 It was great to be a kid during the second of the two primary "green revolutions" of the previous century. The first revolution began as exotic tropical species became more available during the Victorian period, but I suppose it had technically ended by the beginning of the 1900s. The second event was during the 1970s, while I was a student at Bucknall Elementary School. We consequently studied ecology and engaged in many ecologically oriented projects. In fact, this is how I first learned about how chemical insecticides interfere with ecology and are often more detrimental than beneficial.
In one of my favorite projects, we each had a pinecone to which we applied peanut butter and which we then sprinkled with birdseed. The festooned pinecones could then be taken home and hung in trees to feed overwintering birds. Mine was the best because the pinecone was obtained from a genetically unique Pinus radiata that exhibited subdued negative geotropism and remarkable cytoplasmic translocation. (We were well-educated at Bucknall School.)
I was recently pleased to see the directions and recipe for this project in the newsletter from the Wild Bird Center, Wild Bird News, although it was not as discriminating about the quality of the pinecone as we had been. The Wild Bird News also included recipes for popcorn garlands, wildlife cornucopias, fruit kabobs and a few other menu items for birds and wildlife during winter, when sustenance is not so abundant in the garden.
Although I am still a bit peeved about the wildlife that will not leave me more than a few figs on the tree, I realize many garden enthusiasts enjoy sharing the garden with local birds, squirrels, various insects and even bats. The Wild Bird Center is the sort of establishment that any of these guests, if they spoke English, would recommend to their hosts. An exhaustive selection of squirrel feeders, bat houses, artistic garden accessories, birdhouses and of course bird feeders and feed can be found at the center, located in the King's Court Center at 792 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. More information is available by telephoning 408.358.WILD or online at www.lovethembirds.com.
As I said earlier, " ... chemical insecticides interfere with ecology and are often more detrimental than beneficial." More information about integrated pest management (IPM), which exploits natural ecology to control common garden pathogens, may be obtained from the West Valley Clean Water Program at 408.354.5385. Wildlife guests in your garden would certainly prefer a nontoxic environment.
Houseplant of the Week: Pink polka-dot plant
Who thinks of these exceedingly and embarrassingly girly common names? The two most common names for the species Hypoestes phyllostahya are freckle-face and pink polka-dot plant, and I unfortunately can't think of a name that would be less embarrassing to type that describes it any better.
It is a delicate houseplant that rarely grows taller than 18 inches. The thin, rounded leaves are less than two inches long and irregularly spotted with pink. "Splash" is a variety that exhibits larger spots. Flowers are rarely seen but are not remarkable and may detract from foliar growth. Tip pinching may promote denser foliation if small floral buds appear on bolting stems or if foliar growth otherwise becomes sparse.
Pink polka-dot plant seems to prefer smaller clay pots that confine the roots somewhat. Potting media should be rich and "fluffy." Application of fertilizer should be minimal because it may burn foliage, even if only slightly excessive.
Although not commonly found as a nursery item, it is more commonly mixed with other species in girly gift baskets. As the various plants in such a basket mature, some are divided out and transferred to their own containers. Pink polka-dot plant may likewise be separated and grown alone, but can be appealing as a lower-growing companion to taller species. Mature specimens can provide many cuttings that may be "stuck" directly where new plants are desired.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be
contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.
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Courtesy oakmeade.com