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San Diego’s Independent Nursery Since 1928 TM MARCH 2018

Early Spring Rose Care By Walter Andersen, Jr.

IN THIS ISSUE Early Spring Rose Care 1 Charming Wind Chimes 1 Overlooked Bromeliad 3 To Do List: March 3 We Love This Story! 3 History Of WAN 4 A Bonide Guarantee 5 Old Ben: Wild Bird Basics 7 Old Ben’s Specials 7 By now, your roses should have been and larger blooms. Our customers March Garden Classes 8 pruned back. Even if you forgot, there rave about this product. March Anniversary Specials 8 is still time to prune them. They should You should be fertilizing monthly now have been sprayed with Liqui Cop as with our favorite fertilizer, Gro-Power. a dormant spray, at least two times. If Apply monthly for optimum growth and they have new shoots, don’t spray now. bloom. We recommend using Gro- Ada Perry’s Magic Formula should be Power once a month until the last in the ground, and there’s still time to feeding in October. If you cut roses for do that. Adding this wonderful product indoor enjoyment, here’s an old trick will encourage more vigorous growth I learned from my aunt who was a continued p2

Charming Wind Chimes By Whimsical Winds & Melanie Potter Have you ever noticed our selection of wind chimes? You’ll find some whimsical and decorative ones as well as large sizes and small, delicate chimes. You may even find some commemorative Hello Spring Bulbs! ones (weddings, anniversaries, etc.) and those that chime a familiar tune. If you ever shied away from planting There are also chimes for a cause like bulbs, here is a good reason to give the one with the symbol for Autism. them a go. On cold days (these were The number of tubes that a wind spotted in San Francisco near Pier chime has determines the number of 39) what else could look so cheery? notes that it can play. Wind chimes Planted in a half wine barrel or raised with many tubes have the ability to bed, these tulips and daffodils are continued p2 eye catching and the daffodils will bloom next year. • 03.18 2

Wind Chimes continued from p1 Rose Care continued from p1

florist. Put an aspirin tablet in the vase when you fill it with water. The blooms will stay fresher longer. As the blooms run their course and start to fade, cut them off with long stems; don’t just cut off the top with the bloom. By cutting them longer, you get into heavier branches that will support stronger new growth. If you don’t cut them back like this, you will get a bunch of spindly growth that will droop with the weight of the new buds. Don’t be combine more sounds and create dif- and tuning of all Woodstock chimes. afraid to cut them back, as you will ferent harmonies. Wind chimes with We thank him for chimes tuned to play be rewarded in the next month or fewer tubes ensure a smaller range of well recognized parts of ‘Take Me Out two with more blooms. Watch for well-tuned sound. to the Ballgame’, ‘Clair de Lune’, ‘Conci- aphids, which are small, pin head erto de Aronjez, and ‘Pachebel’s Canon’. The tube finish on wind chimes primar- sized insects that suck the juices out The Woodstock ‘Chime for Autism’ ily affects overall visual appeal. Since of the plant. They are mostly found was inspired by several uplifting stories wind chimes are usually on display for on the newest growth and buds that shared by loyal Woodstock Chimes all to see, this can be just as important are forming. You can try to wash customers. One hundred percent of as getting the right wind chime sound. them off with a strong stream of the after tax profit from the sales of water, or you can also spray them Overall wind chime length determines these chimes is donated to autism with a good insecticide. There are the tone and depth of the sound. Longer programs and research. many to choose from including wind chimes produce lower, fuller tones, Tubular wind chimes are the most pop- Bayer, which has a systemic that is while shorter wind chimes produce ular wind chime design. These wind absorbed into the plant and lasts higher pitched tones. The clapper is the chimes are available in a vast array of maybe three or four weeks. There piece that comes into contact with the styles and sizes to suit any location. are also organic controls that you tubes. The point of contact is carefully Tubular wind chimes are made of need to apply more often, such as calculated to provide the best pos- several vertically hanging tubes, with Neem Oil spray. sible sound. • each tube lending its own tone. The size of the wind chime sail deter- A tubular wind chime with tubes of mines how much wind is needed to varying length sounds great and offers cause the wind chime to sound. Many exceptional visual appeal. Tubular Hang the chime where the wind can wind chimes are designed to begin wind chimes are typically aluminum reach it from as many directions as chiming in eight to 10 mph breezes. or pewter. possible. An open corner is ideal when This is a desirable size because a less hanging the chime from a structure. substantial sail would compromise Bell wind chimes are made out of Experiment with hanging your chime at durability, while a larger, heavier sail one or more bells. These wind chimes different heights. Wind velocity tends would result in less sound. are available in traditional styles or in to increase with higher elevation. contemporary styles with modern, geo- Metal wind chimes are the most pop- metrically designed bells. More often, Avoid hanging a chime within two feet ular because of their durability and these are crafted from brass. of a wall or too close to plants, furniture high tuning accuracy. Only metal wind or anything that might obstruct or chimes can be tuned to specific For the best sound, hang your chime divert the breeze. Try hanging chimes in tones and notes. Did you know that directly from the O ring or loop at the different locations throughout the year Woodstock chimes are hand tuned top of the chime. Don’t extend the top as prevailing winds change seasonally. by musician and instrument designer string of the chime by adding chain or • Garry Kvistad? He’s a Grammy winning string. This may cause the entire chime artist who founded Woodstock in 1979 to swing, when in fact only the center and is behind the design, development string and clapper should move. 03.18 3

