Homeowner Forum / Lawn and Garden / December 2008

I am sending best wishes to you all during this holiday season.  With so
many stresses in the world, cultivation of our orchids can point to
directions and attitudes that could benefit society as a whole.  If only we
could learn the lessons nature has to teach us!

My first attempt at growing vegatables in a small greenhouse, 8x10,
was a complete disaster.  Nothing to show for it at all last year.
With a new year coming up I would like to start with a clean slate and
do it right.  Can someone direct me to a book or a website that has

Hello,,
I was given a thai pepper plant by a friend.  I've had it for about
month now and everything was going great.  New peppers growing an
leaves abondant.  A couple of days ago,  I notice that aphids starte

I am working on writing articles for associations..Please review and
comment.
Mulch, Trees and Woody Shrubs
About Mulch

Has anyone successfully brought a pepper plant in for the Winter?  I
brought one of ours, a jalapeno, in just a day before we got our killing
frost last week.  It is transplanted into a 4 gallon bucket near a south
facing kitchen window.  I think it needs to re-establish its root ...

I am a computer scientist who has a deep passion for orchids.  My
parents grew several orchids where I grew up (Thailand), way back in
the 60's.   Our fence at the front part of the property lined with 8-9
feet long poles covered with coconut husk and grew Vanda on them.

I have had the strimmer for 3 years and it has always started wel
however despite following the instructions carefully the cutting nylo
line never feeds out. Once the exposed length has been used up the lin
inside the spool has either fused with itself or totally jammed so tha

Happy Yuletide Season to everyone.
The worst is over. The days are waxing again. Soon gardens of 2009
will be germinating and once more we will be thrust into the  
mystery of life. Use the time to prepare. Rest, read, and plan

Dear Orchid Friends,
From all of us at the Akerne Orchids Team we wish you a very happy,
healthy 2009 for you, your family and your plants of course !
In 2009 Akerne Orchids exists 30 years, we will celebrate this

Interestingly Dave's Garden site lists 6 places where this item is
available.  However, the first and last listed, Bulbmeister and WillowCreek
say NO, and of the rest, Logees has the tiny one for 8 dollars, and I will
try Buried 'Treasures on Friday.

Letter in the Scotsman
With regard to your report "Scandal as raptor killers beat justice"
(28 December) I find the RSPB's position extremely hypocritical.
The society makes a great play about raptors being killed but

I have been looking for an Amazon Lily for some time, and am unable to find
one.  Can anyone steer me to one or sell me some of theirs?
Jackie

I love slugs and snails, they are so tasty.I do also eat frogs and
larvae, they are almost as tasty as beetles.
Which living things in your garden do you eat???

Nice to be home but returning with a query.  In a small public park in
Devonport near Auckland, NZ, we saw a tree that is entirely new to us called
(I think) Morton Bay fig.  This seems to be Ficus macrophylla but is this
the same tree?  Can any Kiwis confirm that ID?  We were told ...

Hi Sheila,
Just to let you know that my Agapanthus seeds have germinated - they came up
about 3 days ago.  They're still very tiny, but look strong.  I'll pot them
on in a week or so, when there's enough plant to handle.  I saw your text to