Recommendation
Posted by Phytopath on Dec 27, 2010
There is no blog post today, just a recommendation to watch a great documentary on YouTube.
Put some time aside, it runs for 93 minutes.
I believe every person who has access to the internet would benefit from watching this program
Just click on the link titled Home (below)
Lavender Heart Cookies
Posted by Phytopath on Dec 22, 2010
A short post today because I am in the throes of pre-Christmas baking.
In the southern hemisphere we are currently harvesting English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which is the only lavender that should be used for baking.
The other lavender species tend to have a nasty or unpleasant after-taste.
So here is the recipe for the lavender biscuits (shortbread) that I baked this morning.
115g / ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
50g / ¼ cup caster sugar
175g / 1½ cups plain flour, plus extra for dusting
2tbsp fresh lavender florets (or 1tbsp dried), roughly chopped
25g / ¼ cup icing sugar, for sprinkling
1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix together the flour and lavender, and add to the creamed mixture.
2. Bring the mixture together in a soft ball. Cover with clear film and chill for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200° C.
3. Roll out the mixture on a lightly floured surface and stamp out about 18 biscuits using a 5cm heart-shaped cutter. (This morning I used star and Christmas tree shapes)
4. Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with baking paper and place them in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown. (do not overcook)
5. Leave the biscuits to stand for about 5 minutes to firm up
6. Using a metal spatula, transfer them carefully from the baking tray on to a wire rack to cool.
7. Sprinkle with icing sugar.
You can store the biscuits in an airtight container for up to 1 week or place in the freezer for later use (wrap them well).
Lavender biscuits
Growing Hippeastrums
Posted by Phytopath on Dec 7, 2010
Hippeastrums, frequently referred to as Amaryllis in the Northern hemisphere, are a group of bulbous plants with showy flowers, mostly from South America.
Hybrids of Hippeastrum equestre were introduced into Holland around 1700 and the first commercial attempts at hybridising were carried out in 1799 between Hippeastrum reginae and H. vittatum.
The best named varieties produce up to four large, brightly coloured trumpet or funnel shaped flowers that are 15-20cm (6”-8”) across on tall stems that are about 50 to 60 cm (24”) high.
Because the stems are quite tall and because they are hollow, protection from strong winds is advisable.
The flower buds and stems grow from the side of the ‘neck’ part of the bulb and the showy flowers appear in late spring and summer. They are flowering here (Southern hemisphere) now.
There are many hybrids and cultivars available today, some even have double flowers.
The typical flower colours available are various shades of red/crimson, orange-red, fire engine red, (great at Christmas time)red and white striped, pink, white and a long time favourite, – Apple Blossom, which is white with pink stripes.
When planted in groups or on masse, they are a real eye catcher.
Hippeastrums can be manipulated to flower at Christmas time, in the Southern hemisphere, by placing the bulbs in the refrigerator at 5 degrees C until mid November.
They are then removed from the fridge and planted in the ground or in a pot when the temperature is around 20-25° C. This change in temperature should initiate flowering.
The flowers should appear approximately five weeks after planting out or potting up. If the flowers are developing too quickly, move the plant (if it is in a pot) to a cooler location. This should slow flower development. Conversely, if the flower buds are taking too long to mature, move the pot to a warmer location.
Hippeastrum flowering times are very closely related to temperature.
Once the individual flower buds have separated, it will take about three to four days for them to open.
The best growing environment for the bulbs, is an area where the soil is well drained, has had some organic matter added – like animal manure, away from strong winds, with plenty of sunlight if you are growing them in a cool temperate climate or in dappled shade if you are growing them in a warm temperate to desert type climate.
Plant the bulb with the ‘neck’ protruding above the soil. At least one third of the bulb should be above the surface of the soil. Water weekly during dry spells in the active growing season.
Some hippeastrum bulbs are evergreen and some are deciduous.
Many gardening books tell you to lift and store the bulbs over winter. Personally, I think it depends on your soil type and climate.
I have not lifted my bulbs in over 20 years and they are multiplying and flowering nicely.
The plants can be propagated by division of the bulbs in autumn or by bulb scaling which is used in commercial production. You could also have a go at propagating them by seed. You might just come up with a wonderful new variety.
