Newsletter High on the Desert Cochise County Master Gardener

Vol. 26, No. 12 December 2015

The University of and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating

The Virtual Gardener—The Science of Seeds ‘Tis the Season—time for long winter document is Seed Germination Theory naps and visions of next year’s garden to and Practice, Second Edition which be dancing in your head. It’s also a time comes with a First and a Second for perusing seed catalogs and beginning supplement. to think about starting seeds indoors to Dr. Deno regarded seed germination as get an early start outdoors next spring. a chemical process initiated by reactions This month I want to talk about a controlled by environmental factors. The fantastic resource for seed starters processes vary by species and are developed by a scientist most gardeners designed to promote the survival of a have never heard of, Dr. Norman Deno. species in its native environment by Dr. Deno was a delaying germina- Inside this issue: professor emeritus “I highly recommend Dr. Deno’s tion until environ- Let’s Roses 2 of chemistry at book and the supplements.” mental conditions Ready, Set . . . Grow! 3 Pennsylvania State are just right for the Cuttings “N’ Clippings 4 University who late in his career turned survival of the seedlings. For example, Become a Master Gardener 4 his attention to horticulture. He was one the seeds of native to cold Gratitude Revealed 4 of the first researchers to apply the climates should not germinate immedi- At a Glance Box 5 methodology of chemistry to the study ately in the fall but wait until the Palmleaf thoroughwort 5 of seed germination. He experimented weather warms up in the spring. Similar- with thousands of different seeds and ly plants native to regions with wet and along the way not only illuminated the dry seasons delay germination to periods processes of germination, but also when moisture is available. Different developed practical techniques for plants—sometimes even closely related gardeners to use in starting their own species—may employ different mecha- seeds. His work is documented in three nisms to achieve the same delay in publications that are available free for germination. According to Deno, about download in pdf format from the U.S. (Continued on Page 2) Department of Agriculture. The basic

Cochise County Cooperative Extension www.ag.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/ 1140 N. Colombo, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 450 S. Haskell, Willcox, AZ 85643 (520) 458-8278, Ext. 2141 (520) 384-3594 P AGE 2

