LAGC Meeting – September 24, 2019
Colleen opened up the meeting by welcoming the members. Currently blooming in member gardens: Zinnia, Verbena, a rebloom of Balloon Flower, Hydrangea, Gerber, Shasta & Montauk Daisies, and Helianthus. Members have noticed an increase in butterflies and bees visiting their blooms.
Reminder to all members: Dues are being collected - $15 for the year. Also make sure your information in the directory is up to date and provide any changes to Linda Brown or Ellen Dvorsky.
A donation was given to the Latodomi Nature Center in remembrance of Marilyn Guertner who had passed away this summer. A moment of silence was held to remember her.
We are still looking for a program coordinator to work with Jenna the first few months of the year, and then take over. Contact Colleen if you would like to volunteer. Colleen floated the idea to attending members of having various members be responsible for the program for 1 month, similar to what we do with dessert and flower arrangement duties. The response was positive with many ideas being floated, of which Colleen took notes.
If anyone has a pollinator certified garden, please let Mary Anne know. The Shaler Garden Club is putting together statistical information for our area.
Anita passed around the sign up sheet for dessert/floral arrangement duties. If you were not present at the meeting, please get in touch with Anita to sign up for an open slot.
Eloise Peet had reached out to our club to see if anyone would be interested in helping resurrect the community garden in Ross Township. Please reach out to her directly for more information and if you are interested.
Mary Anne reminded everyone to take note of plants to be divided for our plant sale in the spring. If you have a place to overwinter the potted plants, do the division/potting up now, which leaves you with 1 less task for next year.
Ideas were floated for the holiday celebration. Members were interested in doing the Frick House Tour, which begins Nov 22 and runs through the 1stweek in January $13 for the tour. Denny will look into coming up with the restaurant for the holiday luncheon and present at October’s meeting.
Dianne provided Andrea with the treasurer’s report.
Starting checking account balance was $4184.22. Ending Checking account balance of $4,119.22 + petty cash of $61.87 leaves us with a total of $4,181.09.
Thanks to Diane for the delicious desserts and to Helen for the lovely arrangement.
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| Helen's arrangement coordinated with Len's talk |
“Hostas – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” was presented by Len Lehman, who considers himself a “hostaphile”.
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| Dwarf golden type |
Hostas have increased in popularity lately, as many homeowners now have shady yards due to mature trees. Hostas are considered members of the lily family, and were once known as Japanese Lily Root.
The emerging hosta shoots are considered edible in Japan, where they pickle them and used them in Sushi, as long as no insecticides are used.
Hostas were brought to the western world by Phillip Franz von Siebold, from Japan. They were first brought to America circa 1840. Hostas are useful as border plants, for erosion control, and to brighten up shade gardens. They are a long-term perennial, and best if left alone to mature over several years. Plant them in areas where they won’t be disturbed. When planting, plant the crown below the ground and water well.
Pests/Diseases – slugs are a nuisance, hosta nematodes can be controlled using crab meal. There is a Hosta virus X disease. If your plants get this virus, remove them and throw them away, as there is no known cure.
A hosta sport is a genic variation that occurs when division of a crown takes place.
Hosta species are a group of plants with unique characteristics, capable reproducing the same plant.
Hostas come in many sizes, from miniature to giant.
When starting with hostas, a great place to start is looking for “Hosta of the Year” designation over the various years.
Fertilizing, in spring, use a 5/10/5 water soluble fertilizer, reduce fertilization in summer, and in the fall, fertilized with a weaker water soluble fertilizer, like 2/5/2.
Next Meeting:
October 22, “Hands-on Autumn Craft” by Jenna Noker
A fun filled evening of creativity, all materials will be provided
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