Flowering perennials: characteristics and culture

Original author: Mary Kroening (Missouri Master Gardener Program)"A perennial plant is one that lives two or more years. By definition, herbaceous perennials are nonwoody plants whose above-ground parts usually die to the ground each year. They survive winter weather by means of a vigorous root system, bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes or other underground root or stem modifications. Several shrubs that often die back to the ground each year are frequently grouped with herbaceous perennials even though they are technically woody plants. Roses, tree peonies and Russian sage are examples of flowering shrubs more frequently considered flowering perennials. Even though they are woody plants, they regrow vigorously each year from the root system if harsh winter weather causes a complete dieback."--Page 1.Revised by David Trinklein (Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology

Spring flowering bulbs: daffodils

"Few garden plants give as much pleasure with as little effort as daffodils. They are one of the most vigorous and colorful flowers of spring. With good drainage they thrive in most soils, although they prefer a medium-heavy loam."--Page 1.David Trinklein (Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology

Insects (2017)

Insects are the most abundant animals on earth. They exert important effects, both positive and negative, on our lives in ways we may not even think about. While the vast majority of insects are either beneficial or harmless, we often are most familiar with those insects that cause problems. For example, the mosquito is responsible for more deaths each year than any other insect. On the whole, insects are enormously beneficial. Insects pollinate plants and provide food for birds, fish and animals. Many beneficial insects prey on other insects that are pests. By studying insects, we gain a better understanding of their role in the web of life, as indicators of environmental quality, as predators of harmful species, and as potential threats to crops, homes and health. Also through the study of insects, we help to preserve beneficial species by understanding their behavior patterns and modifying their habitat. Our ultimate goal as Master Gardeners is to reduce the damage caused by insects

Plant propagation (2009)

"New 4/09/2M.""Master Gardener.""Acknowledgment : Content of this chapter is based on MU Extension guides written by Mary Ann Gowdy, Ray R. Rothenberger and Christopher J. Starbuck of the Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri.

Building and using hotbeds and cold frames

Revised by David Trinklein, Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology. Original author: Denny Schrock, Department of Horticulture"A cold frame is a rudimentary plant forcing structure used to protect plants. It has no artificial heat added. The temperature inside the structure generally is not more than 5 to 10 degrees above the outside temperature. A mat or blanket may be placed over the frame on cold nights to conserve heat, but this increases temperature by only a few degrees. There are times, however, when a few degrees can be very important. Cold frames are used to provide shelter for tender perennials, to 'harden off' seedling plants or to start cold-tolerant plants such as pansies, cabbage or lettuce earlier than they can be started in open soil. It may also be used to overwinter summer-rooted cuttings of woody plants."--Page 1.David Trinklein, Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technolog

Flowering annuals: characteristics and culture

"Annual flowers are used primarily to brighten the landscape with abundant amounts of color. They are unsurpassed for adding interest to beds or borders or in pots or containers on the patio or deck. They may also be used for cut flowers, rock gardens, window boxes, hanging baskets, screens, temporary fillers and groundcovers. To brighten this deck, pink petunias, white zinnias and purple verbena are combined with the silvery foliage of dusty miller."--Page 1.David Trinklein (Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Department of Plant Science and Technology

Budding

Original authors: Ray R. Rothenberger and Christopher J. Starbuck (Department of Horticulture)"Budding is a method of grafting in which the scion (upper portion of the graft) is a single bud rather than a piece of stem or twig. Many of the same conditions and materials used for other forms of grafting also apply to budding. Budding is most frequently used to multiply a variety that cannot be produced from seed. It is a common method for producing fruit trees, roses and many varieties of ornamental trees and shrubs. It may also be used for topworking trees that can't be easily grafted with cleft or whip grafts. The stone fruits, cherry, plum and peach, are examples of the latter."--Page 1.Reviewed by David Trinklein (Horticulture State Extension Specialist Division of Plant Sciences and Technology). Original authors: Ray R. Rothenberger and Christopher J. Starbuck (Department of Horticulture)

Pruning ornamental shrubs

Original author: Christopher J. Starbuck (Department of Horticulture)"Pruning is an important practice that often is misunderstood and improperly performed. Proper pruning is not difficult if a regular maintenance schedule is followed. A plant that has been neglected is difficult or nearly impossible to prune. Therefore, pruning should begin before a plant has reached maximum size for the space occupied. When a plant has become too large for normal pruning, replacement should be considered. Using dwarf plants in limited spaces helps to reduce pruning needs."--Page 1.David Trinklein (Horticulture State Extension Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology

Grafting

Original authors: Ray R. Rothenberger and Christopher J. Starbuck (Department of Horticulture)"Grafting is the act of joining two plants together. The upper part of the graft (the scion) becomes the top of the plant, the lower portion (the understock) becomes the root system or part of the trunk. Although grafting usually refers to joining only two plants, it may be a combination of several. A third plant part added between two others becomes the trunk or a portion of it. This is called an interstem. Multiple grafts may produce an apple tree with several varieties or a rose-of-Sharon shrub with several different colors of flowers."--Page 1.Reviewed by David Trinklein (Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology). Original authors: Ray R. Rothenberger and Christopher J. Starbuck (Department of Horticulture

Growing home garden tomatoes

"Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) is America's most popular home garden vegetable. Tomatoes require arelatively small area, bear repeatedly, are widely adapted and easy to grow, and have many culinary uses. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, low in calories, and an excellent source of lycopene. The latter is the pigment that makes tomatoes red and has been linked to the prevention of many forms of cancer."--Page 1.David Trinklein (Horticulture Extension State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology