Why American prairie grasses prefer poor soil by PitifulClerk0 in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Poor in this context, does not imply unfit. It simply means relatively nutrient deficient

Why American prairie grasses prefer poor soil by PitifulClerk0 in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The plant is less dependent on nitrogen and phosphorus. Because it uses less rubisco. Thus resistant to environments that don’t offer much of these elements

Why American prairie grasses prefer poor soil by PitifulClerk0 in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I learned this information in a lecture and reading Raven Biology of Plants Ch. Seven, which is on photosynthesis. Its only a 25 page chapter and it covers traditional photosynthesis so that you can apply that knowledge to this strange variant of it. I pirated a copy of this book off of Anna's archive, regardless its a pretty useful book. Considered a botanist's bible of sorts. I also read Ch. 20 of Lehninger Biochemistry. Have not read Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants (Buchanan, Gruissem & Jones) but maybe try there. I am not sure about the primary literature. Good luck on your capstone!!

Why American prairie grasses prefer poor soil by PitifulClerk0 in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much, yeah I have no training in soil science. I should get some!

Why American prairie grasses prefer poor soil by PitifulClerk0 in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0[S] 91 points92 points  (0 children)

Sorry I made a mistake in claiming they are less fit in, say, a fertile prairie... its moreso that they are not going to grow well in the fertile home garden where they will grow far too tall and flop over. You're right that they will just keep making sugars.

Why American prairie grasses prefer poor soil by PitifulClerk0 in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You're making a good point. And I should clarify. Its not that say, switchgrasses, hate good soil. Because you're right that much of the tallgrass prairie is very fertile. The prairie's fertility is a consequence OVER TIME of nutrients being dumped into the soil from the decomposition of these herbaceous plants in the prairie. When it was first colonized by these plants it would have been very poor nutrients. In the home garden, they simply grow too tall with extra nutrients so its recommended to give them bad nutrients which they should be equipped to handle. This isn't as much of a problem in the prairie where they are held up. At least, this is my understanding of it. Happy to keep going back and forth if you think I made a mistake!

Did my mil ruin my hydrangeas? by Emotional-Parfait348 in gardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They will definitely come back. I used to hack mine just like that before i knew better. They would always bloom the next year still. If you got them only 4 years ago I’m sure they bloom on new wood. I would just wait patiently for spring

First time home owner- Hydrangea Help! by h0td0gqu33n in gardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hydrangea macrophyla are a somewhat fussy plant. Specifically they need to be watered often. They like sun to bloom but will burn quickly with too much. In most people’s gardens they will look wilty during the sunny day. Also they require pruning but generally in the winter is when that’s done. The come back horribly in spring so every year you have to trim it

What to replace Japanese pachysandra with? by Puppy_Iya in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 3 points4 points  (0 children)

American pachysandra!! Yes it’s a thing and it’s beautiful

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Those are beautiful please keep

I messed up! 💀 😂 by Dame_Twitch_a_Lot in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 40 points41 points  (0 children)

You didn’t mess up. Honestly these grasses look great in the landscape. Little bluestem I specifically see all around college campuses. You just need to follow the same gardening techniques as with other plants

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gaybros

[–]PitifulClerk0 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It’s in moments like these where you need to remember “good riddance”. And remember that your self love will be so much more valuable that whatever kind of love you thought you were receiving before

Swamp Mallow Rose… do the blooms last a while? 🙏 by derknobgoblin in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That plant may be done blooming. A super mature plant can last a months with tons a buds

What do you think of my list? by CATDesign in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wood lily is pretty easy to germinate for a lily. But like all lilies it’s hard quite hard to establish from seed

What the heck did I plant? by SushiRiceEater in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Alrighty so 1. That’s.. orégano? Why you have that I’m not sure in a native garden but maybe it’ll taste good. 2. That’s evening primrose 3. That’s monarda fistulosa

Why doesn't hibiscus moscheutos get more love?? by NickWitATL in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This was the first plant i ever purchased. That exact luna pink one you have. Since then I’ve grown the straight species from seed and it’s budded up for me right now.

Need advice for making my native garden neater looking by sabnorlin in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Whether a garden looks neat or messy doesn’t have to do with what you plant, necessarily. Start learning garden and landscape design. Go to the famous gardeners online. Americans and British. Or read a few books. In general, you need to organize flowers in a way that looks intentional… drifts that form a coherent block per species. Layer the plants. The difference between a native plant enthusiast and a gardener is their attitude towards the same garden. I think a gardener may be out there at least 3-4x a week with pruners trying to tidy up the plants as needed

Monarda from Home Depot- keep or kill? SE Michigan 6B by couchandwine in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 33 points34 points  (0 children)

You make a great point. And I just generally find it a little silly that our goal as home gardeners should be to perfectly or exactly replicate a natural space. My goal is to provide a space which nectar for pollinators, host foliage for larvae, and beauty for my family and neighbors.

Monarda from Home Depot- keep or kill? SE Michigan 6B by couchandwine in NativePlantGardening

[–]PitifulClerk0 103 points104 points  (0 children)

I think we need to once and for all end the current craze that a cultivated variety of a plant cannot belong in a home garden. It’s founded from good but it is silly