May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 1

President’s Message - Linda Edser

“Gardens are not made by saying oh how beautiful and sitting in the shade”. Rudyard Kipling

Firstly, I would like to thank Carol Taylor once again who has done a tremendous job with regard to our sale of Natures Gold. Thank you Carol.

I would like to thank Alicja Paradzik and Jill Reid for offering to Co-Chair the Kelowna Garden Club Annual Plant Sale on April 27, 2013. As you enjoy the sale, please look around at the many volunteers that are helping out to make the sale such a success. Not only are they making a significant contribution to our club, but also they are enjoying and having fun in the process.

This is a regular year of transition for our club. The Kelowna Garden Club Executive changes every two years. The current term is finished at the end of 2013 and in November a new Executive will be elected.

I joined the Executive of the Kelowna Garden Club because I hoped to contribute to our club’s vibrancy and continuing evolution. It has been a very rewarding time for me. Members of our club selected to serve as members of the Executive are so privileged - they have a direct hand in making our club as good as it can be. Their contribution of a little time and vision provides benefit for all of our members and directly influences the success of the club.

Clubs like ours are alive because of the contribution of their volunteers. Executive members bring a wide range of skills including gardening and horticultural knowledge, business skills, training and education, communication, committee experience, leadership, etc. Now is the time for you to think about how you can contribute as a volunteer. Each one of us has a talent or skill that has great value – please think about how you would like to get involved.

I have asked each of the members of the current Executive to advise by the end of May, if they will let their name stand once again. Our Constitution provides that all positions will be for a two-year term and directors may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in any one office.

Alicja Paradzik will head the 2014 - 2015 Kelowna Garden Club Search Committee Please contact her directly if you wish to let your name stand or if you wish to nominate someone for a position. Do think about how you can help - it is a great way to get to know the wonderful people who belong to our club, have fun and learn. Happy Gardening!

Althaea-Marsh Mallow Althea was the wife of Oineus, King of Kalydona. When her son, Meleager, turned seven days old, the goddesses of Destiny visited her and told her that her baby would die if the torch that was lighted in the house at the moment was burned down to the end. Immediately, Althea put out the torch and hid it in a chest. Meleager grew up and became a famous hero.

New Meeting Day

First Wednesday of the

month

New Meeting Place 4091 Lakeshore Road link to map

(corner Lequime)

Doors open 6:30

Meeting 7.30

Guest Speakers

May 1st: “An Evening and Special Time” with Don Burnett

June 5th: “Learning about Bugs and Garden Health” Hugh

Philip, our very own Integrated Pest Management consultant.

Door Prizes, Parlour Show Refresments

June 12th: Special Speaker Ted Baker of the BC Iris

Society, “The Irresistible Iris” This special night will be

held at the Senior Centre on Richter (Fuller and Richter) at 7pm. KGC members will have free admission with

membership card presented Open to the public.

Out of courtesy to our speakers and fellow garden club members,

please silence cell phones and pagers during garden

club meetings. Thank you.

www.kelownagardenclub.ca click for link

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 2

Do you have garden related items you would like to sell or trade?

Ads are free to KGC members. Please contact editor at rose-

marybotner@gmail.com or call 250-769-2836 *HELP WANTED SUBMITTED BY Paulina Ferweda pferweda@yahoo.com

If you have some spare time and love to garden, the First United Church on the corner of Richter/Bernard is in need of someone to look after their small flower beds and some general garden maintenance which would be very much appreciated. Please contact firstunited@telus.net or phone (250)762-3311. * FREE- Gro-Quick Heavy Duty Soil Warming Cable already set in a 24” x 36” box ready for propagating cuttings Call Bev Akerlund 250-764-7478

Garden club Excursion in may

Spring shopping excursion to Dogwood Nursery and Bylands Nursery on May 21. Please support some of the nurseries that are generous to the club. Sign up sheet and more info at May meeting.

KELOWNA GARDEN TOUR TICKETS FOR SALE

ON MAY 1, AT OUR KGC MEETING

A great opportunity to purchase your tickets as

soon as they are available!!

