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LIDS Newsletter
Spring, 2019
longislanddaylily.weebly.com
LIDS Newsletter
Spring, 2019
longislanddaylily.weebly.com
January LIDS Meeting
Mike Runkel Talks About Holly
Despite the threatening weather, LIDS had a good turnout for the January meeting on January 19. At the meeting, Planting Fields’ Assistant Director, Mike Runkel, gave an impressive presentation on conifers and holly. Putting his talk in the context of winter, Runkel noted that it’s good to have something that displays some green during these cold months when daylilies don’t bloom.
Runkel talked at length about what varieties of holly and conifers are out there, giving special attention to the ones that do well on Long Island. He talked about how to care for them – touching on such topics as fertilizing, pruning and pest management. His talk was well illustrated, with numerous slides depicting the species and cultivars he was talking about.
Runkel’s talk was well-received and much appreciated.
Mike Runkel Talks About Holly
Despite the threatening weather, LIDS had a good turnout for the January meeting on January 19. At the meeting, Planting Fields’ Assistant Director, Mike Runkel, gave an impressive presentation on conifers and holly. Putting his talk in the context of winter, Runkel noted that it’s good to have something that displays some green during these cold months when daylilies don’t bloom.
Runkel talked at length about what varieties of holly and conifers are out there, giving special attention to the ones that do well on Long Island. He talked about how to care for them – touching on such topics as fertilizing, pruning and pest management. His talk was well illustrated, with numerous slides depicting the species and cultivars he was talking about.
Runkel’s talk was well-received and much appreciated.
Online Garden Judges Workshop
By Marc Whinston
On January 12 I took the online garden workshop 1. This is the first of two workshops that one must attend in order to become a garden judge. The online workshop, presented by the ADS was relatively easy to take – assuming one plans in advance, which I didn’t, but that’s a whole other story.
The workshop took about two hours. Presenter, Michael Bouman covered a variety of topics including the history of daylilies, the various ADS awards and how they relate to each other, how to judge cultivars and the requirements for being a judge.
Shortly after the workshop was over, participants were emailed a link to take a multiple-choice test. Logistically speaking, taking the test is relatively easy, and results (spoiler alert: I passed) are e-mailed back in relatively short order.
Speaking from experience, I would recommend the workshop to anyone who isn’t already a judge. Even if you have no interest in becoming a judge, the information is good to know.
By Marc Whinston
On January 12 I took the online garden workshop 1. This is the first of two workshops that one must attend in order to become a garden judge. The online workshop, presented by the ADS was relatively easy to take – assuming one plans in advance, which I didn’t, but that’s a whole other story.
The workshop took about two hours. Presenter, Michael Bouman covered a variety of topics including the history of daylilies, the various ADS awards and how they relate to each other, how to judge cultivars and the requirements for being a judge.
Shortly after the workshop was over, participants were emailed a link to take a multiple-choice test. Logistically speaking, taking the test is relatively easy, and results (spoiler alert: I passed) are e-mailed back in relatively short order.
Speaking from experience, I would recommend the workshop to anyone who isn’t already a judge. Even if you have no interest in becoming a judge, the information is good to know.
In Memoriam
Louise Peluso
"Lily Louise"
By Pam Milliken
I still can’t believe Louise Peluso has at 98 passed on. She was a positive force of nature, always with a smile on her face, always driving around town, even her doctor said through her double knee surgery she smiled all the way through it.
Her motto — NEVER REFUSE ANYTHING — kept her very busy! Her Loves — opera, Daylilies, the Mets and her family.
She was the benefactor to LIDS at our auctions. Not to be messed with at an auction. She always got a plant she wanted. A garden judge, AHS display garden and avid Convention goer…she knew everyone!
She really did have a green thumb and grew a variety of plants from clivias to orchids inside her little green house to camellias outside (which was rare) here on Long Island.
Her Daylilies grew in impossible places in the shade!! With nearly 1000 of them and being situated on a drop off overlooking Long Island sound, she proudly became a convention garden in 2006! I think it was one of her favorite achievements! For it put together both her love of plants, and her love of entertaining people. Helping her get it ready for a few years became a task for us not to refuse! We reworked beds, improved soil, cut down trees and added a lot more hydrangeas to her collection.
A life time member of the AHS from 1979, she loved going to Daylily conventions, and went avidly through 2009…she loved meeting everyone!! To this day people still ask about her incredible garden which may be open this summer to wish her a last farewell!!
