The SC Wildlife Federation and Flower-Pressed Greeting Cards

<Narrator>: Making it Grow is brought to you in part by Certified South Carolina is a cooperative effort among farmers retailers And the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to help consumers identify foods And agricultural products that are grown, harvested or raised right here in the Palmetto State.

The Boyd Foundation supporting outdoor recreational opportunities, the appreciation of wildlife, educational programs, And enhancing the quality of life in Columbia, South Carolina And the Midlands at large.

McLeod farms in Mc Bee, South Carolina family owned And operated since 1916.

This family farm offers seasonal produce, including over 40 varieties of peaches.

Additional funding provided by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation And Farm Bureau insurance And BOONE HALL FARMS.

♪♪ Amanda: Well, good evening, And welcome to Making it Grow .

I'm so glad that you can join us tonight.

I'm Amanda McNulty.

I'm a Clemson Extension Horticulture agent.

And I get to come over here And Terasa Lott, who used to be an agent.

But now as a specialist in charge of the coordinating the Master Gardener Program.

Did I get it right?

Terasa: I think officially I'm an Extension associate.

Not a specialist Yes, in our Master Gardeners are such a huge resource to the citizens of South Carolina helping our Master Gardener coordinators like Paul on the panel.

And sometimes you may see them working in an extension office helping to answer kind of questions that come in from clients or maybe helping to process soil samples or even interpret the results.

Because sometimes when those results come back, people kind of look at it And like, now what do I do?

Amanda: Yeah, Terasa, I was down at Brookgreen A while back.

And right at the front, they had a whole group of Master Gardeners who were welcoming people, And asking if they could help them find where to go And all that.

They just said they love being there as volunteers.

Terasa: Wonderful.

I think volunteering is beneficial for different parties that participate both the person doing the volunteering, And then whoever the recipient is as well.

Amanda: You know, I've heard people say, Oh, if it's worth, you know, you know, being paid for, you know, for worth doing, somebody should pay, that's just overlooking the whole importance of being a volunteer, And the spiritual satisfaction that you can get from it I think.

Terasa: I think so too.

You know, my passion for volunteering is in Animal Rescue.

And I feel like I receive huge benefits, social emotional.

And I hope that the animals that we foster receive some benefit as well.

But I do it because of the good feeling I get in my heart.

Amanda: Okay, Paul Thompson is the hort agent up in York County.

And I just need to come up sometime And see your office because y'all have done a lot that you have a lot going on at your actual office for people to learn from.

Paul>>: Well, it needs a little work right?

Yeah, we've got a shade garden out front And it's dominated by a huge Deodar cedar.

And then in the back of the office, got about five raised beds, we grow vegetables in And there's a pollinator garden put in back there last year And it's doing well And you know, a lot going on, it's kind of a I don't do any pest management in the garden.

For one thing, you know, it's a it's a it's fodder for my camera, I mean, educational program.

Plus, you know, it also got a lot of beneficial's around because that too, so get to take shots of the good guys And the bad guys.

Amanda: Alrighty.

Well, um, thanks for being with us today.

I appreciate it.

Oliver Freeman, you are came up from the 18 90 program at SC state.

I'm so happy to have with you.

have you with us And tell me which counties you are responsible for?

Dr. Freeman: I'm responsible for Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester And Georgtown counties.

Amanda: And, you know, in Dorchester, which in the day used to be kind of, you know, sparsely populated.

I think it's about the fastest growing one in the state now something crazy like that.

Dr. Freeman: Yes, ma'am.

Amanda: So you're helping people who have you're an agronomist, but you probably just help anybody with anything they need, I guess.

Dr. Freeman: Well, yes, ma'am.

I do all, in some cases, I end up, you know, getting questions about something like maybe beef cattle production, which I have no background in eating steaks And burgers, but um, you know, in a situation like that, I would, you know, definitely reach out to someone who is a specialist to try And, you know, help finances answers, because ultimately, that's what I try to do.

Amanda: A lot of times, it's just trying to help people figure out which way to go And who, exactly.

To talk to us.

Thanks so much.

Casey Cooper from Cooper's nursery, And you said your grandfather started, kind of started way back in the when.

<Casey>: Way back in the 50's, just grafting And camellias And azaleas And for something to do on the weekend And then retired early And realize he had too many And started a nursery up.

Amanda: And I think you said your grandma, does she still enjoy coming over?

<Casey>: She does.

She does.

She's 90 now.

And she's out there all the time in the spring talking to everybody that's known her through the years And giving them advice, telling them what to do.

Amanda: So you got a five or six year old boy running around like a maniac And then the grandma's running around out there everybody in between.

<Casey>: Yep, them two has the most energy.

The 90 year old and the 6 year old.

Amanda: Well, thanks for coming today.

Appreciate it.

So we are going to have for you, Sarah Green And Sarah is the executive director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.

They do some very important work.

And then also my dear friend Ruth Ann Biggers makes these charming, charming, charming flowers, And you'll get to see how she does that.

I make one but mine isn't so charming.

That's Okay.

Okay, well Terasa, how about some gardens of the week.

Terasa: I am delighted to share them today.

This is your time to sparkle And shine show us what you're doing in your yard.

