Desert Blooms

Southwest Yard & Garden by Dr. Marisa Thompson A girdled cane showing current season’s shoots with grapes. (Image source: Esteban Hererra. 2002.  Improving Size and Quality of Seedless Grapes  [Guide H-311]. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.) Question: Why is girdling discouraged in tree care but encouraged in grape growing? -       Barry F., Las Cruces, NM Answer: The difference between girdling in grapes versus trees is both subtle and crucially important. We’ve all seen tree rings before at some point, so let’s start there and take a field trip into the wood of the plant. The more rings, the older the tree. The outermost ring, representing the most recent growth, is comprised of layers of tissue, each with a completely different purpose. Imagine for a minute a generic tree with a thin, gummy layer of tissue just underneath the bark that hugs all of the trunk and every branch and root, new and old. This is the cam

Southwest Yard & Garden by Dr. Marisa Thompson UPCOMING: Grape Field Day at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas **early September**  ‘Faith’ table grape at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas, about 10 days post bud break. Nascent flower clusters are barely visible in center of the young shoot in lower portion of photo (photo credit G. Giese).   Question: Any suggestions on a good variety of table grapes to plant in my backyard? -       Dennis V., Rio Rancho, NM Answer: With over 10,000 varieties of grapes in the world, you’re right to seek help when picking the best one for your garden. I sent your question to our NMSU Extension Viticulture Specialist, Dr. Gill Giese . Here’s what he has to say: Grapes are the most common deciduous fruit crop grown worldwide, and table grapes are popular and common in New Mexico home gardens. However, it is important to select varieties adapted to your local climatic conditions. The most signifi

Southwest Yard & Garden by Dr. Marisa Thompson CORRECTION: Original post included a diagram without proper citation. The "Optimum Humidity % Diagram" was designed by Mable Orndorff of the New Mexico Orchid Guild and is published here with her permission. Figure 1. Familiar sight? Find out how to encourage your orchid to rebloom (photo credit M. Thompson). Question: The orchid I got in February has dropped all of its flowers. I clipped the flowering spike just above a lower node, but what else should I be doing to keep it alive and make it bloom again? -       Mario M., Albuquerque, NM Answer: Google suggests watering orchids with three ice cubes per week. Guess what, that’s not going to cut it in New Mexico. In fact, that may be a quick way to kill an orchid in these parts. Like many plants, growing an orchid in our dry climate can be a little tricky, once you get the hang of it. People who have gotten theirs to rebloom will tell you it is worth the e

Southwest Yard & Garden by Dr. Marisa Thompson   Written by Dr. Curtis Smith, retired NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist.  Dr. Smith, who authored this Southwest Yard & Garden column for 22+ years, has a new blog! Check it out: Southwest Garden Smith . I've especially enjoyed his recent posts about flowering phenology and soil moisture monitoring.   Lush and lean -- this xeriscaped garden image is borrowed from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority publication entitled "Xeriscaping: the Complete How-To Guide" ( http://www.abcwua.org/uploads/files/Xeric_Guide_08292017.pdf ) Question: I have just moved to the Rio Rancho area from the East Coast. What do I need to know about gardening in New Mexico? -      J.T.S., Sandoval County, NM Answer: The first thing to learn about New Mexico gardening is that it will be different and difficult, but not impossible. Eastern gardeners are used to adding lime to their garden soil.