For those in the know – The New York Botanical Gardens – is a truly magical place to get lost in or even find yourself in ! For me after working all week with plants – guess where you will often find me – they also have a bar and a great restaurant ! […]
Nomenclature
What is it ? The word nomenclature is derived from the Latin nomen (‘name‘), and calare (‘to call’). It is a system of names or terms, or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. In Botany – it is they way we identify a particular plant species or variety. It is also related […]
Where did all my Butterflies go?
The Basics Butterflies and moths are two evolutionarily related group of insects. They are in the Lepidoptera. All of them have wings covered with scales. Their family name comes from the words for scaly (lepido) and winged (ptera). Most butterflies are very colorful and usually active exclusively during the day. In contrast, most moths […]
What is an Heirloom plant anyway ?
Have you ever been in a restaurant and they offer your heirloom tomatoes or heirloom potatoes and you wondered what the heck that even means ( but felt too silly to ask ). An Heirloom Blue potato – yum ! Well wonder no more ! From hear on in you will be the […]
Planting Perennial’s in fall
Bulbs and bareroots can certainly be planted in springtime, but experienced gardeners know that planting in fall typically results in a more thriving, healthy perennial. Why? Fall planted perennials exploding in color all season ! Firstly With the ground still warm after summer, it’s easier for the perennial to settle into the […]
Some useful Tips to think about when planning a ...
Plant Specialists has been creating spectacular rooftop retreats in Manhattan for over 51 years – that’s a lot of gardens ! Here are a few tips that we consider with every garden that we design. If you are looking for good terrace design – consider these, then call Plant Specialists ! Tip 1 […]
Husbandry
Husbandry in Ants Husbandry is the practice by many ants to farm, care for, tend to, and otherwise raise other insects like humans do with livestock. It’s a really amazing product of evolution ! They also perform a rudimentary farming by collecting fungi for food which they feed little bits of leaves ! […]
PARTHENOCARPIA
What is in a name ? Parthenocarpia is a scientific word derived from classical Greek – Parthenos (virgin) + Karpos (fruit). It refers to fruit that can grow and mature without any viable seeds inside. Fertilization triggers the formation of an embryo (inside the seed). In plants this releases hormones which are responsible for […]
Good Gourd!
Pumpkins Squashes and Gourds !!!! Cucurbita (Latin for gourd) is a genus of herbaceous vines native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. They are grown worldwide for their edible fruit and seeds. We grow many of these in our customers rooftop gardens! The five domesticated species are Cucurbita argyrosperma, C. ficifolia, C. maxima, C. […]
