Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
4/1/02
Contacts:
James Romer, Horticulture, (515) 294-2336, jromer@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning April 5, 2002
Spring Ahead with Dr. Grow-It-All
By James Romer
Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University
Dear Dr. Grow-It-All,
Last year the vegetables in my garden grew poorly and produced a smaller
crop than in previous years. I am not sure what the cause was, but I want
to get my soil tested. My neighbor mentioned that Iowa State University
has soil testing kits available. Is that true, or is there another method
for testing soil? If I can work the soil, would this be a good time to
take a sample and send it in?
Desperate in Des Moines
Dear Desperate:
Iowa State University does have a soil and plant analysis laboratory.
This facility provides soil fertility analyses for gardeners and farmers
alike. However, the soil testing lab does not have soil testing kits.
Tests performed provide information about soil pH and nutrient availability
for plants. Based on the soil test results, horticultural recommendations
are given for vegetable or flower gardens, lawns, small fruits, tree fruit
and shade tree and shrubs. Now is a great time to take a soil sample if
the ground is workable. Soil sample bags and directions on how to take
soil samples are available at your local county extension office.
Dear Dr. Grow-It-All,
Recently, my great aunt passed away. Being the plant lover in the family,
I inherited a very unusual specimen. I'm not sure what type of plant it
is. I can't seem to find any roots and the top part has leaf-like structures,
which resemble antlers. The base is round and appears to be connected
right to the antler foliage. I would really like to save this plant, but
I don't know what to do.
Bereaved in Buck Grove
Dear Bereaved:
What I believe you have is a Staghorn Fern, which is unusual and challenging
to grow. The fern has two types of fronds. One is branched resembling
a horn or antler giving the fern its name, while the other forms a circular
collar around the base of the branched fronds. Plants can be mounted on
a piece of cork, bark or hardwood such as oak, maple and elm. Fasten the
round basal fronds onto the slab with wire or crisscrossing fishing line.
Place moist sphagnum moss, Spanish moss, peat moss, oak leaves or combination
thereof between the plant and the wood slab. The plant needs to be kept
moderately moist. Soak the lower portion of the plant in water for 15
minutes every month to help achieve a moist condition. Ideal temperatures
range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dear Dr. Grow-It-All,
My neighbor invited me over for a party. While I was there, I noticed
this strange aroma emanating from their backroom. The odor was that of
rotting meat. I wondered out loud if their refrigerator needed to be fixed.
Dr. Grow-It-All if you know me, then you would realize that I just can't
leave well enough alone. So, in the middle of a heated game of charades,
I excused myself and headed down the hallway. I held my breath as I peered
into the room. What I saw was unbelievable! Sitting on the floor was this
tuber-like structure with a huge flower set atop a long pink and gray
speckled stem. I am not able to give you any further details as it was
my turn to participate. Do you know what that plant was and its growing
requirements?
Cursed in Curlew
Dear Cursed:
Are you sure it was the flower with the offending fragrance or a dead
mouse? No, I'm sure the odor did originate from one of the most fascinating
plants in the world, Amorphophallus or the voodoo lily. Native
to Asia, plants in this genus are treated as tender perennials in this
part of the Midwest, but in slightly warmer climates (zone 6 to 10) voodoo
lilies are perennials. The largest flower in the world, Amorphophallus
titanium, comes from this unique group of aroids. I recommend trying
another voodoo lily Amorphophallus konjac. During the growing season,
one giant divided leaf will emerge atop a stalk up to six feet tall. After
the leaf withers or a frost hits, dig the corm-like structure removing
any loose soil. The unique aspect of A. konjac is that you can
store the corm-like structure on a shelf. Around the end of January, a
flower stalk will begin to elongate from the same location as the leaf
stalk originated. For a bloom to occur, the corm-like structure should
be the size of a softball or larger. Yes, the bloom will have a strong
odor; this attracts flies to aid in pollination. If left on, the flower
will eventually start to wither. Remove the old bloom, but let the stalk
dry before removing. The corm-like structure will then rest before producing
a leaf bud. Planting should be done in late spring after ground temperatures
have reached at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the structure so that
the top is five to seven inches below the soil surface.
-30-
ml: isugarden
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