Your Garden may be capturing a beautiful place in South Carolina.

Today we begin with Bettye Insley, who shared her Gerber daisies whose flower color reminds me of a sunset.

The sweet smelling blossoms of a Satsuma mandarin orange tree came in from Judy Paintings.

It's too bad, we can't transmit that fragrance.

Through the airwaves today, a close up of lettuce in a vegetable garden was shared from Rick Canady.

And I hope that the Irmo Middle School students are watching because Will Green shared several species of native milkweeds that they are growing.

It looked like their little seedlings were coming along quite well.

And finally, we have Samuel Hitchens who shared nasturtiums.

And this isn't something I haven't seen in quite a while, but pretty neat, because the leaves, the seeds, the flowers, it's all edible.

So it was fun to see that.

I do encourage all of you to share your photos when we make our plea for gardens of the week.

What you see on our broadcast is just a small sampling And we encourage you to visit our Face Book page to see the rest.

Amanda: Terasa, back in the day, people would sometimes get really thin sliced bread And cut this crust off And make And put some mayonnaise on them (unintelligible) leaves.

And cut them up for little tea parties.

<Sounds lovely.> That's something was we'll have to do it on one day in our spare time.

Yeah, in our spare time.

Okay, Casey.

So what did your grandmother pick out for you to bring down here And share with us on Making it Grow ?

<Casey>: So we have a tree form lantana topiaried you know, something you can use on a pot on your front porch.

So you got room to under plant underneath with seasonal color.

Okay, you can even plant them in the ground if you'd like most people use them in containers.

Yeah.

<Because it's a showpiece.> Yes, it's a showpiece And it's a perennial variety of of lantana here.

Blooms spring throughout the summer all the way into fall.

Amanda: Which fall lasts until fall.

<Casey>: In South Carolina can last to New Years or so.

And the pollinators love them.

So you'll see you know, bees, butterflies everything they all love larn... lantana.

Amanda: You have one that you've had, I think you said And how big is the trunk now?

<Casey>: The trunk over the years has gotten probably like two inch caliper to two And a half inch caliper it just keeps getting bigger And bigger every year.

Amanda: Now you've got it.

Staked with garden.

You know what you need what right now but so often I go about plants that have been staked And the poor plants will I get well, I think people leave them on too... <Casey>: Most people leave them on too long we tell people, you know, take them off, within six months, at least some things they're already ready to take off when they're planted, you know, you can kind of be the judge.

And you can tell if it's loose, or if it's sturdy.

So something like this, I probably leave it on about six months And go ahead And cut it off.

So you don't want to be leaving those stakes on for, you know, years And years because he can start to, <Restrict the growth.> restrict the growth, yeah.

Amanda: Well, that's mighty pretty.

I'm really glad you brought that for us.

Thanks alot.

All right, Miss Terasa, can we try to help somebody out?

Terasa: We're going to try to help Phyllis in Branchville, who sent us a plea.

I can only imagine hearing her say this, she said I sure hope you have time to address the problems of the dreaded tent caterpillar?

Is there a way to control them?

If I let nature take its course, then will I be overwhelmed with moths?

Please help in capitals.

Amanda: Goodness, gracious will.

You know, I just think they're fascinating.

I enjoy seeing them.

And they're mostly in the Prunus serotina, And they don't do a thing to harm it.

That's where I usually stand.

Paul what what's your take on it?

Paul>>: Well, there's two species take?

of tech caterpillar And one of them is called the forest tent Caterpillar, which will feed on a lot of different hardwood trees.

And actually have a sample here.

The parking lot right outside of the studio here has a bunch of willow oak trees, And each trunk has these forest tent caterpillars all over.

Amanda: And what's the other one?

Paul>>: The other one is the Eastern tent Caterpillar that's when it gets on the wild cherry tree.

But both of them are native species of caterpillar.

And this year, apparently, the forest tent Caterpillar has had a big explosive hatching.

And the two caterpillars look very similar to each other.

But it's usually just what host you're finding it on to help you identify it.

They really don't live all that long.

In the spring, they come out when the leaves are first emerging, they usually do at least a partial defoliation of some branches.

And then they're usually done within about three or four weeks, where they leave the tree, find a place to pupate And turn into a moth.

But you know, the moths really aren't going to cause you a problem And... Amanda: They're not gonna come in the house And eat your cloths.

Paul>>: No a different species does that.

So I would just let nature run its course the trees seem to recover.

It'd be one thing if they showed up every year before we get to trees in the spring, but they don't.

So I wouldn't worry about them too much or just a little bit of a nuisance right now.

Amanda: I was down visiting a friend And Jimmy Grayson, who's a Hunter had come by And was given us a ride in his car And he said I hope Caterpillar didn't get on you.

And he said he'd been in the woods.

And he said they would just dropping on him everywhere in all kinds of frass was coming on when everything.

And I said that from what I remembered.

There were certain years in the woods where they were kind of explosive, but just kind of not there's been... Paul>>: Well a lot of diseases crop up And plus there's a lot of other things that like to eat them so they kind of have a population explosion when these worms have a population explosion And then pretty quickly crashes down to normal levels that are usually pretty much unnoticeable.

Amanda: Terasa think Is it the yellow billed cuckoo?

