April Meeting: In lieu of the usual monthly meeting, Garden Club members boarded a bus for a trip to Beverly Hills on a gloriously sunny day, to visit Greystone Mansion. It was built by Edward Doheny, oil tycoon, for his son and family, at the then staggering sum of $3.1 million. One time it was considered the largest home on the West Coast; with 55 rooms; but now modest, compared to a few other homes in the area. Interestingly, there have been many instances reported by credible people that paranormal activity occurs, probably a result of several sordid events that occurred there.
Following the guided tour, members and their guests moved on to the famous Farmer’s Market adjacent to CBS Studio City for lunch, where they partook of a wide variety of cuisines, and enjoyed the lovely weather This was finished up with a relaxing snooze on the trip home.
Coming up in May: The Garden Club will hold its Fourth Annual Plant Sale in the ClubHouse on May 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All residents of the Shores and their friends are invited to attend. There will be a very large assortment of plants, pots, garden art and hand crafted items to whet the appetites of the “green thumbers” among us. The Club expects to exceed last year’s plant sale when several hundred people came to browse, buy and receive advice on plantings. Admission will be $1 per person, and includes refreshments and entry into the plant raffle. Come early to take advantage of the very large selection.
Thinking about growing citrus? When growing citrus in this area, gardeners should be on the lookout for Psyllid infestations. Psyllid insects are typically of the Asian variety, and are most active in springtime. They have been responsible for the destruction of millions of citrus trees in Florida, and have found their way to California, where they threaten what remains of the once thriving citrus industry.
If your citrus bears bitter, misshapen or inedible fruit, symptomatic of infestation, it is probably too late to take curative action. Regular checking of foliage is necessary, and if leaves take on a splotchy, mottled appearance, you had better visit your local nurseryman pronto to obtain appropriate treatment of the tree.
If you have any suspicions about possible infestation, you are urged to call the California Department of Agriculture at (800) 491-1899.
Residents are warned not to import citrus plants from other countries, or even from outside of Orange County, nor to take citrus outside of Orange County (oh, the irony!). The Ag Commission even warns against taking home-grown citrus fruit off the homeowner’s property!
Gardener’s quotation: A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, a gentle breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, the flowers are abloom . . . and the lawn mower is broken. —James Dent
—Morry Meadow
Comment: