A Sweet Gala Tribute

~Farmers market * Haltom City, TX

photo by suzanne * September 26, 2016

Hello dear readers! Here we are into October, with a few cool breezes gracing our city, and, all is buzzing in anticipation of Halloween! 

Well...don't look so skeptical!!!

Today, we're going to touch lightly on a subject I don't know a whole lot about!  The home where I grew up, in Kansas, had an adjacent lot, and there were 3 apple trees already growing and thriving on this lot when my family moved to the home.  Two of the trees produced green apples (I'm guessing Granny Smith), and one tree produced an apple that would turn red (don't know what it was).  So, I must say, I spent more time eating the apples, than trying to figure out what kind they were, or how to grow them, lol!

Right now, though, I'm going to focus on the Gala apple, which seems to have originated from New Zealand in the 1930's, with an Orchardist by the name of 'Kidd', who crossed the Golden Delicious apple with the Kidd's Orange Red.  This union made the Gala one of the most widely grown apple varieties in the world!  Gala apple is known for its sweet, pleasant, flavor, and, good keeping qualities.  It is said to be suitable to drier, warm climates, and, available year round from northern and southern hemisphere suppliers.  The tree is capable of reaching heights over 20', with a maximum spread of 22'.   And one tree can take over an entire yard if the conditions are right.  Gala was introduced into the United States around 1974, after a plant patent for the cultivar was obtained in October of that year.  This is interesting, as, I figured that we in the US always had Gala apples!!!  

"Gala is aromatic and juicy, great for slicing or sinking your teeth into raw!"

~Southern Living Magazine

***

Now, if you're about to purchase some Gala apples and, are wondering how old they are, the color is a good indicator.  If the apple is very pale, then it's probably from the new season crop and was picked early.  If the apple is very dark, possibly it has been in cold storage for a while, where it matured, or, was left on the tree longer in order to mature.

AND, WHO KNEW THIS?
Gala apples keep well in cold storage.  Though the season only lasts 9 to 10 months, the Gala can be refrigerated for some months, making them available all year in some of the Australian markets.  In the UK, the season begins in August, and, storage makes the fruit available nearly all year long.

Moving right along!

Here are some useful pruning tips for young apple trees that I will be using myself.

These pruning tips are alphabetical & coincide with the drawing that follows:
A.  Suckers
B.  Stubs or broken branches
C.  Downward-growing branches
D.  Rubbing or criss-crossing branches
E.  Upward or interior branches
F.  Competing leaders
G.  Narrow crotches
H.  Whorls


*****

Well, my gracious readers, we're about to come to a close on our Gala apples program.   I hope this information helps you with any future apples purchases.  And, I'll bet you're ready to devour one of those juicy fruits as we speak!  I can't just yet...I just had some dental work done, and, it's soup for me tonight! 

As I said earlier, "I don't know much at all about raising apple trees".  But I just so happen to have an apple tree in my front yard.  I hope that what I've learned through my research will aid in success of Karo's tree.  So far, so good!

  The story goes like this:
My husband Karo was eating a Gala apple one day, and, a seed fell out with a small root attached.  So Karo, planted it in a tiny pot.  It did start growing, and before long, it was planted in a coffee can.  He really didn't expect much from it, and eventually planted it in a larger pot, where it stayed for a little over a year.  He was so skeptical about the future of this tree, but, I finally convinced him to plant it in our yard.

~Apple tree * April 24, 2014
* photo by Suzanne



~ Apple Tree * September 10, 2016
photo by Suzanne

~Karo's apple tree * October 1, 2016
Scootie and Me * photo by Rusty

It's hard to see in the sun, but, the tree towers way above my head now.  The leaves will drop soon, and, then I will do some pruning as Winter's close nears.

****

I am dedicating this post to my husband Karo, who passed away in January this year.  I am so proud to watch this tree as it grows, and, I am looking forward to its first blooms.  I have to chuckle about it, because Karo was sure it wouldn't grow to be very large! 
He would be pleasantly surprised!   

* I will keep you informed of this tree's progress as time goes by.

and now, my thanks to:
 weekendgardner.net
homeguides.sfgate.com
 orangepippin.com
wikipedia
Southern Living
Blogger
Yahoo


And, my sincerest thanks to you, dear friends for stopping by to see what's happening at MyTexasGardens!   If you have time, step in and say hello!  I'm always glad to hear from you.

