Quiz: What Is Happening Here?

Photo credit: Regents of the University of California

Using Chill Hours to Select Fruit Trees

January is a great time to plant bare-root fruit trees. But make sure that the varieties you choose will do well in our changing climate. Deciduous fruit trees like plums, peaches, and apples require a winter dormancy period that is measured in chill hours. In our warming climate, some traditionally grown varieties such as Bing cherries may not receive enough chill hours to fruit well. Where you live and the microclimates in your yard will affect your choices. See the link for more details on how chill hours are calculated and what low chill hour varieties are available.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Protect Pollinators

Plant Propagation

You can plant seeds to grow new plants, but you can also create new plants by taking cuttings of stems, leaves, or roots. This is called asexual propagation. It creates an exact clone of the parent, allowing you to preserve and multiply your favorites for your garden. Using sterilized clippers, snip a stem section just below a node (where leaves attach). Place it in the proper growing medium or water to root and prepare for planting. Whether you plant seeds—perhaps saved from your summer garden—or use cuttings from plants you love, plant propagation will save money and expand your plant collection.

Photo: Coleus plants rooting in water, C. Carignan

Quiz Answer: Armillaria Root Rot

These mushrooms are fruiting bodies of the Armillaria fungus. A fan-shaped, flat sheet of fungal tissue below the bark can further identify it as Armillaria. This fungus feeds on live and decaying wood and can live in soil for many years. An infected tree can decline and die rapidly as the fungus rots the roots, disrupting water and nutrient flow. If you are managing an area with Armillaria, avoid overwatering as the fungus thrives in moist conditions. Keep mulch and plants away from the trunk of trees to prevent moisture buildup. Alternatively, consider planting resistant varieties.

Photo: Armillaria mycelial fans growing under bark, Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org