UConn Home & Garden Education Center Knowledge to Grow On! www.ladybug.uconn.edu Like us on Facebook! FEBRUARY IS FOR CT FLOWER SHOW, FICUS, & FRUIT WORKSHOPS Hello Fellow Gardeners! You are receiving this email because you have provided us with your email address either when subscribing to our quarterly newsletter, having your soil analyzed, or testing the horticultural prowess and investigative abilities of our incredibly well-versed staff at the UConn Home & Garden Education Center! Or, we just might have thought you would enjoy this e-newsletter. If you do not wish to receive our monthly email updates on gardening tips, pest problems, events and other information, please email us at [email protected]and ask to be removed from this list. Pest Patrol/Current Concerns/Topics of Interest: UConn Home & Garden Center booth by DMP Snowflake ficus from www.glasshouseworks.com Winter Damage on Juniper by Pamm Cooper Come Visit Our Booth at the CT Flower & Garden Show From February 23 through 26, horticulturists from UConn Home & Garden Education Center will be staffing a booth at the CT Flower & Garden Show. Free soil pH testing will be offered by the UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Lab. Both Center staff and UConn Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Stop by with your queries or quandaries. Pick up a few fact sheets. Sign up for one of our newsletters. Put your name on a list for next year’s Master Gardener Program. http://ctflowershow.com/ Snowflake Ficus is not Finicky A delightful houseplant grown for its attractive white-edged leaves, ‘Snowflake’ ficus is great for smaller spaces, container gardens or terrariums. ‘Snowflake’ has a trailing or creeping habit and can also be grown in a hanging basket or over a moss-covered topiary. This plant is easy to grow. Just provide bright
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UConn Home amp Garden Education Center
Knowledge to Grow On wwwladybuguconnedu
Like us on Facebook
FEBRUARY IS FOR CT FLOWER SHOW FICUS amp FRUIT WORKSHOPS Hello Fellow Gardeners You are receiving this email because you have provided us with your email address either when
subscribing to our quarterly newsletter having your soil analyzed or testing the horticultural prowess and investigative
abilities of our incredibly well-versed staff at the UConn Home amp Garden Education Center Or we just might have thought
you would enjoy this e-newsletter If you do not wish to receive our monthly email updates on gardening tips pest problems
events and other information please email us at ladybuguconnedu and ask to be removed from this list
Pest PatrolCurrent ConcernsTopics of Interest
UConn Home amp Garden Center booth by DMP Snowflake ficus from wwwglasshouseworkscom Winter Damage on Juniper by Pamm Cooper
Come Visit Our Booth at the CT Flower amp Garden Show From February 23 through 26 horticulturists from UConn Home amp Garden Education Center will be
staffing a booth at the CT Flower amp Garden Show Free soil pH testing will be offered by the UConn Soil
Nutrient Analysis Lab Both Center staff and UConn Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your
gardening questions Stop by with your queries or quandaries Pick up a few fact sheets Sign up for one
of our newsletters Put your name on a list for next yearrsquos Master Gardener Program
httpctflowershowcom
Snowflake Ficus is not Finicky A delightful houseplant grown for its attractive white-edged leaves lsquoSnowflakersquo ficus is great for smaller
spaces container gardens or terrariums lsquoSnowflakersquo has a trailing or creeping habit and can also be
grown in a hanging basket or over a moss-covered topiary This plant is easy to grow Just provide bright
indirect light and keep the potting mix lightly moistened Prune as needed and allow plant to become
slightly potbound
Fluctuating Temperatures Could Lead to Winter Injury These past few weeks have seen temperatures go up and down A day close to or above 40degF sounds good
to us but our plants would do best if temperatures stayed on the colder side for the duration of the winter
Most of us remember last yearrsquos drastic temperature decline over Valentinersquos Day weekend that damaged
the flower buds on many plants including peaches and azaleas Lack of snow cover and fluctuating
temperatures cause perennials to heave out of the ground When soils are frozen and air temperatures rise
the broad-leaved and needle-leaved evergreens can start to photosynthesize and transpire No water can be
taken up through frozen soils or frozen stems desiccation occurs and needles or leaves will eventually
turn brown
Other items that the Center is getting calls or emails on include vole tunnels in lawns starting seeds soil
