All the Japanese Maples will do well in containers or in the ground. Remember that the container plants will have to be re-potted at least every five years. The plants can be arranged alone or in groups but most often in a north or east facing location. The more delicate the leaves (e.g. “Burgundy Lace”), the less exposure to sun and wind can be tolerated. Fortunately, the cut-leaved varieties do well in shaded areas or lightly mottled sunlight. Unquestionably, the seedling Japanese Maples (no varietals name) will grow to be the most tree like and will even grow in full sun. At Filoli Japanese Maples form the shade garden and are 35 to 45 feet tall. They provide a perfect environment for Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons, ferns, cyclamen and other shade loving plants.

Planting Japanese Maples:
When planting Japanese Maples dig the hole two or three times as wide as the container and one inch less deep than the soil in the container. Mix the removed native soil with one-third Acid Planting Mix and use this as back fill for the plant. Planting the tree on a low mound is also a viable option and will help to ensure good drainage. When completed, the topmost roots of the tree should be no more than one inch below the soil surface. Any remaining soil, can be used to make a berm at the drip line of the tree. It is essential that water runs away from the crown of the tree. Planting the tree low or in a depressed area so that water collects around the trunk of the tree is a death knell for all maples.

Watering and Other Needs:
During the first year, the tree should be watered about once a week for as long as it takes for moisture to go to the bottom of the hole and then not again until the top tow or three inches have dried out. Watering normally begins in May or June. The area under the tree should be mulched with Gold Rush or Forest Blend about two inches deep but not within 3 or 4 inches of the trunk. Nothing (grass, flowers, azaleas, etc.) should be planted with five feet of the tree trunk.

Fertilizing:
Fertilize the tree twice a year about Memorial Day and Labor Day with Camellia, Azalea, Gardenia and Rhododendron Food. Plants in containers should be fertilized monthly, March to October.

Diseases:
Japanese Maples are resistant to Oak Root Fungus (Armillaria mellea) but highly susceptible to Verticillium Wilt, whose symptoms are the dieback of twigs and branches and eventually the whole tree. Both of those fungi proliferate in wet, warm soils hence the instructions to let the soil dry between waterings.

Pruning:
Pruning Japanese Maples is best left to someone who knows what they are doing. More trees have been badly disfigured by your friendly mow and blow gardeners than by homeowners. You might consider watching a skilled pruner and then doing it yourself after that. Be advised that it is a rather labor intensive process. The March/April issue of Fine Gardening has a good article on pruning Japanese Maples; the magazine is available at the Nursery.

Japanese Maples, whether as a grove or alone in a container, are worthwhile plants, and there is sure to be one for every taste. Mr. Ed has a seven-foot plant in a container given to him as a seedling by a student 26 years ago It’s still happy and colorful in fall.

An entertaining floral funfest for you and all of your friends. Thousands and thousands of flowers and plants with all their rich colors, fragrances and textures. Four acres of inspiring gardens, free seminars for all gardening levels and shopping at 300 exhibits all strictly related to gardening, outdoor living and gardeners.

You are invited to join the fun at the Cow Palace March 21-25. Advance tickets are on sale at Wegman’s. Advance ticket price $17 for adults through Tuesday, March 20th. On Wednesday, March 21st the price goes to $20 for adults. Youth tickets are available for $4.

For more information about the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show go to this link:
http://www.gardenshow.com/sf/index/index.asp

2007 Certification Course
Be A Certified Master Composter!

LEARN — How to build compost piles, how to use compost to improve your garden, the difference between good and bad insects, how worms eat garbage, and much more.

HAVE FUN — Make friends, share a common interest, take gardening and composting tours, join us for potluck dinners.

GIVE BACK — Educate your friends, neighbors, kids, teachers and community on the value of composting and vermicomposting (with worms).

NO FEE — The Program is FREE and includes training, a compost manual, compost books and other materials.

The Master Composter Program is designed to extend composting information to the public through volunteers who have successfully completed a comprehensive training program. This free educational program is made available through the County of San Mateo.

Master Composters agree to give back to the community a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service in the form of approved educational outreach throughout the County. This can be done in a variety of ways such as giving workshops at schools, community centers, staffing a booth at the County Fair or writing a news release for a paper.

Register now for the 2007 Program! Contact Jacqueline Rosine, Program Coordinator, at (650) 599-1498 or compost@recycleworks.org.

An overview of the Master Composter Program will be held this month for prospective participants interested in finding out more information. Please stop by.

OPEN HOUSE - Friday, January 26th, 7:00-8:30 pm
College of San Mateo (CSM)
1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo
Building 20, Room 101
You can view a syllabus by clicking on this link: http://www.recycleworks.org/compost/mcprgrm.html

It’s time to plant for Spring!

With the spring showers and sunny days it’s time to prepare your flower beds and replant your pots and other containers for spring. Each week our Bedding Buyer and Expert, Oden Pebbles, will let you know about the new arrivals in the nursery.

Begonias are here! Look for impatiens and petunias to be coming soon!

Wax begonias, or fibrous begonias, are annual plants. These brightly colored bedding begonias are equally at home in full sun (except where temperatures stay above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for days on end) or full but bright shade (where trees are pruned high). From first setting them out until they are laid low by frost, they'll be packed with white, pink, rose, or red blossoms. Virtually untouched by bugs or blight.

How to grow: Fibrous begonias perform well in rich, well-drained soil, but the soil must be allowed to dry between waterings. They'll form tight, compact plants in full sun, with increasingly looser form and fewer flowers as you move them deeper into the shade. Most hybrids will grow six to nine inches high and spread as wide.

The Tuberose (polianthes tuberosa), is a flower that is both mythical and magical, its nectar said by some to have special powers and its scent magical to all who experience it. Tuberoses are a popular flower in floral arrangements and their scent is used to produce perfumes the world over. The opportunity to have your very own Tuberoses unfolding in your yard or garden is one not to miss.

Tuberoses thrive in sunny spots and bloom in late summer. They are excellent in the garden or in pots. Their tall stems (2-3 ft.) and rather sparse, grass-like foliage make them ideal for interplanting. In the spring after the last frost, plant in a sunny spot, beneath about 2 inches of soil and 8 inches apart. Fertilize and water regularly.

Plant the bulbs now for blooming in late summer. Or you may force tuberoses by planting one bulb in a 6 inch pot and keeping the plant at 75 degrees for an earlier summer bloom.

$2.99 each

Mark Wegman

Mark Wegman, our General Manager, is a second generation nurseryman. Mark is the son of Rudy Wegman, our founder, and has been working at the nursery since his early teens. Mark learned the nursery business and about plants from the bottom up.

Today Mark is a vital part of our business and active as President of the Peninsula Chapter of CCNGC and serves on the examination committee as well. Mark brings a passion for excellence to Wegman’s and reinforces the importance of plant and product knowledge to all of the Wegman team.