boro f1 hybrid

Beetroot For Christmas

I left my beetroot in the ground as I only had a few. But it was very satisfying to go down the garden on Chrismas Eve and dig up a handful or two.

After washing and cleaning I took half to a friend and the rest I peeled, before cooking in the microwave for eating with a cottage pie, sprouts and peas. I think it is important to remove all the peel as it can add a bitter taste. Also, I found they need exta cooking time to other vegetables.

I had noticed a month ago that the beetroot leaves stained the white frost red from the juice leaking out. Although they discolour water these roots didn't bleed even when cut. In the picture the dark patches are on moist areas, the light areas have dried. They do need to be kept moist.

I think it is better to lift beetroot in late autumn and store in moist peat or vermiculite contained in a ventilated box. Just a couple of these roots had a small hole, nothing to worry about. But storage reduces the risk of pest damage as well.

Christmas Post an Organic View

Thank you Eric & Beryl for the lovely flowers

Thank you John; this year the Poinsettia looks even move vivid & the flowers inside the red bracts larger & more promising.

Organic gardeners are always rigorous about timing. It's like we have a special biological clock that governs when to do things. That's when you wake up one morning in spring and know you have to sow some seeds and organic gardening gets underway.

Yet sending Christmas cards is also one of those things that happens to gardeners. Christmas preparations are like a flower coming into bloom and then moving on to make seeds. Happily I've completed and posted my Christmas cards for 2005. In case you don't receive one from me, may I wish you all a happy Christmas.

But I also detect that some of you organic gardeners may not send Christmas cards at all. Why ? Because it's too commercial and we're not going to be taken in by all that gloss. Moreover, when we do send cards we look for cards printed on recycled paper. I wonder how many acres of forests are culled for Christmas cards?

While I understand the 'Green' message very well, I'm a little concerned that any dictates insisting people send recycled Christmas cards or emails instead, could be counter productive in gaining public support for the proper care of our environment. I believe persuasion and demonstration of the cause and cure of environmental problems is necessary. But then, trust people to take action out of conviction rather than compulsion. We know it makes sense.

Happy Christmas.

The Scale of House Plants

The Phalaenopsis pictured right was given to me about 2 and 1/2 years ago. It has been extraordinarily beautiful in flowering 2 times a year - in April-June and again October to Christmas. Each time the flowers are long lasting.

The picture shows a truss of 6 flowers - 3 facing camera and 3 facing away. But take a close look at the petals facing away (upper most in the picture). Those spots are not made for insects approaching the wrong way. No, they are not petal blotches, but scale insects.

Scale insects are small brown shield shaped creatures that suck sap. This plant has been afflicted by them since I got it. But until now I've only noticed them on the leaves. The treatment is to gently rub them off with finger and thumb. They come off quite easily. You could use a damp cloth. Some gardeners recommend methylated spirit or soap, but I don't think chemicals are necessary as they come off easily. Anyway, I won't be de-scaling the petals of these beautiful flowers until they wilt. I will keep a close organic gardener's eye on it to ensure the infestation doesn't spread to other plants and is kept well in check.

Brief Note on Phalaenopsis Cultivation

Phalaenopsis was supplied in a transparent plastic pot packed full of fleshy root like growths with a silvery skin and rooted in some kind of bark mixture. I only water it seldomly, every 2 weeks and, often far less in fact. Certainly don't over water, and except for a few drops at the bottom that should be absorbed quickly, don't leave immersed in water.

The roots green up down below (hence the transparent pot to let light in) and I think they may contain nitrogen fixing microorganisms. The plant has lost 1 or 2 leaves per year so far but it grows new ones. Before shedding, these old leaves are drained of all green and they turn yellow and dry as a husk. I think Phalaenopsis is able to re-absorb the vast majority of nutrient from the old leaves and re-cycle them to new leaves. So don't cut them off prematurely - this may be the reason why most Phalaenopsis only flower once a year. It seems that the plant doesn't need much in the way of food. Except for stuffing the dried up dead leaves into the outer container I've not fed it.

All told this is one of the most delightful house plants that I could recommend to the novice organic gardener.

A Splint To Repair Damage

The flower stem grows horizontally if left alone. This is not the best position for displaying the flowers. Therefore, at an early stage while the flower stem is young and supple, tie it to an upright stick.

In the example pictured here the flower stem began leaning badly and I fixed a splint made from a wooden lolly pop stick to help straighten it again.

Earth Goes Into The Red At
World Climate Change Conference - Montreal ?
... ...

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

... ...

But hey I'm really cool...
I'd settle for a cold winter on any day of the year...

Over Weeding Cleans Out Birds For Winter

Pictured right, a recent siting of Goldfinch gleaning seed heads of Evening Primrose. The yellow flowers born on spikes are lightly scented and attractive to moths. Leaving them to seed risks getting a fresh crop of this biennial flower.

But if I remove them, I clean out all the seeds that are food for these beautiful finches and others. There are many plants that you can leave in for bird food. Berries - Hawthorn, Cotoneaster, Mountain Ash, and Rose-hips, plus seed capsules like Evening Primrose.

The Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds recommend that food be left out for garden birds all year around. That's not surprising as gardens usually degrade the bird's natural habitat and serverely reduce the naturally available bird food.

But in winter especially, gardeners should leave out bird food in squirrel resistant feeders. Specially designed nut mixes are readily available for purchase. Also ensure fresh liquid water is available.