CRFG Ventura Santa Barbara Chapter

2008-02-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

Joe Sabol demonstrates his favorite apple grafting techique as our new co-chair Scott Doyle (in the blue striped shirt looks on).

2008-02-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

Joe Sabol demonstrates his favorite apple grafting techique as our new co-chair Scott Doyle (in the blue striped shirt looks on).

2008-02-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

Joe Sabol demonstrates his favorite apple grafting technique as our new co-chair Scott Doyle (in the blue striped shirt) looks on.

Newsletter July 2007

2007-07-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

JULY MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, July 21, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: La Huerta (orchard-garden) Project, Old Mission Santa Barbara
WHAT: The Old Mission La Huerta Project is an one acre+ garden (begun in 2003) that displays hundreds of edible and utilitarian and ornamental trees, shrubs & vines, herbaceous perennials, heirloom garden herbs and seasonal-crop plants that portrays the first introduced horticulture to California, the Spanish mission-era (1769-1834). Also native plants associated with the local Chumash (CHEW-mash) indigenous people are on display.

Agenda: Jerry Sortomme – La Huerta Project manager will host a tour of the mission orchard-garden along the El Rastro pathway, and also tour the overlook level that displays native plant materials some collected from the near-by Channel Islands. La Huerta is a functioning garden and a living museum, history-scape. Project volunteers care for and maintain the garden on Wednesday mornings.

July should be an ideal time to experience the summer format of La Huerta.

Optional: After the two hour tour our CRFG members are invited to stay for a casual BYO picnic lunch at the garden’s ramada patio terrace. A large BBQ will be made available for you (and your family & guests) to grill whatever YOU decide to cook (meat, fruit, veggies, etc.). At 12:00 the Huerta Folks (La Huerta Project volunteers), are invited to join the noon time picnic for a potluck early afternoon gathering. The combined event promises to be a pleasant summer time event. **Please bring your own beverage, utensils, plates, etc..
RSVP PLEASE to Jerry if you plan to stay for the post-meeting, potluck,picnic.
Contact Jerry (by July 18): jerrysortomme@hotmail.com, or H: 805/644-2777.

DIRECTIONS: Note: The La Huerta garden is located in the Old Mission’s restricted, non-public access zone. CRFG members and guests are the special guests of Santa Barbara Mission on the 21st. You will need to park in the restricted parking lot that is separated by fencing and locked gates, from the tourist parking lot.
In Santa Barbara, exit the 101 Freeway at Mission Street. Drive north on Mission Street toward the foothills; past State Street. Turn left turn at Santa Barbara Street. Proceed several blocks, crossing Los Olivos St. Proceed one more block. Turn right turn at Pueblo Street (Pueblo Street dead-ends at Garden Street). Cross Garden Street, and enter the driveway. Proceed 100 yards, take the first right turn at the sign “Old Mission Santa Barbara”. Drive along the south façade of the mission complex. Park in the restricted parking lot. The La Huerta garden is located at the south, lower end of the lot Take the short path (next to the sports court) down to the Huerta garden

******
Summery of the Old Creek Ranch Tour
In June between 15 & 20 members visited Old Creek Ranch in the lower Ojai Valley.

Host John Whitman took us on a walk-about around the ranch office and homestead landscapes and winery facilities. We observed established plantings of: olive trees, apricots, a Nanking bush cherry, chestnut, jujube, apple, pomegranates, plum, walnuts and pecans.

We then toured the recently planted acreage of production cherry trees. Four kinds of commercial cherries are being grown. The unusual winter cold, micro-climate of this part of lower Ojai Valley, allows the ranch to establish cherries. Protective deer fencing will be installed soon to reduce damage to the nearly 2 year old trees. We then walked thru an older orchard grove that had plums, apples, pears and various stone fruits.

Some of our members stayed to sip the boutique wines at the Old Creek Ranch Winery tasting room. A member or two hiked along the ranch roads at the base of Sulphur Mountain.

The historic agrarian rural setting, flowering gardens and a near perfect day made for a charming day. We thank Carmel & John Whitman for hosting our June meeting.

******CALENDAR
There will be no August meeting so our local members can attend the Festival of Fruit in San Diego on August 7-12. Check the CFRG web site or the Fruit Grower magazine for details.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,593.69

******LOCAL OFFICERS
Chapter Co-Chair: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net
Chapter Co-Chair: Jerry Sortomme, (805) 644-2777, jerrysortomme@hotmail.com
V-Pres/Publicist/Programs: Alan Schroeder, (805) 563-9525, arschroeder@cox.net
Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com
Newsletter Team: (i) Vacant (ii) Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; (iii) Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com
CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com

Faulkner Farm/UC Hansen Trust

2007-06-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Victorian Mansion/Farm House

Cluster planting of apples

Newsletter June 2007

2007-06-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

JUNE MEETING
WHEN: Saturday, June 16, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: Old Creek Ranch & Winery, 10024 Old Creek Road, Oakview (lower Ojai Valley)
HOSTS: John & Carmel Whitman (owners for 20 years)
Optional: stay for general public wine tasting after 12:00 noon. BYO picnic lunch and enjoy the rural setting. Take a short hike perhaps.

DIRECTIONS: From the 101 Freeway, take Hwy 33 north toward Ojai. Leaving Ventura, drive thru the small community of Casitas Springs. On Hwy 33, past Sulfur Mnt. Road and just before the Arnaz Apple Barn, turn right on Old Creek Road and proceed to the end of the road (less than a mile). Enter thru the gate, take the driveway and park by the Ranch office.

Several years ago our Chapter visited Old Creek Ranch and toured the winery operations. This year we will tour the newly established CHERRY ORCHARD and see other old historic orchard plantings and landscaping.

The Ranch is part of an original 22,000 acre Spanish land grant awarded to Don Fernando Tico in the Alta California, Mexican era. 'Mission' grapes once grew here on the lower slopes of Sulphur Mountain. But the prohibition years sealed their fate. The next owner Antonio Riva purchased the Ranch in the late 1800s. Pears, apples, stone fruits and other crops were planted in the early and mid 1900s. It was also a cattle ranch. Later beefalo was raised when the Willit Family owned the ranch

In 1976 the Maitlands purchased the Ranch and in the early 1980s planted new orchards and new acreage in varietal wine grapes, and created their own wine label. Sadly the vineyard fell prey to the bacterium that causes Pirece's Disease" and the infested grapestock was destroyed. Now a new vineyard is being planted away from the problem site.

Come join the tour to see the new cherry tree venture, view some of the older orchards and relax and enjoy the quaint, beautiful setting of this genuine rural homestead and ranch.

Afterwards you might like to hike (so bring proper shoes). You can bring a picnic lunch, relax and enjoy the hide away setting. You also have the option to taste the wines of Old Creek Ranch and perhaps bring some home.

****** FAULKNER FARM
At our May meeting our host, Cooperative Extension Agent (Farm Advisor) Ben Faber, gave our group a wonderful tour of this preserved working farm and UC agricultural experiment station.

We toured the grounds around the old Victorian mansion/farm house and got a look at the barns, one of which was over a hundred years old, the other, more recent barn was built to a smaller scale, thanks to an ad agency that was filming a commercial. We viewed the oldest macadamia nut tree in Ventura County.

We saw the new plantings of both solo and clustered groupings of deciduous trees stone fruits, pome fruits, figs, pomegranate, etc. These plantings were to determine how closely fruit trees could be planted. Some groups in circles not more than a yard across seemed to be doing quite well.

We also saw blueberry trials which were trying to identify commercially viable fruit that could be grown in the area. We taste-tested the various trial peas: sugar snap, snow and shelling peas. Ben told us that within the avocado orchard, a coffee variety (planted from seed) of a Panama/Costa Rica Coffee strain is being interplanted with the avocados. Citrus is being bud-grafted and many selections of banana and many other semi-tropical and subtropical cultivars are being grown and analyzed.

Common wisdom has it that pine needles acidify the soil, but few studies have been done on this. The Ag Station is testing this idea. Coffee grounds, pine needles, garden wastes and oak leaves had been dug into sections of soil to determine which changed to ph and to what degree. The test results have been sent to Davis for analysis. One thing that was immediately obvious was that all four substances discouraged seed germination to one degree or other. There were fewer weeds in the test sections (particularly the coffee grounds and pine needles) than in the control plots.

A corn maze (a maize maze) is just sprouting and pumpkin patch is being sown. Keep an eye on the web site (http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu/HansenTrust/) to find out when the maze will be ready.

******CALENDAR
July 21: Tour the Old Mission La Huerta Project at Old Mission Santa Barbara. View the edible orchard trees, seasonal crops and plants that were first introduced by the Spanish missionaries to Alta California starting in 1769 thru 1834. This orchard-garden is a living museum project and is situated in a restricted zone away from the crowds and tourists.

Afterwards it is your option to join the Huerta Folks and friends for a pot luck picnic on the ramada terrace. BYO stuff (share one item for ten). The grill will be available after 11:00.
Parking: at restricted parking lot (directions forthcoming). RSVPs will be requested next month.

August: There will be no local meeting. Be sure to attend the Festival of Fruit in San Diego August 7-12 and celebrate the end of the Year of the Mango.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is 5,583.79.

******LOCAL OFFICERS
Chapter Co-Chair: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net
Chapter Co-Chair: Jerry Sortomme, (805) 644-2777, jerrysortomme@hotmail.com
V-Pres/Publicist/Programs: Alan Schroeder, (805) 563-9525, arschroeder@cox.net
Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, Furlanro@msn.com
Raffle Director: Marv Daniels, (805) 773-9311, petmarv@aol.com
Newsletter Team: (i) Vacant (ii) Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com; (iii) Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, laurainsb@gmail.com

Local website: http://crfgvsb.blogspot.com
CRFG Website: http://crfg.org

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send address changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above). Send e-mail address changes to crfgvsb@gmail.com

Casa del Herrera April 2007 photos by Bob Fisher

2007-05-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

Newsletter May 2007

2007-05-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

MAY MEETING
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2007, 10-Noon meeting
WHERE: The Faulkner Farm/UC Hansen Trust, 14292 W. Telegraph Rd. in Santa Paula
HOST: Ben Faber - UC Cooperative Extension Agent (Farm Advisor)
DIRECTIONS: Take HWY 126 (Santa Paula Freeway) to Santa Paula. Exit at Briggs Rd. and head north. Park on Briggs just before Telegraph Rd.

Our chapter members, their families & friends and the public are invited to tour the Faulkner Farm. We will gather for a short meeting (at 10:00 am sharp).

Ben Faber will tour us thru the various areas of this Farm & Ranch that was established in the late 1880s. It is now a preserved and restored urban farm and an agriculture research center and the Faulkner Farm encourages "sustainable horticulture practises".

We will view the newly established deciduous fruit tree orchard, and tour other specialty plantings including: a variety of subtropical edibles, avocados, 37 varieties of cherimoya, blueberries, etc. The Farm has the oldest macadamia in California, but unfortunately oak root fungus has infected it. Ben Faber said that people can do some pruning on the little trees if they wish to.

Hope to see everyone for this wonderful horticulture adventure.
This is an especially good meeting to bring the whole family.

