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| SHARING SEEDS IS A REWARDING EXPERIENCE | |
| Published: June 24, 1997 | |
Marlene Harpers offer of angel trumpet seeds brought 81 + responsesQ:I am writing to tell you how rewarding it was to give away angel trumpet seeds, and to thank those people who sent seeds to me to show their appreciation. I mailed seeds to visitors to our area from Indiana and Connecticut who happened to read the column while they were in town. I have mailed 81 self-addressed-stamped-envelopes, and requests are still trickling in.A:Sharing Marlenes note gives me an opportunity to say that many readers have told me that they especially enjoy the weekly plant and seed exchange feature because it has provided them with plant materials that they wouldnt normally have. Persons giving away plant materials tell me how surprised they were at the number of people who responded and their courtesy and friendliness.Id like to call to the attention of potential givers that the number of responses may be very large, sometimes from 50 to 90 calls. This can be fun for dyed-in-the-wool gardeners who love to share their plants, or it may be a real problem for people who have other responsibilities. This is why we ask that you put your offer in writing, with your signature, so that we have on file your permission to be besieged by grateful gardeners. The staff appreciates your help in doing this. Free seed offer brought requests for information on angel trumpetsQ:I sent my SASE for free seeds for angel trumpets. I know almost nothing about these plants and would appreciate your providing some information.A:There are lots of different varieties and colors of angel trumpets; all are beautiful and most are fragrant. Marlenes seeds are for the white Datura arborea, a small perennial tree that usually dies back in winter, comes back in spring, and grows as much as six to 10 feet in a season.The fragrant flowers, which are large and pendulous, open in the evening and last until morning. In addition to white, the flowers may be yellow, pink, salmon, golden or purple. The seeds are poisonous and should be kept away from children. Daturas bloom best in full sun with moist, fertile soil, occasional feedings with a water soluble fertilizer, and often wilt without daily watering. They grow very well in containers or in the ground. Drying sunflower seedsQ:In recent weeks I have planted sunflowers, and I hope to cultivate a pole-bean crop via the stalks of the sunflower plants. The flowers have recently bloomed. I am curious to know how to dry the seeds from the center of the flower.A:According to Denise Cummings with the Cooperative Extension Service, let the flowers dry on the stalks, providing support as the flower heads get heavier. When the heads start to brown and the seeds start to swell, cut off heads, leaving a small stem. Bring inside and hang upside down until completely dry. Place the flower head into a paper bag and store there until time to plant the seeds.Catherine Vincents long-time method for drying basil leavesI trim my plants straight across the tops when they are five or six inches high, before they bloom. I lay the cuttings in a single layer on a nonstick cookie sheet. I bake them in a 200 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until they are crisp. The smell is wonderful for my kitchen. Stored in an air tight container, the leaves will keep for many months. |