It sits there And they strip the annoying hairs off?

Terasa: That's right.

Yeah, we were talking about that one day And it was pretty crazy.

I think it said the hairs actually build up in in the stomach of the cuckoo And then eventually, it gets rid of them.

Paul>>: A hairball.

A cat hairball.

Amanda: it's just fun how nature all kinds of gets inter twined isn't it?

Terasa: It's amazing And Paul And I were talking about the forest tent caterpillars And I had remembered seeing some information from the Forestry Commission that says that some of the trees that are severely defoliated that next year they'll produce a compound to deter things from eating the leaves anti anti herbivore compound I mean it's fascinating And you know, we as humans, I think we get so worked up about seeing you know, holes in our leaves or things like I mean, but all in all, there's an intricate relationship between plants And insects.

Well, plants And animals.

Amanda: They unlike the ones that come in the fall on our pecan trees that are out on the end of the year, these are kind of the the crotch of the tree, what was there?

When do they go out And eat when did they come back And blah,blah, blah heard about.

Paul>>: They use that as a protected area And but they still go out And feed during the day.

But it's just a place that congregate they'll Gonna be free from predators when they're least in there, they can't eat while they're in there, so they still have to leave that nest.

And really it's, the egg masses are laid on small diameter twigs in the fall of the year.

In fact, there's some egg masses on this sample here.

And it's almost like a shellac like substance it just in circles, the stem.

<Protection?> And I don't know about oak trees And things because of all the twigs And stuff they have.

But on cherry trees in the wintertime you can easily see the egg masses, alright, And the small twigs usually within a foot or so within a foot or so of end of a branch.

And if you had a pole pruner or something like that you can prune out egg masses in the wintertime And not have the caterpillar.

Amanda: Or just not worry about it because it's probably not gonna do any long term.

Well, that was really fun.

Thank you so much for bringing this noticing those guys in our parking lot.

Appreciate it.

Okay, Terasa.

Terasa: Our next question is from the low country Daniel from Charleston said: Amanda: Oh, gosh.

Oliver, we just lately.

thought this was going to transform everything And all the farmers could be profitable, which would be wonderful, but I don't think it's working out that way.

What's What's your take on it?

Dr. Freeman: For me, right now, I think it's still a bit profitable but right now I just maybe they've hit a road block as far as like hemp processing.

The processing aspect, I believe is kind of... Amanda: It could go into several different directions.

<Exactly.> Think of fiber but the other things that it might have been used for.

Dr. Freeman: Well, yeah, like our CBD oils.

Okay.

Yes, ma'am.

But yeah, I mean, some people in fact, some farmers are actually looking into processing their own hemp now.

They actually I'm not 100% Sure.

But I know one farmer was actually explored that And is now creating Well, yeah.

Creating clothing.

Yeah, making clothing as well as oils.

Amanda: It's supposed to be comfortable to wear, I believe.

Dr. Freeman: Oh yes.

Amanda: Have you ever had a shirt made out of it anything?

Dr. Freeman: Not yet.

I plan on getting one though, to try it out.

Amanda: You should have it done it before you came.

I think it's breathable And suppose to be pretty nice in the hot time of South Carolina.

Dr. Freeman: Oh, yes, ma'am.

Pretty, very lightweight as well.

All.

In fact, I've seen shoes made of hemp there.

Yes, ma'am.

So the opportunities is still there, I think many of the growers And now just exploring what they can to, you know, see where they can find a niche.

Amanda: When I went to the dedication of the new South Carolina State Farm, I think I met a woman there who was y'all's.

Like specialist or PhD person And... Dr. Freeman: She's, she's been doing a lot of research.

Her name is Dr. Florence Anoruo Yes Ma'am And she's doing like a lot of research with different farmers around the state, as well as on the research And demonstration farm.

That SCSU 18 90 has.

Amanda: Okay.

When I'm telling you that I have I remember having a nice conversation with him.

I think her daughter had gotten like a full scholarship to Harvard Medical School.

Tell her I said hi.

Dr. Freeman: I'll definitely do it.

Amanda: Okay, see what else we got to talk about.

<Casey>: Alrighty here's a pretty plant here.

Called a Chardonnay Pearls Deutzia.

Amanda: What a beautiful little delicate flower.

<Casey>: Blooms white in the spring times And have a nice bright foliage.

chartreuse yellow.

Doesn't get very large, like a three to three And a half footer.

Okay, same with width, you know, this area you can't have something really big And just see it's kind of a plant a lot of people forget about it's kind of old timey old timey plant but they're starting to get popular again.

So just something else, you know.

Diversify your yard.

Amanda: Now plant like this.

You're not trying to keep it in any kind of shape.

I mean, just let it be natural.

<Casey>: Yeah, that's the one good thing about these is just let them go And they're gonna grow in a nice shape.

Everybody gets so obsessed with rounding And squareing And some plants just look best if you leave them as they are.

And this is one of them.

Amanda: I haven't seen too many square plants in nature have you?

Well, it's just like, full sun.

<Casey>: Yeah.

Full sun or part shade.

Good drainage.

<Okay.> really easy non picky plant, not many Amanda: Lot to be said for that.

Well, thank you so very much, Okay.

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation.