Prayers and best wishes for safety and well-being going out to the folks in the path of Hurricane Matthew.

Take care, love and laugh!  I will see you next time. ♥



Oh...EEK!!!  Really?

The Dashing Divider

The Flowers: Iris by Alphonse Mucha 1898

I've been asked by several friends if it is safe to divide Iris in September.  Yes, I say!!!  Actually it is safe to divide them when they're blooming season is over in  late Spring.  I have Iris planted in several different areas of my yard, so I have a bit of a job in store for me.

~Spring 2016 * photo by Suzanne

While I was thinking and planning where to start my fall cleanup, I wondered, "Just exactly where did the Iris come from in the beginning?"  I grew up with Iris plants in Kansas-my parents had them placed in groups strategically throughout a terrace that faced the street.  Not much else would grow there, but the Iris of various colors always made an appearance in the Spring.

With a little bit of research, I did find a few answers.  It appears as though the Syrian landscapes were generously endowed with Iris way back in the 1400's.   In 1479, King Thutmose III of Egypt, conquered Syria, and, upon discovering the Iris, decided that the plant should be immortalized in Egyptian drawings as symbols of the renewal of life.  Being a gardener himself, King Thutmose III took Iris and various other plants back to Egypt from Syria for their gardens.

Locating a picture of Iris engravings on King Thutmose III tombs and monuments was difficult, however, I was able to find this carving of the Kings' Botanical garden, Festival Hall, Karnek.


~Thutmose Botanical garden relief

Hence, we move all these years forward, and, the Iris still survives, having traveled miles from home, and, into our society!


~photo by Suzanne, April 9, 2016

Okay, now we're back!  Throughout the summer months, the Iris leaves can turn brown, but they don't die back.  They just look bad!

Here is my self made video, Part 1, from a few years ago (actually November 2011) of a small flower bed makeover.  In this video, I clean out the area, and freshen it up by mixing top soil and potting mix.   Potting mix is not dense, and, when mixed with top soil or any other potting soil, it helps keep the soil airy.  In addition, it adds nutrients to keep your plants healthy.

Watch what I do next.  And, please excuse my stutterings...I'm shy and I actually filmed this video with one hand, while I worked with the other! It is a little over 12 minutes long...you can probably skip 6 minutes of it, and jump to where the Iris are planted.

* I hope you were able to watch my video-hilarious, wasn't it?  But...it does give you an idea of how you can plan and easily put a small flower bed together that will be pretty and easy to maintain.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!
 The following Spring brought beautiful, rich color to this small garden!  It just turns out that all of the Iris in this bed are snow white.
My little grandson was only too happy to help maintain!



~small floral garden * March 2012

This was a few years ago, but, the Iris are still doing well and blooming, and I change out the bedding plants each year.  And, you can see that the Iris foliage is stout and healthy!  I will clean out again this fall, and we'll have another look see at any changes I might make.  Oh...my little grandson is a little bigger now-hopefully, he can help in a bigger way!

I am so glad you came by for a visit, and I hope you were able to view my video-yes, that crackling voice was mine!  It sounds like my son when he was 11 and his voice was changing, lol!

***

I am truly grateful for my family and friends, and would like to thank:
Google
Blogger
Yahoo images
You Tube
My little assistant, Shawn
Wikipedia
Southern Living Magazine
gardenguides.com

***
Every month I receive a copy of Southern Living Magazine.  It's a great publication, with tips and advice on home decorating, foods, travel, and gardening.

I love the 'Grumpy Gardener' section of the magazine-he's so full of it...eh, I mean, he's so full of great information on planting issues.  Below is one such issue:





Mowing Nightmare
Q.  When my son cuts the grass, he leaves clumps all over the yard, and it looks terrible!  My neighbors are ready to run me off the block.  What is he doing wrong?

A.  Don't be so hard on the guy.  Many people have sons who just hang out in the 'man cave' all day texting and playing video games-at least yours cuts the grass (albeit badly).  The reason for the clumps is either the grass is getting too high between cuttings or he's cutting it when it's wet.  Explain this to him.  You'll need to send him a text!

