Sandy Mason to be a Guest Speaker

Before I get into this week's column I want to fill you in on another guest speaker for our "Spring into Gardening" on Saturday morning the 28^th of February—Sandy Mason. A few years back I attended an advanced training session about "tress" and Sandy was the instructor. She just makes you want to learn more of whatever she is talking about. Sandy is a unit-based horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension and provides leadership and expertise in horticulture and environmental programs in Champaign County. She held a wide variety of horticultural positions before joining Extension.

Mason uses her expertise in horticulture (flowers, houseplants, vegetables, fruits, lawns, trees and shrubs) to supply answers to questions and educate the public through workshops and other educational programs. She trains and assists in coordinating the Master Gardeners who can then also provide expertise and educational programs to the public. The Champaign County Idea Garden on South Lincoln Avenue in Urbana is just one example. Sandy appears on a call-in program on a monthly basis for the WILL radio program Focus 580. She is a regular panelist on the WILL television program Illinois Gardener and hosts the "In the Garden" segment of WCIA TV's The Morning Show each Thursday. In addition, she writes the weekly Homeowner's Column for the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette.

On the 28^th, Sandy will discuss "Tried and True Perennials". If you have not yet registered to hear Sandy and our other speakers, do so soon. You can register on the Coles County Extension web site at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/.

Several Master Gardeners, including me, got together and had a little "Pot Party"; Hypertufa pot that is. Those of you that know me, know how much I love these containers. I have some I made over 11 years ago and they still look great. The nice thing about these containers is they can take Illinois weather. They do not have to be brought indoors during the winter. They don't crack or chip and are light weight. Anyway, the reason we made these special containers is for door prizes at our "Spring into Gardening" event. We are also going to have silent auction items. One item I am sure you will be especially interested in is a very large hypertufa container. I must say—working on this project has really made these 2 months fly by. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Now on with this week's article. Valentine's Day will be here before we know it and there always seems to be so many questions about taking care of the beautiful roses. Did you know that the different color of roses have different meanings? The language of flowers started in the Victorian era and still has meaning today. The red rose has always signified love and passion. As a gift for men, a red rose can also mean courage and respect, according to Diane Noland, University of Illinois Horticulturist.

The white rose signifies innocence and purity; and is frequently used at weddings. White and red roses combined, or a white rose with red tips, can mean unity and deep love. While a single rose can say "I Love You", two roses in a vase signify two people joining together-an ideal gift for an engagement.

Roses should last five to seven days if they are cared for properly. Add a package of floral preservative to a clean vase or water pitcher, and then add luke-warm water—about the temperature you would use for a baby's bath. Place roses in a tub of warm water, or in the sink, (if they are not already arranged that is.) Cut one-half inch off the end of each rose before arranging them in a vase. Cutting the stems under water (not just under running water from the faucet) helps to keep air from entering the stem while removing the bacteria on the stem end. Air and bacteria can clog the stem, allowing the flower to wilt prematurely. Aspirin and table sugar have been incorrectly used to lengthen the life of cut flowers. Commercial preservatives contain sugar, an acidifying agent and a bactericide. Roses that wilt or are wilted when they arrive can, sometimes be revived. Re-cut the stems of wilted roses under warm water and lay the entire rose out flat in a pan or tub of water. They should be revived in 20 minutes to an hour.

Keep your roses out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat. After you have enjoyed the beauty of your roses, you can hang them up-side down and let them dry. They can then be used in dried arrangements or maybe you could try making some potpourri. Anyway way you look at it, roses have been and probably always will be the number one favorite when it comes to Valentine's Day.