March 7, 2012. Lynn Leach teaches horticulture classes at Mohawk College in Hamilton and also works as a horticultural therapist where she works at several different facilities with people of all ages and abilities.  She presented a program to discuss how to spruce up your houseplants as we head toward spring. 
 Lynn first showed how to rejuvenate a leggy (and dusty) jade plant and discussed the importance of regularly cleaning your plants to maximize the amount of light they receive.  She briefly showed how to cut back your plants to encourage growth from the bottom, and also how to take those cuttings to start new plants to share with your friends.   March is the perfect time to start fertilizing your houseplants again, and Lynn shared her recommendation to use a well-balanced fertilizer once a month for continued growth and health of your favourite houseplants.  To avoid those brown tips on the leaves of your houseplants, remember to let your water sit overnight and also avoid potting soil with too much perlite in it.
 To beautify any houseplant, plant it in combination with other seasonal plants, such as bulbs, shamrocks or primrose in a larger container.  For best long-term results of your mixed container, remember to choose plants with similar light and water requirements.  And for a professional finish to your planter, use stones, moss and other collected natural materials to cover the soil and decorate your container.

February 1, 2012. Gerhard Kompter from the Orchid Society spoke to us "All About Orchids" He displayed over 40 of his Orchids he calls his "winter garden."He cautioned us not to grow Orchids - you might become addicted and find a highly fulfilling hobby. An orchid is one type but has a thousand different families - Ontario has about 45 different families. Orchids can be grown in the Arctic, the tropics or the desert. You can grow them in your living room by just giving them water and fertilizer. A few tips: Use rain water (tap water has too much minerals and chlorine) don't over water, fertilizer a quarter of what the box recommends, a south window behind sheer curtains works best, use a fan to move the air, beware furnace running all day will make the air dry, fertilize once a week for 3 weeks then 4th week just add water. Light green leaves indicate too much light and dark green leaves indicate too little light.
Check Central Ontario Orchid Society. www.coos.ca

November 2, 2011. James Graham presented a slide show "All about flowers". He lead by example of having plants, seeds & roots and demonstrated how to share with others. The municipality maintains the creeks but he discussed how some native plants help to prevent bank erosion. Cup plants -a great example of pollinators. Service berry (Saskatoon) has an edible berry. Some invasive plants are the gout weed which spreads root seeds & the hog weed.
Rhubarb - a plant that thrives best in the sun. Planting corn in a square allows pollination rather than in a single row. Need to kill slugs on your hostas? 1 part ammonia / 9 parts water which works as a fertilizer as well. One favourite is the Calendula flower - you can eat the leaves. A personal note: James praised our group and shared with other societies that our group has a 50/50 draw and we also draw for free membership. Great way to spread the word!
We will all remember his clematis story - LEAVE IT where it LAY! If you're lucky enough to have a clematis - leave it, don't muck or move it, leave it alone.

October 5, 2011. Topic: Perennials for continuous bloom. Lorraine Roberts from Plant Paradise Country Gardens shares her favourite perennials. All photos on slide show were taken on her property. Healthy soil - composting and worm casting at top of the list and adding Myke - all natural growth substance. At Plant Paradise Country Gardens they sell organically grown, hardy perennials and organic garden supplies. Once perennials well established they can hold up under drought. She knows which are great for good bugs and other recommended plants. You can receive her newsletter and of course 10% discount for Horticultural Society members. Learn more at plantparadise.ca

September 7, 2011. Topic: Autumn bulbs and plants. Karen Odegard talks about How to winterize mums and supplies handout. Chop in June to make more bushy. Plant in ground before September to come out next spring.
Good plants for planters check out perennials.com.
Keep squirrels away - try Hen manure or citrus oil. Buying bulbs at end of season - Forcing bulb - Grow inside pack tight with dirt in 8 inch pot in late fall, see handout. She had display of many planters & new this year is the living wall. Made of Plastic and can be hung on wall with plants growing in them. Visit her or attend various workshops at Walter's Greenhouse and Garden Centre, 363 Governors Road East, Paris

