real good idea. 19:24.064 --> 19:27.898 Take an alcohol swab out there with ya in between plants. 19:27.898 --> 19:28.898 It's good. 19:28.898 --> 19:29.898 Yeah, that's a real good idea. 19:29.898 --> 19:32.364 I mean those are some of your good practices. 19:32.364 --> 19:34.764 And here again, when your forsynthias in bloom, 19:34.764 --> 19:36.764 that's when I prune back my roses. 19:36.764 --> 19:39.764 Because I do have roses at home. So that's what I do. 19:39.764 --> 19:40.764 Yeah? 19:40.764 --> 19:43.764 And I think they're pretty good. Not too bad. 19:43.764 --> 19:45.764 Alright, and then also, you know, 19:45.764 --> 19:48.164 put down mulch too, you know, usually in the springtime once I 19:48.164 --> 19:50.131 finish pruning. 19:50.131 --> 19:51.564 Seems to help out somewhat. 19:51.564 --> 19:53.698 Okay, so there you have it Mr. Jack. 19:53.698 --> 19:56.231 Thank you for that question. Here's our next one. 19:56.231 --> 20:01.198 Can you grow apricot trees here in the Mid-South with much 20:01.198 --> 20:02.198 success? 20:02.198 --> 20:04.198 What do you think about that Walter? 20:04.198 --> 20:10.164 Well I do know that apricots come from the Mediterranean. 20:10.164 --> 20:15.464 But they require about a thousand hours of temperatures 20:15.464 --> 20:18.598 below 45 degrees. 20:18.598 --> 20:20.598 So they do require some type of chilling. 20:20.598 --> 20:23.998 I think it helps them, you know, set fruit and develop buds and 20:23.998 --> 20:24.998 all that. 20:24.998 --> 20:27.431 And you know sometimes we have those mild winters. 20:27.431 --> 20:29.431 I don't know if we really get there. 20:29.431 --> 20:33.564 And most of the apricot production in this country, 20:33.564 --> 20:35.964 I would probably say 90% of it's in California. 20:35.964 --> 20:38.031 Evidentally their climate works. 20:38.031 --> 20:40.131 So I would have to say probably no. 20:40.131 --> 20:42.131 I also know that they require dry springs. 20:42.131 --> 20:44.964 And we really don't get a lot of dry springs around here. 20:44.964 --> 20:48.831 We get dry summers but not dry springs. 20:48.831 --> 20:53.031 Yeah, that's when we get our rainfall for the most part. 20:53.031 --> 20:55.031 Something else too about apricot trees is this. 20:55.031 --> 20:57.631 The current varities that are out there, 20:57.631 --> 21:00.464 they bloom too early for us in this area. 21:00.464 --> 21:01.831 In January or something, is it? 21:01.831 --> 21:03.131 Yes, it's too early. 21:03.131 --> 21:05.464 So our spring frost would just take them out. 21:05.464 --> 21:06.498 Right. 21:06.498 --> 21:10.398 So you're not gonna be able to grow apricot trees with much 21:10.398 --> 21:11.398 success here. 21:11.398 --> 21:14.831 You always do find that one person though that will say well 21:14.831 --> 21:17.031 my uncle do one. 21:17.031 --> 21:19.031 So you know you may have that out there. 21:19.031 --> 21:20.031 But no. 21:20.031 --> 21:22.031 But for the most part, I wouldn't. 21:22.031 --> 21:25.131 Because they, again, they bloom -- yeah, January. 21:25.131 --> 21:27.398 Just too early for us around this area. 21:27.398 --> 21:31.798 Because we will have a frost and it will definitely take them 21:31.798 --> 21:32.798 out. 21:32.798 --> 21:33.831 That's for sure. 21:33.831 --> 21:35.831 Alright, here's our next question. 21:35.831 --> 21:38.698 What are these little tan furry caterpillars eating my oak 21:38.698 --> 21:39.631 leaves? 21:39.631 --> 21:43.031 We've had several people come to the extension office with bags 21:43.031 --> 21:44.098 of these caterpillars. 21:44.098 --> 21:45.098 Okay. 21:45.098 --> 21:47.698 They're the Pale Tussock caterpillars which turn in to 21:47.698 --> 21:49.331 the Pale Tussock moth. 21:49.331 --> 21:50.398 Okay. 21:50.398 --> 21:52.631 What they're doing, they're eating your oak leaves. 21:52.631 --> 21:56.998 They're also eating your Sycamore leaves. 21:56.998 --> 22:01.031 This is the fall, okay. So let's make this easy. 22:01.031 --> 22:03.764 The leaves are dropping anyway. 22:03.764 --> 22:05.698 That's right. 22:05.698 --> 22:08.631 You're fine. I think it'll be fine. 22:08.631 --> 22:11.831 There's no need, in my opinion, to go out and spray, 22:11.831 --> 22:15.331 you know, B-T or something like that when this is the fall and 22:15.331 --> 22:17.331 the leaves are gonna drop anyway. 22:17.331 --> 22:19.331 So it's not gonna stress the tree out. 22:19.331 --> 22:20.331 Right. 22:20.331 --> 22:22.331 Now if you see this problem in the spring, 22:22.331 --> 22:24.398 then yes, especially when the leaves are coming back out. 22:24.398 --> 22:27.231 Then I would use a B-T product, Dipel, 22:27.231 --> 22:29.498 Javelin to control these caterpillars. 22:29.498 --> 22:31.331 But this time of the year, no. 22:31.331 --> 22:33.398 Are they worse this year than normal? 