PBS Forum

Many years ago, I worked for a seed company that had a field of the orange Bird of Paradise growing. During flowering season, we would hand pollinate the flowers, which was a fairly slimy experience due to the plant's heavy nectar production.  I don't remember exactly how we did it, but it was simple, relatively crude, and quite effective in producing seed. Also pretty messy! I would expect that S. regina pollination would be similar.

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. 

I'm wondering if you could put the fresh Trillium seeds in some sort of wire mesh with holes just smaller than the seeds, but big enough for ants to gain access.  Then, sit back and let the ants do the work of removing the elaisomes.  Will have to try this once I move near family in Northern California. 

Reading this thread and saw various comments about creosote.  Here in the western US, we have a widespread desert plant, Larrea tridentata, commonly called creosote due to the pungent smell of the resins deposited on its leaves.  I find it really wonderful after a rain.  Extracts from this plant are used in shampoos and soaps. I can't imagine anyone thinking the other kind of creosote would be a suitable shampoo ingredient!

Quote from: David Pilling on July 22, 2023, 04:10:42 PMAlan Titchmarsh warns of garden trend he 'hates' that will be 'catastrophic' for wildlife

Despite the growing need and popularity of rewilding and eco-friendly gardening, well-known gardener Alan Titchmarsh has warned against embracing the trend, arguing that it could pose a risk to wildlife and reduce biodiversity.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/1791839/alan-titchmarsh-garden-trend-warning

Native shrubs and trees are especially important to birds. All of the smaller birds, even insectivorous ones, feed their young caterpillars. Native plants support large and diverse populations of caterpillars; ornamentals are more like supermarkets with bare shelves in the baby food isle.  That being said, the world is full of interesting and wonderful plants that are a delight to have in one's garden.  It's nice to have both native and non-native.

I pull shade cloth over my greenhouse by tying a rope to one end, throwing the rope over the greenhouse and then pulling it over.  Once I get that end of the cloth to the other side, I untie and spread, using a long pole if needed.  The cloth is then adjusted and secured to the greenhouse by way of ropes through the grommets.  My shade cloth is some I purchased for my graduate research some forty years ago. I'm amazed it's still in decent condition.