One of the most well known, wild medicinal herbs in America, goldenseal grows to one foot high, and supports one main leaf and multi-lobed secondary leaves. Its seed are grown in clusters of fruits. This native perennial was formerly abundant in open woodlands having good natural drainage and an abundance of leaf mold. Its range is from southern New York and Ontario, west to Minnesota, and south to Kentucky and Georgia.
Goldenseal took its name from the golden stain its roots emit. American Indians used the plant to dye their clothing and skin, and as an insect repellent. The herbs generic name, Hydrastis, comes from two Greek words meaning water and to accomplish referring to its medicinal value, especially its past use in treating mucous membranes.
During its blooming season, G. jasminoides must be kept thoroughly wet and not allowed to dry out, but in winter it is kept fairly dry. G. Veitchii is an ever blooming gardenia, the most popular hothouse or house plant variety.
The culture of freesias is quite simple. The corms and plants are tender and must never be subjected to freezing temperatures. They are suited to house culture exclusively. Success depends primarily upon correct temperature. Prepare a special soil mixture composed of one-third each of leaf mold or shredded peat moss, good rich garden soil and fine clean sand. Moisten the mixture moderately and place it in pots or deep bulb pans, first covering the drainage hole with a few pieces of broke flowerpot. Five or six corms can be planted in a five-inch pot, from eight to ten in a six inch pot.
Raw bone meal and cotton seal can also be used to advantage. In October, seed may be broadcast or planted " inch apart in rows six inches part in a well-prepared seedbed. Cover seed with fine leaf mold to the depth of one inch. In winter, the seedbed should be protected with burlap or fertilizer sacks.
Gardenias demand a very acid soil, with a pH of 4.5 to 5. This may be supplied by well-composted sawdust or oak leaves. Leaves that fall from the plant, as well as its own faded flowers, may be placed on top of the soil to form a self-mulch. If the foliage shows a tendency to turn yellow, a handful of rotted manure or cottonseed meal may be mixed with the top layer of soil.
An abundance of moisture is the most important factor in successfulgardenia culture.Plant containers may be placed in trays or bowls in which water is allowed to stand to a dept equal to the depth of gravel or rubble in the bottom of the flowerpot. If sufficient water is supplied, the plants will be free of bud rot, which causes the buds to drop before flowering. Humidity around the leaves can be kept high by putting a plastic bag over the plant.
When the blooming season is over, gradually withhold water and dry off in a cool room. The process of ripening the corms required about a month or so. When perfectly dry, shake the soil from the corms and store in a dry place until next fall or early winter, when they may be replanted. Corms which started into growth during storage fail to bloom, in most cases. - 15266
Goldenseal took its name from the golden stain its roots emit. American Indians used the plant to dye their clothing and skin, and as an insect repellent. The herbs generic name, Hydrastis, comes from two Greek words meaning water and to accomplish referring to its medicinal value, especially its past use in treating mucous membranes.
During its blooming season, G. jasminoides must be kept thoroughly wet and not allowed to dry out, but in winter it is kept fairly dry. G. Veitchii is an ever blooming gardenia, the most popular hothouse or house plant variety.
The culture of freesias is quite simple. The corms and plants are tender and must never be subjected to freezing temperatures. They are suited to house culture exclusively. Success depends primarily upon correct temperature. Prepare a special soil mixture composed of one-third each of leaf mold or shredded peat moss, good rich garden soil and fine clean sand. Moisten the mixture moderately and place it in pots or deep bulb pans, first covering the drainage hole with a few pieces of broke flowerpot. Five or six corms can be planted in a five-inch pot, from eight to ten in a six inch pot.
Raw bone meal and cotton seal can also be used to advantage. In October, seed may be broadcast or planted " inch apart in rows six inches part in a well-prepared seedbed. Cover seed with fine leaf mold to the depth of one inch. In winter, the seedbed should be protected with burlap or fertilizer sacks.
Gardenias demand a very acid soil, with a pH of 4.5 to 5. This may be supplied by well-composted sawdust or oak leaves. Leaves that fall from the plant, as well as its own faded flowers, may be placed on top of the soil to form a self-mulch. If the foliage shows a tendency to turn yellow, a handful of rotted manure or cottonseed meal may be mixed with the top layer of soil.
An abundance of moisture is the most important factor in successfulgardenia culture.Plant containers may be placed in trays or bowls in which water is allowed to stand to a dept equal to the depth of gravel or rubble in the bottom of the flowerpot. If sufficient water is supplied, the plants will be free of bud rot, which causes the buds to drop before flowering. Humidity around the leaves can be kept high by putting a plastic bag over the plant.
When the blooming season is over, gradually withhold water and dry off in a cool room. The process of ripening the corms required about a month or so. When perfectly dry, shake the soil from the corms and store in a dry place until next fall or early winter, when they may be replanted. Corms which started into growth during storage fail to bloom, in most cases. - 15266
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