****** CASA DEL HERRERO by Sheila Bartsch
Our April trip to Casa Del Herrero was filled with awe and delight. We split up into two groups guided by Molly Barker and Duke McPherson. Ms. Barker is the Director of Horticulture and Mr. McPherson is the Arborist at the Casa. Our small groups allowed for a personal touch. We met in front of the spectacular Spanish Colonial Revival home designed by George Washington Smith. In front of the home is a Moorish styled fountain centered in the geometric coble-stone drive. It is designed with antique tiles and an elegantly simple water piece. There are many Moorish designed fountains throughout the grounds that have the delicate sounds of a brook being close by.

As we strolled throughout the grounds, the many different gardens slowly revealed themselves. Off the kitchen and patio area is an enchanting herb garden. The aromas of sage, mint, lavender and thyme fill the air. The adobe looking wall separating the patio and herb garden is lined with espalier pomegranate and espalier fig. There’s also a little vegetable garden with artichoke, lettuce, sweet pea and more. A topiary kumquat citrus is close by leading one into the orchard.

The orchard contains a wonderful array of fruits. Some citrus grown in the orchard are the Dancy Tangerine (thin skinned) and the Minneola and Samson Tangelo, a cross between a tangerine and grapefruit, the Bearce orange (sweet and juicy) and lemon trees. Some trees had copper lined trunks to protect them from snails. Other fruits grown are the yellow plums, apricots, cherimoya, loquats, kumquats, lillie-pillies, sapote and a variety of avocadoes in full flower. The orchard is divided by an axis that cuts through the entire grounds.

At the end of our tour we had a table tasting with many citrus, lillie-pillie, cherimoya and some apples from Duke’s house and Jerry’s house. We even had a chance to take some sample fruit home to enjoy.

It was a lovely morning filled with camaraderie and enjoyment. One can return to the Casa for a tour of the inside of the house. The grounds and inside house tour can be arranged by calling the Casa Del Herrero at: 805-565-5635 or write to Casa Del Herrero Foundation, 1387 E. Valley Rd., Montecito, CA 93108 or email at: casatour@silcom.com.

******CALENDAR

Save Saturday, June 16 for our tour of the newly established cherry orchard and perhaps do some wine tasting after the meeting (optional) at Old Creek Ranch & Winery in the Ojai Valley.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,563.79

Newsletter April 2007

2007-03-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

APRIL MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2007

WHERE: Casa del Herrero

**NOTE** Due to BINDING LIMITS set by CONDITIONAL USE RESTRICTIONS...ONLY 22 CRFG Chapter (2007 paid-up) members are permitted to attend the Saturday, April 21 tour of Casa del Herrero in Montecito.

Below is a list of paid-up Chapter members that made reservations. They are the ONLY people who be allowed to attend the April event.

1. Mike Bartsch
2. Sheila Bartsch
3. Norman Beard
4. Bob Fisher
5. Betty Gaw
6. Sin Hock Gaw
7. Elaine Grinnell
8. Elaine Jacobson
9. Larry Jacobson
10. Allen King
11. Cynthia King

12. Danny Laub
13. Jon Lipsitz
14. Erin Marshall
15. Shannon Marshall
16. Sheila Marshall
17. Barry Rossington
18. Jerry Sortomme
19. Bernie Storch
20. Miyako Storch
21. Katherine Warner
22. (still available)

Approved attendees above MUST email Jerry Sortomme <jerrysortomme@hotmail.com>, or call 805/644-2777 for time, address, directions and parking information. Contact Jerry if you want to be on a waiting list, should an opening occur.

Anyone who needs to bow out of this April 27 event contact Jerry so the slot can be filled by a paid member on a waiting list.

NOTE** two individuals signed-up for the April meeting at the February meeting in Ojai (Pete Dibble and Laura Creasey) who are not currently on the 2007 membership roster, nor on the old 2006 roster. .Since they could not be contacted, they needed to be dropped from the Casa del Herrero attendance list. If any one knows how to contact either of these people, let Jerry know.

******MEMBERSHIP

The 2007 membership list, as of March 27, is printed below. If your name does not appear on the list, according to our records you have not paid your dues. Anyone whose name is NOT on the list will be DROPPED from the membership at the end of this month. If you have paid and your name does not appear on this list, contact the Roland (969-4167). If your name is not spelled correctly, contact Laura 687-4553 laurainsb@gmail.com.

You may renew your local membership by sending $10 to the treasurer - Roland Messori, Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Annual dues for our parent organization is $30. The form for renewing can be found on-line at cfrg.org or on the last page of the CRFG bimonthly FRUIT GARDENER magazine. Membership to both state & local in 2007 is necessary for organization insurance coverage reasons.

******LOOKING AHEAD

Our May 19 meeting to the Faulkner Farm in Santa Paula is open to all members, their family members, guests and interested individuals. Cooperative Extension Agent Ben Faber will be our host. We will be touring the preserved urban farm and viewing the NEW deciduous fruit orchard and other established plantings and exhibits --.a perfect family event.

******NOTES ON THE ARROYO HONDO PRESERVE MEETING by Sheila Bartsch

We started our meeting in front of the old adobe, nestled in the citrus orchard at the beginning of the canyon. Jerry’s wife made delicious cookies shared by all. We met our docent, Al Thompson and the Preserve’s manager, John Warner. They both were very informative and knowledgeable about the preserve’s history, plant and animal life. Jerry added much information along the way. The mission of the preserve is to protect and improve the area. There is much evidence of both as we looked in amazement at the 100 year old lemon tree in the orchard.

We hiked up the canyon to Look Out Point and along the way we passed a pear tree planted in 1820. Both the lemon and the 1820 Padre pear tree were probably originally from Spain. Their provenance is sketchy but thought to arrive in Santa Barbara through the smuggling trade. Arroyo Hondo’s flowery history includes a stage coach stopping between Santa Barbara and Lompoc. Many items were smuggled on the stage coach and traded here to avoid taxes by the Spanish.

We meandered across the river several times, enjoying Native California plants along the way. The chaparral and riparian landscapes collide providing many micro-niche climates where a variety of plants thrive. A few of the plants we encountered were hummingbird sage, milk thistle, elderberry, bush flower and nightshade. The Chumash Indians used many of these plants for medicinal cures. The blooming Ceanothus in shades of blue and white were spectacular. We were in awe when we caught site of the 100 year old Mission (Listan Prieto) grapevine with a 5 inch diameter climbing high to the top of the tree canopy. Although there weren’t any grapes to harvest, the vine was still eking out an existence. Debra Hall, viticulturist and owner of Gypsy Canyon Winery in Lompoc was part of our group. She restored three acres of 100 year old ‘Mission’ grapevines from which she makes an authentic dessert wine which she calls Angelica.

Near the end of our loop hike we saw a beautiful yellow swallowtail butterfly perched on a blooming Clematis. It was a terrific day and a real treasure to have the opportunity to spend the day in the Arroyo Hondo Preserve.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,523.29.

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send Address Changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above).

))))))))))))((((((((((((

CRFG V/SB Chapter Membership

As of March 27, 2007

Anderson, Jack
Barker, Molly
Bartsch, Michael & Sheila
Beard, Norman
Berman, Robert
Chrostowski, Marshall
Clark, Jane
Clayton, Marilyn
Cleveland, David
Cline, Richard
Elandt, Kenneth,
Fisher, Bob
Gaw, Betty
Green Francis.
Gregory, Nickey
Grinnell, Elaine
Guerrero, Raul,
Homze, Sharon
Keim, Judith,
King, Allen
Kirk, Doug
Kocher, Carl & Marilyn
Laub, Danny
Lipsitz, Jon
Marshall, Elaine
Matthews, WalteMeierhoefer, Heide
Meister, Jules
Messori, Roland
Michel, Kristy
Nanna, Laura
Nishimura/Warren
Noell, Vernon’
O’Gara, Mike Parks, Jean
Pinkerton, Arlene
Robbins, Gabrielle
Rodrigue, Jacob
Rossington, Bary
Russel, Edgar
Schroeder, Alan, R
Schumacher, Gerhardt
Sortomme, Jerry
Stevens, Michael,
Storch, Bernard
Valdivia, Edgar
Van Dyke, Bruce
Vieth, Bob
Walcher, Mary
Warner, KE

Arroyo Hondo Preserve

2007-03-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

Old adobe

'Mission' grapevine, over 100 years old, reaches for the canopy.

Newsletter; March 2007

2007-03-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

MARCH MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2007, 10-Noon

WHERE: Arroyo Hondo Preserve (Land Trust for Santa Barbara County)

WHAT: The Arroyo Hondo Preserve, is a 782-acre coastal canyon preserve located up the coast from Santa Barbara. It is called the "Jewel of the Gaviota Coast" and “Little Yosemite”. This old ranch was a colorful part of early California history and now has both, preserved agricultural and natural sites and environs to enjoy. Nestled into the headquarters facility are groves of edible orchard trees, grapevines and a garden-like setting. The famous 'Padre' pear tree (circa 1800, planted in Spanish mission times) still grows and produces fruit to this day. "Mission" grapevines and olives grow further back in the canyon.

Al Thompson will be leading our group. He was the horticulture historian at Mission La Purisima (Lompoc) until just recently, and is now a docent/guide at the Preserve. Our Chapter will tour the horticulture grounds but our members are invited to enjoy the whole Preserve after the meeting, until 4:00. You can stay for your own picnic lunch and hike on your own after the meeting. The preserve closes at 4:00 pm. Bring water, sunscreen, and wear sturdy walking shoes.

John Warner is the Preserve Manager and can be contacted at 805/567-1115.

DIRECTIONS: Arroyo Hondo Preserve, On HWY 101 between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Beach. (14900 Calle Real Gaviota, California 93117 567-1115 <arroyohondo@sblandtrust.org>)

From Santa Barbara: Take Hwy. 101 north (23 miles past La Cumbre Rd. Overpass)...Approximately 4.5 miles past Refugio State Beach on Hwy. 101, be on the look-out for a beige concrete bunker-style building on the right (Tajiguas Landfill). The preserve is exactly 1/2 mile farther. Immediately after CalTrans Call Box #101-412, make a sharp RIGHT turn from the highway into the Preserve. The gate will be open. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge and park by the BARN.

From Buellton: Take Hwy. 101 south, approximately 6 miles past Gaviota State Park and 1/4 mile after the Vista Point Rest Area. Make a U-turn at the Tajiguas Landfill into the northbound lanes of Hwy. 101, and proceed north. Immediately after CalTrans Call Box #101-412, make a sharp RIGHT turn from the highway into the Preserve. The gate will be open. Come down the driveway, cross the bridge and park by the BARN.

******MANY THANKS

...to Gordon Kennedy for hosting the February 17 meeting at Riverbear Mulberry Farm, Miners Oaks in Ojai. The morning meeting was an interesting tour of the many White and Black Mulberry grove trees and a wide variety of other edible trees and perennial crops. The taste testing of winter citrus selections and carob pods was an unexpected treat.