There will be a table set up for you to buy tickets for the Kelowna Garden Tour June 15, 2013

A discount of 10% will be offered to buyers who

purchase 10 or more tickets. Early Bird Tickets will be sold for $30

The Kelowna Garden Tour promises to be a great tour once again and is a treat for all garden lovers!

Don’t miss the opportunity! It’s a fun day with many extra attractions in the gardens.

The organizer will be at the sales table to answer your questions.

submitted byWilma Schellenberger, Community Liaison

Planters and More

Workshop

Using eye catching designs and interesting containers, Gillian Barany and Barbara Bowmar will provide

examples of arrangements that might be used as entries in the Potted Plant Category 3 at the Flower Show.

The presenters hope that participants will be inspired to enter the classes which include among others:

dish gardens, cacti and succulents, herbs. Plan to attend this demonstration on

May 7th at 1:30 at the home of Judy Runzer, 896 Mount Royal Drive.

Sign up by emailing gilbarany@shawa.ca or bjbowmar@gmail.com or at the May meeting.

June 22nd 11:00-3:30 at Guisachan Heritage Park For information call Judy (861-5010) or Alicja (717-0570)

www.kelownagardenclub.ca

Enjoy…by volunteering, by learning, by entering competition, winning awards, or just walking or sitting with friends!

Everyone is encouraged to submit entries.

www.kelownagardenclub.ca

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 3

June 12th: Special Speaker Ted Baker BC Iris Society

“The Irresistible Iris”

Senior Centre on Richter (Fuller and Richter) 7 pm

KGC members-free admission with membership card

Public Welcome: $5

LAKE COUNTRY GARDEN CLUB

PLANT SALE SATURDAY MAY 11TH 10AM - NOON WINFIELD SENIORS CENTRE BOTTOM LAKE ROAD

GARDEN TOUR SATURDAY JUNE 8TH 9AM - 4PM. TEN BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN THE WINFIELD - OYAMA AREA. LOCAL ARTISTS AT EACH GARDEN. EACH ARTIST HAS DONATED A PIECE OF THEIR WORK FOR A TOONIE RAFFLE AT EACH GARDEN. KEN MACDONALD WILL HAVE HIS

BEE'S AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN AND WILL BE ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS FUZZY FRIENDS. KEN SALVAIL WILL GIVE 2 TALKS ON PLANTS HEALTH, ONE IN THE MORNING AND ONE IN THE AFTERNOON.

OKANAGAN MASTER GARDENERS WILL BE AT EACH GARDEN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. TICKETS ARE $15 AND CAN BE PURCHASED AT ART KNAPPS, KEL LAKE NURSERY WINFIELD, WOODSDALE STORE,

IDA PHARMACY WINFIELD AND BY CONTACTING TRISH MILLER 250 766-3367

WATER-WISE GARDENING INFORMATION FROM THE OKANAGAN XERISCAPE ASSOCIATION

‘Gardening with Nature’ column

Watch for Gwen Steele’s ‘Gardening with Nature’ column in the Kelowna Capital News (usually the Friday edition). It highlights xeriscape plants; garden conversion stories; tips and seasonal advice for home gardeners about planning, creating, and maintaining xeriscapes; plus publicizing garden related events.

unH2O Xeriscape Demonstration Garden

The garden is located in front of the H2O Aquatic Centre, 4075 Gordon Drive. We invite you to visit often through the season to see the colourful, ever-changing gardens. The garden is maintained by OXA volunteers. To volunteer, contact Gwen Steele. gwen@okanaganxeriscape.org. Watch for dates, of monthly free guided tours of the colourful unH20 Gardens, in the ‘Gardening with Nature’ col-umn in the Capital News. Xeriscape Spring Plant Sale will be held at the garden Saturday, April 27th 9am to noon. Many plants featured in the gardens will be for sale. Funds go to support the garden which is maintained by OXA volunteers.

‘Plant of the Week’ & ‘Tip of the Month’

New: Each week on www.okanaganxeriscape.org, a plant from the plant database will be featured as the ‘Plant of the Week’ and each month there will be a new ‘Tip of the Month’. Both of these are archived under ‘Tip of the Month’ on the drop down menu ‘How to Xeriscape’. To receive email notification each time a new plant or tip is posted, you can sub-scribe to these features on the ‘Welcome’ page.

