The Orchard Online News: March 12, 2009

Edition 9.11

March 12, 2009

Master Nursery

CCN Pro

Lafayette
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(925) 284-4474

Address:
4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549

E. B. Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food

is a blend of select natural organic ingredients for use with citrus and other home orchard fruit trees and with small fruits like berries and those grown on vines. It is formulated to encourage new growth, lush green foliage and to support bountiful crops. E. B. Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food is rich in nitrogen, which is essential for all fruiting crops. It also contains phosphorus and potash, which are important for fruit production. It may also be used to feed shade trees, flowering trees and ornamental vines. Don't forget to check your pH and lower as needed with our Soil Sulfur for healthy citrus.

Join us on Saturday, March 14th at 11:00 am – 1:00 pm for our annual "TomatoTutorial" featuring Ginger McMahon from Suncatcher Harvest. Ginger will share with us the particular characteristics of the many varieties of tomatoes she grows for us and give us a few hints on how to achieve an abundant harvest.

Get a jump on your spring planting!

4" POT PERENNIALS

from Collectors Corner

NOW 25% OFF

Limited to stock on hand (price codes P3 - P8).
Special of the week is valid on purchases Thursday, March 12th through Wednesday, March 18th.

The African violet was first discovered in East Africa in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul; he found the plant growing among shaded rocky ledges in the Usambara Mountains. Baron von Saint Paul immediately sent seeds of his "Usambara violet" to his father in Germany, where the plant acquired a botanical name which it still bears today: Saintpaulia. African violets came to North America via Europe in 1926.

African violets are one of our favorite indoor blooming plants. These wonderful plants come in miniature as well as standard varieties. African violets have been widely hybridized and there are numerous interesting and attractive varieties available.

Water: Prefers moderately moist soil. Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Do not allow plant to stand in water.

Temperature: Prefers 70° - 75° F days and 65° - 70° F nights

Light: Indirect or bright diffused light is best.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2-4 weeks with a half strength liquid fertilizer. Over fertilizing can damage the root system and cause browning of the leaves.

Color range: Single, double or frilled blossoms in white, pink, blue, red, purple and some bicolor.

Tips: Often violets will flower continuously in good natural light conditions or with 14-16 hours of artificial light per day. Keep plants moderately root-bound. Avoid splashing cold water on leaves, as this can cause leaf petioles to rot from absorbing soluble chemicals where they touch the rim of a clay pot. Remove dying leaves to avoid gray mold and crown rot.

Garden stools, dating back to the Ming dynasty, are the hot trend for indoors and outdoors. Use them as an extra seat, foot rest, small table (put a glass top on for larger area), plant stand, or garden accent. The possibilities are endless! Prices range from $95 to $165.

Skip the lines at the show by purchasing
early bird tickets at Orchard!

Available now through March 17th, Early Bird tickets are $16 (tickets are $20 at the show).

The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show will take place March 18-22, 2009 at the San Mateo Event Center. Cash and check only.

We are proud and honored to participate again in the annual Bouquets to Art, March 16-21, at San Francisco’s de Young Museum.

For those not familiar with this event, the de Young Museum, in San Francisco, invites the best florists in the Bay Area to interpret its collection of art with floral design. This extravagant floral event, robed in color and texture, is truly a treat for the senses and not to be missed. We hope you can attend this exquisite event; be sure to look for our masterpiece in flowers. Our talented designers, Jan Bush and Carolyn Russell, will interpret the painting entitled, “Caius Marius amid the Ruins of Carthage” by John Vanderlyn.

We look forward to viewing their floral design at this spectacular event. For more information call the Flower Shop, 925-284-4474.

Last Week's Question: What is America's oldest seed company?

Correct Answer: Ferry Morse

Prize Winner: Eleanot Lesterhuis has won a $10 Orchard Nursery gift certificate. Congratulations! Gift certificates are to be picked up within two weeks of winning. Winner must bring an ID to the nursery to claim the prize. Prize must be picked up in person. Employees are not eligible for this contest. Please stay tuned for another question next week!

Have your buffalo wings without the mess! Serve this addicting dip with tortilla chips and celery sticks.

What You'll Need:

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle hot chicken wing sauce
6 tablespoons butter
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (16 ounce) bottle blue cheese dressing

Step by Step:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place chicken in a pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook 25 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Drain liquid from pot and shred chicken. Mix wing sauce and butter into pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.
Spread cream cheese over the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking dish. Pour chicken mixture over cream cheese. Top with dressing.
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until hot and bubbly.

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