Really, I think it's interesting because they do things that address adults that address people who are birders that address people who are bat people.

And then they do a lot of stuff for children too.

And we enjoy talking to Sarah Green And finding out just how diversified they are, And their attempts to protect the natural environment And promote the things that live in the natural environment.

I'm speaking with Sarah Green, And Sarah is the executive director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.

And your organization has an interesting history.

I think people in South Carolina interesting in history.

So tell me how y'all started And what to fine gentlemen, were in charge.

Sarah: Yes, we were founded in 1931.

By hunters And fishermen, Harry Hampton And Zan Heyward founded our organization to really have a lot of the decisions about policy made based on science.

And so that's been super important for conservation over the last 92 years And into the future.

Amanda: Yes, it is.

And, of course, when they were active, we didn't have the huge push of people coming in And the industry coming in which has had many positive effects for the citizens of South Carolina as far as jobs And all.

And I believe that Harry Hampton was instrumental in saving the what is now the Congaree.

National Park, which is, which is very exciting.

Sarah: Right?

right.

Yes.

Even back in the 30s, they could tell the impact that humans were having on the populations of wild deer, wild deer And turkey.

And so they were seeing a need to conserve habitat for wildlife even back then.

And of course, there's been so much more development since then, that has just impacted wildlife even more.

Amanda: So your goal is too?

Sarah: We conserve And restore wildlife habitat across South Carolina.

Amanda: Okay.

And you have several fascinating programs that you do.

And you've hit lots of different groups of varying importance.

I mean, every single person is important because we all make decisions.

So you, you do work with schools.

Sarah: We do we do.

We have a program called gardening for wildlife.

And so we encourage people to create habitat right in their own backyards, or in school yards And other places throughout the community.

So we work with schools a lot.

They can create a living laboratory or an outdoor classroom right at their school, And really experience the wildlife up close And really have a big impact for wildlife habitat.

Amanda: And, of course, our pollinators And native plants are very important.

And you've reinforced that by giving away seeds, I believe.

Sarah: Right, right, for pollinators are really having a hard time And so need nectar sources.

And also, butterflies need host plants.

And so we give away native milkweed seeds, which is the host plant for the monarch butterfly.

And so we have a great demand for for that type of habitat.

And people all over the state now can plant milkweed in their own backyard.

And it makes a big difference for monarch butterflies that migrate through South Carolina.

Amanda: And then we know that we've had a huge influx of industry, we have good policies for industry, And we have a good workforce.

And but sadly, a lot of times, I'll ride by place that had trees on it, And all of a sudden it's been clear cut.

And there's wonderful an industry coming in with all sorts of good jobs And things.

But it's just a lot of grass And a few trees.

And that's such a huge amount of space that could be perhaps used differently And be more friendly towards habitat.

And I think y'all are really making an effort to work with some of these agencies.

Sarah: We are we have a program called wildlife And industry together we call it the WAIT program.

And so we work with industries all across the state to manage their land for wildlife habitat, And sometimes that just means stopping mowing some of the areas like you were talking about, And that saves the company money, And it's also much better for Wildlife, a lot of the pollinators need that kind of meadow grassland habitat.

And a lot of our birds nest on the ground And deer love those kinds of habitats.

So lots of different types of wildlife that can really have a better area to live.

If some industries can can manage their property well, And so we work with a lot of industries, BMW And Michelin And Honda just really industries all across South Carolina, that can make a big difference on larger pieces of land like that.

Amanda: And sometimes you say they keep a certain area more manicured just for the presence of people driving by, but that, but that otherwise, they really are kind of reaching out And trying to let their employ... if you let your employees know what you're doing, they can take that message out to the community, I would think.

Sarah: Right, absolutely.

So employee education is a big part of our WAIT program.

And so employees get to learn about plants that attract wildlife And the needs of wildlife in their community.

And also community partnerships is a big part of our program too.

So we have industries that are working with schools And scout groups And garden clubs.

And so really being a good partner in the community, in addition to their impact for wildlife.

Amanda: And then on a just a charming local level.

I love to fish And um, but when you go to fish, often the public boat places And places you go are just horrendously littered, horrendously littered And y'all have a program called Plishing .

Yes.

So tell me about Plishing .

Sarah: Yes, there's a Swedish word called plocka upp, that means to pick up And so we combined that with picking up litter And fishing so we call it Plishing And encourage people to when they're out fishing to pick up litter And we have a summer Plishing challenge each year to have incentives for picking up litter And also catching fish.

It's just a really great way to keep keep our waterways clean And have a better fish habitat for the future.

Amanda: And then some of the other things that you're doing involve taking getting women who often fathers took their sons out.

And um, but But women are half of who we are right?

And so we certainly want them on the side of wildlife And conservation.

And I think you have some programs that are dedicated to getting them all revved up And excited.

Sarah: We have our Palmetto outdoors women retreat each fall.

And so we have about 30 different classes that women can take from archery And fishing to birding.

We've had we've done kudzu basket weaving And just all different kinds of outdoor skills.

And it's a really fun weekend.

And we've we've had such demand for it that we've started adding additional classes And events throughout the year.

We just had a fly fishing event a couple of weeks ago, And so lots of different things for women to try.