******CALENDAR

April 21 Casa del Herrero. Our April meeting is a "SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE" situation. Our Chapter has been invited to visit the historic, turn-of-the-cenrury estate landscape and edible gardens of Casa del Herrero, Montecito. ***DUE TO A CONDITIONAL USE RESTRICTION*** there is an absolute limit of 22 people and only 15 cars. At this posting... 19 of 22 slots are already reserved. Members who attend must be in "good standing" and have their 2007 $10 Chapter dues paid-up. (See Membership below) To reserve a remaining slot (first-come basis) needs to call Chapter co-president, Jerry Sortomme 805/644-2777. Once the 22 limit is reached, that is the maximum allowed.

******TREASURER’S REPORT: The current balance is $5,392.69

Send Address Changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above).

Newsletter: February 2007

2007-02-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

FEBRUARY MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, February 17, 2007, 10-Noon meeting

WHERE: Riverbear Farm, 913 Oso Rd., Meiners Oaks (Ojai Valley) Host: Gordon Kennedy – Owner Phone: 805/646-4608 Cell: 805/218-5698 Email: caveman@ojai.net

WHAT: This farm is the oldest established mulberry farm in North America (nearly 30 years old), with 66 mulberry trees and 116 other fruiting trees (both deciduous and non-deciduous) including citrus, che and other exotics. You can read about this farm in the November/December '06 issue of the CRFG Fruit Gardener (p. 28, The Marketplace under Classified Ads.

See you there... weather permitting (Sprinkles is sissy weather)

DIRECTIONS: Take 101 Freeway to Hwy 33 (north to Ojai) Stay on Hwy 33, LEFT at the fork (do not drive Hwy 150 into the town of Ojai) Past Nordhoff High School LEFT at El Roblar Dr., continue until it dead-ends at Rice Rd. RIGHT on Rice Rd. Proceed on Rice Rd. past Fairview Rd. LEFT on Meyer Rd. RIGHT on Oso Rd.

******MANY THANKS

…to Bruce Van Dyke for a superb grafting clinic. And to Norm Beard for provide a great setting and a wonderful tour.

*******CHECK IT OUT

http://www.nalusda.gov/speccoll/collectionsguide/mssindex/pomology/pomology.shtml

Check out this USDA National Agricultural Library page for watercolor pictures of fruit. The watercolors were commission in the late 1880s to aid plant breeders in the accurate documentation and dissemination of their research results in a period when many new varieties and species were being introduced into this country. The miscellaneous fruit section contains tropical and rare fruit.

******CALENDAR

March 17 Arroyo Hondo Preserve

April 21 Casa del Herrero

******RENEWAL TIME

Renew your membership in the local chapter by sending $10 to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108.

Newsletter: January 2007

2007-01-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

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 .

Newsletter: Nov.-Dec. 2006

2006-11-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER MEETING

WHEN: Saturday, December 2, 2006, 10-Noon meeting, noon- BBQ

WHAT: Deciduous Pruning of Dormant Fruit Trees & Winter Tree Management

WHERE: the Old Mission HUERTA Project Orchard-Garden Mission Santa Barbara

DIRECTIONS: In Santa Barbara, exit the 101 Freeway at Mission Street. Drive north on Mission Street toward the foothills; past State Street. Turn left turn at Santa Barbara Street. Proceed one more block. Turn right turn at Pueblo Street (Pueblo Street dead-ends at Garden Street). Cross Garden Street, and enter the driveway. Proceed 100 yards, take the first right turn at the sign “Old Mission Santa Barbara”.

Drive along the south façade of the mission complex. Park in the restricted parking lot. The Huerta garden is located at the south, lower end of the lot. Take the short path (next to the sports court) down to the Huerta garden.

Jerry Sortomme, manager of the Huerta Project and Huerta Folks (the garden volunteers) will conduct a program on the winter management of deciduous fruit trees, including pruning, dormant oil spraying, and other considerations. The meeting open to CRFG members and interested community members.

The Huerta (who-AIR-tah) Project is a one acre plus living museum, an orchard-garden that exhibits the fruit trees and example-plants that grew from 1759-1834 in Spanish Alta California's mission-era. A mission "huerta" was the site where introduced domesticated and cultivated trees and exotic plants were grown for the first time in the aboriginal, indigenous California frontier. The S.B. Mission Huerta has many kinds of heirloom and modern cultivar stone fruit trees, pome fruits and other kinds of winter deciduous fruit trees that are being grown to view and inspect. A new 400 foot long D.G. pathway allows you to stroll the living museum garden.

A list of Spanish California Mission-era plants that grew in 1769-1834, appears elsewhere on this blog site.

Saturday Program: (weather permitting)

1. Stroll the orchard-garden.

2. Observe the techniques of pruning the various categories of deciduous fruit trees.

3. A Discussion of deciduous pest/disease management.

4. YOU can practice pruning at the site. Bring your own pruning shears, pruning loppers, and pruning saw.

5. Relax and at the Huerta ramada terrace Stay for a BYO-lunch aftermath event. A hot BBQ grill will be available. Bring your own food, drink and picnic supplies.

This should be the optimum time for local winter fruit tree management, usually done from mid December thru mid-February. There are several recognized techniques for winter pruning and tree care. See the demonstrations and practice pruning at the Huerta garden.

Report on the October meeting – Jerry Sortomme

I want to extend the group's many thanks to Pat and Edgar Valdivia who hosted the October meeting in their lush urban orchard landscape packed full of exotic trees and shrubs and of course, oodles of pitahaya (pee-TIE-yah) vines snaking everywhere. Gorgeous, large fist-size blood red dragon fruits peppered the landscape, high and low. Edgar presented a wonderfully informative program on their propagation, culture & care and marketing of this tropical vining cactus. Edgar has been growing their edible zoo of plants for 8 years and cultivating pitahaya for 6 years.

It was a perfect, mild fall day in Simi Valley and the huge crowd of CRFG members from far and wide got to taste wedges of the succulent fruits and, thanks to Los Angeles Chapter, were treated to an outstanding potluck lunch of marvelously diverse food and desserts.

Treasurer's Report

Balance as of October 31, 20006: $ 5308.69

Deciduous Plant Clinic

2006-11-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

compiled by Jerry Sortomme

Pruning Hints (Pruning is the selective removal of unwanted limbs, branches & twigs)

Know the name of the tree, you must pre-determine the desired plant style or pattern
First remove THE THREE Ds (DEAD, DISEASED, DAMAGED wood)
Remove: Watersprouts, Root Suckers, Growth below the graft/bud union
Eliminate crossing and rubbing branches. Shake the plant hard to “hear” contact.
Eliminate weak branch crotches (too narrow “V” intersections)
Reduce surplus wood to promote quality production of: fruit, flower or foliage

(keep the correct productive wood: current wood, year old, 2-3 year or older, spur wood) *encourage sustainable fruiting wood, plan for adverse scenarios

Pull soil and mulch away from the trunk, cane or graft union
Root-prune or grub roots if necessary along walkways, edgings, etc.
Delay the removal of herbaceous perennial thatch-growth until new sprouts appear

Maintenance Hints

Dormant Oil Spray on leafless plants
1. use a commercial petroleum based spray or >>>>
use a sustainable concoction

example: One Gallon of Water Recipe

1 TBSP Canola Oil or similar vegetable oil

1 TBSP Baking Soda or Bicarbonate of Potassium

1 TBSP Cheap Vinegar

1 Teaspoon, Organic Soap, Safers Soap, Shaklee (3 drops), etc..

2) For existing disease control of Peach Leaf Curl (when the tree is in leaf)

use a mixture of liquid kelp and fish emulsion

3) Topdress the soil with horse or beef manure and mulch over the manure

4) Seed or plant companion or allied plant (living mulch)

Propagation Techniques

seed-propagate: cool-season crops, grains and wildflowers. Spore-propagation
deciduous, hardwood cuttings: tip, stem (straight), heel, mallet, cane, root
layering: ground (branch), tip, aerial
division of clumping plants, divide rooted “pups” and offsets
bulb separation (bulbs, corms, tubers)
runner stolons & runner rhizomes
apomixis, detach plantlets from flower heads/stalks or fern leaves
spawn, divide sub-surface mycelium mushroom masses. also plug-spawn
meristem/tissue culture, specialized laboratory culturing of undifferentiated cells
grafting & budding, unite scion wood (the selected wood) to rootstock

Bareroot Plant: Dormant trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous perennials and vegetable crops

judge whether to amend the soil of the planting hole for woody-rooted plants
the first watering should slurry the soil around the roots and add a wetting

agent or organic soap to super-saturate the root zone soil blend

consider incorporating a wicking stake or rock-stacks into the watering well to

encourage deep percolation of surface water into the soil strata zone

4) consider using the method of, vertical-mulching or compost-holing with a

wicking aide to help encourage expansion of deeper woody root-growth,

hint: grow the roots before you grow the fruits

PLANTS OF SPANISH, ALTA CALIFORNIA 1769-1834

2006-11-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

Plants grown in the realm of the 21 mission-chain

Mission San Diego to Mission San Francisco Solano

Plant Groupings updated: 10/14//06

Edible Woody Trees, Shrubs and Vines
Edible Herbaceous Perennials of Alta California
Edible Seasonal Plants, “Garden Vegetables”
Herb Garden Plants of Alta California
Utilitarian Plants of Spanish, Alta California
Décor Plants: Ornamental Plants of Alta California
Native California Plants used in Spanish, Alta California

Types of Plants found in the Old Mission – Huerta Project, Orchard-Garden

Heirloom Plants, seed of selected strains of mission era plants (i.e., hollyhock seed collected from the Arroyo Hondo Preserve, Refugio coastline).
Heritage Plants, singularly unique plant species, varieties or strains that are accurate for this time in history (i.e., ‘Portola’ Sycamore [an ancient Platanus racemosa clone propagated from 6^th Street and the Carpinteria Creek, Carpinteria, California]} and ‘Mission’ olive cutting-wood from Jalama, Bishop Ranch.
Rootstock Plants, modern day plants, seedling plants, or selected historic plants are sometimes used to graft mission-era plants onto (i.e., mission plum scion wood grafted onto modern plum rootstock). A Host Plant rootstock may be the site for more than one selected grafts.
Example-Plants, some plants are surely lost to history. A vagueness certainly surrounds others plants. Horticultural information was often omitted or loosely referred to, or even misinterpreted (i.e., coconut palm) during those times. “Examples-plants will be planted and noted within the Huerta, (i.e., juniper, loquat, banana, mulberry).
Pip-Plants, pips are chance-plants that germinate from seed, randomly chosen selections. Note: most every seedling is a brand new genetically distinct individual. At the missions and elsewhere, even into today, selected “random plants” grew from seed that proved to be “preferred plants”, adapting to the growing site more favorably. Some may have cross-bred, (i.e., native California grape and the introduced mission grape occasionally cross-pollinated). Some plants merely evolved, produced a more favored quality…many heirloom plant-strains developed in isolation and proved to be optimum matches in certain locales, or were favored within certain cultures or societies, and when grown elsewhere, that variant selectivity continued to evolve at the new growing site, as it also did in Spanish, Alta California.

