March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Perennial snakeroot takes root in gardeners’ hearts> Maine nurseries stock u

A Southwest Harbor reader writes to ask for sources of a perennial I raved about last fall, Cimicifuga ramosa atropurpurea. She also asks for its common name.

Members of this genus are commonly called snakeroot or bugbane, and since this one has purple foliage, I suppose we can call it purple snakeroot, although I have never seen a purple snake.

The plant is somewhat uncommon although more and more nurseries in Maine do carry it. Since I don’t have time to make an exhaustive survey of all the nurseries in our area, I must recommend that readers contact their local nurseries early to see if they carry C. ramosa atropurpurea. The only mail order source I know of is Busse Gardens (13579 10th St., N.W., Cokato, MN 55321-9426, catalog $2), but there are probably others.

The same reader’s husband writes to ask for guidelines on seed grown onions to prevent spoilage. He hangs them in the proper way but still suffers from far too much stem end rot.

I suspect the problem may begin in the garden. All onions must be allowed to fully mature before being harvested and braided or bagged for storage. The tops must go down or be bent down and they should be almost completely brown and dry before harvesting for long-term storage. Even then it is a good idea to sun cure the bulbs for a day or two after pulling. Don’t let them get rained on though. I generally lay my onions in flats with the tops hanging over the edges, in a single layer for curing.

My wife has the patience and skill for braiding so she takes over at this point, using a piece of heavy twine with a loop (for hanging) tied in the middle. We hang ours in the laundry which stays about 60-65 degrees, and have few problems with rotting or sprouting.

The Maine Tree Crop Alliance writes to ask if I would mention its annual scionwood exchange, exquisitely timed for the start of the grafting season from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 27, in the Unity College gymnasium. Workshops for novice and expert will be held and one need not have scionwood of one’s own to participate. For more information call Jack or Lainie at 568-3444.

The people at Crossroad Farm in Jonesport mentioned here recently as a source for unusual seed potatoes, wrote to correct the zip code as printed. Their address should read Box 3230, Jonesport 04649.

A Bradley gardener received some of her spring bulbs too late for planting last fall. They have spent the winter in a cool (40 degree) cellar and she wonders if she can plant them this spring, next fall or are they a complete loss.

First, let me say that it is surprising how late one can stick bulbs in the ground and get away with it. I’ve done it as late as Thanksgiving, and since the ground didn’t freeze that year until much later, everything was hunky-dory.

Planting the bulbs in spring may work depending on the species, but the plants will have their work cut out for them producing roots, leaves and flowers simultaneously. They cannot be expected to put on a normal show. Long-lived species like crocus and daffodil will be able to put this experience behind them after a year or so. Tulips may never forgive the responsible parties.

Another option would be to force the bulbs indoors, potting them in a sterile, well-drained medium keeping them evenly moist on a bright windowsill. If you do this, please be aware that after bloom, the bulbs must rebuild their vigor, relying on their leaves for food. So give them all the normal things a plant requires to grow and be healthy. Never cut the foliage off until it has withered or turned brown.

Michael Zuck of Bangor is a horticulturist and the NEWS garden columnist. Send inquiries to him at 2106 Essex St., Bangor 04401.


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