Overlooked Bromeliad Deserves Another Look TO DO LIST: March By Melanie Potter

This is a vigorous bromeliad that is easy to grow and will readily form clumps of PRUNING narrow upright bronzy-green rosettes. Prune Camellias and Azaleas after The nearly tubular two feet tall rosettes hold one foot long slender leaves that blooming to shape. have small teeth along the margins. In Cut back frost damaged plants and spring, the arching flower stalks carry feed with Gro-Power to encourage pink bracts and pendant flowers that new growth and regeneration. have chartreuse green petals edged with royal-blue. FERTILIZE Plant in shade in a well-drained organic rich soil and water occasionally. For an Roses and Shrubs with Gro-Power or epiphytic bromeliad, this plant is sur- Gro-Power for Roses. prisingly drought-tolerant and can often Feed Citrus, Avocado, and Fruits with ‘Queen’s Tears’ or ‘Friendship Plant’ be found surviving in shaded coastal California gardens that have received Gro-Power or Gro-Power Citrus & The photo of this bromeliad really little or no irrigation. However, the Avocado Food. does it justice because it captures the plants look better with a bit more water. unusual color combination realistically. It is reliably hardy to 30-32 degrees PLANT The photo was taken by Santa Barbara F but able to tolerate short duration landscape architect Billy Goodnick and temperatures much lower. This plant is Citrus, Avocados, and tropical and showcases why the plant received its native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina sub-tropical fruit. common names, Queen’s Tears or where it grows both as an epiphyte in Start to replace cool season bedding ‘Friendship Plant’. Billbergia nutans is low trees and as a terrestrial on the plants with warm season plants. commonly called ‘Queen’s Tears’ for forest floor from 2,300 to 3,000 feet the ornate hanging flowers with royal elevation. The name of the genus honors Plant warm season vegetables like blue highlighting that often exude Gustaf Johan Billberg, a Swede, who tomatoes, peppers, and squash. tear-like droplets of nectar, while the was a lawyer by profession and a Be sure to amend the soil with good name ‘Friendship Plant’ is attributed self-trained botanist, zoologist, and to this plant multiplying readily and anatomist who authored the ‘Flora of organic compost. Big Harvest Bale is propagating so easily that it is often Sweden’. • great for edibles and ornamentals. passed between friends. LOOK FOR Poway Store Hours Date To Remember! Azaleas, Spirea, Tuberous Begonias, Poway store hours Both stores will be closed Caladiums, Calla Lilies and Roses. • change effective April 1 for Easter. March 12. Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat/Sun 9-5.