* Thank you 'Grumpy Gardener' for your expert advice on how to handle this situation!  We shall certainly see you again!

So, adieu, mes amis * be safe, love a lot, and laugh a lot!
See you next time! ♥

Autumn is just lite days away!

~photo by Suzanne * Fort Worth, Texas *

Autumn is well on it's way, I can almost smell the scent of fireplaces and fir trees!  As we enjoy the drum rolls and brass of the high school band during half time at our favorite football game, a strange, slow, breeze passes through the stadium on a whim!  It's a breeze that sends flirtatious leaves floating downward, showing off their hues of red and gold.

♫"Since you went away, the days grow long.
And, soon I'll hear, old winter's song." ♫
Autumn Leaves
~written by Joseph Kosma in 1945

Isn't Autumn Leaves just the greatest song?  We sang this song in my high school Glee Club, and, I  remember how lovely it sounded.  

Well, now-down to the business of the day!  The summer has been so hot and muggy...actually, it's not over yet, even tho it is September.  Needless to say, I didn't have much going on in my Summer gardens.  With my son's help, we kept some of the herbs alive, and the fern and canna lilies continued to thrive.

  One plant that returns faithfully every summer is my Umbrella plant, aka, Umbrella Palm.  See how it billows and waves around my flag?  Well, actually, this one needs to be thinned out.  Although this  plant is not deep rooted, it can be stubborn and hard to dig up.  And, when you plant them, you need only scoop out a ditch just wide enough and deep enough to lay the root in.  At first, I thought this was a shade lover, but alas, I found that the Umbrella prefers the sun.  Umbrellas die back in the winter, and I cut the palms down to the ground.  They start to peek out in early Spring, but, sometimes are too frail for the coolness that still lingers from the Winter.  Just give them a chance, tho, and, they'll continue to ease up as the sun becomes warmer.  I love to watch the Umbrellas sway in the breeze, and glisten at night under the stars and moon.

~photo by Suzanne * September 4, 2016


In my Texas garden, roses come early in the Spring. Even with the cool mornings they can bask and breathe in the warm sun.  I now only have two producing rose bushes...I don't know why!!!   I planted two new rose bushes, in the same area as the other two this past Spring, but they died early on.   Do any of you have ideas as to why I may have lost them?  One of them looked sick from the beginning to me.  I'll just have to try again this coming Spring, but, be more selective and keep health issues in mind.


~Chicago Peace Rose * photo by Suzanne
April 26, 2016


~photo by Suzanne * April 2016


~ Don't they make the prettiest cut flowers?

The white roses are called 'Garden Party'.  It is a hybrid tea rose with delicate white flowers, edged in pink, and puts off a heavenly fragrance.  I've only had this rose for a few years, and it produces more with each season.  They are so delicate, that I cut them as the buds are just thinking about opening and bring them inside to open up.  I have to confess that, originally, I only bought this rose because the name makes me think of Rick Nelson!  And, I'm glad I did!

Soon, it will be time for me to prune back these rose bushes, but, sometimes I get a few blooms in the fall, as the weather cools down.  So, I'll wait just a bit to see if that happens before I start pruning.

Well, I'll be moving along for now.  We still have planting tips and issues to discuss for fall, so I will return soon with some more Texas garden fun!

***
I haven't been around for a while, and I am currently trying to update and dust off this blog.  Oh...I won't change the design, but, I believe a few current items will give it a fresher appearance.

* Thank you so much for coming by, I hope you've had a pleasant summer, with, not too hot temperatures.  It's been pretty hot here in the Lone Star State, and I'm ready for a cool break.  If you have the time, please stop in and say hello!  Don't be shy-that's my job! ♥



"Do what you can to show you care about other people,
and, you will make our world a better place."
~Rosalynn Carter

Welcome Autumn, and, a friendly complaint!

~photo by Suzanne in Fort Worth, 

sometime early July, 2014

How are all of my blogmates doing, now that Autumn is upon us?  It is gradually cooling down here in the Lone Star State, and our State Fair opened on Friday morning.  I doubt that we'll try to fight the crowds to go, but, I'm sure it's going to be loads of fun!

