Garden Vines

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A month ago, I wrote about the dramatic differences I noted in the growth of my pansies and violas. I had planted them in identical conditions except for the brands of potting soil. (Read the original post here.)

Half of the plants were in a $7/bag brand. The other half were in $3/bag brand. Here’s the contrast …

On the left is $3 and on the right is $7.

Since it was obvious the $3 ones weren’t doing very well, I started supplementing their soil with plant food.

I used the Expert brand which recommends feeding once every 2 weeks. Realizing that the plants were severely lacking, I fed that first week and again the following week. (We had a lot of rain between the two feedings so I wasn’t too concerned about over feeding or burning the roots.)

Immediately after the first feeding, the plants began to show improvement. They were all around healthier - greener, more buds, and a little growth.

After a month and a 3rd feeding at 4 weeks, the plants are still smaller than the $7/bag ones, but there is a noticeable improvement…

Here’s another before and after…

After…

So, when it comes down to choosing potting soil for your flower beds, choose wisely or plan on additional sources of nutrients for the plants.

Our tiger lilies are blooming in abundance this year! A week ago, before the first flower opened, I counted approximately 1200 buds. Aren’t they gorgeous?

For more Wordless Wednesday, go here.

One of my favorite things about flowers is how intricately God designed them. Look at the detail on this asiatic lily …

The entire flower appears to be fake. Almost like plastic. The petals have a high shine resembling wax.

Then there’s the little raised bumps and the fuzzy white piece on each petal. How amazing!

I have no idea what type of asiatic lily this is. It’s a “surprise” plant that hitched a ride in some of the day lilies my mom brought me last fall. I must say that the photo doesn’t do the flower justice as it is very striking in the flower bed.

What’s blooming at your house?

My first lily opened a couple of days ago! This is an asiatic lily that my parents gave me 2 years ago for my birthday.

I really want to call this lily a “stargazer” but I’m not 100% on that. I know I have the tag somewhere … I’m just too lazy to go find it.

Today, the lily has 2 flowers open, except the 2nd flower has some pieces of the petals missing. Apparently, some critter likes munching on lily buds. I assumed that the petals had been munched on until I looked back at my photos and discovered that the bud (to the left of the flower) had a nice chunk missing.

Anyone know what kind of pest likes to eat asiatic lily buds?

In the spring, at the end of the day,
you should smell like dirt.

by Margaret Atwood

Often, if you look at the big picture, or all the gardens, the task seems too hard.  I find myself putting off doing the work because I can’t get it all done at one time.  I determined to work a little bit every day at putting rocks around a flower bed the length of the garage.  Now it’s done and I have the habit of doing 15-20 minutes of garden work each day.

You might have to click through to watch the video if you are reading this in a reader.

Flowers have an expression of countenance
as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile,
some have a sad expression,
some are pensive and diffident,
others again are plain, honest and upright.

by Henry Ward Beecher

Irises (or flags) are one of those heirloom flowers that I adore. Heirloom flowers are typically found in old-fashioned gardens and may be hard to come by unless you know someone who has grown the plant for years or are willing to pay the price.

I’ve been very impressed with my irises this year. At one point I counted over 70 buds - the most I’ve ever had! Apparently they really liked the potting soil we used in the new flower beds last year. (And after my previous post about potting soil, I do remember the brand name - Expert (available at Wal-Mart.))

The yellow iris is a young plant so the flower is a little smaller. I also think that’s an iris in one of the clumps that my mom brought me in the fall, so it didn’t have as much time as the others to get established.

The purple irises are my most prolific with a handful of the burgundy ones scattered around.

My favorite part of growing irises? Seeing the intricacies on each flower. They have little fuzzy bits and the petals are extremely detailed.

I never thought much about the differences in potting soil brands. Most claim that they feed for X months, etc., with the only real difference being the price tag.

However, a firsthand experience showed me just how big of a difference a good brand versus a so-so brand can make.

Here’s a glimpse at one of my flower beds. I used cement blocks to create a border around the bed and then used the blocks as planters for violas and pansies. The conditions (sunlight, water, temperature, planting time) are identical for all of the plants in these photos.

See if you can recognize the difference between the good brand and the so-so brand…

Okay, those two photos were of the violas and pansies planted in the $3/bag potting soil that claimed to feed, was excellent for plants, blah blah blah. Now check out this …

Can you see the difference? The plants are greener, bigger, fuller, and loaded with flowers. They’re planted in the $7/bag potting soil. I wish I remembered the brand. I know it wasn’t Miracle Gro, but it was a very similar.

And just in case the difference isn’t that noticeable (and in case anyone is skeptical because the above photo is mostly of pansies, not violas like the previous two photos)…

On the left is the $3 bag and on the right is the $7 bag.

So, based on the plant progress after one month, I believe the $7 bag is a better investment. The $3 bag plants are going to require TLC and some extra nutrients from plant food (purchasing plant food eliminates the savings of buying the cheaper priced bag of potting soil).

Have you noticed a difference in potting soil brands?