(Continued from page 1) Let's Plant Roses! 95 percent of the species he with multistep and extended studied used chemical methods to germinations, and he often (Editor’s Note: This article written by delay germination and only 5 achieved germination rates above Bill Schulze was adapted from a De- percent used physical methods. 90 percent using it. To use this cember 2012 article published in the Sierra Vista Herald.) Chemical methods operate by method, the seeds are placed on a controlling the initiation of moistened paper towel enclosed in Toward the end of this month and complex chemical reactions a polyethylene sandwich bag. The into the first months of the new year, within the seed and the rates at bags are kept in heated or cooled bare-root roses and bare-root fruit which those reactions proceed. environments according to the trees will be widely available in Temperature, moisture, light, and needs of the seeds being germinat- nurseries. So if roses or fruit trees the external presence of certain ed. Deno used only two tempera- are something you’ve got a hanker- plant hormones called gibberel- tures for his experiments—40˚F ing for, keep your eyes open and lins, especially Gibberellic Acid- for chilling and 70˚F for warming. your shovel handy. When planting 3 (GA-3), produced by microor- Some seeds germinate at only one bare-root plants, soak the roots of ganisms in the soil are the factors temperature and others require the plant in water for a few hours (no most frequently used. Sometimes both chilling and warming. His longer than a day or two) prior to a single factor controls germina- germination reference lists in- planting. Dig a hole two or three tion but more frequently a dicate the requirements for times larger than the root ball, but no number of different factors hundreds of different species. deeper. Cut off damaged roots and operate in combination to pro- Once the seeds have sprouted in gingerly untangle and spread out the duce the desired effects. the paper towels, they are trans- remaining roots. Place the plant in The most common physical ferred to pots to grow into the hole and refill with the native method is usually called seedlings. soil you just removed. Water well to “scarification,” although the In addition to heat and moisture, eliminate air pockets and do not method has nothing to do with Deno found that treatment of compact the soil by tamping with creating a scar. Dr. Deno ab- seeds with GA-3 significantly your feet. Don’t amend the soil or horred the use of that term and improved his germination rates. add fertilizer for the first year, alt- preferred the term “puncturing.” Gibberellic acid is a naturally hough it is a good idea to remove Whichever term is used, the occurring, growth-promoting hor- stones and rocks. Do not plant a tree purpose of the technique is to mone that is produced by plants or shrub deeper than it’s roots re- breach the impervious coating of and microorganisms. A search of quire. Planting too deeply exposes some seeds to allow water and/or the web will locate a number of the bark of the trunk to rotting. If the oxygen to reach the embryo and sources where this product can be plant is grafted, as most roses and initiate the sprouting reactions. purchased. fruit trees are, plant so that the bud The technical details of how Growing plants from seed is a graft union is two or three inches seeds germinate is fascinating and very cost-effective way of above the soil line. Keep the soil well worth reading, but the populating your garden, especially moist but don’t overwater as water practical methods Deno used to with landscape plants that are needs are slight while the plant is sprout seeds along with his expensive to buy in the nursery. dormant. extensive lists of the best condi- Many landscape plants have As the holiday season nears, living tioning and germination tech- produced seeds over the summer Christmas trees will be for sale in niques to use for different plants that can be harvested now and nurseries. If you buy one and want to will probably be of more interest started over the winter for plant it, look for a tree that is to many gardeners. planting next spring. If you are adapted to our climate. Pine trees Deno used several methods for interested in seed-starting, I that will do well here include the germinating seeds, but one of the highly recommend Dr. Deno’s Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis), the germination techniques he book and the supplements. Afghan Pine (Pinus elderica), and pioneered was the “baggie and the Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea). Gary Gruenhagen, Master Gardener paper towel” method. This was [email protected] Both the Aleppo and Afghan pine his method of choice for species are fast growing. The slower grow- (Continued on page 4) P AGE 3 Ready, Set . . . Grow! During my undergraduate “The seeds just won’t germinate.” If you would like more information and graduate studies at New Mex- Often times they were just watering on propagating and care of Penste- ico State University I belonged to and giving it too much TLC. mon there is an American Penste- a student organization known as There are more than 250 Pen- mon Society website with lots of the NMSU Hort Forum. One year, stemon species and they are quite information. Check it out here: we collaboratively worked on a diverse in their selection of where to http://apsdev.org/. club T-shirt and decided it would grow. More than twenty cultivars Since the majority of Penste- be fun to not just display our stu- have been given the Award of Gar- mon flowers are in the reds, pinks, dent club logo on the front, but den Merit by the Royal Horticultural and blues it can be really striking to also include funny or clever Society and here is a link to their interplant with yellow and white quotes that finished the line “You website if you are looking for vi- colors and textures. I would suggest might be a horticulturist if brant colors, https:// checking the bloom time (some can ______.” All of us stu- www.rhs.org.uk, just search for be early versus late) for the particu- dents in the club had the assign- Penstemon. From low deserts to lar Penstemon cultivar you are in- ment to work on our own list of high in the mountains, flat plains, terested in and choosing a similar finished statements and we would and in the forests, Penstemon can be bloom time with the other wild- bring them back to a meeting and an outstanding addition as one of flowers. It can make quite an im- vote on the top ten to include on your selections for wildflower to pact! Some popular companion the back of our shirts. brighten up un-used or neglected plants would be Coreopsis species One of the quotes that made it properties. You can shop for some (many colors are out there), Desert to the list was, “You might be of seed from the locals in Tucson at Marigold (Baileya multiradiata), horticulturist if . . . you secretly http://shop.nativeseeds.org/ or Velvet Turtleback (Psathyrotes ra- spread wildflower seeds on bare from our neighbors in Albuquerque, mosissima), Silverpuff (Uropappus or boring properties.” There was NM at: http:// lindleyi), Greene’s Bird’s-Foot Tre- actually a small group of us who www.plantsofthesouthwest.com/. foil (Acmispon greenei), some of got together and did such thing at our Desert Senna (Senna covesii), times, usually under the cover of and of course the Desert or Mexi- night in the fall and winter can golden poppy (Eschscholzia months. You see, we selected glyptosperma or E. californica spp. seeds that needed the cold stratifi- Mexicana). Grasses that would look cation of winter but didn’t require great along with Penstemon and supplemental water in order to with similar growing conditions grow and bloom the following could be your Gramas such as those season. The easiest planting ever, showcased in the October MGNL all we needed was our carefully newsletter (Sideoats grama or Blue selected wildflower seeds, a rigid grama) and/or Muhly grass toothed rake, and seed cover (e.g. (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri). You sand). It really felt at times like may be able to come up with even we were performing a black ops better, more striking companions. So, planting season isn’t over mission! botanic gardens.org A popular seed choice that yet! We still have time to plant was always in the mix were Pen- wildflowers (and bare root cane and stemon species. It is such a re- These flowers are even more dra- fruit trees) out there and add some markable flower and can really matic when inter-mingled in a rock color to an otherwise drab corner just handle absolute neglect after garden or a rocky hillside. Penste- lot, roadside, or path for next year. established. I have been asked mon also has an array of other na- Happy planting, friends!

