Meeting Summary October 2018

Longvue Acres Garden Club Meeting                                                      October 23, 2018

Claudia Hickly, LAGC President, welcomed members and guests on a fall evening. She began by reading a sweet prayer “Let Us Give Thanks” which was in the box of recently found LAGC materials. Len Lehman regretted canceling tonight, but he had a garden meeting conflict. He will be rescheduled to speak in 2019. 

• ·      Member news –Dianne Machesney’sarticle “Pollinators Need a Messy Garden” appeared in the Post-Gazette.  Dianne gave a quick summary to club members stating that it’s important to leave the dead plants standing in the Fall and do garden cleanup in the Spring. Many pollinators such as bees and butterflies lay their eggs in the hollow stems of plants. Mary Ann Kurtzis back to work.Dorothy Maruscak is feeling better thanks to the get well wishes. LAGC sent a get well card sent to Patty Bumbaugh who now replies she’s using crutches and everyday feels better.
• ·      Treasurer –Denny Brown said expect year-end around $3950. 
• ·      Dues –Send to Linda Brown if you have not yet paid --- $15/member.
• ·      Passavant Chapel Garden– Helen Dean, Peggy Elizeus, and Evan Fingalcleaned up the garden and divided some of the plants.
• ·      Directory – email any changes to Linda or Ellen Dvorsky. Praise for Marlow Madeoy who has already started on the 2019 handbook. Please send him photos of the picnic and Plant Sale.
• ·      Holiday Lunch– Colleen Fingal said the lunch is at Pines Tavern. Please let her know if you are attending and send your $26 to her before November 8. Janine Zink is coordinatinganOrnament gift exchange- bring a wrapped, pretty one up to $10 for the gift exchange, if you want to participate. Look for an e-mail reminder about the luncheon.
• ·      Plantsto share – Parlor palms from Dianne, basket of houseplants from Rose Mary Highman and white iris from the Passavant Chapel Garden.
• ·      Plant Sale – Members approved the purchase of three signs showing the pricing categories for a total cost of $45. Mary Anne will work with the vendor to have them made. Dianne suggested having handouts of pricing colors.
• ·      Thank you to board members – Claudia thanked the board members for working with her over the last 2 years.  Club members thanked Claudia for all her service to the club while she has been the president. She has done an excellent job at leading the club.
• ·      Dessert and arrangement – Thank you to Andrea Maire for dessert (recipes to be added to blog) and Rose Mary for the arrangement.

Program: "Bulbs" by Kurt Maleki

Kurt graciously stepped in for our program and as Marilyn Gurtner says, he could make a grocery list interesting. He is a long time gardener, both as a young amateur and a professional at Best Feeds on Babcock Boulevard.

·     Why grow bulbs  – easy to grow, last for a few to many years.  Good choices of varieties, sizes, and colors.

·     Bulb requirements  – sunny location, well-drained, worked, and fertile soil (bone meal, triple phosphate can be added), planting depth 3 times height of bulb. Can use an auger drill (see picture) to plant. 

·     Bulb cold period – plant end September/October for the 6-9 weeks cold period and before hard frost.  

·     Forcing– most likely have been cooled so ready for forcing. If forcing, use a pot with good soil and space bulbs tightly for best blooms. Remove the bottom skin on tulips for faster root growth. 

·     Paper Whites  – use decorative rocks to hold them in place. Water level should be just barely below the bulb bottom. Later in spring when temps are warmer, IF you plant in soil, feed, and use a cage to keep out critters, these can regrow. 

·     Longer lasting tulip flowers – cut stem diagonally, wrap blossom in paper, refrigerate, then cut again for bouquet. 

·      Deer problems and successes – deer, rabbits, and voles adore tulips, but products are available to discourage them if used consistently. Allium, daffodils, small tulips (these are the small tulip botanical species), grape hyacinth, and snowdrops are resistant.

·     Lift bulbs – every three years and fertilize with bone meal or triple phosphate twice a year. 

Calendar:

No regular November or December meetings. Have a wonderful holiday season! 

·      November17, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Holiday Lunch. Checks for $26 can be mailed to Colleen before November 8.Janine Zink is coordinating a $10.00 Ornament Exchange. Pines Tavern Restaurant, 5018 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044.

·      January22– “Spotted Lantern Fly” by Dianne Machesney.

·      February 26 – Program tbd.