Jack Pine — Master Gardener
By Irene Bossert
Jack Pine, a member of LIDS almost from its inception, passed away this January at the age of 98. For 50 years, Jack arranged bus tours and garden tours, served as an exhibition judge and garden judge and was always there to help in any way he could. His knowledge of daylilies made him invaluable at every Flower Show and sale. Jack had a wonderful dry sense of humor and the daylily clinics he taught with Gene Foster were classic. These talks were never boring. They were full of information and anyone in attendance experienced the joy of gardening with daylilies.
Jack was so proud when he completed his Cooperative Extension Master Gardener course. The truth was he could have taught the course. His own garden in Valley Stream was a tiny gem. On a 40 X 100 plot, he managed to showcase all his many interests from dwarf conifers and imaginative ground covers to daylilies, iris, companion perennials, and the colorful annuals of August. His garden featured some wonderful classic daylilies from local hybridizers of the 50’s and 60’s. Since space was at a premium, he was very selective and always chose plants with great garden habits. Jack was very generous and loved to share his plants with LIDS members. He will be missed by all.
By Irene Bossert
Jack Pine, a member of LIDS almost from its inception, passed away this January at the age of 98. For 50 years, Jack arranged bus tours and garden tours, served as an exhibition judge and garden judge and was always there to help in any way he could. His knowledge of daylilies made him invaluable at every Flower Show and sale. Jack had a wonderful dry sense of humor and the daylily clinics he taught with Gene Foster were classic. These talks were never boring. They were full of information and anyone in attendance experienced the joy of gardening with daylilies.
Jack was so proud when he completed his Cooperative Extension Master Gardener course. The truth was he could have taught the course. His own garden in Valley Stream was a tiny gem. On a 40 X 100 plot, he managed to showcase all his many interests from dwarf conifers and imaginative ground covers to daylilies, iris, companion perennials, and the colorful annuals of August. His garden featured some wonderful classic daylilies from local hybridizers of the 50’s and 60’s. Since space was at a premium, he was very selective and always chose plants with great garden habits. Jack was very generous and loved to share his plants with LIDS members. He will be missed by all.
LIDS Members Favorite Local Nurseries
Compiled by Chris Petersen
Peconic Herb Farm
2749 River Road Calverton, NY 11933 — (631) 369-0058
http://www.prherbfarm.com
Peconic Herb Farm is a seasonal retail plant nursery and unique garden shop. The nursery is located on 14 scenic riverfront acres. You are free to browse the magnificent grounds and even bring your lunch for a picnic by the river. They have 8 greenhouses filled with annuals, perennials, tropicals, vegetables and herbs. They may carry the new varieties that you’ve been searching for! They sell all kinds of shrubs and trees and have special areas devoted to shade and sun plants. The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Many plants are deer resistant. They have a great website and a big sale in the fall. Open April –October. Definitely sign up for their newsletter. – Chris P. and Joan L.
Prianti Farms
47 E Deer Park Rd Dix Hills, NY 11746 — (631) 499-0772
www.priantifarmsinc.com
Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Tropicals, Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs (Huge selection of annuals and tropicals.) Special prices for buying in quantity. They sell small as well as large container sizes. – Chris P.
Fort Hill Nursery
188 East Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 — (631) 271-5606
http://forthillnursery.com
Family owned nursery with a good selection of well grown perennials in larger sizes at moderate prices. Unique selections of flowering shrubs, trees, and annuals as well. Watch for sales. - Chris P.
Stables Garden Center
1141 Deer Park Ave, North Babylon, NY 11703 — (631) 667-5122
https://www.stablesgardens.com/
Family owned. Vegetables, annuals- Joan and George R.
Smaller perennials at cheaper prices - Pat K.
Hicks Nurseries
100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, NY 11590 — (516) 334-0066
https://www.hicksnurseries.com/
Huge selection of trees, perennials, annuals, tropical plants and houseplants. Spring Flower Show and educational seminars. Furniture, pots, etc. A bit pricey. Always has unusual things but you need to time it with their sales like their twofers. – Gene M.
Dees Nursery
69 Atlantic Ave. Oceanside, New York 11572 — (516) 678-3535
https://deesnursery.com/
Family Owned Florist, Nursery & Garden Center Nice stuff but they can be pricey. They have a large selection of garden ornaments. - Gene M.