I really just came by to say hello, and discuss a couple of concerns I have.  Somehow, I lost a lot of my illustrations from previous posts on this blog.  I don't know everything about 'high-tech' stuff, but, golly, what a mess some of my picture files have become.  A while back I signed on to Google +.  Now, somehow, they've zapped all of my picture files from my computer to my phone, thus taking up ample space on the phone!  And, I can't seem to get them off of the phone.  Consequently, when I tried to delete a particular folder (MyTexasGardens) from my phone, it also deleted them from my blog!  This is pretty frustrating, to say the least, and I think it will be quite a job to fix, don't you?

I just don't understand why the pics could not be deleted from my phone ONLY!  And, some of them are years old, and have no reason to be on my phone.  Is there a lesson here?

Maybe, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it?'  NAH...that's not it!  

So, for now, I'm up in the air about it! 

* Next, on my agenda is a subject no one really wants to discuss or complain about.  However, I am quite tired of the anonymous comments blowing up my emails to the tune of 6 to 12 per day!

~Anonymous~

A few every now and then can be handled, but the comments coming to this blog and Karo's Rockabilly blog are now bordering, not only on annoying, but also on harassment!  The comments do not make much sense, and are clearly of form letter content.  For the most part, these folks do not know what they're talking about!

 I have sent a complaint feedback to Blogger regarding this issue, and, have not received a response yet.   I do know there's not a lot that can be done,  I just want these comments to be reduced to a minimum.  I do appreciate that they are not immediately slammed on to our blogs, but, they are a hassle to go through and delete.

If these folks are so apt at  'so-called' constructive criticism, they need to identify themselves, or stay off of our blogs!

***
I do want to thank you all for coming by, and I hope your Autumn season is becoming quite enjoyable.  Just can't wait to see the falling leaves of red and gold, eh?  Stop and say hello if you get the chance...I love to hear from you!

*** And, remember, it is time to transplant your Iris, in order to reap a grand showing in the early spring.  Be sure to give them plenty of sun.  Cut back your Coleus and clean up your Begonias and Geraniums.  I promise they will give you some additional color during the fall months.

note:  The header photo and garden photo are mine

Thank you Yahoo images for loaning me a few images!

From my house to yours...be safe and give Love! ♥

A Visit From Our Grumpy Gardener Proves Mint Worthy!

~Grumpy Gardener from Southern Living magazine

Hello, my gracious bloggers, and, if you're new to this blog...welcome to MyTexasGardens!  Just look around, and let me know what you think!  I know that summer is coming to an end for most, but, as we all know, Texas continues to enjoy the stifling 100° just a wee bit longer than some!

 (just kidding, about the enjoying part!)

And, school has already started almost everywhere...my cute little grandson, Scootie will be starting Kindergarten this week, and, I hope he has a wonderful time!

Sooo...I brought you here today, to share some news from Southern Living's 'grumpy gardener'.  It seems as though some gardeners are having 'mint invasions'.  A reader wrote in to the 'grumpy gardener' with his dilemma about mint running rampant in the garden, engulfing hostas, daylilies, verbenas, yarrows, and black-eyed Susans.  And, when they try to pull the mint up by sections, it just bounces right back!  And, the reader asks if they need to completely clear the garden in attempt to 'de-mint' it, or would that just be 'demented'?

 

You know, I raised some mint for a few years, and, this disgruntled gardener is telling the truth!  I had it in a pot at first, and when the plant grew thicker, some of the stems broke off, and the mint started growing on the ground!  It grows everywhere it falls, almost!  And, recently, my mother in Kansas City had the same problem.  She would dig and dig, and, still-the mint would show up in and outside the garden!

What's a gardener to do?

~Looks like Mint Julep overkill to me!

* Okay, playtime is over.  Here's what the 'Grumpy Gardener' had to say on the subject.

~And, I quote:

  "You have made two serious mistakes.  First, you're wasting fresh mint on tea, when you should be using it for mint juleps and Mojitos...so disappointing!  Second, you should never, ever plant mint in a garden with other plants or it will spread faster than fleas at a flophouse.  Grow it only in pots or confined beds by itself.  To eradicate this hellacious herb, dig up all your good plants this fall, remove any traces of mint, and store the plants in pots.  Then spray the entire bed with broadleaf weedkiller.  Replant when you're sure the mint is dead.  Some sprigs of mint you missed will undoubtedly sprout next spring.  Quickly pull them up." 