(Group A) Edible Woody Trees, Shrubs and Vines

Almond- [Almedra], soft-shell, Prunus dulcis var. dulcis (=P. amygdalus, P. communis)

Apple- [Manzana], (1792) Malus pumila (=M. sylvestris), juice [jugo, zumo],

cider [sidra], vinegar [vinagre]

Apricot- [Albaricoque], (1792) Prunus armeniaca, tree ripe and dried

Atron? Mentioned but an unknown plant

Barberry- [Agracejo], **(2 native plants cultivated)

Berberis aquifolium (=Mahonia a.) – Oregon-Grape

Berberis pinnata (=Mahonia p.) – California Barberry

Blackberry, California- [Zarzamora, Mora], Rubus ursinus

selected native brambles were cultivated

Cactus- [Nopal, Nopalitos, Tunas], (1779)

Nopalitos (edible cactus stem-pads), Tunas (prickly pear fruit)

(2 opuntia species mentioned)

1) Opuntia ficus-indica, Indian Fig Cactus and Spineless Cactus

2) Opuntia tuna, Jamaica Prickly Pear

Carob- [Algarroba], Ceratonia siliqua

The cultivar ‘Santa Fe’ (a hermaphrodite cv.) requires a single tree to get pod-fruit

Cherry- [Cereza], Sweet Cherry, Prunus avium: (deciduous), Black Heart, White Heart

Sour Cherry, Prunus cerasus (deciduous), ‘Montmorency’

Capulin Cherry- [Kapolin], Prunus salicifolia: (Mexican, semi-deciduous)

Two (evergreen) native California wild cherry species were sporadically cultivated

Islay or Holly-Leaf or Holly-Leaved Cherry, Prunus ilicifolia ilicifolia

Catalina Cherry- [Almendro], Prunus ilicifolia ssp.lyonii (=P. lyonii)

Chestnut, Spanish- [Castana], Castanea sativa

also/perhaps: Chinese Chestnut- Castanea mollissima

**Colossal Chestnut- Castanea ‘Colossal’, a modern cross “example”

CITRUS SELECTIONS

Citron- [Cidra], (1834) Citrus medica ** “Buddah’s Hand” (non mission-era selection)

Lemon- [Limon, Limonero], Citrus limon

Lime- [Lima], (1834) Mexican Lime, Citrus aurantiifolia

Orange- [Naranja], (1792, 1804)

[mission oranges were initially seed-propagated, later grafted or bud-grafted]

Sweet Orange, Citrus sinensis ‘Valencia’ strain

Sour or Bitter Orange- [Bigarande], Citrus aurantium: ‘Seville’

the “Orange of Seville”

oil of neroli, orange blossom oil [azahar]

Tangerine, Common Mandarin, Mandarin Orange, China-Orange- [Mandarina],

(1811) Citrus reticulata (seedlings)

The natural origin of tangerine is China, and first grown in Spain by seed, known

also as, China-Orange. European mandarin seed selections, in time gained the

common name, Tangerine (derived from cultivar trees growing in Tangiers, on

Africa’s north coast region). Satsuma mandarins probably did not grow in California

before 1834.

>>>continued>>>

Currant- [Grosella], 2 native currant species sometimes cultivated

Golden Currant- Ribes aureum

Pink or Red flowering Currant- Ribes sanguineum

Dates- [Datil], **date palms are non-woody (monocot) trees

Arabian Desert Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera (male & female trees)

Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis

the fruit and sap of P. canariensis could be used, but rarely was in Calif.

Fig- [Higo, Higuerra], (1777) Ficus carica

listed: ‘Mission’, ‘Black Mission’, ‘Grodens’, ‘Burgarotes’

* there were many fig pip-seedlings, maturing into favored trees, at many sites

Gooseberry- [Grosella],

Fuchsia-Flowering Gooseberry, Ribes speciosum (a native sometimes grown)

Grape- [Grano], (1769 in dispute), (1771 verified), (= eating, ceremony juice grape)

[ Pasa] (=raisin), (1778) & [Vino] (=wine), (1778), [Parra] (=grapevine)

[Parra Grande] (=giant grapevine), describes a massively large grapevine

[Aguardiente] (=grape brandy), (1778)

[Angelica] (=grape wine & grape brandy blended) ** ‘Mission’ grape

wine fortified with a blended amount of grape brandy, that improved the vino’s

quality, and transformed the blend into a sweet dessert-type wine, ‘Angelica’

note: European grape stock, (Vitis vinifera) was imported to the New World early

on (1500s) and entered Alta California from New Spain (Mexico). Likely European grape types were: Criolla & Monica; ‘Alba’, ‘Albilla’, ‘Diego Rubra’, ‘Molar’, ‘Torrontes’. Grapevines were typically propagated from deciduous cane cuttings, but grape propagated from seed bred quite “true”…perhaps 60% of the time and inferior culls tossed.** Indigenous (native), wild grape species, and adjacent cultivated European grapevines sometimes naturally cross-bred. An occasional random hybrid cross occurred between Vitis vinifera and native grapes (Vitis californica and Vitis girdiana), and pip-plant seedlings were the result. Rarely these new local California “cross-selections”, gained favor and were added to the vineyard inventory. The Alta California ‘Mission’ grape is likely Vitis X vinifera with New World grape species genetics inter-mixed.

Guava- [Guayaba]

Tropical Guava, Psidium guajava

also, likely

2) Strawberry/Purple Guava, Psidium cattleianum (=P. littorale longipes)

3) Lemon/Yellow Guava, Psidium cattleianum lucidium

Hazelnut- [Avellana] *(sometimes cultivated)

California or Wild Hazelnut, Corylus cornuta californica

(=Corylus robusta californica) native

Jujube- [Jinol], Zizyphus jujuba (=Ziziphus jujuba)

Juniper, Chinese- [Cada], Juniperus chinensis (various selections and cultivars)

Loquat, [Nispero del Japon], Eriobotrya japonica (many select pip trees)

Mulberry- [Moral, Mora]

White or Silkworm Mulberry, Morus alba (purple and white fruits mentioned)

Mulberry Bush, Morus X alba ‘Geraldi Dwarf’

Black or Persian Mulberry, Morus nigra

Red Mulberry, Eastern Red Mulberry, Morus rubra

Nectarine- [Nectarina], Prunus persica nucipersica **in dispute

Olive, [Olivo, Aceituna], Olea europaea ** ‘Mission’ strain from Baja

[Olive Oil] (=Aceite)

Palm, Palm Tree- [Palma] ** all palms are non-woody monocot plants

Coconut Palm or Cocoanut Tree, [=Cocotero, Coco], Coconut Fruit [=Coco], Cocos nucifera **although this tree was mentioned, the coconut fruit was never described. It is virtually impossible that a mature tropical, coconut palm could survive any Alta California climate-zone. Another feather palm, (Phoenix spp.) was undoubtedly the actual sighting.
Arabian Desert Date Palm- [Datilera, Palmera], Phoenix dactylifera

Date (fruit), [Datil], adapted to a few selected locations. Ceremony leaf used.

California Desert Fan Palm- [Palma], Washingtonia filifera

native seed collected from S.W. California desert oasis groves

Mexican Fan Palm- [Palma], Washingtonia robusta

Passion Fruit, Passion Vine Fruit- [Granadilla], Passiflora edulis

Peach- [Durazno, Melocoton], (1792) Prunus persica

**categories of fruit included: freestone, semi-free, clingstone-[alberchiga]

mentioned: ‘Priscos’ (also see: Nectarine)

Pear- [Pera], (1792) Pyrus communis

mentioned: ‘Bueno Cristiano’ (= ‘Bartlett’), ‘Lechera’, ‘Pana’, ‘Pera de San Juan’,

‘Presidente’

note: several “mission” pear selections seem to have additional DNA complexities

and need to be denoted as Pyrus X communis, i.e., the “mission” pear grown at the

rancho Arroyo Hondo, the ‘Padre’ pear, (1800)

Pecan- [Pacana], Carya illinoieninsis (=C. illinoiensis)

Plum, European- [Ciruelo], (1792) Prunus X domestica

Prune (Plum)- [Ciruelo Pasa], Prunus X domestica

Pomegranate- [Granada, Alelilla] (1792), Punica granatum

sweet and sour strains were cultivated, red berries typical, but also white & pink

Quince- [Membrillo], Cydonia oblonga * three types mentioned

Portugal Quince, Cydonia o. var. lusitania

‘Apple’ and ‘Orange’ Quince, Cydonia o. var. maliformis

Peruvian Apple Quince, Cydonia oblonga var.? * a tree-ripe edible, strain

Raspberry, Maltese- [Frambuesa], Rubus idaeus

Sapote, White- [Zapote], (1810) Casimiroa edulis

Sweet Bay and Bay Leaf and Grecian Laurel- [Laurel], Laurus nobilis

Walnut- [Nogal]

English Walnut, Juglans regia ** was grafted to native California Black Walnut, Juglans californica (used as the rootstock for non-native grafts)

**a few random, selected native walnuts were cultivated.

(Group B) Edible Herbaceous Perennial Plants of Alta California

Agave, Blue and Tequila Agave- [Agave or Pita], Agave tequilana

a sweet syrup was extracted, “Mezcal” an alcoholic beverage was produced.

“Tequila” was not distilled until the 1880s.

ancient, sacred “Pulque” was a fermented drink prepared from agaves

Artichoke, Globe- [Alcahofa] (1776), Cynara scolymus

Asparagus- [Esparrago] (1806), Asparagus officinalis

Banana- [Banana] & Plantain- [Platano] (1792)

Musa acuminata (=Musa paradisiaca & M. sapientum), crosses and cultivars

Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, related to artichoke, but the leaf petiole is eaten

Chives & Cive- [Cebollana], Allium schoenoprasum

Garlic- [Ajo], (1769), Allium sativum

Leek- [Puerro], Allium ampeloprasum

Onion, Globe- [Cebolla] (1770s), Allium cepa

Potato- [Papa or Patata] (1786), Solanum tuberosum

Rhubarb- [Rubarbo or Ruibarbo], Rheum rhabarbarum

Scallion- [Chalote or Puerro], Allium fistulosum

Shallot- [Chalote], Allium cepa (aggregatum group)

Sorrel- [Acedera], Fench Sorrel, Rumex scutatus * mentioned: “red-veined”

Strawberry- [Fresca] * two species and a subspecies were mentioned

Wild, Beach or Sand Strawberry- Fragaria chiloensis (native)
Alpine or Wood Strawberry, Fraise du Bois-

Fragaria vesca **introduced species grown from seed or by division

Fragaria vesca ssp. californica (=F. californica) *native subspecies

Sugarcane- [Cana de Azucar], Saccharum officinarum * ‘Castillo’ mentioned

Sunchoke or Jerusalem-Artichoke- [Aguaturma], Helianthus tuberosus

* introduced by way of the Spanish missions in New Mexico and Texas,

a native plant indigenous to the Great Plains of North America

(Group C) Edible Seasonal Plants “Vegetable Garden Plants”

Cool-Season & Warm-Season Plants

Beans- [Frejol] (1769), Phaseolus vulgaris * includes: Kidney B., Snap B., Haricot B.,

Common B., French B., Frijol, Runner B., String B., Salad B., Wax B.

Lima Bean- [Haba], Phaseolus lunatus * includes: Sieva Bean, Butter B.,

Civet B., Sewee B, Carolina B.

