ACTIVITIES & EVENTS. November & December Activities & Events listed below. Register for a Workshop or Talk at

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1 ACTIVITIES & EVENTS AT BEHNKE NURSERIES SEPTEMBER THRU OCTOBER 2016 November & December Activities & Events listed below Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) There s always something behnkes@behnkes.net growing on at Behnke s!

2 Fall is Upon Us... Time to Plant! The gardening community at Behnke s Fall is a rich season for gardeners! Not in the kind of wealth you would stow away in your pocket, but in the activity and richness of our plantings. We will finish harvesting a bounty of fall crops; replant containers with jewel-toned pansies, colorful ornamental peppers and cabbages, stately grasses, bountiful mums and other cool weather flowers; make room for lots of spring blooming bulbs such as daffodils and tulips that will hibernate in our gardens and pop out to surprise when winter gives way; add festive decor like bundles of corn stalks, dried colorful corn, huge pumpkins and bright gourds to the landscape; address the needs of our lawns as they wake from their hot summer slumber; and most of all PLANT. With its warm days and cool nights Fall brings with it the best planting weather for trees and shrubs... and most definitely, the gardener. Below are just some of our yearly activities. For more information and times see the monthly list of activities on the next few pages. S Check each month for timely and interesting discussions This is a great way to pick up some new information, brush up on old information and have your questions answered. ORCHID CLINIC & REPOTTING (monthly) w/ The Orchid Lady, Carol Allen Orchids are often given as gifts and then thrown away after they bloom. They are perceived as difficult to grow. BUT Carol is here to say STOP. They are really less finicky than you think, and with Carol s coaching, you could have orchids REblooming on your window sills. Carol has over 25 years experience in the horticulture industry. Her advice is free. If you have questions about a specific orchid, bring it in, and let her take a look. If you need your orchid repotted, for a fee, she will take care of that, also, and show you how. SPECIAL MEETINGS AT BEHNKE S Here at Behnke s, we have the priviledge to be the meeting house for some of our area gardening groups. If you get a chance, stop in you will be most welcome! NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER OF THE GESNERIAD SOCIETY ( Meetings are usually (but not always) the second Saturday of the month, starting at 10:30 am. Please check the website for details. POTOMAC ROSE SOCIETY Meetings are usually (but not always) the fourth Sunday of the month, starting at 2:00 pm. For more information contact: Jay Jensen belpre46@gmail.com BROOKSIDE BONSAI SOCIETY ( Meetings at Behnke s are scheduled for March 26, July 23 and November 5, starting at 9:30 am. For more information about the Brookside Bonsai Society and their activities, contact Jim Hughes jim6909@msn.com

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4 SEPTEMBER ORCHID CLINIC September 3, September 4, Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic w/ Carol Allen Questions about orchids? Visit with The Orchid Lady, Carol Allen. If you have questions about a specific orchid, bring it in, and let her take a look. If you need your orchid repotted, for a fee, she will take care of that, also, and show you how. September 10, It s Basic Gardening Down and Dirty Get ready to take some notes! Carol will basically cover a lot of ground in 5 short parts: 1) Amending the soil - when, why, & how? 2) How to plant and space for a healthy landscape. 3) When to water and fertilize. 4) What is part sun? 5) Proper pruning/pinching rules to keep in mind. September 11, The A, B, C s of Lawncare It s Not Rocket Science If you missed the August lawncare class, never fear. Carol is back with step by step lawncare information that you can use to make your lawn healthy and green. You don t need a doctorate, just a good plan. September 17, 11:00 am Seed Saving in the Garden From Vegetables to Flowers and more Saving seeds can be both a fun and thrifty activity. You can discover the joy of watching seeds you collect sprout and grow to maturity. Carol will explain which seeds are best to save, when to collect them, how to clean & store them, and when you should plant them.