testing leaf-footed plant bugs wilting houseplants and deicing salts If you have specific questions
gardening queries or pest problems check out our website wwwladybuguconnedu call the UConn
Home amp Garden Education Center (877) 486-6271 (toll-free in CT) or email us at ladybuguconnedu
Your County Cooperative Extension Centers are also listed on the website
Ten Tips for the February Gardener 1 Visit our booth at the 2017 CT Flower and Garden Show February 23rd-26th in Hartford Bring frac12 cup
of soil for a free pH test and your garden questions for free advice
2 Check for tan gypsy moth egg masses on tree trunks and branches Scrape or brush off and destroy
3 Provide houseplants with increased humidity mist often or place plants over a tray of moist pebbles
4 Turn the compost pile during any stretches of mild weather
5 To control bagworm on shrubs and trees look for the small stick-covered bags and remove by hand
6 A good indoor project is building a birdhouse Be sure to place the finished birdhouse at least six feet
from the ground to keep cats raccoons and other predators away
7 Prune grape vines at the end of the month
8 Planning to grow your own fruit Now is the time to order bare-root fruit trees
9 Contact your local garden club for a list of upcoming programs or sign up for a workshop lecture or
course at your local garden center
10 Purchase seed flats containers and peat pellets Check your cold frame for needed repairs Finish up
your seed order if you havent done so already
Events ProgramsSave the Dates February 23 ndash 26 2017 ndash CT Flower and Garden Show Woodland Enchantment Bring your garden
questions to be answered by UConn Home amp Garden Education Center horticulturists and Master
Gardener volunteers Bring frac12 cup of soil for a free pH test by UConn Soil Testing Lab staff Collect your
samples now
February 10 24 amp March 10 Greenhouse Fridays Join Professor Terry Webster for a tour of the
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Greenhouses located behind the Torrey Life Sciences Building on
North Eagleville Road Tour begins at 1215 pm and runs for approximately one hour Each tour will
feature a different part of the greenhouse collection which contains some 3000 plant species from around
the world including rare and endangered species Parking is available in the North Parking Garage (North
Eagleville Road fee charged) No fee or registration required for the tour For more information contact
Terry Webster at jtwebster95charternet
February 16 amp 23 March 9 2017 ndash Fruit Workshop I Pests amp Diseases of Small Fruits February
16th at Litchfield County Extension Center Torrington February 23rd at Middlesex County Extension
Center Haddam and March 9th at Windham County Extension Center in Brooklyn Review of common
and important problems of grape strawberry blueberry brambles currants amp gooseberries Target
audience is farmers all are welcome More info httpplantlabuconneduworkshops or contact Joan
Allen joanallenuconnedu or 860-486-6740 Mary Concklin maryconcklinuconnedu or 860-486-
March 11-12 2017 ndash CT NOFA Winter Conference Western CT State University Danbury CT CT NOFArsquos Annual Winter Conference is the premier event where farmers landscapers foodies gardeners and community leaders convene to learn innovative practices share ideas and network with others httpctnofaorgwinterconference
March 13 2017 ndash Annual Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources University of Connecticut
Laurel Hall Storrs campus This is a multidisciplinary conference bringing together individuals working
with natural resources and environmental management in Connecticut to share research information and
ideas The Conference registration is $50 ($25 students) and includes refreshments and lunch voucher For
information and updates and to register please visit the conference website httpccnr2017weeblycom
March 18 2017 ndash CT Master Gardener Annual Symposium ndash Landscape by Design or Not
Connecticut College New London CT Featuring keynote speakers Julie Moir Messervy and Bill Cullina
Breakout sessions vendors lunch included Registration required $65 members$85 non-members More
information at wwwctmgaorg
March 26 2017 ndash March Mushroom Madness Sessions Woods Burlington CT 930 am Join the
Connecticut Valley Mycological Societyrsquos Annual Meeting for a free program on mushrooms
UCONN SUSTAINABLE LIVING WEBSITE wwwsustainablelivinguconnedu
UCONN EXTENSION WEBSITE wwwextensionuconnedu
UCONN FOOD SAFETY WEBSITE wwwfoodsafetyuconnedu
Granny Florals Are In
So says Jessica DeGraaf of Proven Winners with whom we did a trends webinar earlier this week (Click