May 4th, 2011. Everything Lavender. Cathy Nadalin has a passion for growing 8 years on her hobby farm. 2 English and 2 French varieties climitized for our area. Uses of lavender: medicinal, aromatic - stress reliever, car freshener, tea, bath water, jellies and pot-pourri to name a few. Best grown full sun, air flow (most important) sandy soil, adding lime and bonemeal, plant on a mound for optimum drainage. Cut back or harvest the plant once a year so the energy goes back into the plant. 3 years they will be well established. Can be dried on baking sheet - air flow important, Not in the closet. It is a desert plant but needs lots of room in pot and could be kept in the house over the winter.
Twin Maple Farm - 1560 Hespeler Road, Cambridge. (519) 651-3017

April 6th, 2011. Barb Kruger from Sheridan Nurseries. Topic: New Plants for 2011. Powerpoint presentation and plant guide catalogue was available.
2011 variety of roses: Dick Clark, Walking on sunshine and as the name implies OSO (oh so) easy roses and Easy Elegant roses. New from growers and developers is a variety of Hydrangea with strong stems. Fruits: Pink Lemonade Blueberry needs acidic soil. Fruit cocktail - grafted on one tree - plum, peach, apricot and nectarine. New names of children plants are: popcorn, Piglet, Jumping jack, Apple slice, Blue hobbit and Little Candy floss to name a few. Don't forget members can take advantage of discounts. Barb is a supervisor and looks forward to meeting with you at Sheridan Nurseries, 100 Elmsdale Drive, Kitchener. www.sheridannurseries.com

February 2, 2011
Graham Buck presented "Native Plant and Seeds"
Some of the Benefits of Native Planing is plants have up to 15 foot roots making them Drought Tolerant & water wise. Creates habitant for wild life, recycling and purifying water.
A few species on power point: Prairie Smoke - 1st to bloom in spring. Butterfly Milkweed, One flower, Downy Woodmint & Purple giant Hyssop - both native mint; good for (tea or salad) Prairie Drop Seed & Little Blue stem.
Visit his nursery in New Hamburg.

www.nithriverplants.com

November 3rd, 2010 Business meeting. Never compost Tomato or peony. Planter preparation: Crumple newspaper in bottom of planter - fill with compost then soil.
Cliff Smith presented "Design, Layout and Colour" relating to floral photography. Simplicity is the essence of good design. A pictures worth.. Cliff gives presentation with plenty of visual samples of rules of thirds and other rules. Balance, simplicity, Frames, Selective Focus etc. Interesting photos and handout supplied.

www.cliffphotographic.com

Oct 6, 2010
Karolyn Fournier presented slideshow sneak peak new plants for 2011. Karolyn works family owned business Colour Paradise, Greenhouses & Garden Centre. Group tours available. She provided handouts and notepad. Over 35 years of growing experience.

Perennial of the Year: Arkansas Blue star - full sun, part shade. Lots of links to check out. • Proven Winners. Black flowers anyone? New Technology - Fuseable mixes - couple plants in 1 seed. Burpee Home Garden.
Terra Nova. Mandevilla - full sun low water. Stars and stripes - the suntory collection.
Itsaul Plants.
Great & recommended: Pow Wow series - All America Selections Winner.

May 5, 2010
Helen Gordon talked on "Healthy lawn care". Helen talked about the history of grass. Studies shows that 8 cm is optimum mowing high for our area. Aerating can be done from every 3 to 5 years. 1/4 to 1/2 inch of top soil & over-seeding spring and fall. Important to give mist of water everyday when reseeding to establish the grass.
Website: mastergardener

April 7, 2010
Janice Corrall expressed her passion for seedlings. Sideshow and hand outs presented, plus each member received Artichoke and Verbena seedlings and Nicotiana seeds.
Janice Corrall is our member and VP

March 3, 2010

Perry supplies colourful product sheets and describes some of their new products. New a hearty plant from Newfoundland Starbright Mock Orange. Roses are disease proof and come in many colours. Big this year is Echin Hot Papaya. All products found on their web.

Perry is co-owner of Grobe's Nursery and Garden Centre

February 3, 2010

Sean James owner of Fern Ridge Landscaping, writer and featured on CBC radio, on HGTV in Green Force will be our guest speaker and will present slides on "Landscaping of a Small Backyard". A member since he was 16. Practical and creative ideas. "Enjoy your yard!" Gardening is an art form. No need to fertilize; use your compost. Use drought resistent plants. I loved the creative, genius golf bag to store all your rakes etc., but my wife is not so creative.

Sean James NPD (Niagara Parks Diploma) & Master Gardener

www.fernridgelandscaping.com