Horticulture   Challenge
Information Provided By
Karyn Mazzeo and Kathy Scollan 

Click here for the
Hibiscus Care Handout 

2024 Horticulture Challenge Winners


Over Wintered Hibiscus - Pat Pohl
Thumbelina Zinnia - Susan Hayden
Star Flower - Carla Vorreuter

Gallery At The Bottom Of The Page 

    Skaneateles Garden Club Horticulture Summary 2024

This year we had three Horticulture Challenges for our club.

1) The first was a Wintering-Over Challenge. In 2023, we grew Hibiscus Rosa- Senensis, also called "Hawaiian Punch". Native to China, Hawaiian Punch offered huge, trumpet-shaped blooms in our zone ( now 6 a/b). Wintering over this tropical hibiscus required bringing the plant indoors when the temperature fell into the 50s, keeping it moist and placing it in a sunny location for the winter. As the temperatures rose above 60 in the spring, some people returned their hibiscus to the outside. We found that with very little effort these lovely plants bloomed even better the second year, making them worth every bit of effort. Our winner of the Wintering -Over Horticulture Challenge is Pat Pohl.

2) Our second Horticulture Challenge was to grow Thumbelina Zinnias from seed. These are annuals, they can be sown directly or started indoors. They love hot weather -70 to 80 degrees. We had many difficulties growing from seed. Pat Pohl has luck with baking the soil prior to use starting seeds. Her method is to use disposable aluminum pans, fill with a couple inches of potting soil and bake for 2 hours at 250 degrees. Our winner of the Horticulture Challenge, "Growing Thumbelina Zinnias from Seed", Susan Hayden, planted seeds as directed in a clay pot which she placed outside, taking care to bring the pot in when the weather was too cold or wet. She thinned out sparingly, and watered as needed until they were big enough to thrive on their own outside in her garden. She did not transplant them, but kept them in their pot.

3) The third Horticulture Challenge, "Growing Starflowers from Seed", was indeed, a challenge. Many of us had germination troubles with the starflower seeds, others grew stalks but no flowers. Our winner of the "Growing Starflowers from Seed', Carla Vorreuter, had very good results with the Burpee Seed Starter Kit and their Seed Starter Mix. She started the seeds indoors and, once they looked ready, transplanted them outdoors. She has a sunroom, which along with a green thumb, added to her success!

Congratulations to all the winners. 


We have shifted our horticulture focus this fall to establishing a Garden Forum. We have posted a few websites to our Garden Forum display. These appear easy to use and reliable. 

http://www.epicgardening.com, find an article about 21 Perennials you should not cut down in the fall. They say, one reason why not to cut down certain perennials, is that the crown of the plant will be insulated from harsh weather by the foliage and stems. 

www.gardenloversclub.com, you can find "How to Harvest Zinnia Seeds". They say, wait for the flowers to bloom fully and start to dry out. Store properly out of direct sunlight in a well ventilated area. Air circulation is essential. Once dry, gently rub the flowerheads between your fingers to release seeds. Store seeds in a cool, dry place. (40 degrees F).

We are interested in discovering new garden facts and techniques and would love to hear your "tried and true" gardening tips. We look forward to hearing from you! 

July 2023 Winners 
First Place overall: Diane Boden
Second Place: Julie Bourke
Honorable Mention: Ulla Kasprzyk
Creative Setting: Julie Bourke
Creative Humor: Renée Brown

August 2023 Winners
First Place: Evie Simpson
Second Place: Ulla Kasprzyk
Honorable Mention: Christine Pierce

October 2023 Winners
First Place: Gretchen Hamlin
Second Place: Diane Steckel
3rd Place: Monta Faye Tuxill
Honorable Mention: Linda Arthur & Kathy Scollan


The winning entry photos are located on the gallery page.

It was difficult to choose amongst all the beautiful entries.

Thank you to our judges: Kathy Scollan, Gretchen Hamlin and Lina Pateras

Evie's Secret To A Winning
Entry!

I repotted my hibiscus, using my own compost mixed with Back to Your Roots, organic potting soil. I fed and watered it, using Miracle Gro, all purpose plant food, as recommended on the label. The good Lord then did the rest by providing at least six hours of sunshine and mostly fair weather, so I feel my efforts paid off.


Diane's Secret To A Winning Entry!

"I was lucky! My hibiscus came with 2 buds that opened shortly after I got it. I potted it in miracle grow potting soil. Weather was hot and humid. It g ot sun in the afternoon b ut filtered. After the first 2 bloomed, 3 more formed and blossomed. Right now I only have one bloom that is forming. I will continue with miracle grow and move it to more sun on my deck."   

Notice
Winter your Hibiscus. A grafting workshop is planned for next year.