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Gardeners' Corner at the

Calgary Horticultural Society

Holiday Plant Care
Did you purchase a holiday cactus? Growers provide conditions so that the plants have wonderful buds and are ready to bloom for our seasonal holidays. These plants come in many colours making them hard to resist during this dark season. Now that they are past their peak, what should we do?  

Holiday cacti are forest plants that grow on other plants. However, this is not a parasitic relationship; the cacti are epiphytes, meaning they take no nutrients from the plants they live on. These cacti, like other epiphytes, benefit from a well-draining potting mix and do not like to have wet roots. Once flowering stops, they can be repotted.
Holiday cacti benefit from a resting period during February and March. Throughout this time, place the plants in a cool location, preferably with temperatures between 12° and 16° C. Water infrequently, but do not let the soil become bone‑dry. 

Come April, treat them as a house plant with regular watering and normal room temperatures. They usually do well in an east-facing window or in bright, indirect light.

For the summer, they can be grown outside in a shady location. They will get sunscald if placed in direct sunlight.

In September, return the plants to a cool room, and again keep the potting medium a bit dry. Flower buds should form in October. Once buds have developed, increase watering and room temperature. Make the temperature changes gradual as these plants have been known to drop their buds if changes are sudden or extreme.

By following this cycle, you should be able to have your cactus rebloom for years. They can be long-lived houseplants.
Need help activating your membership or registering for a class?  Give us a call!
The office is open for telephone assistance (call 403.287.3469), contactless pick-up, and appointments. Office hours are Tuesday–Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. You can also email the Society using office@calhort.org or by visiting Contact Us on the website and completing the form.
Calgary Gardening—What Do I Do Now—Winter
With the turning of the calendar to a new year, many gardeners' thoughts refocus on gardening and the coming growing season ... but it's January, so what can a gardener do now? The current issue of Calgary Gardening has dedicated a page to indoor and outdoor garden tasks perfect for completing in the winter. To get the task details, log in to the Members Only section of the website. Select "Calgary Gardening" to open the online library. Choose the 2020 December/2021 January issue of the magazine and scroll to page 13 to see the recommended tasks. The page also includes a link to the December/January 2019 issue of the magazine, which features even more winter gardening activities.  
Society 2021 Calendar is Sold Out!
Thank you to everyone who contributed their photos and stories to the project, and to everyone who has purchased a calendar. We are pleased to announce that this year's calendar is sold out!  

The January feature photo is of Cathreen Chow's garden and shows how beautiful a winter garden can be. The calendar's cover photo was taken by Lynn Nieman.

Watch for opportunities to contribute to next year's calendar project. We're always looking for great winter garden photos—doorstep containers with a fresh dusting of snow, garden art, shrubs, and trees adding that much needed seasonal interest. Get outside with your camera and capture those pictures!

Looking for some winter photography guidance? Sign up for the Winter Photography Walk. See the Classes section below for details.

If you contributed to the 2021 calendar and received a note that your story or photo was used, please contact the office to make arrangements to pick up your complimentary copy.
Organic?
At one time, when things were defined as organic it meant they contained carbon and typically were of a biologic nature. Now organic has a range of definitions and applications, from the way a business or social media presence grows (internally or naturally without purchases or acquisitions) to the way plants are grown.

Demand for organic products has increased considerably in recent years, creating a need for updated standards to level the field for producers, as well as to ensure consumers get a truly organic product when purchased. In response to these demands, the Alberta government now requires (effective April 1, 2019) that any product sold or labelled as organic must be certified through a third-party certifying body. This aligns Alberta’s requirements with federal standards.

These standards not only cover nutrient sources and pest controls, but also address the types of mulches that can be used, and the need to store row covers. Some community garden groups ask their members to follow organic growing practices. A good source for information about organic standards is The Organic Federation of Canada website (organicfederation.ca). Their site has links to documents forming the 2020 Canadian Organic Standards. One document (Organic production systems: Permitted Substances Lists) linked on their site contains Table 4.2—Permitted substances lists for crop production. The table is an alphabetical list that notes what can be used, and how, and includes notes about what is prohibited. The table is a good resource for anyone who wants to become a more organic gardener. Being a truly organic grower requires more intention than just avoiding synthetically produced chemicals, but that’s a good starting point.
New Program Style
The Society is launching a new method of offering a course. For courses using the new method, class registrants will receive a link to a demonstration video recorded specifically for the class. The video should be watched before the Zoom Cloud Meeting with the instructor. Our expectation is that course participants will be able to review their supplies, try the methods, and prepare questions before the session with the instructor, so they can have a thorough learning experience. 

The first of these new two-part courses is Seed Starting—January Plantings. The Society's seed starting classes in the past have been hands-on. Using this two-part method, we're trying to emulate some aspects of an in-person class so that the instructor can address during the live session any challenges participants may have encountered. See the details for the first of these two-part courses in the Classes section below. 