Fava Bean, Faba B., Broad B., Horse B.- [Haba], Vicia faba

Beet (root)- [Remolacha] (1770s), Beta vulgaris *

Beet (leaf), Chard, Swiss Chard- [Acelga] (1770s), Beta vulgaris **

note: both the beet (*) and beet leaf (**) are the same plant, having two forms

Cabbage- [Berza], Red Cabbage- [Lombarda] (1806),

Brassica oleracea * note: there are many types of cabbages, and many colors

Carrot- [Zanahoria], Daucus carota var. sativus * orange, yellow, red, purple, white

root color variations

Castor Bean-[Palma Christa, Higuerilla], Ricinus communis *note: all plant parts are poisonous *plant often grown as a perennial shrub

**oil is extracted from the seed

Cauliflower- [Coliflor] (1769), Brassica cauliflora

Celeriac, Celery Root, Apium graveolens rapaceum. A variety of Celery species.

Celery (leaf & stalk)- [Apio], Apium graveolens var. dulce (=A. sativum)

*note: celery leaf, celery stalk, and celery seed all come from the same botanical plant

Chard (see: Beet Leaf)

Chick-Pea, Garbanzo, Cicer arietinum

Chicory, Succory- [Achicorria, Escarola], Cichorium intybus

Chili Pepper, Chile Pepper- [Aji], Capsicum annuum

*note: there are many selections and heirloom varieties of “hot peppers”

Corn- [Maiz or Abat] (1769), Zea mays

* note the types: Shell Corn (1779), Turkish Maize (1806), Indian Corn,

Flour Corn, Popcorn or Popping Corn (?)

Ground Hominy- [Masa], Corn silk- [Chichimecan], Corn Husks,

Corncob- [Mazorca de Maiz], Ear of Corn- [Elote], Corn Starch

Cucumber- [Cohombro], Cucumis sativus

Eggplant- [Berenjena], Solanum melongena

Endive- [Endibia], Cichorium endivia

Fennel- [Hinojo], Florence Fennel or Finocchio, Foenicum vulgare azoricum

Fenugreek or Sweet Fennel- [Alholva], Trigonella foenum-graecum

FODDER CROPS

Bur-Clover, Medicago hispida

Garden Rocket or Rugula, Eruca vesicaria var. sativa (=E. sativa)

Lambsquarter, Chenopodium album

Oats- [Avena]

Slender Wild Oats, Avena barbata

Wild Oats, Avena fatua

Wild Sweet Pea, Lathyrus spp.

Spring Vetch, Vicia sativa >>>continued>>>

Garbanzo Bean: see Chick-Pea

Gourds- [Calabaza or Guaje] (1770s) ** not edible (see:Group E, Utilitarian Plants)

GRAINS

Barley, Coastal- [Cebada] (1776), Hordeum vulgare

Broom-Corn Millet, Panicum miliaceum

Oats- [Avena]

Slender Wild Oats, Avena barbata

Wild oats, Avena fatua

Rye- [Centeno], Secale careale

Wheat- [Garzula or Trigo] (1776)

Bearded & Club, Triticum aestivum

One-Grain Wheat, Triticum monococcum

Hemp- [Canamo], (1795), Cannabis sativa **edible seed & cooking oil

Lentil- [Lenteja] (1769), Len esculenta

Lettuce- [Lechuga] (1776), Lactuca sativa **many strains and forms

Mallow, Curled (before 1850?), Malva verticillata var. crispa

MELONS- [Melon]

Cantaloupe (1830s) & Muskmelon (1822), Cucumis melo

Watermelon- [Sandia] (1783) & Sugar Melon

Citrullus lanatus (=C. vulgaris)

Citron Preserving Melon, Citrullus lanatus var. citroides

Mustard- [Mostaza], white & black, Brassica juncea *citrul & pompion

Orach- [Marismo], Atriplex hortensis

Parsnip- [Chirivia or Pastinaca], Pastinaca sativa

Peas (Shelling), Green Garden Peas- [Chicaro or Guisante] (1776), Pisum sativa

Pepper, Sweet (1770s), Capsicum annuum: non-hot varieties, i.e., Bell Pepper

Poppy Seed, Breadseed Poppy, Papaver somniferum * the opium poppy

Pumpkin- [Calabacera] (1770s), Cucurbita maxima & C. pepo : selections

Purslane- [Verdolaga], Portulaca oleracea

Radish- [Rabano], Raphanus sativus

Rape or Canola, Brassica napa

Rice- [Arroz], Oryza sativa: mentioned the Piedmont strain

Spinach- [Espinaca, Espinacas], Spinacia oleracea

Squash- [Calabaza, Zumo] (1770s), Cucurbita spp. : many species and strains

Summer Squash, Cucurbita pepo

Winter Squash, Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata, C. mixta, C. pepo

Sunflower- [Girasol, Giganta], Helianthus annuus : many stains and forms

Tomato- [Tomate], Lycopersicon esculentum; many forms and strains

Turnip- [Nabo], Brassica rapa

Turnip Greens, Brassica rapa

(Group D) Herb Garden Plants of Alta California

Anise- [Anis and Semillas de Anis], Pimpinella anisum

Basil- [Albahaca], Ocimum basilicum

Belladonna, Nighshade- [Belladonna], Atropa belladonna

Borage- [Borraja], Borago officinalis

Calendula, Calendula officinalis

Caraway- [Alcaravea], Carum carvi

Chamomile, Roman- [Camomilla or Manzanilla], Chamaemelum nobile

(=Anthemis nobilis)

Chamomile, German & Sweet False Camomile, Matricaria recutita

Chickweed- [Yerba de Pajarito, Pamplina], Stellaria media

Cilantro (leaf) & Corriander (seed)- [Culantro], **both, are from the same plant

Coriandrum sativum

Clover- [Trebol], Trifolium sp.

Comfrey- [Consuelda], Symphetum asperum

Corriander: see, Cilantro

Costmary, Chrysanthemum balsamita (=Tanacetum b.)

Cumin- [Cominos], Cuminum cyminum

Fennel (Common & Sweet Anis Root) - [Hinojo], Foeniculum vulgare

Feverfew, Chrysanthemum parthenium

Foxglove- [Dedalera], Digitalis purpurea ** (lethal, if misused)

Gama Grass, Bouteloua eripoda

Germander, Teucrium X lucidrys (=T. chamaedrys)

Goosefoot, Red- [Cenizo or Ceniglo], Chenpodium rubrum

Hemp- [Canamo or Marijuana (modern)], Cannabis sativa **note, the female

plant-form provides the source of medicine and can be used as an intoxicant.

* the male plant-form provides fiber for production of: nautical rope, ship sail

canvass, and can be woven into textile fiber, and used to make paper.

Horehound- [Marrubio], Marrubium vulgare **a cough control agent

Indigo- [Anil], Indigofera suffruticosa **a source of dark blue dye

Iris, Douglas- [Iris or Lirio], Iris douglasiana (a native, local species)

Juniper, Chinese- [Cada], Juniperus chinensis (many plant forms and variations),

the juniper berry (technically a minute’ cone structure)

Laurel, Grecian or Bay Leaf or Sweet Bay- [Laurel], Laurus nobilis

Lavender, English- [Alhuecema or Espiego or Lava],

Lavandula angustifolia (=L. officinalis, L. spica, L. vera)

Lavender, Spanish- [Lava], Lavandula stoechas

Lemon Balm, Balm, Lemon-Mint, Melissa officinalis

Lemon Verbena, Aloysia triphylla (=Lippia citriodora)

Marjorum, Annual or Sweet- [Mejorana], Origanum majorana

(=Majorana hortensia)

Marjorum, Wild *see: Oregano

Mints : Mentha spp.

Common Mint- [Yerba Buena], Mentha piperita

Peppermint- [Mentha], Mentha X piperita

Spearmint- [Mentha], Mentha spicata

note: the inter-planting of mint species can result in seed that hybridizes, inter-species

crosses are the result

Molina, Madia Oil Plant- [Molina], Madia sativa

Nettle, Stinging- [Ortiga]- Urtica dioica

Mustard, Black- [Mostaza], Brassica nigra

Oregano- [Oregano], Origanum vulgare * the species is not of much culinary value

Cretan Oregano, or Pot Marjoram or Turkish Oregano, Origanum onites

Greek Oregano, Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, * the best culinary form >

Origanum vulgare ‘Kaliteri’ is a superb selection * dried leaves are excellent

Italian Oregano or Sicilian Oregano, Origanum X marjoricum

Origanum vulgare crossed with Sweet Marjoram, Origanum majorana

Mexican Oregano- [Oregano], Lippia graveolens

Syrian Oregano, Origanum syriacum (=O. maru)

Parsley- [Perejil], Petrolselinum crispum * both the leaf and root used

Pennyroyal- [Poleo], Mentha pulegium

Pepper Tree, South American or Chilean/Peruvian and Huigen Pepper Tree,

Hardee Pepper Tree-

[Huingan, Molle] (1830s) * in dispute, Schinus polygamus (= S. dentata,

S. dependens, S. bonplandianus, Amyris polygama, Duvaua d.)

** An obscure medicinal plant: antirheumatic. Provides aromatic resins. A condiment.

Peyote Cactus, Lophophora williamsii * used in Indian ceremony, an intoxicant

Plantain- [Lanten, Llanten], Plantago spp.

Poppy, California or Golden Poppy- [Amapola or Copa de Oro],

Eschscholzia californica * native wildflower

Rosemary- [Romero], Rosmarinus officinalis

Rue or Herb-of-Grace- [Ruda], Ruta graveolens

Sage, Garden- [Sabio], Salvia officinalis *several forms

Santa Maria? Mentioned, but an unknown plant

Sorrel, Red- [Acedra], Rumex spp.

Tansy- [Lombriguera], Tanacetum vulgare

Tarragon- [Estragon], Artemisia dracunculus

Tarragon, Mexican, Mexican Mint Marigold- [Yerba Anis], Tagetes lucida

Thyme, Garden & Lemon Thyme, Thymus vulgaris

Valerian, Pink- [Valeriana], Valeriana officinalis

Yarrow- [Yerba de Muela), Achillea spp.