several times by people who have tive wildflowers that look outstand- Joshua Sherman, M.S. tried to grow this flower and say, ing when planted densely together. Commercial Horticulture Area Agent P AGE 4

(Continued from page 2) ing Italian Stone Pine is the variety from which pine nuts (seeds, real- ly), popular in Italian cooking, are obtained, so this tree does double duty. Be patient, though, it can take Become a Master Gardener . . . ten or more years to yield the pine cones from which the tasty nuts are Recruiting for 2016 Class obtained. When planting a living Christmas tree, just remove the tree Would you like to become a For more information please visit from its pot and place it in a hole Master Gardener? Are you inter- our web site or contact Jan Groth, that is two or three times the diame- ested in becoming more knowl- Coordinator: Cooperative Extension, ter of the pot, then refill the hole edgeable by receiving university UA Sierra Vista, 1140 N. Colombo, with unimproved native soil as level training in horticulture? Do Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635-2390, above for bare root trees. Again, you have the passion, the commit- Tel: (520) 458-8278 ext 2176 or: don’t plant too deeply. Maintain the ment, and the willingness to serve [email protected] same soil level that the tree had in your community by providing a its pot. minimum of 50 hours of volunteer Happy gardening! service each year? Are you willing Gratitude Revealed – Bill Schulze, Master Gardener to assist Cooperative Extension by A Book Review providing educational information to the community in home garden- No, this isn’t a new gardening Cuttings ‘N’ Clippings ing and landscaping? If you can book! It is, in fact, “a tribute to wom- Follow the Cochise County answer yes to these questions, we en with undaunting commitment & Master Gardeners at: would love to have you join our humility" by Pauline Fredericks with Heather Bird, both local photogra- http://cals.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/ ranks. phers. In this newly published book, For more information contact Va- Applicants should want to learn the author has photographed women lerie at: more about gardening in the high desert, enjoy meeting others with from all walks of life who are inspi- [email protected] similar gardening interests, enjoy rational with a selfless commitment You can also follow them on Face- sharing knowledge with others in to Sierra Vista/Cochise County. So book at: www.Facebook.com/ your community, and have time to why a book review in this newslet- CochiseCountyMasterGardeners ter? meet the volunteer and continuing  The Master Gardeners are at education requirements. Submitted Three women from the UA Coop- the Sierra Vista Farmers Market on applications must be post-marked erative Extension in Sierra Vista are the first Thursday of each month. by December 15th. A maximum honored in the book among the 115 of 25 applicants can be accepted women. They are Cado Daily, Water Check out the Water Wise web Wise Program Coordinator, Jan due to space limitations and are site to see what’s happening at: Groth, Master Gardener Program considered in the order they are waterwise.Arizona.edu Coordinator, and Carolyn Gruenha- received. The course fee is a cost gen, Master Gardener and this news- The Cochise Chapter of the recovery fee, and is dependent on letter editor. Each of these three have Arizona Native Plant Society holds the projected costs of materials, so been involved with the Cooperative monthly programs in the Cochise it varies from year to year. County Community Development Extension more than twenty years. The 16 week training course, Congratulations ladies! Office Conference Room, 4001 delivered by University of Arizo- Foothills Dr. (corner of Highway 92 The beautiful limited edition book na Cooperative Extension faculty and Foothills), Sierra Vista at 5:00 is available at: and specialists begins Wednesday PM. The Chapter has established a January 20 from 10:00 AM— http://pfredericksphoto.com/store/ Facebook website at: 1:00 PM and runs every Wednes- gratitude-revealed-book http://www.facebook.com/ day through May 11. Gary Gruenhagen, Master Gardener AZNPSCochise. At a Glance Box P AGE 5

It’s a Bloomin’ Cochise County Native Plant of the Month the Portal area.