Watch the What's Happening calendar for Seed Starting—February Plantings and Seed Starting—Eight Week Annual Plantings. They should be open for registration soon.
Classes and Events for 2021!
Visit the What's Happening Calendar for Program Details
To see the calendar, visit calhort.org | What's Happening.
Need help registering? Call the office at 403.287.3469 ext.0 and leave a message for Gail.

Tea with Kath
Tuesday, January 12, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Online: Facebook Live
Cost: Free, registration is not required

Gather your questions and have tea with Kath. It is very therapeutic to be able to meet and participate in conversations that are of interest to all of us. Where did we leave off last time ... ?

  • re-potting succulents and starting from cuttings and leaves
  • tender ornamental plants in the basement, garage, and shed need a check too–and perhaps water, or culling of any bulbs that have started to soften
  • reviewing your notes from last year

We are happy to be continuing Tea with Kath on Facebook Live through the fall and winter. 
To have the Facebook Live video automatically display on your Facebook page, we recommend that you visit our page, select the three dots (...) on the right side of the banner, select Follow Settings, turn on Favorites, choose Video, and turn on All Notifications.

The Live session link will be posted on the Calgary Horticultural Society Facebook page (facebook/calhort) at the start of the program.

Submit Your Questions
You can submit questions in advance using Messenger (Message Host button) on the Facebook Event post. Be sure to start your question with "Could Kath answer." That way we're sure to know it's a question for this event.
Houseplants 101
Tuesday, January 19, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Online: Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $20 for Society members, $30 for non-members
Register

Grow your indoor jungle with confidence as you learn the basics of indoor plant care during this entry-level plant care course. We will cover important topics such as proper watering, lighting requirements, pruning, and pest control, among others. You will walk away from this course equipped with the skills and know-how you need to grow a wide variety of big, beautiful plants.  

During this course, you will learn:  

  • how and when to water plants based on their genus and size 
  • how to encourage fuller and healthier growth through fertilizing and pruning 
  • how to identify and treat common houseplant pests as well as, more importantly, how to prevent them 
  • why proper lighting plays an important role in optimal plant health and growth 
  • how and when to repot your plants and how to pick the right size for your growing plants 

Instructor: Anela Bigornia
(The Sunroom Plant Shop)
Online registration closes on Tuesday, January 12.
Seed Starting—January Plantings
Sunday, January 24, 10:30 to 11:30 am
Online: Zoom Cloud Meeting and YouTube Video
On-demand YouTube video access is available from January 20 until January 31.
Cost: $25 for Society members, $35 for non-members
Register

The course focuses on what you need to do to grow plants that require a long season when started from seed. Sowing of wax begonias, heliotropes, and strawberries will be covered, but the practices apply to many plants that need to be started indoors in order to provide the length of growing season that they need. Also covered is winter sowing of perennials such as hollyhocks and Rudbeckia. 

The first part of the course is a Youtube video. A link to the video and access code will be emailed to you on January 20. In the video, the instructor will demonstrate sowing these long-season plants and cover all the materials required to make planting a success. This will give you an opportunity to try the methods, evaluate your materials, and prepare questions to ask the instructor during the second part of the course.  

The second part of the course is a Zoom Cloud Meeting with the instructor and the other participants.  The instructor will answer your questions and highlight some details covered in the video. The YouTube video is available for a week after the Zoom meeting (until January 31).

Instructor: Joanne Ogilvie
Online registration closes on Sunday, January 17.

Help us Spread the Word! 
We are working on growing our gardening community. If you enjoy receiving this weekly e-news note filled with workshop highlights, tips, and upcoming events, please invite your friends to subscribe. It's for everyone!  

Forward this email and ask your friends to select this Join NOW link. They will receive their own copy of Gardeners' Corner in their inbox.

Thanks for helping us grow. We appreciate your support!
Winter Photography Walk
Saturday, January 23, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
In-person: Dale Hodges Park
2123 52 Street NW
Cost: $30 for Society members, $40 for non-members
Register

Join local photographer Jillian Logee on a photo walk through Dale Hodges Park. She'll teach you how to look for interesting angles, compose shots, and find great botanical details even in winter. Jillian recommends downloading the editing app Snapseed prior to the workshop, as she will also teach some tips and tricks for finishing off your new art pieces. All cameras (including phones) are welcome. 

Note: this is a weather-dependent workshop—the class will be rescheduled if the weather is below -10° C (-12° C with windchill).   

Instructor: Jillian Logee (Logee Photography)
Online registration closes on Monday, January 18.
Sustainable Garden Design
Mondays and Wednesdays (10 weeknights)
January 25 and 27, February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22 and 24, and March 1, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Online: Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $300 for Society members, $350 for non-members
Register

Students will create a finished home garden design based on ecological principles such as water-saving, closed loops, and habitat creation. 