Xeriscape Garden Contest

The contest, to showcase the beauty of xeriscape landscapes and to recognise the versatility of water-wise gardens, is open to everyone with a water-wise garden, large or small, in the Central Okanagan. All are eligible to win wild card draws as well as first prize in one of four categories. Enter your own water-wise garden, or nominate your neighbours’ or friends’ xeriscape garden. Contest runs to August 31st. Forms and details are on the OXA website. Stories and slide shows of the 2011 Xeriscape Garden Contest gardens are on the ‘Events’ page at www.okanaganxeriscape.org .

June in the unH2O Butterfly Garden

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 4

KELOWNA GARDEN CLUB MEETING MINUTES – April 3, 2013 submitted by J. Runzer, Secretary

APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the March meeting were approved as published in the April newsletter.

. PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION The KGC Executive approved an amendment to VII(G) in the Constitution. As per the rules, the rationale, the old word-ing as well as the proposed change in wording was sent out electronically to all members in mid-March. The vote to take place at the April 3 KGC general meeting.

Bylaw current wording: VII(G) The Directors shall approve and appoint an auditor whose duties shall be to conduct an audit of the accounts of the club and to present a signed report at the March meeting each year. Proposed change: VII(G) The directors shall appoint a qualified individual to review the accounts of the club and report to the Directors. Lynda MacDonald, CA, asked to speak to the meeting and recommended that the wording put forward be further revised taking out “qualified” and change “review” to “examine”.

New Amendment will read VII (G) The directors shall appoint an individual to examine the accounts of the club and report to the Directors. Unamimously approved by membership.

USE OF MEMBERSHIP EMAIL list requested for information garden-related, but not KGC-related. This item was put to a vote and membership unanimously agreed that membership list not be used for activities sponsored by others.

REPORTS Treasurer - J. Waddington reported that we currently have a surplus in the bank.This changes each month. Plant Sale - A. Paradzik and J. Reid spoke about the plant sale which will be held at Guisachan Gardens on Saturday, April 27. Help is available for digging/potting for those requesting it—call Jill or Alicja. Empty pots available. A demo was given on conditioning and grooming plants for resale. Bring plants to Guisachan after 7 am. Flower Show - J. Runzer, noted that the 2013 Guisachan Flower Show will be held on Saturday, June 22 this year. The schedule is ready for printing and is currently posted to the website. Printed copies will be available at the May meeting. Three workshops are being organized for those who would like some extra help preparing your entries for the flower show. Nature’s Gold – C. Taylor – Nature’s Gold products are available “at cost” to all members this year. The deadline to order is April 13 with a pickup date at Carol’s on April 20. Library – G. Jones-Evans presented her “pick of the month” from the Library. For this meeting they were a variety of books on vegetable gardening. Books are on display at the library table. Gerry introduced her helper Marianna Boda. Open Gardens – C. Sharplin encouraged members to show their gardens this summer. Dates are June 16, August 18 and September 8, 2013. There will be a gift of two bags of Nature’s Gold for those opening their garden. Excursions – D. Morash The 3-day bus trip to see the tulips in bloom in Washington (Tualip area) is almost full. Call Do-reen for information. The carpool trip to Bedroc Roses is April 30 if you wish to buy roses personally. Meet at the Capri Shopping Center

Note: If you wish to place an order for a number of roses from Bedroc Roses, Linda MacDonald will be taking orders and will arrange to have them delivered to Kelowna. There is a sign up sheet. R. Botner has been contacted by Wild Blue Nursery on Old Vernon Road. They encourage growing native plants and will have a workshop on living art on April 19 at 2 pm. There is a sign up sheet. Rosemary will email details.

Floral workshop –Learn Ikebana with Jeanne Bates. Thursday, April 18 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Mountainview Village, 1549 KLO Road. Sign up sheet in lobby.