YERBA named plants

Yerba Anis (=Mexican Tarragon)

Yerba de Golondrina (=Valley Spurge)

Y. de Golpe (= Horse Nettle)

Y. de Jarazo (= Pitcher Plant)

Y. Mansa (= Yarrow)

Y. de Muela (= Yarrow)

Y. del Pajarito (= Chickweed)

Y. del Pasmo (=Red Shanks, Ribbon Wood) Adenostoma sparcifolium

Y. de Pescado (= Buckeye)

Y. Santa (= Eriodictyon spp.)

Yerba Santo, Yerba de la Tos (= Grindelia)

Y. del Venado (= Turkey Mullein)

Y. de Vipera (= Rattlesnake Weed)

Y. de la Virgen (= Button Willow)

(Group E) Utilitarian Plants of Spanish, Alta California

Agave- [Agave or Pita], Agave spp. * three species denoted

** agaves used variously as: living-fences, as a source of fiber and cordage,

and the tall flower stalks were a source of poles

Blue Agave or Tequila Agave- [Agave Azul] Agave tequilana

Sunrise Tequila Agave, Agave tequilana marginata ‘Sunrise’…décor plant

Maguey or Century Plant- [Maguey] Agave americana

Sisal Hemp- [Sisal], Agave sisalana (=Agave rigida sisalana, A. houlletii)

Arundo or Giant Reed, Arundo donax (1790s)

** harvested stalks: used as a tile roof under-layer,

also used as an overhead veranda shade cover-material

Broom-Corn Sorghum, Sorghum vulgare technicum

** spent grain heads fashioned into a type of wisk broom

Canary Island Pine, Pinus canariensis * (this tree is in dispute)

** mentioned: used in ceremony

Castor Bean- [Palma Christi], Ricinus communis

* all parts of the plant are lethal

** an oil is extracted from the seed, also used as a ceremony plant

Catsclaw Acacia & Texas Mimoso, Acacia greggii

*a native of Arizona and Mexico

** the source of a gum base

Chinaberry Tree & Bead Tree- [Jazmin]

Melia azedarach (=Melia australis, M. japonica) origin: Asia

Melia azedarach cv. ‘Umbraculifera’, Texas Umbrella Tree

an escaped form of the tree that naturalized in the New World

** seed pods used to make rosary beads, and the wood is used to

make furniture and cabinetry. Listed as having medicinal qualities

Cotton- [Algodon and Algondonera], Gossypium herbaceum

** a highly regarded source of fine textile

Flax- [Lino], Linum usitatissimum

** fibers are a souce of fine linen

and from the seed: linseed oil, flaxseed cake and meal

Gourds- [Calabaza or Guaje] (1770s) * several gourd plant genera and species

Small Gourds, Cucurbita pepo ovifera

Crooknecked and Calebash Gourds, Lagenaria siceraria

** the dried fruit can be variously fashioned into:

dippers, cups, jugs, storage containers, musical instruments, and

gourd craft fanciers create many art form presentations

Hemp, Indian- [Canamo, Lengua de Buey], Cannabis sativa

* note: only the male plant-form is used for industrial products:

** fibers extracted from the male plant-form was the main source of nautical

maritime rope, and a main source of sail canvass for the tall-masted ships. Also,

plant fibers were fashioned into textile cloth & linen. Hemp was the source of

fine quality book paper and top quality writing paper and gunny sack jute

Opuntia Cactus- [Nopal] *note: the cactus became an essential mission-era plant

Indian Fig Cactus or Tree Cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica

** 1) This sturdy cactus was planted as a living fence and hedgerow to keep

orchard lands, and horticulture crops separated from livestock and predatory

wildlife. 2) Cactus juices were used to create a weather-proofing exterior wash for

abode walls, and a binder-agent. 3) From the leafless, pad-stem of opuntia, came the

source of a superior, “red dye”. Cochinel is a red dye extracted from a cottony

looking insect mass, related to the mealy bug insect. The female cochine bodies

grow on the surface of the pad-stem of the opuntia plant. The insect’s binomial

name is, Dactylopus coccus. It takes about 70,000 cochine insect bodies to produce

one pound of cochineal red dye. A mordant compound is needed to stabilize the dye,

that prevents fading, 4) in times of extended drought this cultivated cactus

was used as a last resort, providing livestock a source of succulent moisture and

emergency nutrients…once the thorns and stickers were burned-off.

Palms [Palma]

The Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis,

and the native, California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera,

and the Mexican Fan Palm, Washingtonia robusta were each used for ceremony,

a thatch covering for veranda and ramada structures. A feather-palm leaf of the

the Phoenix palm was used as a large sturdy broom.

Mission Pepper Tree or Peruvian Pepper and Peruvian Mastic Tree-

[Pirul, Arbol de Peroe] (1825), Schinus molle

** used as a drought tolerant shade tree, and as a source of mastic glue

Pomegranate- [Granada], Punica granatum ** a source of red dye

Rose of Castile- [Rosa de Castilla], Rosa damascena trigintepetala

(=Rosa d. bifera)

** used as a sacred altar flower and in ceremony. The local California

Native Rose, Rosa californica was a common substitute rose. * Also confused

with the genuine Rose of Castile is, Rosa gallica vericolor, the French Rose

Teasel, Fuller’s, Dipsacus fullonum

** the dried spiny fruit capsule was used for carding wool

Tobacco, Smoking- [Tabaco], Nicotiana tabacum

** used for pleasure-smoking and in ceremony. Two alternative species were,

inferior substitutes: Tree Tobacco/s; Nicotiana clevelandii (native), and

Nicotiana glauca (an exotic, naturalized South American weed)

Native Plants Used for Utilitarian Purposes in Alta California

Alder, White [Aliso], Alnus rhombifolia (lumber wood)

Bay, California or Oregon Myrtlewood- Umbellularia californica

(lumber wood, furniture, wood sculpture)

Cedar, Incense [Cedro], Calocedrus decurrens (=Libocedrus decurrens)

(lumber wood and fine cedar chest wood, wood sculpture)

Cottonwood, Western- [Alamo], Populus fremontii

Cottonwood, Black- [Alamo], Populus trichocarpa (=P. balsamifera t.)

(uses: lumber wood, the inside of the tree bark was a source of saddle salve)

Cypress, Monterey- [Cipres], Cupressus macrocarpa (lumber wood, fence posts)

Madrone, Pacific- [Modrono], Arbutus menziesii (lumber wood, furniture)

Oaks- [Encina (=evergreen oaks), Roble (=deciduous oaks)]

**oak wood used for: (lumber wood, firewood, fence posts, furniture, casks)

Coast Live Oak- [Encina], Quercus agrifolia

* the most widely distributed native oak species growing in California

Maul or Canyon or Gold Cup Oak, Quercus chrysolepis

Blue Oak, Quercus douglasii

Mesa or Engelmann Oak, Quercus engelmannii

California Black Oak, Quercus kelloggii

Valley or California White Oak- [Roble], Quercus lobata

Interior Live Oak, Quercus wislizenii

Tanbark Oak or Tan Oak, Lithocarpus densiflorus

Pine- [Pino], Pinus spp.

**pine wood variously used as lumber wood, furniture and for art work

Coulter Pine, Pinus coulteri

Bishop Pine, 1) Pinus muricata &

2) Island Bishop Pine/s, Pinus muricata muricata & Pinus muricata remorata

Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata

Gray or Foothill or Digger Pine, Pinus sabiniana

Redwood, Coast- [Secoya or Palo Colorado), Sequoia sempervirens (plank wood)

Sycamore, California or Western- [Sicomoro], Platanus racemosa (cart wheel wood)

Walnut, California Black- [Nogal], Juglans californica (brown dye from nut skin)

Willow-[Sauce], Salix spp. (fencing, basketry, wicker, propagation auxin)

(Group F) Décor Plants: Ornamental Plants of Alta California

Acacia, Sweet, Acacia farnesiana

Alyssum, Sweet- [Huisache], Lobularia maritima

Alyssum, Basket-of-Gold, Aurinis saxatilis (=Alyssum saxatile)

Angel’s Trumpet, Brugmansia arborea

Begonia “The Blood of Christ”- [Sangre de Cristo], Begonia sp.(species unknown)

1830s

Buttercup, Persian, Ranunculus – [Ranunculo], (1797),

Ranunculus asiaticus (rhizome-bulb)

Cactus There were undoubtedly other New World cacti genera (other than Opuntia)

that were grown (presumably Cereus, etc), but documentation is lacking

Calla, Common or Calla-Lily- [Aro Pastustre], Zantedeschia aethiopica

Carnation and Pinks or Summer Gillyflower- [Clavel, Encarnado] (1797),

Dianthus caryophyllus & other Dianthus species

Cornflower or Bachelor’s Button- [Aciano and Azulino], Centaurea cyanus

Cosmos sp. (see:Daisies)

Dahlia sp. (see:Daisies)

Daisies (daisy is a catch-all name for: Cosmos, Dahlia and Zinnia)

Datura or Jimson Weed- [Tolache and Mo’Moy (Chumash name)],

Datura wrightii (=Datura meteloides and D. inoxia)

Delphinium, Delphinium grandiflorum (=D. chinense)

Four-O’Clock, Mirabilis jalapa

Geranium, Common- [Geranio], Pelargonium X hortorum (the likely species)

Hollyhock- [Malvarrosa], Alcea rosea (=Althacea rosea)

Hyacinth- [Jacinto] (1797), Hyacinthus spp. * a flowering bulb

Iris species

Douglas Iris, Iris douglasiana * a cultivated native California species

Iris of Yemen, Iris albicans

German or Florentine Iris, Iris florentina (=Iris germanica florentina)

Jasmine, Common White or Spanish Jasmine (1797),

Jasminum officinale forma grandiflorum (=J. grandiflorum)

Jasmine, Night- [Dama de Noche or Galan de Noche], Cestrum nocturnum

Larkspur- [Espuela de Caballero] (1797), Consolida ajacis

(=Delphinium ambiguum)

Lavatera, Summer or Annual Mallow, Lavatera trimestris

Lavatera, Island or Island Mallow, Lavatera assurgentiflora * island endemic native

Lilac- [Lila], Syringa vulgaris

Lilac, Mountain or Ceanothus, Ceanothus spp. * native shrub

Lily, Humboldt (1797), Lilium humboldtii * popular native, a flowering bulb

Lily, Madonna- [Azucena], Lilium candida

Marguerite (1797), Chrysanthemum frutescens (=Argyranthemum f.)

the Marguerite Daisy
Marigold, French- [Maravilla], Tagetes patula

Marigold, Perennial or Copper Canyon Daisy (1797), Tagetes palmeri)

* not to be confused with Tagetes lemmonii (smaller, and more tender plant)

Morning Glory (?), Ipomoea tricolor (=Convolvulus communis)

Myrtle, Common- [Mitro or Arrayan], Myrtus communis

Narcissus- [Narciso] (1797), Narcissus spp. * listed: Daffodil, Jonquil, Narcissus

Nasturtium- [Capuchina], Tropaeolum majus

Oleander-[Adelfa], Neruim oleander *all parts of the plant are lethal

Passion-Flower, Red, Passiflora manicata (=Tacsonia manicata)

Peony- [Peonia] (1797), Paeonia spp. *whether herbaceous or tree

peony types were cultivated, (it is not clarified)

Poppy species

California/Golden Poppy, [Amapola or Copa de Oro],

Eschscholzia californica *native

Matilija Poppy, Romneya coulteri and Romneya trichocalyx *natives

Portulaca or Rose Moss, Portulaca grandiflora

Rose- [Rosa]

California Wild Rose- [Carmin], Rosa californica *native

*substitute for Rose of Castile

Rose of Castile- [Rosa de Castilla], Rosa damascena trigintepetala

(= Rosa d. bifera), confused with, Rosa gallica versicolor, French Rose

Damask Rose, Rosa gallica * some limited success with this species

The Apothecary Rose, Rosa gallica officinalis aka: Red Rose of Lancaster, >>

Double French Rose, Rose of Provins

Cabbage Rose or Hundred-Leaf Rose, Rosa centifolia

(1800), Rosa centifolia ‘Petite de Holland’