Amanda: And when you do that you're building again, a lobbying force for across the state.

Sarah: We really try to educate people about our beautiful state, And all of the wildlife And beautiful plants that we have here so that they will be inspired to conserve it And take action when needed And speak up about different legislation or different policies.

Amanda: As we change our habitat.

We find some some birds are very specific about what they need to nest.

And I was reading that some of the birds are kestrels, screech owls, with prothonotary warblers And others are having a hard time finding places to nest.

And you all are trying to go in And help nature so that these birds can be successful at reproducing.

Sarah: Yes, we have a variety of different nesting boxes of different sizes And shapes because they each different species has certain things that they're looking for in nesting box And so forth on prothonotary warblers is one species that is in decline And a bright yellow beautiful bird.

And they migrate from South America all the way up to South Carolina And breed here.

And so And they are a cavity nesting warblers, so they are looking for holes in trees And things like that.

But what if those are not available then they have our nesting boxes that they can use And so And they those we've been putting those up all across the state for the for that species in particular but also kestrels, screech owls, wood ducks, blue birds, all different sizes And colors And types of birds that are cavity nesters.

Amanda: And everyone loves Hawks.

But many people don't realize the little Kestrel.

You see, sitting on the power line is an is a hawk.

He's our smallest one.

And quite beautiful.

I think people should look.

Sarah: They are beautiful.

Yes, yes.

Amanda: Last year at a Master Gardener conference, I heard one of your fellow workers, Jay Keck, is that correct?

Talk about some certain buildings where birds just flying to the Windows by the hundreds.

And we I mean, they're already having so many pressures on them that have affected their decline, we certainly don't want them to kill themselves that way.

Have you all found a way to dissuade birds from doing that?

Sarah: We we've been working with several businesses around the state that have had a window strikes from birds.

And there's a product called collide escape, that is a film that can be put on the windows, And it doesn't obstruct the view looking out, but it it cuts down on the reflection, which is what the birds, the birds see the trees reflected in the glass, And they think they can fly into it.

So this film cuts down on the reflection, And from the outside, it can look like a beautiful piece of art.

And from inside, you can't even tell that it's on there.

But it really saves.

Note, the birds don't hit it at all because of the the reflection is gone.

Amanda: And I understand that if a bird at your house hits a window, you can still alive but stunned you can put it in a shoe box And maybe put a cover over it And bring it in for a while.

And often they will recover And then take it out And release it.

Sarah: Right they often do.

And there's also wildlife rehabilitators that can help with those kinds of situations as well.

So, Amanda: Sarah, although y'all do have a well organized staff And work crew, I think that you welcome the participation of individual citizens.

And so if someone has a great interest, can they contact y'all And see if there's a place where they can be a conduit into the community?

Sarah: Absolutely.

We have lots of different ways that that individuals can get involved, whether it's creating habitat in your backyard or being involved in one of our programs, collecting data about different species of birds or wildlife.

So they can visit our web site at WWW.SCWF.ORG , for more information And we have programs going on across the state And throughout the year.

Amanda: Well, I want to thank you so much for sharing this important news with us today.

Sarah: Thank you so much for having me.

Amanda: I want to thank Sarah Green for coming down And telling us about the important work that her organization is doing.

So it was hat time again, Terasa so I went out to Hank And Ann's Of course, my place to get that material And they have this variegated Solomon's seal And Casey... What do you know about it?

<Casey>: It grows well here.

Comes back great every year.

Just a nice thing to mix in with Hostas or area like that shade garden.

Amanda: And this is one that comes from Asia rather than the native one.

Is that correct?

Because we have a Solomon seal.

this year, but it's real pretty.

And then cala canthus switch shrub is the little reddish flower And it's just charming And let when I picked it it had a lot of fragrance it sat down, sat all night And got rained on.

It's not so fragrant today, but I've been to the to riverbank zoo And they've got some great big ones there, Paul, And those are maybe from Asia?

Paul>>: What is it something wine, Cartlidge wine or something like that.

That's that was a real popular selection, you know, a decade ago And that was a hybrid between the the Asian Calacanthis And in the native, <Okay.> But it was typically scentless.

Big flower the flowers much showyer.

Amanda: Okay, see, y'all have Did you say y'all have one?

That y'all carry?

Yeah, we <Casey>: have a new we have the regular old timey one.

And then we have a new one that Proven Winners came out with it's called a Aphrodite.

And it's a bigger bloom.

Not as big as the Variety he's talking about, but it is really fragrant.

<Oh, Okay.> It's called Aphrodite.

Amanda: Okay, um, yeah.

And I like the way it smells.

It's not perfumey particularly, but it's it's got a nice, <Casey>: nice, nice.

Not overpowering.

Amanda: Yeah.

Okay.

Well, that was that was great.

All right, Casey, I don't think you're going to pull out a calacanthus but pull out something else that will be fun to talk about please.

<Casey>: This pretty flower right here.

This is your pink Hawaiian coral.

Oh, coral, peony.

And, you know, here in the south, we're kind of borderline on growing it.

And everyone likes to brag how they can grow it, but their friend can't grow it.

So some people do them in containers here And they seem to work well in containers.

We have a few customers, it's got them in the ground, And they do well.

