PBS Forum

Quote from: Ron Martinolich on August 01, 2023, 01:36:57 PMThere is a special white paint made for roofs, and aluminized shade cloth, both designed to reflect heat.

Paint would work very well in warm winter areas. In cold winter areas, one would want the reflective coating to be easily removable and restorable.

Quote from: Cyclanthera on July 30, 2023, 10:46:19 AM

Quote from: Judy Glattstein on June 30, 2023, 07:26:40 PMShould I ever buy a lottery ticket and win some sizeable sum of money I will fund research not on deer repellents but on deer attractants. lLet them learn to dine on multiflora roses, Japanese honeysuckle. And poison ivy.

When I lived with goats, we discovered that their milk was quite sweet when they foraged on poison oak.

Cyclanthra,

Both Poison Ivy and Poison Oak are Sumacs [Anacardiaceae] hence closely related to the Cashew and Pistachio. Goats are usually immune to the allergens that effect us humans.

Large rolls of inexpensive polyethylene greenhouse covering, treated with a reflective coating, could be used to cover rooftops and windows with a significant cooling effect.

David,

I'm glad for your abundance!  I was striving for humor.... I guess I missed.

The Sunset Western Garden Book Uses 23 climate zones instead of 10 for the Western  states [as far east as New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.].  Even with these refinements, I am able to consistently grow many things that Sunset suggests should fail.

Here in western Oregon, our hottest day so far was 89F (31.7C).
Even cool growing plants like Primulas were not very stressed.
I made an inexpensive evaporative cooler by placing rags that retain a lot of water between panels of chicken wire and using a fan to force air through it.

Preasure treated Redwood placed on slate stepping stones at ground level, with a mesh bottom will last 100 years and keep the critters out.

It rained yesterday!  The rain was not measurable in inches or even in millimeters.  The best measure I can think of is 137 droplets per windshield.  But it rained!

Somebody added an 'a' to my last name. The correct spelling is Rosenblum.  Please correct it in the next issue.

Marc

Peter,

I find that using a mix of sand and gravel is free draining and makes a better transition to gravel.  Loam or pumice or topsoil can be added to meet the needs of individual species when used as a potting mix.

Diane,

most Erythronium seed needs repeated cycles of 90 days alternating between 32 and 70 F starting with a cold cycle.  I alternate between refrigerator and room temperature. Germination usually begins in the third through fifth cycles, and can continue through as many as ten cycles. [this is unnecessary with fresh seed]

Quote from: Jan Jeddeloh on June 26, 2023, 10:26:48 PM.......  Spotted Lantern Fly has shown up in a few nursery shipments but so far has not established itself in Oregon.  We're also worried about Emerald Ash Beetle and Japanese Beetle getting established.

There are 2 ways to ensure that they do not become established.

1 Don't buy anything from East coast or Japanese suppliers.

2 Malathion dip anything received from East Coast or Japanese suppliers and burn the wrappings.

I realize that Malathion is not 'organic' but it is the least toxic and quickest to break down of all the effective insecticides.

Crinum like to be moist but not wet all year.  Most south African Iridaceae like a summer rest with little or no water; but benefit from continuous watering the first year. I have not recognized any unifying patern in South African Liliaceae or Amyrilidaceae.

Hi Robin,

Welcome!  I look forward to learning from you.

Marc

David,

Excellent vendor!   Thanks for sharing!

Marc