5 SEPTEMBER September 17, Saving Tender Plants and Tropicals for Next Spring Propagation and Recovery Many of us have a hard time letting go of our big, beautiful summer plants when the fall winds blow. Not only is it a blow to our internal gardener but also our gardening budget next spring so in steps Carol. She will explain how to overwinter certain plants by taking cuttings and how others can be trimmed down to a manageable size and maintained indoors during the winter months. September 18, 11:00 am Divide and Conquer Your Perennials Watching your perennial garden fill in and flourish is a wonderful feeling, but sometimes a little thinning is required to keep it healthy. Knowing when and how to divide and separate your plants is essential. Let Carol show you some basics to help keep your perennial garden from over extending itself. ORCHID CLINIC September 24, September 25, Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic w/ Carol Allen Questions about orchids? Visit with The Orchid Lady, Carol Allen. If you have questions about a specific orchid, bring it in, and let her take a look. If you need your orchid repotted, for a fee, she will take care of that, also, and show you how.

6 OCTOBER WORKSHOP registration required October 1, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Saturday Bonsai Beginner: Hands-On Class (1 day class) w/ Master Ducky Hong Fee: $65 - all materials provided A ONE DAY CLASS with a focus on care and maintenance, learn all the basics of bonsai design. Select a tree and learn how to prune and transplant. Discover what the art of bonsai is all about as you create your very own bonsai to take home. October 1, 11:00 am October 2, Buying Bulbs More to Consider Than Color A showcase of spring blooming bulbs begins in the fall when it s time to plant them. Tulips, daffodils they are so easy to plant. You see them everywhere, but have you ever really considered all of your options and how spectacular they can be? Let Carol guide you through the field of bulbs: 1) What do you look for in a good bulb. 2) Which bulbs do critters crave? 3) Planting & designing areas: naturalizing, succession blooming, and mixed heights. 4) Really cool, lesser used bulbs. Forcing Bulbs Winter Color Indoors & Spring Containers Forcing bulbs to bloom inside your house is both beautiful and self-satisfying. And if you have children, it s a great learning experience. Planting containers to bloom on your deck/porch next spring is so simple, yet, next spring you ll be amazed at their beauty. Follow along as Carol demonstrates different forcing techniques that will have you itching to try this yourself. ORCHID CLINIC October 8, October 9, Bonus Day! October 10, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic w/ Carol Allen Questions about orchids? Visit with The Orchid Lady, Carol Allen. If you have questions about a specific orchid, bring it in, and let her take a look. If you need your orchid repotted, for a fee, she will take care of that, also, and show you how. And this month Carol will be available an extra day! Have Carol repot your orchid(s) from home while you take in the NCOS Orchid Show & Sale.

7 OCTOBER EVENT October 8 & 9, time TBD October 10, time TBD Watch the NCOS website at for more information as it unfolds October 15, October 16, October 22, 11:00 am 69th Annual National Capital Orchid Society Fall Orchid Show & Sale VISIT for more information FREE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC! Plan to visit, bring friends, see thousands of unique orchid plants in bloom, partake in our educational lectures, visit our sales area with top-quality vendors for plant and supply sales, unique orchid-themed gifts, and MUCH MORE! Fall is one of the best blooming seasons for orchids in DC, so come prepared for a wonderful selection of orchids to see and buy! Growing Carnivorous Houseplants Most of us have tried to grow a Venus fly trap at some point in our lives. The idea of a meat-eating plant is just so cool. But these are unique creatures compared to everyday houseplants. They have special requirements that are not difficult, just different. Learn the basics of successfully raising carnivorous plants as Carol guides you through their world. The Forgotten Garden: Planting for Cool Season Beauty It s amazing how many people feel the first twinges of cold in October and pack up their gardening gear when there is so much to enjoy in late fall, winter and early spring. Some plants become laden with berries while others bear flowers on leafless branches, and still others develop colorful bark. Listen up as Carol examines the true nature of the cool weather landscape. Backyard Composting: Turn Your Leaves into Black Gold Composting is recycling at its best. You can compost many items household vegetable and fruit waste, garden debris, grass clippings, leaves, and sticks and end up with a great material to pour back into your garden. Follow along as Carol discusses different options for composting, how different materials play a roll, and what compost means to your landscape. MORE OCTOBER