But it's kind of like a Daphney.

You know, here, you might have success with it, you may not.

Amanda: They get what I call the up And down disease you go out there two weeks ago, it was fine then... <Casey>: definitely worth, you know, plant worth trying because it's hard to beat that bloom, there.

Amanda: Paul, when were you are do y'all have a little more success with them than we do?

Paul>>: I've been seeing them around, they're not really popular.

I think they really want some better drained soils than what we have.

You know, but I don't see too many folks fooling around.

Amanda: They love cold places.

And so if you get one Terasa, if you read the directions for the South, it says plant them.

So the eyes are just right at the soil surface.

But if you're planting them up, where it's really cold, you plant them a little bit deeper.

And we had a lady on a while back, who's got a she grows cut flowers.

And she had a good, she had peonies, but she had them own, not raised beds that were done with timber, but just raise beds, I think she said to get more cold to the roots, And she was having pretty good luck with them.

So different things if you want to try it, right.

<That's right,> Terasa?

Terasa: Well, we get lots of questions about how to properly plant a tree And whether or not you should stake the tree when you put it in the ground.

And Paul was gracious enough to bring a sample And perhaps it shows us what not to do.

<Okay.> <Paul>: This is my Charlie Brown tree.

So... <It's more like Jack in the bean stalk.> earlier exaggerated case of this, you don't normally see them for sale in this kind of situation, but you often go to into a garden center, where there's a stake, holding the tree up.

And you know, basically it, it has to be done.

If you, if I took this stake out, this tree would probably be leaning at least at a 45 degree angle.

But it's really not a way to produce a tree.

Okay.

Number one, you're taking a young tree, And you can see little stubs along the trunk where they pruned off the small lateral branches.

And so you're creating a whole lot of wounds at one time on the tree that it's going to divert resources to.

But the the key thing is, for a tree to become strong And develop a strong truck, it needs basically every leaf on the tree when you buy it, Okay, it needs that canopy, it needs the foliage, because it's best to manufacture the energy to grow, Okay, And the lower branches on a tree like this would cause the Trunk to grow thicker And stronger, much, much faster.

Amanda: So they're gonna send their carbohydrates they make aren't gonna go to the top of tree, Paul>>: they're going to send the sugar from these leaves all the way to the... Amanda: So that's gonna help this is gonna help.

Paul>>: And so what you want to do is leave lower branches on young trees.

Now, every limb on this tree that's eventually going to be 40 feet tall, currently is a temporary branch.

Because eventually, if it's planted out in the front lawn, or whatever, it's gonna be limbed up.

But let's say you got a tree like this And you wanted to, or maybe you, you know, you, you might have a Japanese maple where you harvest seedlings from or something like that.

And if you ever have a plant where you don't have any lower branches, you can actually induce them to produce them.

So yeah, so what do you do as I can, you know, look at this stem here And I can see old leaf nodes.

And there will be a you know, every place there's a leaf there's gonna be a bud that can give rise to a lateral branch.

Amanda: at the moment has been right suppressed by things above it.

<Right.> Paul>>: Now hormones are what control plant growth.

So what you do is you cut off the hormone, the tips of the branches up there that are telling things not to grow below them by disrupting their communication.

So you go above a bud with a little hen knife or a little exacto knife, And you just cut out the small little notch of bark And the green cambium tissue this underneath the bark, Amanda: just almost minuscule... Paul>>: A minuscule amount, what I'm doing is I'm stopping that hormone from running down through the phloem, which is the inner bark, telling that bud not to grow.

Now the roots are actually sending a signal up from the bottom, And they're gonna be telling this guy grow, they're no longer getting that signal down from the trunk.

So you go up And down the stem And do it in multiple places.

And I've done this before.

And you can see a picture I have Japanese maple I did it to a couple of years ago.

And about three weeks after I did this is when those buds sprouted started growing.

So I could go up And down this Trunk And get several places And start producing reproducing that lower canopy.

Now one thing you don't want to do, you don't want that those water going to be temporary branches, you don't want to let them get too large before you decide to completely remove them.

So what you do is you slow down their growth.

So when they sprout And grow, And they get out in this area, go ahead And reduce them by about a half, leaving some foliage on there.

So they stay alive.

But it slows down their growth.

So they don't start getting too big And diameter.

So you got a big pruning wound.

So you don't want them to get, you know, as large as the trunk is where they're attached.

So you print them off.

But it's a process, it's not something that you just do all at once.

Amanda: So when they the new lateral branches start coming out, how long before you going to have to... Paul>>: You go ahead And let them get out a foot to 18 inches And then after that first season, go ahead... Amanda: After the first season, go ahead And Paul>>: let them do this go let them do their thing the first year, they're not gonna grow that much.

But when they get out away's, take them back.

So they're, you know, eight inches long or so And still have some foliage on.

Okay.

And And that continuously is going to help build that trunk caliber.

And then you have a strong tree that doesn't need to be stacked.

Amanda: Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Sure.

And I know you have learned a lot from your friends at Bartlett tree lab.

There.

They are wonderful people, I think.

Paul>>: Yes, yes.

In fact, it was Dave Powell that shared that little notch trick with me years ago.

Amanda: All right, Terasa.