HERE for the archive) In the webinar Jessica mentioned something she called ldquogranny floralsrdquo Huh I
had to look it up Turns out itrsquos those big lush old-fashioned floral upholstery prints your grandmother
might have had on a settee or love seat in her front parlor
Herersquos a piece on the trend from Stylecaster
And another from SAIDcom
Personally Irsquove always enjoyed the look especially when itrsquos big bold and colorful One of my personal
favorite granny florals (maybe its a sub-trend) is tropical foliage lush and green against a crisp white
wall trim or sofa Such as this classic Brazilliance wallpaper
I guess fashion-forward designers are finally catching on to what wersquove always known Flowers and
foliage are hot
From GrowerTalks Acres Online 1-13-17 Acres Online newslettersballpublishingcom
We Need Your Support If you do enjoy our efforts to keep you informed about horticultural and College-related items please
consider showing your support by liking us on Facebook httpswwwfacebookcompagesUConn-Home-
Garden-Center136211899745967 checking out our weekly blog wwwuconnladybugwordpresscom or
subscribing to our printed 20-page quarterly newsletter for $12year or sign up for free email version Find
the subscription form at httpwwwladybuguconnedusubscribe-to-hg-newsphp
February 2017 DMP
indirect light and keep the potting mix lightly moistened Prune as needed and allow plant to become
slightly potbound
Fluctuating Temperatures Could Lead to Winter Injury These past few weeks have seen temperatures go up and down A day close to or above 40degF sounds good
to us but our plants would do best if temperatures stayed on the colder side for the duration of the winter
Most of us remember last yearrsquos drastic temperature decline over Valentinersquos Day weekend that damaged
the flower buds on many plants including peaches and azaleas Lack of snow cover and fluctuating
temperatures cause perennials to heave out of the ground When soils are frozen and air temperatures rise
the broad-leaved and needle-leaved evergreens can start to photosynthesize and transpire No water can be
taken up through frozen soils or frozen stems desiccation occurs and needles or leaves will eventually
turn brown
Other items that the Center is getting calls or emails on include vole tunnels in lawns starting seeds soil
testing leaf-footed plant bugs wilting houseplants and deicing salts If you have specific questions
gardening queries or pest problems check out our website wwwladybuguconnedu call the UConn
Home amp Garden Education Center (877) 486-6271 (toll-free in CT) or email us at ladybuguconnedu
Your County Cooperative Extension Centers are also listed on the website
Ten Tips for the February Gardener 1 Visit our booth at the 2017 CT Flower and Garden Show February 23rd-26th in Hartford Bring frac12 cup
of soil for a free pH test and your garden questions for free advice
2 Check for tan gypsy moth egg masses on tree trunks and branches Scrape or brush off and destroy
3 Provide houseplants with increased humidity mist often or place plants over a tray of moist pebbles
4 Turn the compost pile during any stretches of mild weather
5 To control bagworm on shrubs and trees look for the small stick-covered bags and remove by hand
6 A good indoor project is building a birdhouse Be sure to place the finished birdhouse at least six feet
from the ground to keep cats raccoons and other predators away
7 Prune grape vines at the end of the month
8 Planning to grow your own fruit Now is the time to order bare-root fruit trees
9 Contact your local garden club for a list of upcoming programs or sign up for a workshop lecture or
course at your local garden center
10 Purchase seed flats containers and peat pellets Check your cold frame for needed repairs Finish up
your seed order if you havent done so already
Events ProgramsSave the Dates February 23 ndash 26 2017 ndash CT Flower and Garden Show Woodland Enchantment Bring your garden
questions to be answered by UConn Home amp Garden Education Center horticulturists and Master
Gardener volunteers Bring frac12 cup of soil for a free pH test by UConn Soil Testing Lab staff Collect your
samples now
February 10 24 amp March 10 Greenhouse Fridays Join Professor Terry Webster for a tour of the
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Greenhouses located behind the Torrey Life Sciences Building on
North Eagleville Road Tour begins at 1215 pm and runs for approximately one hour Each tour will
feature a different part of the greenhouse collection which contains some 3000 plant species from around
the world including rare and endangered species Parking is available in the North Parking Garage (North
