Signs of Spring

The sun is shining today and there are faint signs that spring is around the corner, despite the forecast for possible snow this Sunday. The Victoria seeds that arrived last week from Kit Knotts in Florida are beginning to sprout, which is always an indication that spring is not far off. We also have several Euryale seedlings that have produced their first floating leaves. One small problem was discovered yesterday - three of our four heaters for the water tanks holding our seedlings stopped working. Replacements are on the way, and hopefully will arrive before the temps dip back into the 20's overnight! Weekly fertilization of these seedlings will begin today, and I will post progress photos soon!

A Cold Day in February

19 Degrees - That is what the thermometer read when I pried open the door of my car to head for work at Duke Gardens this morning. What better day to begin a blog about watergardening here at our 55 acre botanical garden on Duke University's West Campus? The water may be frozen, but we are already gearing up for the busy season ahead of us. The first task of the season was accomplished yesterday with the help of Karen Webbink, a dedicated volunteer who helps us each year in the ponds. Karen arrived early in the morning to help with the cleaning of our two heated water tables in our propagation greenhouse. We also planted 25 newly sprouted Euryale ferox seedlings in small plastic cups filled with sand. As these produce their first leaves, we will begin to feed them with a special liquid fertilizer that will be injected into the sand around each plant. Coming up next week: the arrival of Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid', 'Adventure', and V. cruziana seeds from Kit Knotts in Cocoa Beach, FL!