CORRESPONDENCE Information from the Ikebana Society of Vancouver regarding their 35th Anniversary Celebration on August 15. Gardening Courses – Penticton Urban Agriculture Association. Information in lobby.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Fall plant sale in October will be “Bulbs Only”. Please package clean bulbs in baggies and give the name, color etc. Beverly Ackerlund brought information regarding the St. Andrews Church Flower Show and Tea which will be held on Saturday, June 8.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 5

OPEN GARDENS

June 16, August 18 and September 8 To show your garden to other members on our Open Garden Days contact Carol Sharplin 250-763-2414 rcsharplin@telus.net and receive a gift from the club of TWO 40L bags of Natures Gold product.

It does not need to be a huge, magnificently refined garden. Your garden expresses who you are! You work hard to produce what you have, so show it off to appreciative viewers! Only members will visit and, if you wish it, Master Gardener Judges giving you a chance to win the Trophy and prize awarded by Natures Gold,see below. All judges comments remain confidential so it is a totally non-threatening experience!

2013 Open Gardens and Awarding of Nature’s Gold Trophy

As part of the popular Open Gardens, the Nature‘s Gold Best Garden Trophy will be awarded to the Best Kelowna Garden Club garden for this year. See information below.

Unless you request otherwise, all open gardens will automatically be judged for the Nature‘s Gold Trophy and a selection of 5 Nature‘s Gold products. If you wish to show your garden, but do not want it included in the competition—please let Carol know.

A person may win the trophy only one time for the same garden. Exception—a person can win the trophy more than once provided it is a new garden that is being judged.

Judging is according to the criteria used by the BC Council of Garden Clubs (see list of judging criteria on page 8) and will be done by 3 Master Gardener volunteers from Kelowna and area

You don‘t have to show your garden to enter this competition. Anyone who wishes, may be considered for this award but you must let us know so your garden can be judged.

Digital photos will be taken on the day of your Open Garden and will be included in the Power Point presentation in November. Please note, you do not have to open your garden to share digital photos of your garden for the power point.

Finally, this is fun! We hope you will consider opening your garden for all the members to see.

For your reading pleasure… Message from the KGC Librarians I expect most of you have decided what vegetables and flowers to plant now that the weather seems to be improving . Our guest speaker,Alison Linklater of the Westwold Carrot Company, delivered a very interesting presentation at our last meeting on how to grow various kinds carrots and garlic. Emphasizing the “How to “ of successful vegetable growing , please re-read April newsletter for our suggestions for further reference in order to have an outstanding growing season for 2013. We suggest you look at our wide selection of general gardening books to help achieve the best possible results with your veggie and flower gardening this season. We look forward to seeing you at the library corner at our May 1st meeting 2013. Gerry and Marianna.

Words of Wisdom:

"Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes

away today's peace."

Author unknown

Meeting Minutes April 3.2013 continued from page 4 George Scotter advised that the Society for Learning in Retire-ment is offering a course on April 18. There are also field trips every 2 weeks led by George. These are 2 hrs. long and start at the Eco Centre. $11 to pre-register Barbara Bowmar – announced there will be a workshop on May 7 demonstrating how to make a dish garden. This will be held at the home of the Runzer’s. Sign up at the May meeting or contact Barbara/Judy

NEWSLETTER EDITOR – R. Botner if you are not receiving your copy of the Weeder’s Digest, please call Rosemary. She will be getting the new distribution list soon. Deadline for newsletter items is the 10th of the month

PARLOUR SHOW RESULTS were announced by S. Davidson

MEETING ADJOURNED. There were 90 members and 3 guests in attendance

GUEST SPEAKER D. Morash introduced our guest speaker, Alison Linklater from Westwold Carrot Company.

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 6

GET READY FOR FLOWER SHOW 2013!

Tips for showing flowers

Conditioning

Conditioning involves preparing cut plant material to make the flowers last longer. To maximize water absorption and water maintenance, the best time to cut flowers is early morning or late in the evening when the flowers have the maximum amount of water in their stems. Cut the stems at an angle and as long as possible. Strip excess foliage and leaves that will be under water. Place the flowers in warm water and leave them for several hours or overnight to absorb as much water as possible. Re-cut stems before placing the flowers in arrangements.