We Love This Story! Did You Have A Happy Valentine’s Day? We think Phil and his wife of 34 years did. Phil shared the sweet story of how they met and we all ooh’d and ahhh’d over this love match. You may remember that last month we held a contest that asked readers how they met their sweetie. We had loads of responses but this tale hit all the marks! Our winning couple met while working in Colombia as botanists in the herbarium at the University of Antioquia. She shared her interest in orchids and botany with Phil and they married a couple of years later...on VALENTINE’S DAY!! • 03.18 4 History Of WAN: 90 Years Is A Long Time nursery bringing in lots of fountains By Ken Andersen and creating an interesting shopping experience. When they separated about 1990, the nursery was sold to the present owners. The land still be- longs to the Anderson family. This nursery is NOT related to Walter Andersen Nursery. Editors Note: Though there is no relationship, for years Anderson’s La Costa has been thought to be part of our company. Many a time I have fielded a call from a customer stating that they bought something from our La Costa location only to have to inform them that it is not the same company.

AraChem AraChem was a company in El Cajon located at 808 Gable Way, in the industrial part of the city. It was started The Andersens (Walter Jr., Jody and Walter Sr.) visiting Monrovia Nursery in 1965

Fourth in the series. Read all the articles the choice of keeping their businesses starting with the December, 2017 open or putting the land to another use newsletter at www.walterandersen. to get more value for their investment. com/news/newsletters. A few years ago Walter Andersen Jr., Ninety years is a very long time and began a project to help document the AraChem in 1950s newspaper ad the nursery industry has experienced nursery and horticultural business in San Diego. In this article, I will list a few in the 1950s by Dr. William McNeeley drastic changes. At one time, San Diego who was a chemist. He formulated had an extremely diverse nursery and of those businesses and what became of them. liquid fertilizers and bottled them for horticultural industry. There were no retail nurseries in the area. They also big box stores and the area was popu- Anderson’s La Costa Nursery sold tools, soil conditioners, redwood lated by independent retail nurseries Anderson’s La Costa is located at 400 planters and trellises wholesale, to and growers. San Diego also had a local retail nurseries. About 1970 there very active chapter of the California La Costa Blvd. in Encinitas just one block west of I-5. It was started by was a large fire that burned it to the Association of Nurserymen ground. They did rebuild but the fire (CAN). This trade organi- Horace Anderson about 1950 and he was a true plants man. His specialty was a huge burden on the company. zation was made up of AraChem closed about 1975. many professionals in was propagation from seed and cut- the horticultural industry tings. Horace grew mostly small plants Bennett’s Garden Center from both the retail and and shipped them to all parts of the Norm and Tillie Bennett started this wholesale sides. As the world. He was very well known as a upscale nursery in downtown La Jolla number of horticultural busi- propagator and hybridizer, and even on Eads Ave. I do not know when it nesses began to dwindle so did the has some plants named after him. His was started but it was in operation membership in the CAN. As the city wife ran the retail part of the operation. in the late 1950s. The Bennett’s di- and county grew in population, the It was a medium size nursery with many vorced and Tillie took over running availability of large parcels of open unusual plants that Horace had grown. the nursery. This nursery moved a few land became harder to find which The store was in a tiny Quonset hut blocks from the first site in the 1960s limited growing operations on a large type building which was still there the and closed the following decade. scale. In more populated urban areas, last time I visited. After Horace died (around 1980), the nursery was leased the land values began to climb and Blue Pacific Nursery made it more difficult for independent to Paul Backus (Green Gardens). Later Blue Pacific Nursery was about two nurseries and garden centers to remain Mike and Trish Hursh ran this nursery. blocks north of Newport Ave., the open. Those that owned their land faced The Hursh’s turned this into a real retail main street in Ocean Beach. The continued p5 03.18 5