Well, what do you think?  Are you willing to dig everything up as the 'Grumpy Gardener' advises, or just take your chances on pulling them up as you can?  I'm just grateful my mint finally disappeared.  And, as much as I enjoy mint in my tea, and cucumber dressing, next time I will try to confine it to one area, or one pot.  

Gosh, who'd have thought mint could be so plentiful?  I love the smell of freshly watered mint on a warm evening, as the breeze whooshes by, don't you?

***

Let me give my thanks to:

Southern Living Magazine

The Grumpy Gardener via Southern Living Magazine

yahoo images:  All photos were acquired from Yahoo Images

Google

note:  the photo of my Scootie is my own!

***  And, thank you my dearest readers for your visit!  I am so glad to see, you-rain or shine!  If you get the chance, please stop and say hello.  I know, I know, there are some shy ones out there...

...myself included, lol!  But, remember, we're among friends!

And, here's my sweetie Scootie coming out of schute #1

 -the, 'MINT SLIDE'!

~ photo by Suzanne * August 17, 2014 * Fort Worth, TX

*** If you're wondering why our outdoor summer photos of Scooter always show him in long pants and long sleeve shirts, we have so many mosquitoes, and, long sleeved clothing is one of the precautions we take to prevent mosquito bites on this precious gift of ours! ***

***  See you next time.  Be safe, give love and laughter!

I just can't pass up a funny one, can I? ♥

Land Scape Ho!

Welcome back, blogmates and neighbors to our Summer Solstice program for 2014!  It is so good to be here, and, see all of your beaming faces eager for knowledge!  I hope I'm not too late for Bermuda shorts, Coca Cola, and watermelon!  And, oh yes, are you ready for the 4th of July picnics and celebrations?  My brother was born on July 4th, and, that made for the most fun celebrations ever!  Hot dogs, cake and ice cream, and fireworks, were the catch of the day!

***

I wanted to come by and spend a little time sharing some information I recently acquired.  On the Yahoo Shine site, from HGTV Family of Sites, comes a list of 7 Landscaping Don'ts.  So, in getting right to it, here's what we can do to avoid the time, money and maintenance generated by landscaping booboos!

'Must-Not-Dos of Home Landscaping!'  

1.  Landscape Overkill-don't let landscaping overwhelm your house.  You don't want to spend your time pruning trees and shrubs that 'over-grow' to a size, forcing you to fight your way out the front door!

2.  Don't start landscaping without a plan...you can draw your own plans out, but do your homework, and plant varieties that are indigenous to your neck of the woods. It's okay to try new and exotic plantings, I've sure been guilty of that, and, sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised.  Just be sure you can access the planted area easily with water and yard maintenance equipment, allowing you to keep your garden healthy and beautiful.  Isn't it great, however, that you can go online to find garden plans from various gardening sites, and garden magazines!  There is some great advice out there!

3.  Don't plant too much of the same thing.  Try to provide a bit of variety of planting, so as to keep blooms coming throughout the seasons.  The photo below illustrates just that!  Beautiful shrub roses, aren't they?  But, tell me what happens once the blooms are gone...what is left in this area to look at?  Additionally, the space must be trimmed and cleaned after blooming season is over.  Not for me!

4.  Don't let a big lawn suck your resources.  A large area of lush grass is nice, but, it can be a glutton for your time, requiring large amounts of water and nutrients. Try to reduce the size of a large lawn with some landscape beds that are attractive and low maintenance.  May I suggest some perennial beds that re-appear over the years, and possibly some low-maintenance shrubs?

5.  Don't let ivy climb your house unless you are ready to do annual pruning.  I agree-ivy vines are lovely, but once they are established, they can cover your windows, clog your gutters, and encourage pests like termites!  OH GAG!  Who'd of thought?  Thanks, but I'll keep my ivy in a controlled pot!

6.  Don't plant trees too close to your house, meaning species that may overtake the yard or your home's proportions.  An invite for headaches and nightmares, I promise!

