Old Wives Tales, Superstitions
enjoyingspring
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (38)
taigen_gw
14 years agolindyluwho
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Another wives tale put to rest
Comments (27)If you are looking for validation for cutting your still green foliage, why, where ever you find it is fine. You won't kill next year's bloom by cutting at 8 weeks from end of bloom. Likely you won't kill it if you cut at 3 weeks from end of bloom....for maybe 3 years. But this forum is full of people who are posting "What happened to my tulips? Daffodils...etc" I think the concept of bulbs renewing their energy for the following year's bloom period by storing energy in the bulb, using the green of the leaves and sunlight is a pretty important bit of basic plant wisdom. It's fact! The conjecture part is how much of subsequent year's bloom you are willing to sacrifice for "neatness"? I always leave the foliage to ripen....but I never dig tulips and always plant them in gardens that need watering because of summer blooming plants, so I consider tulips as bienniela...bloom 2 years and replace. It's your choice! Don't feel guilty if you want to whack off the leaves....but don't look for someone to say "That's fine....the bulbs don't care"...because they do! If you want to have drifts and drifts of daffodils you need to either plant often, or leave the leaves and feed every year. You can cut the foliage any time you want......before they even bloom if you want....but know that is not the best for the plant to continue to grow and bloom. Linda C...See Moreold wives tale - maybe - hopefully not
Comments (3)Turns out there's some truth to that, but only to the extent of WHAT plant you're talking about. We actually have an allelopathy forum here at GW, and here's a link I just found. Found a couple other sources, but since this one was an edu, I thought it more reliable: Here is a link that might be useful: Perdue University...See MoreRoughing up hosta roots a 'Old Wives Tale' told in 3 parts
Comments (34)"What would matter more in the long run...a bigger root system, with a smaller crown, or a smaller root system with a larger crown?" Hostarox My belief is that there is a loss (IÂve explained how I come to this position) but I can't find any research and I haven't done any. That is why I'm trying to enlist a seed grower to try some work on culls. If I still had hosta in tissue culture I would take 18 (the number per flat) and cut the roots off and leave 18 alone and see what would happen. "What I want to know is if anyone has done any research to see what a Hosta (monocot) root system does if put under sudden duress" Hostarox No I donÂt have research. That is exactly my question! I assume all plants have mechanisms to respond to stress, my question is; does stress create a loss. If so, then donÂt create the stress. Plants have signals to grow, bloom and go dormant etc and I assume signals to respond to stress and survive. Same question is there a net loss from stress? "You can tell the difference easily because the dormant buds point up and have green coloring while these root buds are white and point down on the same plant." Dave I should have known that, duh? Now that you point it out I have seen exactly what you describe. Would you like to try a little experiment to bring data to this question....See MoreStrange plant beliefs, old wives tales, and legends
Comments (11)rhizo_1 the grits myth is halfway true. If you soak the grits in bacon grease and borax, they will kill the ants. Fire ants are drawn to grease, which is why Amdro works. It's just coarsely ground corn meal with cooking grease & insecticide. Rita, that fruit tree trick works. From what I was taught, what happens is that the vessels that carry food and water up and down the plant get clogged, and hitting it gently loosens up the clogs and allows the tree to grow and bear. Usually, trees get blown around by the wind, so everything stays clear, but older trees with thicker trunks stand pretty steady in winds, so they need some artificial battering. My grandma (father's mom) told me that if children climbed apple trees, they bore better. Same principal, I would think....See Morepetaloid
14 years agolitereader
14 years agophyllis__mn
14 years agobarbara3
14 years agocoloredthumb
14 years agolinda_in_iowa
14 years agolucinda_grow
14 years agoMarilyn Sue McClintock
14 years agodes_arc_ya_ya
14 years agolilliepad
14 years agojemdandy
14 years agomaryanntx
14 years agojannie
14 years agostargazzer
14 years agocynic
14 years agocasey_nfld
14 years agocaflowerluver
14 years agocarol_in_california
14 years agojemdandy
14 years agobengardening
14 years agoronf_gw
14 years agowhidbeykathy
14 years agokacee2002
14 years agopatches_02
14 years agotrinitytx
14 years agoilmbg
14 years agojemdandy
14 years agoTerry Johnson
8 years agojemdandy
8 years agoSuzieque
8 years agophyllis__mn
8 years agoSandieFL
8 years agobengardening
8 years agojemdandy
8 years agoAprile
8 years ago
Related Stories
TRADITIONAL HOMESMy Houzz: A Centuries-Old French Estate Charms Again
Time and local artisans help a couple realize an idyllic French country retreat — and you can rent it
Full StoryLIFEPortrait of a Terrible Housekeeper
Even in hair-raising tales and harebrained organizing schemes, there's something we can learn
Full StorySMALL SPACESDownsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests
Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options
Full StoryMORE ROOMSPress Pause: Styling the Television
50 Clever Screen Selections for Shooting TV Rooms
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESLet Lilac Love Flower This Spring
Whatever you bestow or receive for Mother's Day, lilacs can be an unmatched gift in the garden in May
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGPorch Life: Banish the Bugs
Don't let insects be the bane of your sweet tea and swing time. These screening and product ideas will help keep bugs at bay on the porch
Full StoryMOST POPULARHouzz TV: Fred MacMurray’s Enduring Farmhouse Retreat
One of the most beloved actors of the 20th century traded fame for farm implements on this California ranch. His daughter shows us around
Full StoryMOST POPULAR33 Magic Household Cleaning Tips
Houzzers from around the world share their tips for transforming housework into child’s play
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGPruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses
Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape
Full StoryTASTEMAKERSPro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Michael Symon Shares His Tastes
What does an Iron Chef go for in kitchen layout, appliances and lighting? Find out here
Full Story
bob_cville