Terasa: We have a question from Gabe in Ridgeville.

Gabe says: Amanda: Oh, goodness.

Well, Oliver, I think it's kind of a process, but I think it's doable.

Dr. Freeman: Oh, yes, ma'am.

It is.

So they like agencies, small companies like across the board data will actually come out And kind of walk you through the process of, you know, becoming certified organic.

And you can do it now for crops as well as, you know, cattle or even any type of livestock.

Yes, ma'am.

So it's definitely doable.

It's not dependent on the crop in any way.

But um, yeah, I mean, There are also cost share programs put on through the USDA that can help with that as well.

Because of course, that certification comes with a cost.

And you know, that, again, it's just, you know, it's very possible to do.

Amanda: so you don't have to take the land out of production.

You just have to start the production, the correct production process, And do it for a required amount of time And people are coming And checking with you until you get to the end.

So it's not like you just have to sit on your hands.

Dr. Freeman: Right?

Yes.

transition process essentially.

Yes, ma'am.

Amanda: Thank you so much, my friend Ruth Anne just makes the most beautiful cards.

And it's fun to happen because when I send them to people thanking them, which I'm doing to make up for the fact that I never finished writing on my thank you notes.

When I got married.

My sister says that's one of the many reasons I can't go to heaven.

But anyway they often write you back And said, Oh, that was just the most wonderful card And it's all thanks to my good friend Ruth Anne Bigger.

♪♪ I am with my good friend Ruth Anne Bigger And she has come to show us some of her incredible pressed flower artwork.

Ruth Anne thanks so much for coming down here over here.

And I guess I should let people know that we originally met because you are one of the most active master gardeners that Sumter County has ever had.

Ruth: I don't know about that probably one of the longest hanging around.

Amanda: Well Anyway, yeah, it is.

And when I found out about these, I just thought they were the most magical things in the world.

And tell me how you got started on it.

Ruth: I saw an article in a magazine back in 1985.

Believe it or not, it mentioned that And you could send in $1 And get six cards that had a little oval in them that you could put flowers in.

A lot magazines used to do those types of promotional things back then.

And I got started trying to press them in a back when he And I had grew up in Norfolk, had a nice big, thick telephone book.

And my daddy made me a flower press that was about this big, nice wooden one with a screw in it about that long on each corner.

And it did a great job of pressing them which wore yourself out undoing those wing nuts around the screws.

And I ran across an article by this woman again in one of those magazines.

Who was pressing flowers in the microwave.

<Wow!> This was a few years later.

And I figured out that that was a whole lot faster, easier way to do it.

Because as soon as they cool off, they spend two And a half minutes in the microwave at half power.

Soon as they cool off, they're ready to go.

So you weren't sitting waiting another six weeks for something to dry to add to some project And it didn't have to do so you have to do all that stuff.

Amanda: You said: You got some there.

Ruth: It's about an eight by 10 sheets.

Have you got card hearts hardboard Oh, Okay, thanks.

Make those little brown clipboards out of.

<Yeah.> And it's you make sandwich out of the hardboard.

Some desk plotter paper, which is kind of hard to come by.

Paper towels, newspaper, make sandwich, which flowers in there after you've trimmed them up whatever you do to wrap heavy duty, half inch rubber bands to in each direction And run them in the microwave.

Now, if you go online, there's a lot of other ways that you can do this.

Some people use heavy plates or they'll put like a flat Corning ware pie plate laid on top of some things.

I've just been doing it this way for so long.

It's just easier than try to well, why reinvent the wheel as they say?

Amanda: I thought we'd show a few And ask you about the flowers that are in.

And of course Swan Lake Gardens is, you know, the iconic place to visit in Sumter.

And so what is art?

What makes this beautiful feathered swan?

Ruth: Well, those are Zinnia petals.

And it's very hard to find a white flower that stays white.

That's been the interesting thing through the years of doing these is figuring out what holds its color And what doesn't.

White doesn't stay white.

It usually turns brown.

This is turned kind of a cream color.

A lot of reds turn a very dark burgundy color.

When my daughter in law got married, she wanted me to do something for the wedding, like some place cards And she had a red And white theme.

And the only flower that I could find that started that would end up red was to get a coral colored verbena.

Oh, And when it dries turns red.

Amanda: This I know, I've seen in a lot of cards.

And this is a very surprising flower.

I think John Nelson was the only person here one night he got it right.

Ruth: I was answering the phones here one night And you And Terasa And Rebecca Turk from Moore farms And John were on the panel.

And I brought a card in like this to see if anybody could identify this flower because it looks like a hibiscus And that's how John figured out what it was.

He said I don't know.

But I think it's in the hibiscus family because of this little protrusion right here.

It's a Turks cap.

And it's an old timey shrub that a lot of folks have had And it's bright red.

And it never opens up.

I will say yeah, it falls off the plant still closed up.

And I just happened to pick one up one day I was in my hammock relaxing And opened thing up And I have to give this a try.

That's really pretty.

It keeps this color.

It's a beautiful color.

Amanda: Beautiful.

And then I was going to ask what these were.

Ruth: This is part of a Japanese maple.

Oh, Japanese maple And this is this is the polka dot plant.

<Yeah.> And these are the can't remember what those are.