Bloomin Haus
816 Waverly Ave, Holtsville, NY 11742 — (631) 447-5831
http://bloominhaus.com/
Sells large selection of annuals and perennials ( bedding plants on the west side and big pots of perennials on the east side). Reasonable prices. – Doug and Toni R. and Gene M.
Albert Schmitt Family Farm
6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746 (GPS- Hunt. Sta.) — (631) 549-1159
https://schmittsfamilyfarms.com/
Seasonal. Annuals and perennials – Doug and Toni R.
Bayport Flower House
940 New York 27A, Bayport, NY 11705 — (631) 472-0014
http://www.bayportflower.com/
Annuals , perennials, great gift shop- Doug and Toni R. and Joan T. and others
Daisy Garden
Gillette Avenue, Bayport, NY 11705 — (631) 363-2708
http://www.daisy-garden.com/home
Annuals, perennials, shrubs. Reasonable prices. -Chris P., Doug and Toni R. and Joan T. and others
Vanderber’s Garden Center
459 Main Rd., Aquebogue, NY 11931 — (631- 722- 4388
http://verderbers.com/
Perennials ...great gift center – Doug and Toni R.
Andrews Family Farm
1038 Sound Avenue, Wading River, NY 11792 — (631) 929-5963
https://www.andrewsfamilyfarm.com/
Annuals, perennials –Doug and Toni R.
Olde Towne Gardens
360 Old Town Rd, East Setauket, NY 11733 — (631) 928-2050
https://otgardens.com/
This nursery has great annuals, perennials, some trees, and shrubs. They also have a magnificent fairy garden, definitely a must see. They have interesting garden accents as well. They have a sale in July and usually close in August. Definitely shop the sale....good buys on good quality plants.- Joan L.
Long Island's Home Of Hosta
6 Classic Court, Medford, NY 11763 — (631) 447-6314http://lihosta.com/
Open by appointment only! Great selection of hosta. Some ferns. –Chris P.
Father Nature's Garden Center
2676 Sunrise Hwy, East Islip, NY (631) 277-1177 (also in St. James)
http://fathernaturesgc.com/
Perennials, annuals, tropicals, shrubs, etc.- Pat K.
Van Bourgondien Nursery
833 Deer Park Ave, Dix Hills, NY 11746 — (631) 667-1111
http://www.vanbnursery.com/
Perennials, annuals, tropicals, vegetables, pond supplies, trees, shrubs -Pat K.
Joseph's Garden and Greenhouse
525 Smithtown Ave, Bohemia, NY 11716 — (631) 567-0292
http://www.josephkgreenhouse.com/
Seasonal. Large greenhouses of Annuals, perennials- Joan
Oh Deer!
Suggestions from the AHS Daylily Round Robin
Compiled by Chris Petersen
Ceil Broady, Upstate NY, zone 5, region 4:
The last few years, I have sprayed liquid fence and they have left things that I sprayed alone. The
first of the season, I spray it once a week for 3 weeks, and then it is once a month. It takes less than an hour to spray it. I buy the concentrated one and dilute it myself. I have used a 3 strand fence, with one strand electrified at about 3 ft height, but it has to be baited with peanut butter on aluminum foil strips in order to "teach" the deer that they don't want to go into my garden. Many of the birds and squirrels will also eat the peanut butter, so I don't like this method as well. This year, I didn't bother baiting the
fence or turning it on. The deer still came, ate the weeds that were not sprayed with liquid fence and left my other perennials alone. Right now this is working for me.
Karol Emmerich in rural Minnesota, Zone 4, Region 1:
I have had good luck keeping deer away with the green tubes of garlic sold by Gempler's. I put a tall metal garden marker every 50 feet or so around the perimeter of the area I want them to stay away from, and stick one of the garlic tubes on them with the clip on the tube. In the heat of the summer it smells a bit like a pizza parlor, but it has stopped them in their tracks. I also put a tube near any special plant I want them to stay away from - just to be safe. If you get them, make sure to keep the extra ones you are not using in a sealed box with lots of plastic around it, or maybe a plastic shoebox - or you everything it is near will smell like garlic even thought the tubes are "closed" until you punch a hole in them to let the odor out.
Deryll Keatting, from Nevada, OH.:
A very simple and effective deterrent for foraging deer is to put a cup or so of GAIN fabric softener in to your two gallon sprayer and just go at it. I use it on my young fruit trees, roses, sweet potatoes cabbage and young beans. It is cheap, safe, and it really works. I spray after a very hard rain or when damage is evident.
