Presidents Message - Summer 2014

July 8, 2014

Our beloved daffodil is but a faded memory along with the foliage.  One would think that we would be completely done with any thought of daffodils, but contrare.   GSLDS’s schedule is just heatin’ up along with the summer.  Our upcoming events include our summer meeting with David Gunn, Rosarian of the Missouri Botanical Garden.  Although daffodils maybe most of our members favorite, we all covet many other plants including roses.  Attend the July 20, 2014 meeting to learn more about roses. 

In August, the Haeffner’s will be hosting the 7th GSLDS daffodil bulb cleaning.  Yes, we are a group that not only loves to play in dirt, but clean and play with daffodil bulbs.  Who doesn’t love to slip the skins of bulbs down to the smooth, caramel color?    The cleaning event serves several purposes, the obvious is cleaning and preparing for the upcoming bulb sales of the fall, but also the social aspect, we all enjoy visiting while we work.  The carry in lunch is always a culinary delight, members bringing special dishes enjoyed by all!  Looking forward to the upcoming months to meet and see each other again.

Cindy Haeffner
President, Greater St Louis Daffodil Society

Presidents Message - Winter 2014

Feb. 17, 2014

This winter, as you all know has been substantially colder than normal.  Now when the thermometer hits 25 degrees, it feels like a spring day, depending upon the WIND!!!

Yes, old man winter seems to have his grips on us, with no end in sight, but, calculating the start of spring, it is approximately a month away, the count down begins!!!

Is everyone done planting????  There are a few I know that are not, and awaiting a break in the weather is constant on those minds.  Planting this late can be problematic, i.e. planting one day @ 55 degrees, and 7 degrees the next, literally, one runs the risk of the bulbs completely freezing @ about 22 degrees, if the bulbs have not rooted, doing irreversible damage.  The rooting process pumps out the excess moisture, then the dissolved solids left in the bulb acts as  anti-freeze.   Mulching over the planting area will help, and snow cover will also help with its insulating properties.  Yes, I am one of the late planters!!!

With all this winter, color can not come soon enough!!!  The presentations for our first kick-off meeting by Bob Skaggs and Dave Niswonger was very welcomed and appreciated.  Thanks to Bob and Dave!

Cindy Haeffner, President
Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society