… the floriculturist who had raised Spike from a seed, peeked inside the frilly spathe to check for pollen. “If there had been pollen, it would have been all over my hand,” Still said. Pollen’s … tubes, paintbrushes and a “scoopula” (to collect pollen). At 10 a.m. today, staff gathered for the delicate procedure. Pollak and Still fist bumped…and the operation began. As Still began … and director, explains Spike’s spathe to a young visitor. For more information please visit our titan arum page . …
Type: Blog
… May is the month to look for warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, and some shorebirds, as they migrate through the … the weather report if you want to see these beauties while they are passing through. The good news is that there are a few warblers that actually nest in our area, so if you miss them during … but its song sounds like one. Join me and #birdthepreserves. My top five migration places to visit in the spring are the Chicago Botanic Garden, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (the magic …
Type: Blog
… Persistence can be a good trait for prairie plants. Take this tale of the return of the Hill’s thistle ( Cirsium hillii ) to the Dixon Prairie at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I’m the assistant ecologist for the natural areas at the Garden. While managing some tall vegetation on the gravel hill of … prefers drier prairies with less competition from taller plants. A number of species of bees visit and pollinate this plant. The plant is believed to be monocarpic, which means the plant …
Type: Blog
… Start with the Basics A common and sometimes costly expense for many homeowners is lawn care. No matter whether you maintain your lawn yourself or hire a service, this is a good time to examine the best practices for growing healthy turfgrass. Don't invest more money than is necessary to have an attractive … infrequently, and then to let the soil dry out before you water again. The healthiest lawns get enough water at one time to moisten the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Generally, an inch of …
Type: Plant Info
… is bee food: specifically, it provides the carbohydrates that bees need. While searching for and collecting nectar, bees spread pollen from one plant to another. This mutually beneficial … extra honey to survive the winter. It is the surplus honey that beekeepers harvest and bottle for their lucky customers to eat. It is estimated that it takes two million bee visits—back and forth from hive to flower—to produce just one pound of honey! Scrabbling for pollen While nectar provides the carbs in bees’ diets, pollen provides the protein. …
Type: Plant Info
… Millennium Seed Bank at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, and to the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado, as backup. In an effort to extend … native species or simply to prolong the life of store-bought or garden-harvested seeds for future use. Read on for some tips to get you started. Steps to Saving Seeds at Home Choosing which type of seeds you’d like to save. …
Type: Plant Info
… Plants That Celebrate Halloween It’s just about that time of year for ghosts, goblins, witches, and treats. To celebrate, here are some plants that are not only … during summer. Split the fruits lengthwise, lightly oil and season the flesh, and grill them for a yummy Halloween treat. Darth Vader Begonia ( Begonia darthvaderiana ) This rare begonia was … which refer to its large leaves that often have perforations. The holes or deep lobes account for its other common name, “Swiss cheese plant.” Whatever its name, it makes a great monster of a …
Type: Plant Info
… and fruits, with vines up to 20 feet long that need some kind of support unless you have space for them to sprawl. Many cooks and gardeners appreciate heirloom tomatoes—the old-fashioned varieties our ancestors grew, which have been rediscovered for their taste and long growing season. Keeping Them Happy Tomatoes need full sun and … rich soil that stays evenly moist yet drains well and is rarely soggy. Make sure plants get 1 inch of water a week, more if the weather is especially hot or windy. A 2- to 3-inch layer …
Type: Plant Info
… projects that was completed in 2012. The restored shoreline provides an enhanced habitat for our aquatic life, which includes wood ducks, double-crested cormorants, and snapping turtles, … takes place. Algae is important to the ecological balance of our waters and a food source for fish and other aquatic animals. And what’s that plant that’s breaking, or about to break, …
Type: Blog
… Sow seeds in March and April for a fast, flavorful harvest. It will be a few months before we can safely plant tomatoes, … greens, Swiss chard, and kale as soon as the soil thaws. Lettuce and Swiss chard seeds, for example, start to germinate when the top inch of soil reaches about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. … Seeded Simpson’ leaf lettuce and spinach are easy to grow on a balcony where you might only get a few hours of sun. Any of the cool-season greens can be grown in a vegetable garden as soon …
Type: Plant Info