22:33.398 --> 22:36.664 We've seen more this year than we have in years past. 22:36.664 --> 22:38.864 Now I don't know if that's because of the weather pattern 22:38.864 --> 22:40.031 or not. 22:40.031 --> 22:41.031 Yeah. 22:41.031 --> 22:43.031 But yeah, we've had several people come in to the office. 22:43.031 --> 22:45.031 You know these are getting in to my house or I've seen them on 22:45.031 --> 22:48.031 the sidewalk and the carport and things like that. 22:48.031 --> 22:50.031 But yeah, we've seen more this year. 22:50.031 --> 22:51.264 But here again, it's fall. 22:51.264 --> 22:53.264 They're gonna drop leaves anyway. 22:53.264 --> 22:57.364 They're gonna drop leaves anyway and you'll be fine, okay? 22:57.364 --> 22:58.531 Now here's our next question. 22:58.531 --> 23:02.964 What is the best pre-emerge to use to control winter weeds? 23:02.964 --> 23:03.964 What do you think Walt? 23:03.964 --> 23:09.198 Well I really like, like I said, the trifluralin products because 23:09.198 --> 23:14.164 they give you, like, a three month control. 23:14.164 --> 23:16.364 So if you kind of think in October, 23:16.364 --> 23:18.431 well, you know, you look right around January, 23:18.431 --> 23:20.631 probably it begins to play out. 23:20.631 --> 23:22.864 And you know a lot of people start preparing potato ground 23:22.864 --> 23:23.864 come February. 23:23.864 --> 23:26.164 So it kind of gets you through the winter. 23:26.164 --> 23:28.698 That's probably the best products to use. 23:28.698 --> 23:32.864 I think Preen probably makes a product that will carry you 23:32.864 --> 23:33.864 through. 23:33.864 --> 23:35.864 And Preen actually contains trifluralin. 23:35.864 --> 23:37.864 That's right, that's right. It contains it. 23:37.864 --> 23:39.798 And they have an organic Preen now that actually contains the 23:39.798 --> 23:42.131 corn gluten meal which you actually mentioned earlier. 23:42.131 --> 23:43.131 Mhm. 23:43.131 --> 23:44.131 So you can use those. 23:44.131 --> 23:48.064 There's another -- Pendimethalin you know is the active 23:48.064 --> 23:50.064 ingredient that you can use to control some of your winter 23:50.064 --> 23:52.064 weeds that are definitely going to be out there. 23:52.064 --> 23:53.064 That's right, that's right. 23:53.064 --> 23:56.498 And Dimension is another product that you can use. 23:56.498 --> 24:00.364 It contains Dithiopyr which actually controls, 24:00.364 --> 24:03.031 you know, broadleaf weeds, winter weeds. 24:03.031 --> 24:06.764 So yeah, so that's probably what I would just use. 24:06.764 --> 24:08.764 And most of them come in a granular form. 24:08.764 --> 24:09.764 That's right. 24:09.764 --> 24:10.764 So just get it out there. 24:10.764 --> 24:12.764 Water it in or let Mother Nature water it in. 24:12.764 --> 24:14.764 It forms that barrier, you know, right there at the soil level. 24:14.764 --> 24:16.764 So once those seeds start to geriminate, 24:16.764 --> 24:18.764 it hits that barrier, that chemical barrier, 24:18.764 --> 24:20.764 inhibits the formation of roots. 24:20.764 --> 24:26.364 No roots, no shoots, no weeds. 24:26.364 --> 24:27.364 That's right. 24:27.364 --> 24:29.364 So you know that pretty much knocks it out. 24:29.364 --> 24:32.364 Alright, so you won't have any weeds, Ms. Laurie. 24:32.364 --> 24:33.364 You need to do that! 24:33.364 --> 24:34.364 I need to do that badly. 24:34.364 --> 24:35.364 You need to do that! 24:35.364 --> 24:37.364 But if you do, I think you'll be just fine. 24:37.364 --> 24:38.531 And timing is critical. 24:38.531 --> 24:39.464 That's right. 24:39.464 --> 24:41.464 Make sure you put it down at the right time. 24:41.464 --> 24:43.464 Read the label. Don't put out too much. 24:43.464 --> 24:45.931 More, you know, is not always better. 24:45.931 --> 24:48.798 And you'll be just fine. Thank y'all for that. 24:48.798 --> 24:50.964 Okay, that's all we have time for today. 24:50.964 --> 24:54.264 Don't forget you can send a letter or an e-mail with your 24:54.264 --> 24:55.298 gardening questions. 24:55.298 --> 24:58.598 The mailing address is on the screen and the e-mail is address 24:58.598 --> 25:01.498 is Familyplot-at-wkno-dot-org. 25:01.498 --> 25:02.798 I'm Chris Cooper. 25:02.798 --> 25:05.864 Thanks for watching and be sure to join us next time for 25:05.864 --> 25:08.431 "The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South". 25:08.431 --> 25:10.731 Be safe! 25:10.731 --> 25:55.664 ♪♪♪ 25:55.664 --> 25:56.531 (female announcer) Production funding for 25:56.531 --> 25:58.531 "The Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South" 25:58.531 --> 26:02.664 is provided by Good Winds Landscape and Garden Center 26:02.664 --> 26:06.664 in Germantown since 1943 and continuing to offer it's 26:06.664 --> 26:10.698 plants for successful gardening with seven greenhouses and three 26:10.698 --> 26:13.164 acres of plants plus comprehensive landscape 26:13.164 --> 26:16.631 services.. 26:16.631 --> 26:20.631 CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY WKNO - MEMPHIS.