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. […]
THE TENT MAKERS
TENT MAKERS Summer has come to an end and some of us are looking forward to a cooler seasonal change. Especially the tent making caterpillars !!!!! Really scary picture of a tent caterpillar nest ! LIFECYCLE This is a specialized sub group of butterflies and moths, the young (caterpillars) of this […]
OH NO ! STINK BUGS !!!!
THE ADULTS Common brown stink bug This crop pest of China was introduced into Pennsylvania by accident in 1998, and has spread throughout the Northeast. The name “stink bug” refers to glands on the abdomen. When disturbed or if crushed the insect will release a potent and unpleasant odor – like potent skunk […]
CEDAR APPLE RUST
WHAT IS THAT ! Fungal blisters on apple leaf As the summer progresses into fall gardeners start noticing these blisters on their apple tree leaves. It’s a fungus !!! This disease is one of several caused by the genus Gymnosporangium. Its called Cedar Apple Rust. Life cycle on broadleaf plants The […]
BUD WORMS – YUCK !
The Tobacco Budworm This is a familiar garden pest we encounter every season. It is a caterpillar that loves many of our favorite plants. It is also an agricultural pest of both tobacco and cotton. In our gardens it feeds on the flowers of geranium, petunia, snapdragon and nicotiana – sometimes even […]
MODERN FLOWERING PLANTS
FLOWERING PLANTS Although still very old ( as in 125 million years ! ) flowering plants are considered “modern”. This is because they produce a seed inside a vessel. Unlike their ancestors, they also produce a flower containing both male and female reproductive structures. Flowering plants evolved into two main groups. Monocotyledons and dicotyledons. […]
THE SHAPE OF LEAVES
What is a leaf? A leaf is the main organ attached to the stem. It is specialized for photosynthesis. Over time, it has evolved into a plethora of different shapes, sizes and characteristics. These vary considerably depending largely on their adaptation to climate. Leaves have also adapted to the available sunlight, presence of grazing […]
BARK !
Introduction Bark is the outermost layer of tissue on a mature plant. It is made mostly of dead rectangular cork cells that fit tightly together. It is pretty much watertight! The bark on trees and shrubs is as distinctive and individual as the species that produce them. Not surprising, there is a large variation […]
