Good day, gardeners! I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and well. Here's some valuable things I want to share with you to help you grow.
A friendly reminder that my first Botanic Bootcamp session Success with Seed Sowing is $29 (40% off through February 20)! In this session, you'll learn about the science of seed germination and practical strategies you can employ to germinate better! Here's an excerpt from the session on why we propagate from seed in the first place.
Mt. Cuba Center released their Amsonia (bluestar) report. It's chocked full of great information on selections in the genus.
I had fun speaking to the Memphis Master Gardeners this weekend alongside Jason Powell of Petals from the Past. He was selling plants, and I was thrilled that he had Fothergilla milleri 'Redneck Nation' (dwarf witch-alder) available. Research a few years ago demonstrated that a new species of Fothergilla occurred in the deep south in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. This selection comes from that southern genetics, and I'm hopeful for it having better heat tolerance for me in east Texas. Michael Dirr shared a few years ago in an article on Fothergilla that it was a great performer.
Researchers in HortTechnology studied seven different types of organic potting substrates and their influence on tomato seedling emergence and later growth. They often contain higher nutrient levels due to compost, which can burn seedlings but later help plant growth. Seed Catapult from Ohio Earth Food was one of the best for both seedling emergence and later growth.
As always, thanks for welcoming me into your inbox each week to share what I’m learning about plants.
Cheers, and keep growing!
Dr. Jared