Newsletter: January 2007

WHEN: Saturday, January 20, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: The Beards Ranch, Goleta
WHAT: Ranch tour, pruning and grafting demonstrations, scion exchange

This is going to be one busy meeting, so come before 10 AM to swap scions for grafting (see Jerry’s article below). We are fortunate to have tree expert Bruce Van Dyke with us at the meeting. He will demonstrate a variety of grafting techniques and answer all your questions. After the demonstration, the Beards will give tours of their ranch to see the many exotic tropical/sub-tropical plants from A(avocado) To Y(yuzu). Come see a three pound Keitt Mango on a tree. Cranberries, blueberries, caper plant, bananas, cherimoya, citrus, longhan, lychee, guavas, paw paws, and the list goes on!

Directions: Going north on US 101, take the Winchester Canyon Rd. Make a right onto Cathedral Oaks Road. Make a LEFT onto Ellwood Canyon Rd. Make a right up the hill to 200 Ellwood Ridge Road. Going south on 101, take the Hollister Ave exit, left cross over 101. Make a right onto CALLE REAL. Make a left onto CATHEDRAL OAKS ROAD, and go to Ellwood Cyn Rd.(MAKE LEFT) Proceed as above. This event will be held rain or shine as the Beards' can accommodate the crowd in their barn if needed.

******GETTING READY FOR AN IMPORTANT TIME IN THE GARDEN—AND FOR OUR NEXT MEETING

January is the time to prepare scion wood and deciduous cutting wood for distribution and sharing among our members. It’s also time to divide, multiply, and plant dormant herbaceous and woody plant and to properly plant bareroot fruit trees and roses. For specific help, refer to the 2001 edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book pages as listed below.
1) deciduous hardwood cuttings (clones) (pg. 699)
2) deciduous scion wood for grafting (cleft grafting, pg. 702; T-Budding pg. 701). Note other grafting methods: a) whip/tongue, b) bark/side, c) bridge.
3) dividing dormant perennials (pg. 700)
a) herbaceous (such as rhubarb, artichoke, asparagus, strawberry, herbs)
b) woody (such as bramble berry, currant)
4) bareroot planting (pgs. 692-694, 678)
a) fruit trees (like: stone fruit, pome fruit, nut trees, pomegranate, jujube, fig, etc.)
b) shrubs (like: roses, gooseberry, blueberry, miniature trees)
c) vines (like: grapes, kiwi, climbing roses, etc.)
5) bulbs & bulb-like planting (pgs. 659-661):
bulbs (such as onion sets,
shallots, lilies, narcissus, tulips, native bulbs)
corms (such as glads, watsonia, crocus, freesia, ixia, sparaxis)
rhizomes: (sunchokes, iris, calla-lily, ranunculus, windflower-anemone)
tubers: (potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuberous begonias, cyclamen)
tuberous roots: (yacon, dahlia)

Members who wish to share their winter SURPLUS plant-starts or propagation clone-wood, should prepare the materials thusly:
1) Bring leafless, viable, moist, supple wood 8-12 inches long
2) Bring the propagation-wood in air tight bags or wrapped in plastic (keep out of the sun and away from warm temperatures). Add a small, damp paper towel to heop keep the wood fresh.
3) Bundle the same wood-types together and label the specific varieties by name or description.
4) If you need to, store the wood for several weeks (after pruning) ALWAYS store the wood in air tight conditions slightly moist, in a cool dark location.

Examples:
Place the bundled wood in plastic trash bags, store and chill in the veggie compartment in a garage refrigerator (do not freeze) OR
Bury the bag in the cool soil, or under mulch on the shady, north side of a wall or building.

Bring some cordage or tie-material and a way to label the items you choose to acquire. And be sure to bring a box or bag to carry plant items home.

You will also be able to purchase many excellent, exotic, even rare cultivar fruit trees and winter-season plants at our Chapter's Annual Plant Sale on the 20th.

Norman is offering the largest inventory(300+) of tropical/Sub-tropical plants available for sale; most cannot be purchased at nurseries in the two counties. You can call him at 805-968-0989 to reserve a plant of your choice, prior to the meeting.

This is a great chance to share horticulture wisdom or gain wisdom! Please bring a friend(s) to the meeting, as this meeting is open to the public. See you there.

Jerry Sortomme

Chapter Co-Chair

******CALENDAR

Save Saturday, February 17, 2007, for our tour of Riverbear Farm in Oaks (Ojai Valley). This farm is the oldest established mulberry farm in North America with 66 mulberry trees and 116 other fruiting trees including citrus, and other exotics.

Watch the book stores in February for the new edition of the Sunset Garden Book.

******Treasurer's Report

Balance as of December 31, 2006: $ 5,242.69.

This is the time of year we collect dues for the chapter. Send a check for $10 to Roland Messori 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 .