Eagleville Road fee charged) No fee or registration required for the tour For more information contact
Terry Webster at jtwebster95charternet
February 16 amp 23 March 9 2017 ndash Fruit Workshop I Pests amp Diseases of Small Fruits February
16th at Litchfield County Extension Center Torrington February 23rd at Middlesex County Extension
Center Haddam and March 9th at Windham County Extension Center in Brooklyn Review of common
and important problems of grape strawberry blueberry brambles currants amp gooseberries Target
audience is farmers all are welcome More info httpplantlabuconneduworkshops or contact Joan
Allen joanallenuconnedu or 860-486-6740 Mary Concklin maryconcklinuconnedu or 860-486-
March 11-12 2017 ndash CT NOFA Winter Conference Western CT State University Danbury CT CT NOFArsquos Annual Winter Conference is the premier event where farmers landscapers foodies gardeners and community leaders convene to learn innovative practices share ideas and network with others httpctnofaorgwinterconference
March 13 2017 ndash Annual Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources University of Connecticut
Laurel Hall Storrs campus This is a multidisciplinary conference bringing together individuals working
with natural resources and environmental management in Connecticut to share research information and
ideas The Conference registration is $50 ($25 students) and includes refreshments and lunch voucher For
information and updates and to register please visit the conference website httpccnr2017weeblycom
March 18 2017 ndash CT Master Gardener Annual Symposium ndash Landscape by Design or Not
Connecticut College New London CT Featuring keynote speakers Julie Moir Messervy and Bill Cullina
Breakout sessions vendors lunch included Registration required $65 members$85 non-members More
information at wwwctmgaorg
March 26 2017 ndash March Mushroom Madness Sessions Woods Burlington CT 930 am Join the
Connecticut Valley Mycological Societyrsquos Annual Meeting for a free program on mushrooms
March 11-12 2017 ndash CT NOFA Winter Conference Western CT State University Danbury CT CT NOFArsquos Annual Winter Conference is the premier event where farmers landscapers foodies gardeners and community leaders convene to learn innovative practices share ideas and network with others httpctnofaorgwinterconference
March 13 2017 ndash Annual Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources University of Connecticut
Laurel Hall Storrs campus This is a multidisciplinary conference bringing together individuals working
with natural resources and environmental management in Connecticut to share research information and
ideas The Conference registration is $50 ($25 students) and includes refreshments and lunch voucher For
information and updates and to register please visit the conference website httpccnr2017weeblycom
March 18 2017 ndash CT Master Gardener Annual Symposium ndash Landscape by Design or Not
Connecticut College New London CT Featuring keynote speakers Julie Moir Messervy and Bill Cullina
Breakout sessions vendors lunch included Registration required $65 members$85 non-members More
information at wwwctmgaorg
March 26 2017 ndash March Mushroom Madness Sessions Woods Burlington CT 930 am Join the
Connecticut Valley Mycological Societyrsquos Annual Meeting for a free program on mushrooms
March 11-12 2017 ndash CT NOFA Winter Conference Western CT State University Danbury CT CT NOFArsquos Annual Winter Conference is the premier event where farmers landscapers foodies gardeners and community leaders convene to learn innovative practices share ideas and network with others httpctnofaorgwinterconference
March 13 2017 ndash Annual Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources University of Connecticut
Laurel Hall Storrs campus This is a multidisciplinary conference bringing together individuals working
with natural resources and environmental management in Connecticut to share research information and
ideas The Conference registration is $50 ($25 students) and includes refreshments and lunch voucher For
information and updates and to register please visit the conference website httpccnr2017weeblycom
March 18 2017 ndash CT Master Gardener Annual Symposium ndash Landscape by Design or Not
Connecticut College New London CT Featuring keynote speakers Julie Moir Messervy and Bill Cullina
Breakout sessions vendors lunch included Registration required $65 members$85 non-members More
information at wwwctmgaorg
March 26 2017 ndash March Mushroom Madness Sessions Woods Burlington CT 930 am Join the
Connecticut Valley Mycological Societyrsquos Annual Meeting for a free program on mushrooms