History Of WAN continued from p4 A Bonide Guarantee nursery was mostly surrounded with Presidio Nursery residential housing and not located Presidio Nursery was a large nursery/ in the main business district. It was a garden center located at the bottom general retail nursery that served mostly of Linda Vista Road near Morena Blvd. the OB, and Point Loma area. Fred The Asakawa family owned and oper- Acres was the owner. It is my under- ated this nursery for a very long time. standing Ski Mazalewski (see Moenig’s As far as nurseries go, this was con- Nursery) worked for Fred and got his sidered a large operation. They did start in the nursery industry there when landscape design, and installation, as he was quite young. This nursery closed well as retail sales. They also had a in the 1960s. small growing area on the other side Cedros Gardens of Napa Street. This part of the nursery was closed and turned into retail stores. Cedros Gardens was a small nursery on Bruce and Glenn Asakawa eventually 1.3 acres, on the south side of Solana took over the operation of this nursery. Beach, at 330 South Cedros Ave. It Unfortunately, the nursery burned badly was owned by Mia McCarville, who in the early 1970s. The buildings were Beginning now, Walter Andersen is of Japanese heritage. She says this rebuilt on site, and were larger and more Nursery has an exciting new warranty influences her use of plants and how modern. This new building included program available which will extend she developed the nursery. It opened an aquarium shop. This was one of the warranty of many of your orna- in 1993 and claimed to be a totally the larger places to buy fish when it mental plant purchases to two full organic nursery with no chemicals used. was finished. Shortly after the rebuild, years! Purchase your plant, planting They had unusual, and difficult to find they opened another Presidio Nursery mix, and Bonide Root & Grow, save plants. They also had a collection of location in Bonita. It was just east of your receipt, and if your plant fails ceramic pottery, bonsai and gifts. Their I-805 on Plaza Blvd., though not nearly within two years, Bonide will send store building was a very old residence as large. The Chula Vista location was you a certificate for a replacement! built in 1926. It had unique construction only open about 10 years before the As always, if you notice your plant of concrete walls 6” thick to withstand property was sold. Bruce seemed to be not looking quite right, ask our California earthquakes. Mia closed the the main manger of Presidio Nursery professionals for advice on how to nursery in 2014 when she lost her lease. with Glenn and the parents taking get your plant back to looking good My understanding is that the property a back seat in the operation in later before it’s too late. Take the worry will become apartments. years. The nursery closed about 1980 out of buying. Of course, there are and the land sold to the City of San some limitations, but all of the details Dunning’s Seed Diego. This location is now apartments can be found on the flyer on page .6 • and a trolley stop for the City of San Dunning’s Seed was located just south- Diego. east of the Gaslamp area. Hugh Dunning • was the owner. This was a true seed store, carrying almost any type of seed you might want. They also brought in large quantities of wheat, oats and other crop seed for farmers in our area. This store was closed in the early 1940s. Dunning continued selling seed and was the area representative of Burpee Seeds for many years. He also repre- sented other manufactures catering to retail nurseries. In the 1930s, Ada Perry worked at Dunning’s. Eventually, Dunning went to work for McBride Distributing Company until he retired in 1975.

Present Walter Andersen Nursery location in Point Loma, 1960s 03.18 6 03.18 7 Old Ben: Old Ben's Specials Wild Bird Basics For First Time Valid March 1-31, 2018

Birders Hummingbirds are now By Old Ben nesting in San Diego County!