8 OCTOBER October 23, 11:00 am Seasonal Porch Pots: Keeping Your Planters Full Porch pots are seasonal arrangements that you can display outside on porches, decks, and stoops using your already existing containers. What a wonderful way to use your vacant planters! Branches, green boughs, berries, seed pods and even gourds can all be brought together to decorate throughout the cooler seasons, and Carol will show you the basics of design and materials so you can arrange your own displays, wowing friends and family. October 29, 11:00 am Rex Begonias, African Violets, & Orchids: How Houseplant Enthusiasts are Born I started with one African violet. Now I have nine, and I still see one more I want. This is a common theme among houseplant enthusiasts when there is a plant with many varieties to choose from. Rex begonias, African violets and orchids easily fall into this catagory. Discover the lure of these houseplants as Carol discusses the care and diversity in each group. October 30, Gardening Myths Demystified: Separating Fact from Fiction It used to be that planting advice was passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Though some advice was rooted in practice, other advice was rooted in superstition. Now with the advent of mass communication much garden advice, good or not, can be spread extremely quickly without thought of real scientific proof. Join Carol as she examines some common gardening myths and gives you the REAL scoop. PLUS, bring in any myths you want clarified. Carol would love to hear your stories!

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10 ACTIVITIES & EVENTS AT BEHNKE NURSERIES NOVEMBER THRU DECEMBER Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) There s always something behnkes@behnkes.net growing on at Behnke s!

11 NOVEMBER ORCHID CLINIC November 5, November 6, Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic w/ Carol Allen Questions about orchids? Visit with The Orchid Lady, Carol Allen. If you have questions about a specific orchid, bring it in, and let her take a look. If you need your orchid repotted, for a fee, she will take care of that, also, and show you how. EVENT November 19 Behnke Christmas Open House Wander through Behnke s Christmas Shop and discover many delightful ornaments and gifts. Explore our greenhouses full of specialty and traditional poinsettias, colorful Christmas cactus, bright cyclamen, and beautiful orchids. Visit our fresh greens area full of the scents of Christmas with firs, boxwoods, hollies, pines and cedars, plus berries and cones. And enjoy a few extras during the day... Light Refreshments 11 am to 4 pm Harp Music by Jim Dronenburg 10 am to 12 noon Madrigal group, Camerata Musica 12 noon to 2 pm Wine Tasting times TBD Christmas Workshop (listed below) and MORE WORKSHOP registration required November 19, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm and again November 19, 2:30 am - 4:00 pm Decorate Your Very Own Fresh Green Christmas Wreath w/ Carol Allen Fee: $45 - all wreath materials (not tools) provided Student is responsible for bringing tools: needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, hand pruners and scissors to class. This year s theme is Free-Style. Fee includes: 1 fresh green 24 inch wreath 3 yards of ribbon for a bow (choose from 3 colors) assorted fresh greens a pre-set group of picks and cones for decoration the materials & instruction needed to assemble wreath

12 DECEMBER ORCHID CLINIC December 3, December 4, Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic w/ Carol Allen Questions about orchids? Visit with The Orchid Lady, Carol Allen. If you have questions about a specific orchid, bring it in, and let her take a look. If you need your orchid repotted, for a fee, she will take care of that, also, and show you how. There s so much going on in December at Behnke s! Brilliant Poinsettias in new shades & traditional colors Blooming plants like cyclamen, Christmas cactus, orchids, amaryllis, African violets and many more Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, Wreaths & Greens we care for on a daily basis Fresh Arrangements & Wreaths decorated on site at Behnke s PLUS... The Behnke Christmas Shop Ornaments & Gifts Nutcrackers & Smokers Artificial Wreaths/Greens