This is more Selaginella down here.

And these are elephant ears.

<Elephant Ears.> They first start sprouting.

They're tiny.

Amanda: They're that tiny.

I had not noticed.

Ruth: Well, you know, there's different varieties of Colocasia alocasia, whatever.

Amanda: And then this one is a fun one.

Because her hair is quite unusual.

Ruth: You know what it has?

Is is parsley that's dying from last year.

No, it's turned bright yellow.

Yep.

And the face is a hellebore.

And her legs are Zinnias.

With the seeds still attached.

Oh, look at that.

Hydrangea.

Oh.

So this is this little this flower here is also one of my favorites I discovered five or six years ago.

It's the flower of an isora.

<Yeah.> commonly found in Florida, you know, it's tropical, but they sell it around here.

And those little for flowers four petaled flowers.

I brought some with me anyway, keep that red color.

And a lot of times that little bit of red is just the amount of punch you need.

Amanda: Something to pop.

Well, that is too much fun.

And she certainly did need a ribbon that's needed to be pulled back.

Well, we thought perhaps you would give us a demonstration?

Ruth: Well, this is a very high tech hobby.

Oh, you need you need a lot of equipment, you need tooth pick up some Elmers glue.

Okay, that's about it.

I don't know that you couldn't use other types of glue And stuff.

But like I said, as long as it's everybody likes, And I'm just looking for something that will last long enough for somebody buy a card, mail it And send it somebody.

Amanda: Lots of people frame them?

Ruth: Well, I was going to show you the one down on the end.

It's one that I probably did 10 12 years ago And the colors were a lot more vibrant when I first did it.

But they've all faded to a nice tone of browns And golds And all that blend in together.

You shouldn't ever if you're going to frame one, don't ever put it in bright light because natural light is going to fade most colors if anything And particularly natural substances.

Amanda: Okay, so we have toothpicks.

Ruth: Yep, check one out.

And it's real easy to just grab you a couple of fronds.

Amanda: And this is a lot of fern.

Ruth: Just put a little on here And put it on the back And try to just hit it with a light coat And covers all of the leaf if you can, because if you don't that one piece that you didn't get glue on is what's gonna stick up And catch when you go to put the card in the envelope.

Yeah, you know that.

So And I usually put stuff in the... or wherever you want upper left And lower right anyway, just just so you leave some room on the card to write something.

And I've done... Amanda: that these have an inside where you can write the message.

Ruth: Yeah, yeah.

I've done like the ones that have fish on them.

Yes.

And you send it as a get well card saying hope you're sitting back in the swim, that sort of thing.

It's kind of cute.

A little different.

Yeah.

And I think people enjoy getting something that somebody's take.

Amanda: Oh, I don't think there's any question about it.

♪♪ Well Ann, I am it's not up to your standards, but you've certainly got me interested in very creative And I'm even more appreciative of your talents than ever.

<Bless your heart.> Thank you so much.

You're quite welcome.

me some people out there hope they try it.

Ruth: Oh, I hope so it's fun.

Amanda: Oh, yes, it was.

Thanks a lot.

I want to thank my friend Ruth Anne for <Sure.> Amanda: I want to thank my friend Ruth Anne for coming in And sharing her beautiful cards with you.

Casey, which got for us?

<Casey>: So this right here is a black lace elderberry.

<Yes.> Really pretty ornamental plant prefers Part shade can take a good amount of sun here.

They say full sun, but in South Carolina, I will go Part shade it will get pretty large eight to 10 foot.

The buds are black when they first start out in the spring.

Then as the summer goes on the leaves And start turning into a dark purple almost black color, And then have the really pretty light pink flowers.

Amanda: Weren't people hot to trot about elderberry?

<Casey>: Yeah, everybody wanted elderberry when COVID happened.

Anything that save you from the panic but you know you do if you do want it for the berries, you do have to get two different varieties.

They're not picky on which ones cross pollinate each other.

That is one good thing.

They're not picky about that.

<Now how big is this going to get?> This variety of eight to 10 feet.

Amanda: Okay.

And you you like the way it looks in your landscape?

<Casey>: Yeah, it's cool.

Yeah, so cool ornamental.

almost, you know, Japanese in type look kind of some people think their type of Japanese maple when you see that dark, no problems.

No just you know, here give them give them some shade.

They don't.

They don't want all that blistering sun.

Thank you.

Okay.

Amanda: Well thank you everyone for being with us And thank you at home for being with us And we hope you'll be with us next week.

Night night.

♪♪ ♪(Captioned by: SCETV)♪ ♪(Thanks for watching)♪ <Narrator>: Making it Grow is brought to you in part by Certified South Carolina is a cooperative effort among farmers retailers And the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to help consumers identify foods And agricultural products that are grown harvested or raised right here in the Palmetto State.

The Boyd Foundation supporting outdoor recreational opportunities, the appreciation of wildlife educational programs, And enhancing the quality of life in Columbia, South Carolina And the Midlands at large.

McLeod Farms in Mc Bee South Carolina family owned And operated since 1916.

This family farm offers seasonal produce, including over 40 varieties of peaches.

Additional funding provided by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation And Farm Bureau Insurance And BOONE HALL FARMS.