Plant: Palmleaf thoroughwort, Gregg’s mistflower, Conoclinium dissectum It is fortunate for gardeners that or Conoclinium greggii this plant is readily available in the Description: 1-2’ high, perennial. Deciduous in non-tropical climates. nursery trade. Note that nurseries Blooms: Purplish flowers monsoon through fall. may not be using the most current Use: Pollinator habitat garden; natural garden. common or scientific name for the Culture: Spreads by rhizomes; partial shade; USDA hardiness zones 7-10. plant, so be sure to include all syno- Learn more: Cochise County Herbarium nyms when searching or asking for www.cochisecountyherbarium.org; Integrated Taxonomic Information this plant. Desert Survivors in Tuc- System (www.ITIS.gov); Southwest Environmental Information Network son lists this plant under Conoclini- (http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet) um greggii and notes it is an For an in-depth article, see below. “incredible nectar source for butter- flies & pollinators.” See all of their Karen LeMay, Guest Author, Founder of Pollinator Corridors Southwest plant lists at: www.PoCoSouthwest.org http://www.desertsurvivors.org/ plant-lists.html. I imagine you’re thinking, “Isn’t In the Lower Rio Grande Valley CORRECTION: that a picture of Gregg’s mistflower of south , the similar species The first sentence of the second or or Boneset?” As I Betonyleaf thoroughwort, is used in paragraph on Page 5 of the Novem- discovered in researching this plant, mass plantings in public and private ber Newsletter should have read— the scientific and common names butterfly gardens where they attract Flowers in the spurge family are have changed many times. The Inte- as many as 50 species of butterflies. unisexual on either the same or dif- grated Taxonomic Information Sys- Imagine being surrounded by a sea ferent plants. tem (www.ITIS.gov), the source for of violet blossoms covered by hun- standardized common and scientific dreds of butterflies fluttering plant names, has declared Palmleaf around—it’s quite an experience! Palmleaf thoroughwort, thoroughwort to be the accepted Gregg’s mistflower common name, and Gregg’s mist- Look on any list of plants for but- flower or Eupatorium as synonyms. terfly gardens, and you will find a ITIS has declared Conoclinium dis- recommendation for mistflower. sectum to be the accepted scientific There are three species of mistflow- name, with Conoclinium greggii ers in the United States. Palmleaf and Eupatorium greggii its syno- thoroughwort is the only species nyms. native to Cochise County. Palmleaf thoroughwort is native Betonyleaf thoroughwort to Arizona, New , and Tex- native to South Texas as, growing in Chihuahuan Desert grassland and dry stream bed habi- All mistflowers spread by under- tat. There are several records of this ground tight clumps of rhizomes plant in Cochise County shown on that grow in several types of soils the Arizona Flora SEINet maps including sand, loam, clay, and (http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet). limestone. But keep in mind it does I’ve been told the plant grows natu- require medium supplemental water rally in the Upper San Pedro River to keep the plant in full bloom, as is Palmleaf thoroughwort floodplain and I’ve seen lush plants the case with most long-blooming with several visiting butterflies in (Continued on page 6)

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeffrey C. Silvertooth, Associate Dean & Director, Economic Development & Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities. The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cooperative Extension is implied. Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by the University of Arizona. P AGE 6

(Spurges continued from page 5) plants supply the insect with nutri- Panther-spotted grasshoppers are plants for butterfly gardens. Also tional essentials that the gardener very fond of mistflower remember that deer and small may not be aware of. mammals find the plant yummy; you may want to enclose it behind Karen LeMay, Guest Author, Found- er of Pollinator Corridors Southwest a fence. (a new nonprofit supporting native The most interesting infor- plant habitats and their pollinators) mation I found about mistflower www.PoCoSouthwest.org is why it’s so attractive to butter- Plant images by Karen LeMay flies and other pollinators. I had Insect images and technical advice assumed the flower attraction was from Robert A. Behrstock due to a high concentration of sugar-rich nectar, but it turns out A locally uncommon Toltec Roadside-Skipper

Ctenucha moth on Palmleaf thoroughwort A Cuckoo Bee feeds on mistflower there are other substances in the nectar that are especially valuable to some insects. One of these compounds is an alkaloid prized by some male insects for produc- tion of pheromones to attract fe- males. I have seen several Queen butterflies at one time on mist- flower plants in my garden, and they were mostly males. I’ve no- ticed many of the beautiful Ctenu- cha (pronounced ten-OOCH’-a) moths preferring mistflower, when there were many other flowers to visit. Another insect attracted to mist- flower is the outrageous Panther- spotted grasshopper. Although gardeners may not want to attract Thanks Bob for the plant predators, it is well worth beautiful photos! losing a few leaves to this beauti- ful visitor. With this knowledge, it makes sense to include as many native Painted Crescent butterfly and Soldier beetle plants as possible in a habitat gar- Cochise County Master den. Native plants and their polli- Gardener Newsletter Editor nators evolved together, and the Carolyn Gruenhagen