Mel Campbell, Fairport, NY Zone 5/6:
I have to rely on the standard deer sprays - liquid fence, deer off, etc. plus milorganite, and deer scram. I planted hard neck garlic last year and it seems to be helping. My most effective solutions have been motion activated sprayers and Havahart electronic deer repellents. I have 4 motion activated sprayers in the garden - each one hooked up to a hose. They detect the deer from about 25' away and spray them as they walk by. I try to locate the sprayers near their pathways in the yard, to keep them from coming into the garden area. This year, the deer have been frequenting the garden mid morning - not just at dawn and dusk, so I've started leaving the motion sprayers on during the day while I'm at work. The electronic deer repellents attract the deer with acorn scent and then shocks them when they touch the top with their noses. Here's a link to the Havahart site, http://www.havahart.com/store/animal-repellents/deer. They may seem expensive, but I've had mine for three years, they are well worth the expense.
Wanda Evans, Dayton,KY:
I still like Liquid Fence I live in the city limits and I am not able to put electric fence around my yard.
Another thing I use is the big whirligigs I have a huge Cardinal one that has a lot of movement I have it on a pole by my garden that has my newest plants. I also have chimes hanging from my little Dogwood and other shrubs so they make noise as the wind blows.
I use Miloganite too more for a fertilizer some people think it deters deer by itself it doesn't do enough to trust it for that. I live right by a wooded lot where the deer come out and graze in my neighbor's yard.
I have a small folding fence I got at Big Lots that runs down that side only just to deter them from grazing on across my garden. I make sure to spray the perimeter of the garden and on the fence too. They can jump it if they wish but they seem to just move on down his driveway and go across the street to a large grassy yard and eat. I spray my LF every two weeks right now as we are getting a lot of rain. I spray early when the foliage starts emerging and keep it up through bloom and on to let the pods mature.
Pat Soileau, Region 13:
A couple of weeks ago I visited the Imahara Botanical Garden in St. Francisville, La. I noticed that all the trees had cut air ducts around the trees because they had so many deer. I asked if they had any daylilies since the garden is largely made up of Asian plants. Mr. Imahara laughed and said they tried the first year and lost everything to the deer because there are so many and he couldn't afford to put up electricity for such a large garden. But he said that they were going to try something that he thought would work because he said it had worked for others. They are going to plant lantana beds around some daylily beds. They are also going to plant pots of oregano (and any other of the mint herbs that they could) in and around other beds. He said that the deer don't like the smell.
Melanie Mason, Upstate NY:
I put up a temporary electric fence, two strands at about 15" and 30". Before you turn the fence on, fold a rectangle of aluminum foil over the wire, and smear the outside (deer side) with peanut butter. Then turn on the electric. You MUST do it very early in the season, as soon as the posts can go in the ground. The p-butter will attract the deer, and they will get a teaching jolt of electric. They very quickly learn to avoid your garden, and by June you can usually remove the fence altogether, as the deer have established other browsing paths. I put the fence in a semi-circle about 12' away from the daylilies. The deer learn to just circumnavigate the area on their way to the woods.
Stephanie Abraham, Scotland, CT:
Deer Scram has worked beautifully here. Easy to broadcast--like throwing coffee grounds around the beds. And is safe for domestic animals. Repels rabbits as well as deer.
Marianne Joordens, Lincoln, NB Canada - Zone 4:
I purchased those cheap solar lights (Walmart - $3, probably $2 in the US) and poked them through and around the beds. There's a blue glow from the beds at night. Second, I spread some vacuum cleaner collectings around outside. I have dogs. Smells like humans and dogs (smells worse when wet). Deer don't like that. Tuck it into your mulch.
Pete Mondron, Edon, Ohio zone 5:
We are using the following so I can't say what works best. Eelectric fence as described in the Daylily Journal several years ago. This is around the large beds away from the house next to the creek.
Boom boxes on timers near the house and barn. Opera, country, and talk radio seem to work. Milorganite in selected areas. Two sprays that work are “This 1 Works” from Fertilome and Tree Guard. We bought “This 1 Works” from a local garden store and Tree Guard is available from Gemplers. Both contain Bitrex in a latex solution which doesn't wash off easily. Once a deer gets the taste of it, they usually stay away. You only need to spray the buds.