All birds belong to the group of animals 4. Hummingbirds are the only birds Old Ben’s called vertebrates, meaning animals which can fly backwards and are the Hummingbird Nest having a backbone. Birds make up a smallest species of bird. Some only special group of vertebrates called aves. weigh .035 oz. Building Kit Invite Hummingbirds to nest in your Birds have a lot in common with rep- 5. Homing pigeons are bred to find yard. The Hummingbird Nest Building tiles, such as turtles, crocodiles, and their way home from long distances Kit includes green moss, forest bark, lizards. Scientists think that birds and and have been used for thousands lichen and 100% natural kapok tree reptiles are old relatives and have of years to carry messages. golden silk fibers. The hummers will many shared traits, such as laying 6. Seventy-five percent of wild birds supply the spider web. eggs. Scientists also know that birds die before they are 6 months old. have some very different traits from Sale $11.99 Reg. $14.99 their relatives, such as feathers instead 7. Birds which make popular pets include of scales. Fossil records show us that parakeets, canaries, cockatiels, doves, Old Ben’s Economy birds evolved around the same time finches, lovebirds, parrots, and macaws. as the dinosaurs and are said to be 8. There are over 2,000 birds listed on Wild Bird Seed This mix will attract a wide variety of descended from small, meat-eating the endangered bird list. Disease, envi- wild birds including doves, sparrows, dinosaurs called theropods. ronmental waste, marine pollution, and and house finches. 20lb. bag There are around 10,000 known species deforestation have all contributed to the of birds today. Birds live on all seven decline in numbers of many bird species. $14.99 A Great Value! continents and have adapted to live 9. Penguins cannot fly but are fantastic in every climate, from Antarctica to at swimming; they have webbed feet Old Ben’s Nyger Seed steamy rainforests, to dry desert plains. and wings adapted to work similarly The staple food for gold finches Bird skeletons are usually very strong to flippers. and many other small birds. but very light, which enables them to 10. Some bird species, such as crows, 25lb. bag fly. Birds’ diets are varied and often are intelligent enough to create and Sale $49.99 Reg. $59.99 include nectar, fruit, plants, seeds, the use tools. remains of other animals, and various continued p8 small animals including other birds. Old Ben’s No Mess Because birds have no teeth, their Wild Bird Seed digestive system is adapted to process The no mess advantage. Seed is food that is swallowed whole. Ask Old Ben! hulled, wild not sprout, birds can People who study birds are called eat all the seed which attracts fewer pests. 20lb. bag ornithologists. Old Ben doesn’t always think Top 10 Facts about birds. Sometimes he Sale $34.99 Reg. $39.99 thinks about his business and 1. The woodpecker can peck 20 times that’s when he had a grand per second, that’s 1200 pecks per idea. How cool would it be if Old Ben’s Classic minute. you could reach out and ask Wild Bird Seed him all kinds of questions 2. The largest and heaviest bird on the Classic mix that attracts a wide about birds, or show him your planet is the ostrich. Native to parts variety of wild birds. NO fillers in this (feathered) bird photos, or of Africa with its long legs, the ostrich mix. 20lb. bag share your birding experiences? can run up to 45 miles per hour. Well, now you can by using this Sale $24.99 Reg. $29.99 3. The chicken is the most common email. [email protected] species of bird in the world. All specials limited to stock on hand. No special orders. Cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. 03.18 8

Garden Classes MARCH Old Ben continued from p7

Saturday classes are FREE and last about an hour. Complimentary coffee is Things You May Not Know served. During inclement weather, classes are held indoors in San Diego and on Many species of birds annually migrate the covered, heated patio in Poway. Topics are subject to change. See the full great distances. schedule at www.walterandersen.com/calendar/. Birds seek out places that have warmth, food and are safe for breeding.

SAN DIEGO | 9:00AM POWAY | 9:30AM Seasonal migration mainly happens in the Northern Hemisphere. In the 3/3 3/3 Southern Hemisphere, especially in the Yum! Spring Vegetables Beginning Bonsai tropics, it is always warm enough for 3/10 3/10 a year round food supply and there is Learn Everything About Tomatoes! with Roy Wilburn little variation in the length of the day. Composting from Sunshine Care Facility Birds are very social animals, com- 3/17 3/17 municating with visual signals, calls, Citrus & Avocado’s for Vegetables and songs. They participate in such Backyard Orchards with Richard Wright social behaviors as breeding, hunting, 3/24 3/24 and flocking. Battling Garden Pests Organic Insect Control Man makes use of different birds in with John Ford 3/31 many different ways. For example, 3/31 Spring Rose Care birds such as chickens supply us with Improving Our Environment food. Some species like songbirds with Houseplants and parrots are popular pets. Another use of birds is harvesting guano or their droppings as fertilizer. •

March Specials Valid March 1-31, 2018 90th Anniversary Savings Continue!

Bond 3-Piece Watering Set $19.28 Regular $24.99

5-Gallon Rhaphiolepis (That’s only 90 dimes!) San Diego’s Independent Nursery Since 1928 TM $9.00 Regular $19.99 Choose from a Special Group of Dwarf Pink, Clara (White), or Pink Lady Limited to stock on hand. No special orders. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. While supplies last. Hedge Fund$ may be redeemed. walterandersen.com Visit Our 2 Locations facebook.com/walterandersens twitter.com/walterandersens SAN DIEGO POWAY online store 3642 Enterprise Street 12755 Danielson Court San Diego, California 92110 Poway, California 92064 videos {619} 224-8271 {858} 513-4900

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