Preparing your flowers to enter a flower show

Roses

Types of Roses Hybrid Tea – usually have one flower to a stem with side buds (for showing, side buds must be removed) Floribunda – usually have a spray of bloom at the end of a cane. Grandiflora – are between and the hybrid tea and the floribunda in bloom

Hybrid Tea Roses

Form – A rose should be at the most beautiful stage of its development which is usually when it is about 2/3 or ¾ open. The petals should be symmetrically arranged within a circular outline around a pointed centre. (25 points) Colour - should be bright and clear (20 points) Substance - petals should be firm, thick, crisp, velvety and fresh with no signs of aging. (15 points) Stem and foliage – stem should be in good proportion to the size of the flower. It should be straight and strong enough to support the bloom. Leaves should be healthy, undamaged and well-groomed. It should have at least one five-leaflet leaf. (20 points) Balance, Proportion and Size (20 points) Faults: faded or muddy colour, spots or blemishes caused by rain or insects, confused bloom, bloom not open enough, or too open.

Floribunda Sprays A floribunda spray is a group of blooms, with or without buds, on one main or lateral stem. At least 3 blooms must be open blooms. Sprays may exhibit all stages of development from green buds to fully open. The most important factor in form in a spray is the shape. It should be symmetrical when viewed from the top; and rectangular when viewed from the side. There should be no florets protruding above the main body and none below it.

Miniature roses – use the same criteria as hybrid tea roses.

Pansies If it has a face, it is a pansy. Flowers should be large, fresh, clean, uniform circular in outline with smooth

thick velvety petals. be large, round and clearly defined; eye a bright yellow, circular and well defined. Other considerations, condition, form and texture, size, colour, blotch and eye. Faces should be flat and uniform.

Begonia The blooms may be single or double, or be quite different in form. Blooms should have good depth with indi-

vidual petals at least 2” wide and 3 “ across. Plants have male and female blooms, but the male bloom is larger and showier.

Clematis Should be a healthy, fresh single bloom with its own foliage.

Delphinium Form Spikes should be long and straight. Good shape and form is most important length

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 7

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Flower Spike Symmetry Spike should be uniformly tapered from base to tip, or uniformly columular in shape. It should be almost as broad and rounded at the tip as at the base. Laterals may or may not be present. Flower Placement: On the spike, florets should be uniformly placed and spaced so there are not gaps Flower Size and Substance Florets must not be loose on the stem. Florets should be large and circular in outline with broad sepals of good substance. All florets should be open from base to tip with no faded or fallen sepals. Tiny seed pods should be carefully removed from the base. Foliage There should be some foliage left on lower part of the spike. Color Flower should be clean, pure or brilliant.

Geranium (Pelargonium) Flower heads should be clear of foliage to give a balanced effect to the plant. The plant should be proportionate to the size of the pot with flowers and leaves proportionate to the size of the plant.

Flowering Branches (Arboreal)

Length of branch should be less than 36” inches from tip to cut end of branch Quantity and quality of foliage, flowers, cones and fruit/berries should evidence cultural perfection. The branch should have symmetrical form Dirt, debris, evidence of disease or insect damage should be removed

Lilium The spike or stem should be well balanced and of good proportion; generally it is in best condition when the lowest flowers are open, but not faded and the upper ones are still in bud. The larger the number of flowers open, the better. Flowers should be fresh, open (except for top buds) and of bright clear colours or a harmonious blend of colours, unstained by pollen and free from blemishes. (50 points) Vigor Refers to length and strength of the stem, number and size of the flowers size and attractiveness of foliage (20 points) Placement Refers to arrangement of flowers on stem. Separation spirally on the stem vertically, rather than crowded, is preferred. They should be spaced in such a way that individual flowers do not interfere with each other. (20 points) Substance Refers to the thickness, firmness and crispness of the petal and keeping quality (10 points)

Sweet William (Dianthus) Trusses forming the flower head should be large and generally rounded in outline. Long stems and all should be the same height Colour should be bright and clear Flower heads should be uniform in size and overall shape.