We have tried the Flash Tape type of products for birds in fruit trees and they are worthless for that. Don't know about deer. What we do use is our own version for around the corn. Take old, worthless CDs or DVDs and drill a small hole in the edge. Makes me wish I hadn't thrown out all those AOL CDs that came 5 times a week in the mail. Attach fishing line and hang around the perimeter of the area you want to protect. If there is any light and wind at all they will "flash". Last year was the first year we tried it and there was no deer or raccoon damage.
Greg Bogard; Winston-Salem, NC; USDA Zone 7a/b; AHS Region 15:
Here is a tip about deer control that my son got from his Ag agent: Deer will not jump an obstacle unless it is confident it can clear it. I you plant a hedge of bushes---or place an "inner fence" that is taller than the outer fence---about three feet in from the outer perimeter fence--deer will not jump it. One could plant beans, squash, cucumbers, and other vining crops on the inner fence to make the most of it.
Bonnie Nichols, Region 2, zone 5:
I have a friend that uses Plantskydd the same way with much success. No more deer damage. Before my friend starting using the Plantskydd the deer had eaten her daylilies to the ground four times. Every time they put on enough new growth the deer came back and ate them again. She does have to spray more often than every six months, though, to protect the new growth. For the number of daylilies she grows, the Plantskydd works quite well.
There are several things we do to deter the deer. Plantskydd is expensive, so we use it in conjunction with two other things. Their website on line is the place to buy because it is much cheaper. I use the premixed gallons since trying the powder. Mixing it was not my idea of fun. We spray the daylilies when they are sending up scapes and make sure to hit the scapes. Some years we spray every clump while other years we only spray the perimeter of the garden and the perennials that deer also love, like phlox. Other years, we spray as many scapes as we can using two gallons. If we do that, we start around the perimeter and work our way in
The other two things we use are a fishing line fence around the garden and a double handful of Milorganite in the middle of each clump. The Milorganite is put on each and every clump in late March or early April and then again in early October. The advice about how to use Milorganite came from Peggy Jeffcoat years ago and has saved my garden year in and year out for the last 11 years. She was very insistent that the Milorganite must be in the middle of each clump and be a large double handful.
If you live close to a zoo and can obtain some big cat dung, that will keep the deer away. One year I managed to obtain some and put it in the middle of my garden. For that entire season, we did not see any signs of deer in the garden.
Charlotte:
I'm the one who uses Plantskyyd with success. You must start with it early and a little goes a long way. I buy the box of power and picked up a cheap blender in Walmart to mix it up good. If there are lumps it will get clogged in your trigger sprayer. My sprayer is only 1 1/2 or 2 litres and it does the whole garden. I use hot water and stir mix the Plantskyyd first - then in the blender. The product has a down side and that is it can be messy but if you clear a spot to work with it and don rubber gloves you're all set. With my trigger sprayer I walk about at sunset (do not apply in heat of the day) and aim mostly at the foliage but very nilly willy. You want a "fine" spray as it leaves little spots like a toothbrush painting on a screen does.....and being blood based it's red! That dissipates quite quickly and even if it rains you don't have to run and re-apply it. Remember to spray as soon as your foliage shows itself (6 inches or so). Training them early that those leaves don't taste good is important
Ron Reimer, Russellville AR, Zone 7 Region 13:
I should suggest covering the rhodos with birdnetting during the winter months. We have covered shrubs here that sustain significant deer damage and it works quite well. The birdnetting, of course, needs to be removed before spring growth starts.
Julie Covington, VA:
Havahart Electronic deer repellent gives deer harmless shock - deters them from your property. http://www.havahart.com/store/electronic-repellents/5250
Deer protection youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_ySzNEuuKc&feature=share
Simple fence using fishing line and cans to startle deer:
Use bamboo stakes (about waist high) around the perimeter of garden. Tie light fishing line (because the deer can't see it and will walk into it) with any style knot, to one end post and then drape it across the other posts at knee to waist height. Don't tie it to any other posts. Then attach a vertical string of tuna or other cans and place the cans on a bucket so the line is not real tight. I end up with four different sections of line to surround the garden. I keep it a few feet above the ground so my dogs and cats can just walk under it. It is important to make sure all approaches are covered.
Other Items
The LIDS Newsletter exists for the interest of the LIDS membership. Please consider writing for it. Write about our meetings. Write about your favorite daylily, or how you became interested in daylilies. Or anything Daylily related. Please contact Marc Whinston for details.
Look for an article about deer-resistant plants in the next issue of this newsletter!
Thanks.