Participants will learn: 

  • technical design skills, such as drafting and site analysis  
  • differences and similarities between sustainable design systems such as permaculture, xeriscaping, and food forestry
  • water movement through soil and around properties; hardscaping to direct and/or store water  
  • best practices for building a greenhouse  
  • how to build and amend soil while considering the soil biology  
  • plant selection based on water needs, habitats, niches, wildlife value, and personal goals  

Participants will have the opportunity to present their design to fellow students and instructors at several points in the class for comments and suggestions. 

Students will need either a Real Property Report (RPR) of their property or a suitable property image (with measurements from programs such as Google Maps or Google Earth) to work from.  

Instructors: Michelle Edworthy (Calgary Horticultural Society), Jeremy Zoller (Sunshine Earthworks), Mike Dorion (Living Soil Solutions), Marcia MacLellan (Bow Point Nursery)
Online registration closes on Monday, January 18.
Kickstart Your Garden
Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Online: Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $30 for Society members, $40 for non-members
Register

Get your garden ready with this comprehensive talk and demonstrations covering everything you need to know to launch into spring! Learn about spring soil amendments, indoor and outdoor winter sowing, the best ways to clean up your garden after winter, growing microgreens, and early direct sowing and planting.  

Instructor: Janet Melrose, Calgary's Cottage Gardener
Online registration closes on Thursday, January 21.
Introduction to Gardening Hydroponically
Thursday, January 28, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Online: Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $30 for Society members, $45 for non-members
Register

Join us to get an introductory look into hydroponics, utilizing a model of systems used in educational and community programs by Hands on Growing.  

Prior to the class, you will be provided links to five short YouTube videos that introduce hydroponic growing. Links to these videos will be emailed to you on January 22. These videos should be watched before the class. 

The class will be a Zoom Cloud Meeting with the instructor and the other participants to discuss the key points of the videos and answer your questions. In addition, the instructor will show you some simple DIY systems you can use to get started right away. Some simple growing techniques will also be demonstrated.  

Topics covered in this course include:  

  • what is hydroponics and how does it work? 
  • six systems of hydroponics 
  • advantages and disadvantages 
  • what are pH, EC, TDS, and PPM, and how are they connected? 
  • how to use and calibrate hydroponic testing tools 
  • nutrients—primary, secondary, micro-nutrients—what do they do and how do they work? 

Instructor: Joshua Hebb (Hands on Growing) 
Online registration closes on Thursday, January 21.
Can’t Get Enough of Our Classes?
When you volunteer as a workshop monitor, not only do you get to meet new people, but you get the opportunity to attend the workshop for FREE!
If you’ve had your eye on one of our workshops, we would love to have you as a volunteer! Check our “What’s Happening” page for our current in-person and virtual workshop opportunities.

To learn more about our volunteer program or to sign up, please contact volunteer@calhort.org.
For more information about volunteering with the Society, visit Get Involved/Volunteer on calhort.org.

Volunteers are a valued resource of the Society. The safety and well-being of our volunteers is important to us. We are mindful of all the Society's future events and how the changing situation may affect them. Decisions about these event plans will be made closer to these event dates.
Support the Society

Membership—a Gift that Captivates Year-round
It's a gift that gives throughout the year—free Member Talks, workshop discounts, merchant discounts (including garden centres), online resources, e-news, e-magazines, and Open Gardens tours. Gift memberships may be purchased online—visit Membership/Join the Society—or over the phone by calling 403.287.3469. Membership cards are mailed, unless you call the office to make arrangements to pick them up. Please note that an increase in membership fees went into effect on October 1, 2020. The individual membership fee is $55 and the senior (65+) membership fee is $35.

Start a Plan with a Garden Journal
The Society's journal is a terrific tool to help keep track of your plans and activities in the garden. The pages are not dated, so you can journal at your own pace without the stress of finishing an annual diary. It's a great gift for a gardener for any occasion. Purchase this gardening resource and support the Society. Call the office at 403.287.3469 to purchase your copy ($20) of The Growing Journal and arrange for contactless pick-up.

Help Us Grow!
The Calgary Horticultural Society is a registered charity dedicated to cultivating Calgary’s gardening community. Your support helps us continue our mission to enrich the lives of Calgarians by supporting gardening and enhancing the environment through our programs of talks, workshops, and courses. Donations enable the Society to engage Calgarians in Gardening for Life—every donation is appreciated. Thank you for supporting the Calgary Horticultural Society. Donate online.

You are welcome to drop by the office (208 50 Avenue SW) when it reopens to make a donation or, in the meantime, call us at 403.287.3469 and we will be happy to assist you.
Do you have a gardening question? Did you find a great source for unique seeds you'd like to share? Log in to the Members' Forum, choose a topic, and let other members know. We look forward to hearing from you!
Copyright Calgary Horticultural Society | 2021 | All rights reserved.

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208 50 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2S 2S1
Phone: 403.287.3469

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