Cherokee Rose, Rosa laevigata

China Rose, Rosa chinensis

‘Old Blush’, a selection that was cultivated, aka: Parson’s Pink China, >>

Old Pink Daily, Old Pink Monthly, Pallida

‘Slaters’s Crimson China’, Rosa chinensis semperflorens, aka: >>

Old Crimson China, Semperflorens

Musk Rose, Rosa moschata (white or pink blossoms)

Lady Banks’ Rose, Rosa banksiae banksiae (white flower)

Yellow Banks’ Rose, Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’

Sweetbrier Rose or Eglantine, Rosa eglanteria (=R. rubiginosa)

Russeliana Rose, Rosa X ‘Russeliana’ (Rosa setigera X Rosa ?), aka:

Old Spanish Rose, Russel’s Cottage, Scarlet Grevillea, >>>

Souvenir De La Bataille De Morengo **(a ramblerrose, multiflora rambler)

Scabiosa or Pincushion Flower

Annual Pincushion or Morning Bride, Scabiosa atropurpurea (=S. grandiflora)

Perennial Pincushion, Scabiosa caucasica & Scabiosa columbaria

Snail Vine or Snail Flower- [Caracol], Vigna caracalla (=Phaseolus caracalla)

Stock or Winter Gilly Flower, Matthiola incana

Sweet Pea

Perennial Sweet Pea, Lathyrus latifolius

Pride of California, Lathyrus splendens *native, perennial

Annual Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odoratus

Tuberose, Mexican, Polianthes tuberosa

Valerian or Garden Heliotrope- [Valeriana], Valeriana officinalis

also and perhaps, Red Valerian or Jupiter’s Beard, Centranthus ruber (=V. rubra)

Violet, Sweet- [Violado], Viola odorata

Wallflower, English- [Alheli], Erysimum cheri (=Cheiranthus cheri)

Zinnia sp. (see: Daisies), Zinnia elegans & Zinnia tenuiflora

(Group G) Native Plants used in Spanish, Alta California

Acacia greggii, Catsclaw Acacia

Acer macrophyllum, Big Leaf Maple- [Arce]

Acer negundo, Box Elder

Achillea spp., Yarrow [Yerba de Muela]

Adenostoma fasciculatum, Chamise, Greasewood- [Chamiso, Romarillo]

Adenostoma sparsifolium, Redshanks

Adiantum spp. , Maidenhair Fern- [Culantrillo]

Aesculus californica, Califronia Buckeye- [Yerba del Pescado] *used to stun fish

Alnus rhombifolia, White Alder- [Aliso]

Anemopsis californica, Yerba Mansa- [Yerba Mansa, Yerba de Glope]

Apocynum cannabinum, Indian-Hemp- [Madregosa]

Arbutus menziesii, Pacific Madrone- [Madrona]

Arctostaphylos spp., Manzanita- [Manzanita] * various species used: i.e., ** **Arctostaphylos cuneatus, A. glandulosa, A. glauca, A. leucodermis, etc.

Artemisia douglasiana, Mugwort

Artemisia ludoviciana, Western Mugwort- [Estufiata]

Asclepias fascicularis, Milkweed

Baccharis pilularis, Coyote Bush/Brush or Chaparral Broom

Berberis aquifolium (=Mahonia aquifolium), Oregon-Grape

Berberis dictyota (=Mahonia dictyota), Crucifix Barberry or Arizona Mahonia

Berberis nevinii (=Mahonia nevinii), Nevin’s Mahonia, Santa Susana Mahonia

Berberis pinnata (=Mahonia pinnata), California Barberry

Bloomeria crocea, Common Goldstar

Brodiaea spp., various indigenous Brodiaea species

Calocedrus decurrens (=Libocedrus decurrens)- [Cedro], Incense Cedar

Calochortus spp., Mariposa Lily- [Mariposa] * several species taken from the wild

Ceanothus spp., Mountain Lilac and Ceanothus *perhaps 30 species utilized >>>

i.e. C. incanus (White Thorn), C. gloriosus (Point Reyes Ceanothus),

C. impressus (Santa Barbara Ceanothus), C. rigidus (Mountain Lilac),

C. rudis (Lompoc Ceanothus), C. spinosus (Red Heart),

C. thrysiflorus (Blue Blossom)

Centaurium venastrum (=Erythraea venusta), Pink Centaury [Canchiagua]

Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud

Chamaebatia foliolsa, Mountain Misery, Bear’s Clover

Chlorogalum parviflorum, Soap Plant [Amole]

Chlorogalum pomeridianum, Soap Plant [Jamatai]

Clarkia amoena (=Godetia a., Godetia grandiflora), Farewell-to-Spring, Godetia

Clarkia unguiculata (=Clarkia elegans), Mountain Garland, Clarkia

Claytonia perfoliata, Miner’s-Lettuce

Clematis ligusticifolia, Virgin’s Bower, Creek Clematis [Yerba de Chiva, La Diosa]

Comarostaphylos diversifolia, Summer Holly

Coreopsis gigantea, Tree or Giant Coreopsis

Cornus stolonifera (=C. sericea), Creek Dogwood, Redtwig or Red-Osier Dogwood

Cryptantha intermedia, Wild Forget-Me-Not – [Nivetos]

Cucurbita foetidissima (=Cucurbita perennis), Wild Gourd/Pumpkin [Calabazilla]

Datura wrightii (=Datura anoxia, D. meteloides), Jimson Weed, Sacred Datura

[Tolache, and Mo’Moy (Chumash)]

Dendromecon harfordii (=Dendromecon rigida harfordii), Island Bush Poppy

Island Tree Poppy

Dichelostemma capitatum (=Brodiaea c., B. pulchella, D. pulchellum),

Blue-Dicks, Wild-Hyacinth

Dryopteris arguta, Coastal Wood Fern

Dudleya spp., Live-Forever species, including: Dudleya caespitosa, D. candelabrum,

Dudleya greenei, D. hassei, D. lanceolata, D. pulverulenta

(chalk-lettuce)

Ephedra californica, Ephedra

Epilobium canum canum (=Zauschneria californica),

California-Fuchsia or Zauschneria, Hummingbirds Trumpet- [Balsamea]

Equisetum hyemale, Horsetail, Giant Scouring Rush- [Canutino]

Erigeron glaucus (=Erigeron hispidus), Blue Beach Aster, Seaside Daisy

Eriodictyon californicum- Yerba Santa [Yerba Santa]

Eriodictyon capitatum- Lompoc Yerba Santa [Yerba Santa]

Eriodictyon crassifolium- Woolly-Leaf Yerba Santa [Yerba Santa]

Eriogonum fasciculatum, California Buckwheat

in Spanish, the plant flower is called [matanga]

Eriogonum grande rubescens, Island Red buckwheat

Eschscholzia californica, California or Golden Poppy [Amapola, Copa de Oro]

Fragaria chiloensis, Beach or Sand Strawberry

Fragaria vesca ssp. californica (=Fragaria californica),

Alpine Strawberry, Wood or Woodland Strawberry

Garrya elliptica, Coast Silktassel

Gnaphalium palustre, Lowland Cudweed [Gordolobo]

Grindelia robusta, Grindelia

Hemizonia lobii, Tarweed or Oil Plant

Heracleum tanaum, Cow Parsnip

Heteromeles arbutifolia (=Photinia arbutifolia), Toyon, Christmas Berry

California–Holly

Heuchera spp., Coral Bells & Alum Root

Heuchera maxima, Island Alum Root

Heuchera micrantha, Western Coral Bells

Iris douglasiana, Douglas Iris [Iris, Lirio]

Isomeris arborea (=Cleome isomeris), Bladderpod

Juglans californica, California balck Walnut [Nogal]

Juncus patens, California Gray Rush

Juncus textilis, Basket Rush

Juniperus californica, California Juniper, Fleabane

Lasthenia chrysostoma, Goldfields [Si me Quieres, No Me Quieres]

Lavatera assurgentiflora, Island Lavatera or Island Mallow or Malva Rose

Lepechinia calycina (=Sphacele calycina), Pitcher-Sage

Lilium humboldtii, Humboldt Lily

Lithocarpus densiflorus (=Quercus densiflorus), Tanbark Oak, Tan Oak

Lyonothamnus floribundus asplenifolius, Island Ironwood, Fern-Leaf Ironwood

Malosma laurina (=Rhus laurina), Laurel Sumac

Mentha spp., native Mints- [Yerba de Paso]

i.e., Mentha arvensis, [Tabardillo]

Mimulus auranticus, (=Diplacus a.), Monkey Flower

Mirabilis froebelii, Wild Four-O’Clock

Monardella villosa, Coyote-Mint [Poleo]

Muhlenbergia rigens, Deer Grass

Myrica californica, California Wax Myrtle

Nemophila maculata, Five-Spot Nemophilia

Nemophila menziesii, Baby Blue Eyes [Marianas]

Oenothera elata (=O. hookeri), Hooker’s Evening Primrose

Opuntia spp., Opuntia Cactus [Nopal, Manso]

Opuntia basilaris, Beavertail Cactus

Opuntia littoralis, Coastal Prickly-Pear

Opuntia oricola, Chapparal Prickly-Pear

Opuntia prolifera, Coastal Cholla

Osmorhiza brachypoda, Sweet Cicely

Paeonia californica, Wild Peony

Pinus spp., Pines [Pinos] * examples:

Pinus coulteri [Pino], P. muricata, P. radiata, P. sabiniana, P. torreyana, etc.

Pinus torreyana subspp. insularis, Santa Rosa Island Torrey Pine (island endemic)

Plantanus racemosa, California Sycamore, Western S., Buttonwood [Sicomoro]

Polypodium glycyrrbiza (=Polypodium vulgare occidentale),

California Sword Fern or Licorice Fern

Populus fremontii, Fremont Cottonwood, Western or Alamo Cottonwood [Balsamillo]

Populus trichocarpa (=Populus balsamifera trichocarpa), Black Cottonwood

Prunus ilicifolia ilicifolia, Islay Cherry and Hollyleaf or Holly-Leaved Cherry

Prunus ilicifolia lyonii (=Prunus lyonii), Catalina Cherry

Pteridium aquilinum, Braken Fern [Calahuala]

Quercus spp., Oak species *[Encina] are evergreen species, [Roble] are deciduous

i.e., Quercus agrifolia [Encina], Q. chrysolepis, Q. douglasii, Q. engelmannii,

Quercus kelloggii, Q. lobata [Roble], Q. tomentella, Q. wislizenii

Rhamnus californica, California Coffeeberry [Cascara Sagrada, Espina Sagrada]

R. c. ‘Little Sur’ a small-form cultivar

Rhus integrifolia, Lemonade Berry

Rhus laurina (see: Malosma laurina)

Rhus ovata, Sugar Bush

Ribes spp., Currant and Gooseberry species [Grosella] *Currants have smooth fruit- skins, while Gooseberries have armored fruit-skins, i.e., Ribes aureum, R. indecorum,

R. malvaceum, R. sanguineum glutinosum, R. speciosum, R. viburnifolium

Romneya spp., Matilija Poppy species

Romneya coulter, Matilija Poppy

Romneya trichocalyx, Maricopa or Hairy Matilija Poppy

Rubus ursinus, Wild Blackberry, Pacific Blackberry, Pacific Dewberry

Rosa californica, California or Wild Rose [Carmin]

* R. c. ‘Elsie’ a pink cultivar selection

Rumex hymenosepalis, Wild Rhubarb, Tanner’s Dock [Canigre]

Salix spp., Willow species [Sauce] * willow tree and shrub species, includes:

Salix bonplandiana (=S. laevigata), Red willow

Salix exigua (=S. hindsiana), Sand Bar willow

Salix goodingii, San Joaquin Willow

Salix lucida subsp. lasiandra (=S. lasiandra), Yellow Willow

Salix lasiolepis (=Salix franciscana), Arroyo Willow

Salvia spp., Sage species

Salvia apiana, Sacred White Sage, White Sage

Salvia columbariae, Chia (annual)

Salvia leucophylla, Purple Sage or Gray Sage

Salvia mellifera, Black Sage

Salvia spathacea, Hummingbird or Pitcher Sage

Sambucus mexicana (=S. caerulea, S. glauca), Blue Elderberry [Salgo]

Satureja douglasii (=Micromeria chamissonis), Yerba Buena [Yerba Buena]

Sequoia sempervirens, Coast Redwood [Secoya, Palo Colorado]

Shepherdia argentea, Silver Buffaloberry, Silverberry

Silene californica, California Indian Pink [Yerba del Indio]

Simmondsia chinensis (=Simmondsia californica), Jojoba and Goatnut, Sheep-nut

Sisyrinchium bellum (=Sisyrinchium idahoense bellum), Blue-Eyed Grass [Azulea]

Stachys bullata, Wood-Mint

Typha spp., Cattail and Bulrush species

Typha domingensis, Narrow-Leaved Cattail

Typha latifolia, Broad-Leaved Cattail

Toxicodendron diversilobum (=Rhus diversiloba), Western Poison Oak, Poison Oak

Trichostema lanatum, Woolly Blue Curls [Romero]

Umbellularia californica, California Bay, California Laurel, Oregon Myrtle,

Oregon Myrtlewood, Pepperwood

Vitis californica, California Wild Grape * V. c. ‘Roger’s Red’ a red-leaf selection

Vitis girdiana, Wild Valley Grape, Baja Grape

Yucca whipplei, Our Lord’s Candle, Spanish Bayonet, Quiote Plant

Newsletter: October 2006

2006-10-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

October Meeting Date: Saturday, October 28, 2006 Time: 10:00 A.M.
Place: Edgar and Pat Valdivia’s home at 1091 Carmel Dr. Simi Valley
805 584-6244

Directions: Exit the 1 18 Freeway at First street and go right (south)
about 1 mile to Royal Ave. At Royal make a right and proceed to the
second signal which is Sinaloa. Make a left on Sinaloa and at the
second street which is Capri turn right. Go two blocks to Carmel Dr.
and make a left. Arrive at 1091 Carmel Dr-the house is on the right-
hand side.

The October meeting will be hosted by Edgar & Patricia Valdivia in
Simi Valley on the last Saturday in October . We will be joining the
Los Angeles Chapter which will be providing lunch for the attendees.

Edgar and Pat are some of our most enthusiastic and successful
growers of rare fruits-tropical and subtropical fruit. The Valdivia's
home has many wonderful edible plants including passion fruit, lucuma, cherimoya, Surinam cherries, and much more, but the spotlight will be focused on the exotic, rare fruit called pitahaya.

The pitahaya is a vining subtropical succulent exhibiting long segmented snake-like branches. The Hylocereus undatus cactus produces a large two pound, red baseball size fruit (called the dragon fruit). Dragon fruit springs forth from an enormous sized night-blooming flower that opens its beautiful petals and displays hundreds of delicate stamens for only a single night.

The Selenicerus megalanthus cactus produces a large "yellow pitahaya" fruit that is self-pollinating and grows on a rope-like vine that produces flowers that open by midnight and close up after sunrise. Both cacti plants and a few other selected species are noctural blooming beauties and produce a surprisingly interesting fruit that have singularly unique succulent and tasty fruits. This tender cactus can be grown in most mild climate locations with careful management.

Edgar grows this interesting and valuable fruit commercially. He is eager to share all that he has learned about it.

Come meet your fellow CRFG members of both the L.A. Chapter and Ventura/Santa Barbara Chapters and enjoy lunch as well as the tour. There will be plenty of pithaya to taste.


******AUGUST MEETING:  Many thanks to Dick Watts for a in formative tour of his wonderful garden.  Dick may be fig expert, but he has many
other exotic fruit.  Check out the photos below.

******Treasurer's Report:  The treasury balance as of September 25, 2006 is $6,309.00.

2006 August Meeting at Dick Watts's Garden

2006-10-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Top row: Dick Watts; Peruvian quince
Middle row: Jerry Sortomme shares a rose apple;
rose apples on the tree.
Last row: inside of a rose apple.
Click on an image for a larger view.

Welcome

2006-07-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to chapter blog site. The local newsletter will be posted on the site. Old newsletters will remain on the site as newer issues are added. We’ll post photos of members, gardens, and fruit. Each posting has a comment button, so that you can post comments and questions directly without going through the blog master.

The blog program is Blogger, a Goggle product. It is fairly easy to use, though occasionally it has glitches. Any one who would like to be the Blog Master or who would like set up a web site for the group, contact me at laurainsb@gmail.com.

Debra Sortomme & Craig Makela at the SB Olive Co.

2006-07-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Calendar

2006-07-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Meetings

March 17 Arroyo Hondo Preserve

April 21 Casa del Herrero

Officers, Addresses, Membership, Websites

2006-07-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

LOCAL OFFICERS
Chapter Co-Chair: Norman Beard, (805) 968-0989, beardtropics@earthlink.net

Chapter Co-Chair: Jerry Sortomme, (805) 644-2777, jerrysortomme@hotmail.com

V-Pres/Publicist/Programs: Alan Schroeder, (805) 563-9525, arschroeder@cox.net

Treasurer: Roland Messori, (805) 969-4167, furlanro@msn.com

Raffle Director: Marv Daniels, (805) 773-9311, petmarv@aol.com

Newsletter Team:
(i) Vacant
(ii) Wally Mathews, (805) 963-6656, wallysb@aol.com;
(iii) Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, crfgvsb@gmail.com

Blogmaster: Laura Nanna, (805) 687-4553, crfgvsb@gmail.com

CRFG website: http://crfg.org
CRFG V/SB website http://www.crfgvsb.blogspot.com

For Membership in California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc, send $30 to CRFG, Inc., 66 Farrugut Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112-4050 AND $10 (for local dues) to Roland Messori, 355 Sierra Vista Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108 (Note: Members of the Parent CRFG organization receive the outstanding "Fruit Gardener" magazine.)

Send Address Changes to BOTH the parent and local organizations (addresses above).

July 2006 Newsletter

2006-07-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

CALIFORNIA RARE FRUIT GROWERS, INC.
Ventura and Santa Barbara Chapter
July, 2006

*****July Meeting

When: July 15, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to Noon (begins 10:00 sharp)
Where: Santa Barbara Olive Company, Olivos del Mar Ranch, 12477 Calle Real

Directions: The ranch is near Refugio Beach, north of El Capitan State Beach and south of Gaviota. On the 101 Freeway, exit at Refugio Road. On the inland side of the freeway make a right turn on Calle Real (it parallels the north bound lanes). Proceed 1/2 mile to Venedito Canyon Rd. At the yellow gate turn left. The gate code is #4055. Go thru the gate for about 1 mile until you reach the larger beige/green roof warehouse. Our host will be waiting for us. The gate will be locked at 10 A.M. so be sure to arrive a bit early.

Our Host is Craig Makela - President of Santa Barbara Olive Company, Inc. Craig designed and planted an olive grove on the Ronald Reagan Ranch, for President Reagan. The near-by ranch (now a preserve) was a facet of the famous Santa Barbara, Western White House. Craig Makela still oversees this presidential olive grove.

His 105 acre ranch has some 5,000 production olive trees in seven different varieties. The various olive crops should be maturing nicely. Other orchard crops include avocado and macadamia. He also grows Chardonnay grapes. We will be seeing olive operations and orchard management, olive fruit production, fruit curing and product preparation. Check out his website at http://www.sbolive.com.

Norm says that the last time we visited, it was rated one of the best site visits the group as ever been on! Don't miss it!

******JUNE MEETING RECAP from Co-Chair Jerry Sortomme:

Our Chapter met June 24 at Bennett’s Honey Farm east of Fillmore on Hwy 126. Red and Ann Bennett, our delightful hosts, gave 22 CRFG members and guests the full tour of the Honey Farm facilities.

The Bennett’s produce two million pounds of honey each year (about 1%+ of the national production). We taste-tested many of types of honey. The mildest honey is mesquite (cactus) that crystallizes easily and becomes milky looking (Koreans especially like this product). World-class Sage honey, which does not granulate, is perhaps the most popular of the selections currently. We tried eucalyptus and avocado honey last, as they are more bold tasting. Bennett’s also produces 80,000 lbs. of bee’s wax (cap wax). Trucks with hives full of honey arrive at Bennett's from states within the greater western USA region, west of the Rockies, to have their honey processed. Bennett’s processes the U.S.A. regional-western zone.

Other honeybee products available at their outlet are honeycomb honey (which is the purest unprocessed honey), bee pollen, bee’s wax and imported royal jelly. Red and Ann listed the purported health, nutritional and therapeutic benefits connected to honeybee products. Ann also explained api-therapy (bee sting therapy) which is used for MS, arthritis, and the healing of scar tissue and surgery sites. Surprisingly, the bee venom in the stinger is molecularly similar to rattlesnake venom.

Some facts learned at our meeting:
1) The honey industry was one of the earliest California industries.
2) There were no honey bees in Spanish California, they were imported later.
3) Ancient honey found in the Egyptian pyramids (resembling amber stone) was rehydrated, it was perfectly useful after all that time. Honey does not go bad if stored correctly.
4) Bee pollen is 23% protein and its amino acids have the complete vitamin B-complex. Honey and bee pollen together satisfies a complete diet requirement.
5) Floral nectars digested by the worker bees are transformed into basic sugar compounds.
6) A single hive has between 80 and 200 lbs of honey in it when harvested.
7) A hive can be harvested every 10-15 days in the active season and every two months in the low season.
8) Many crops like avocado need bees to pollinate the blossoms. Native bees can be the pollinators, but produce no commercial honey.
9) The temperature of a working hive is 95 degrees and is regulated by the movement of the bees, the temperature being modified by the circulation of the busy bees.

A sweet thank you to Red and Ann for making our trip to Bennett’s so special.

******NEWSLETTER IN TRANSITION: The newsletter needs some more people on its team. We need an editor to assemble reports from officers and members and do a bit of editing, mostly to cut material to fit the space and to tighten up prose. There is very little writing involved. Wally Matthews is handling the paper mailing. It would be nice to have someone to maintain the e-mail list. Once the newsletter is set up on your computer, it takes only a few hours per month to do the editing. Two people could do the editing job on alternating months.

******NEW MEMBER: A BIG welcome to Vernon Noell.

******TREASURER'S REPORT: The Treasury balance as of July 1---$5,359