Shasta Daisies Form Daisies should be circular in outline; an oval shape is a serious fault In Singles – the petals should stand out stiffly at right angles to the stem with a bright, clean center disc. In Doubles -- the petals may stand out straight or be partly or fully reflexed In Doubles – the center disc should not be visible but there should be a pale, light-green colour to the inner row of petals. Colours should be bright, clear and clean Stems should be stiff, straight and in proportion to the size of the flower head, which must be held stiffly upright Foliage should be clean, bright green in colour and evenly spaced along the stem.

Submitted by Judy Runzer, May 2013 Source: BC Council of Garden Clubs Judging Standards for Non-Specialized Shows. Revised Edition 2008.

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 8

Have you renewed your Garden Club Membership? If not, you will not

receive anymore newsletters. Sorry! So act fast!!!

Plant Sale Kelowna Hospital Auxiliary

Blossomtime Fair Cottonwoods Care Facility

2255 Ethel St. Friday May 10th, 9:00am to 1:00pm.

As well as perennials and garden accessories, this is a good opportunity to buy vegetable and bedding plants. Master gardeners will be on hand to

offer help.

Editor’s note: Best sale in town after our own! Shop early!

St. Andrew’s Flower Show and Tea

June 8, 2013

Members of Kelowna Garden Club are invited to exhibit floral arrangements

and to join us for tea. Floral entries accepted 9:30-11:00. Flower show entry details available

at KGC meetings from Bev Akerlund.

She can be contacted at 250-764-7478

St. Andrew’s Parish 4619 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna

First, time to sit and chat…

Then down to business...

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 9

April 2013 Parlour Show Winners

Class 1: “April flowers” Jean Dangerfield, Alicja Paradzik, Rosemary Botner

Class 2: “Easter Bunny Basket” Jean Dangerfield, Rosemary Botner

Class 3: “Miniature rock garden” Alicja Paradzik, Jean Dangerfield, Paulina Ferweda

Class 4: “Spring flowering branches” Judy Runzer, Shirley Hathway, Paulina Ferweda

Class 5: “Celebrating the Tulip” Rosemary Botner, Jean Dangerfield, Judy Runzer

Congratulations to all winners!

(Winners of each class are listed in order by first, second and third place

unless otherwise noted.)

May 2013 Parlour Show Class 1: “Spring Beauty” An exhibit of spring flowers and shrubs for the ERNIE AND EVELYN BUR-NETT TROPHY donated by Don Bur-nett – Best Arrangement of Spring Flowers. Class 2: “Tulipmania” Three tulips, same color and variety with own foliage, named if possible. Class 3: “Happy Mother’s Day” Design a flower arrangement in a tea cup. Class 4: “Returning Spring” An exhibit of lilac, any color in a vase. Class 5: “Artist’s Palette” A selection of five different spring flowers in one vase.

KELOWNA GARDNE CLUB 2013

EXECUTIVE President : Linda Edser 769-6893 Past President/Newsletter Editor

Rosemary Botner 769-2836 Vice-President/Tour Coordinator: Doreen Morash 868-2753 Secretary/Annual Flower Show Judy Runzer 861-5010 Treasurer: John Waddington 769-7848 Directors: Alice Hargreaves/Parlour Show769-5812 Alicja Paradzik/Advertizing /Plant Sales 717-0570 Dorothy Robison/Publicity 778-484-4704 Pat Zander 769-4174

ASSISTANTS

Membership: Sue Shanks 860-2733 Parlour Show: Alice Hargreaves 769-5812 Sherrell Davidson 491-8146 Greeters: Gerry & Pat Leishman 765-8918 Hospitality: Charmaine Waddington 769-7848 Elizabeth Mikula 769-3662 Library: Gerry Jones-Evans 769-3666 Open Gardens: Carol Sharplin 763-2414 Photographer/s: Marianna Boda 769-5632 Jean Dangerfield 764-0620 Publicity: Dorothy Robison 778-484-4704 Community Liaison: Wilma Schellenberger 764-5378 Nature’s Gold Carol Taylor 764-9046 50/50 Draws Ruth Kristensen 862-3542 Technical Hugh Philip 764-8032 Plant Sale Jillian Reid 764-6353 Webmaster: Darlene Cross 491-0018

Sunday

May 12

May 2013 Weeders’ Digest — 10