7.  Don't install one-dimensional planting beds.  Try to plant in layers, featuring low-growing plants such as begonias or impatiens in front of the taller plants to conceal the legginess.  You can co-ordinate your colors to offer appeal, such as red or blue salvia with silvery Lamb's ear or white impatiens bordering the front.

The raised bed below would have been served better with fewer of the tall flowers, say in a rounded formation in the center.  Then, you could probably get away with planting one color of coleus around them, or a colored plant of the same substance as coleus.  Since this is a raised bed, a very low bordering plant such as begonias, would not show up over the edge of the box.  You could border this with liriope, also known as monkey grass.  

***

And, there we have it, gracious gardeners!  Not a tall order after all, you think?  

A few things to remember:

 When planning for a bed containing various plants or flowers, find the types that compliment each other in size, color...and, do they get along and grow well together?

Sun vs. shade-Zinnias, Periwinkles, Moss Rose, and Marigolds just LOVE the sun, and lots of it!

Hosta, ferns, impatiens, violas, and purple jew can do 4 or 5 hours of sun, and then they need some filtered light shade.

Okay, okay...I'll stop!  But, do your homework, ask questions, and look it up!

Thank You:

Yahoo images

Google

http://shine.yahoo.com/at-home

***  Thank you, and, thank you so much for coming by.  I enjoy your visits, and I hope you do too. Did this presentation help answer any questions you may have?  I appreciate you and your comments!  And, as usual,  I did put in at least 2 cents, and added my own suggestions to the article, in hopes of clarifying any confusing terminology.

Our little 'Scooter' * June 8, 2014 * Fort Worth, TX

~photo by Suzanne

"Aaah, summer...that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days,

 free of responsibility, and rife with possibility.

 It's a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practice swimming strokes,

 conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends."

~Darell Hammond

*note:  all photos except the last one of our Scooter were acquired from Yahoo images.  

Be safe...give love...AND laugh a lot!

See you next time!  ♥

The Magnolia Mile!

Magnolia blossoms ~ Artist unknown to me

Well, where have you all been?  I've been right here, minding my own business, and trying to stay out of trouble, just kidding...what fun is that?  I know I haven't written in a while, but I have NOT left the building!  

Gosh, I've been taking the same route to and from work everyday (almost) for the past 21 years, and, I never know what gorgeous sites I am going to encounter!  I had no idea Magnolia trees were so prominent in this area of north Fort Worth as I have seen over the past years.  I don't have a Magnolia tree, and I don't even know why!  So,  I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to this beauteous species!

What I have learned thus far-YOU CAN'T REACH THE BLOSSOMS!  How does anyone ever get to pick a Magnolia blossom to enjoy on the veranda whilst sipping a cool mint julep?  

"Oh, Ashley!"

~photo by Suzanne * Riverside Drive * Fort Worth, Texas * June 2013

Okay, we know this...Magnolia trees come in many sizes, the largest being the Southern Magnolia, growing to 80 feet, and the Cucumbertree Magnolia, also hailing from the US, at 90 feet tall.  I've seen these large beauties in front yards, and, adorning a vacant lot here and there in town.  They are actually native to the eastern half of the nation, with only the cucumbertree thriving as far north as New York State.  And, the Southern Magnolia has the largest range, from North Carolina, through the upper half of Florida...then, westward HO into Texas!

~photo by Suzanne * Rayner Street *  Fort Worth, Texas * June 4, 2014
This photo is out of focus (I guess it's the photographer, lol!)
But notice how large it is...and just full of blooms!
And, I had to hurry...I didn't want to get arrested for sneaking into a strange neighborhood to shoot pics of a tree?  Sure, they would really believe that,wouldn't they!

As we are all aware, it is rumored that these trees have reputations for attractive flowers and fine foliage.  I do know that some of them are evergreen.  Most of the larger Magnolia trees in my area stay leafy all year round, however, I have seen some of them turn brown.  Some of the leaves will fall and accumulate under the tree, leaving little chance for anything else to grow beneath it.  Magnolias are well noted as one of the premier shade and landscaping trees in the Deep South-the blooms being the official state flower for both Mississippi (nicknamed 'the Magnolia State') and Louisiana.

~ photo by Suzanne * Beach and I-121 * Fort Worth, TX

Some uses of Magnolia Trees:
* magnolias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species,
including Giant Leopard Moth.
* the bark and flower buds have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.
* In parts of Japan, the leaves of Magnolia are used for wrapping food
and as cooking dishes.

~photo by Suzanne * Higgins Street * Fort Worth, TX * May 2014

As you can see here, Magnolia blossoms grow at the end of a tree's branches.  And, it looks to me as though they kind of tuck themselves in which would make them hard to cut.  Also, I want to mention that Magnolia trees may feature pink, red, purple and yellow blooms.  They seldom have pest or disease problems, and, aren't usually munched on by deer-well, THAT'S refreshing!

~photo by Suzanne on Higgins Street * Fort Worth, TX in May 2014

See how the sunlight lends a soft glow to this bloom?  If you look upward to the right, you can see a new bud, and then, on the left up a ways behind a smaller, sunlit leaf, appears the fruit of the Mag...is it okay at this point to call it a 'Mag'?

~ photo from Yahoo images

Here's a closer look at an unripened 'Mag' fruit.  As it ripens, the fruit kernels turn a bright chartreuse reddish.  Darn!  I didn't know that, because I haven't seen any red fruit on the trees in my area.  The kernels are high in water content, and a good food source for birds.  The kernels are actually the seeds, and start popping out as they ripen, however,  only about 50%  of them germinate, so, good luck on getting a 'Mag' tree to start successfully!  My research suggests that it takes about 10 years or more for a 'Mag' tree to start producing blooms and seeds.  I have come across some smaller 'Mag' trees in the area, but, haven't gotten any photos of them-I do look for blooms, and, I guess the information is correct.  After watching a few of the small trees during the past few years, I have yet to see any blooms appear.

~ripened Magnolia seeds * photo from Yahoo images

Sooo...are we at a 'wrap- it-up' point?

 Here are just a few 'Mag' tips:

* Pick the site for your 'Mag' carefully...don't crowd it.  These trees are hard to move, so find a spot with rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, and add organic matter when planting.

* Mulch in the early years with a cooling mulch over the root area.

* Water deeply and thoroughly, but, don't leave the soil waterlogged, or the tree will drown.

*Sometimes the 'Mags' can develop 'chlorosis' (yellow leaves with veins), and you should treat with iron chelates.   Okay, here's what that kinda means!  Iron chelate is a soluable complex of iron, sodium and a chelating agent, which I cannot begin to pronounce-but it's soluable in water.  Sheesh!

* If your 'Mag' is desiduous ( the leaves fall seasonally), pruning is best after it blooms, however, it is suggested to prune desiduous trees only when necessary to correct the plant's shape, as the cuts are slow to heal.  On evergreen 'Mags', prune before the spring growth flush, removing the entire twig or limb to its base.  You can remove lower limbs from the trunk as the tree gains height.

  ~photo by Suzanne * Beach Street * Fort Worth, TX * May 30, 2014

Questions anyone?
  Gosh...I hope not!  I think I will continue to admire this gracious species whilst driving through town,
 and let the experts handle the 'Maintenance of the Mags'!

Please allow me to thank:
Yahoo
Google
http://southernliving.com
http://backyardnature.net
http://www.ehow.com/info
 http://allyeargarden.com
http://www.gardenguides.com
wikipedia

Thank you so much for your visit.  I love seeing you all, or, y'all, as we say here in the Lone Star State.  I hope you're doing well, and laughing a lot.  We have gotten some rain lately, and the temps are hovering in the high 80's and low 90's right now.  It's tolerable, but, we've got to run that air conditioning frequently.

*** 
And I want to tip my hat to you dads tonight.  Even if you don't have children of your own, I'll bet you've been a dad to a child at sometime in your life by just giving of yourself.  Being a mentor, tossing a ball back and forth, congratulating a child on a job well done, defines a dad in my book!

Happy Father's Day to you guys!

And now...

~ Somewhere in the early 1970's

"Sit with me in the top of a Magnolia tree.
Tell me all your secrets, darlin...tell me that you'll stay."
~from Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors

Love and Hugs to you all...be safe, eat sugar-free popsicles!
See you soon!  ♥