Flowers: Coneflower transplanting

Replies: 98 Views: 553

Author	Comment
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) July 31, 2009 07:33 PM	It's almost August and I just moved some coneflowers from IA to MO. Until I can get them in the ground, I put them in planters in quality soil. They are in extreme (!!!!) shock. Should I cut off the dead flowers and stems to try and save them? I am NEW to all this - your help is appreciated!
Sashagirl by the Muddy Miss, IA (Zone 5a) July 31, 2009 09:25 PM	hc, Coneflowers are extremely hardy plants. But, yes by all means, cut thise blooms and stocks off. Since the plants are in shock, I'd keep them out of direct sun for a few days, maybe even a couple weeks. You might want to leave them in the pots for awhile till you see some new growth, before transplanting them back into the ground. Good luck. I imagine they will be just fine.
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) July 31, 2009 10:18 PM	I always try to keep some shade on mine after transplanting, like Sashagirl said. Keep 'em moist. But I gotta tell you don't get too awful worried, some coneflowers esp., the natives look retched after transplanting, some 2 to 3 weeks. Coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans just look horrible sometimes! It is just the nature of the beast, and i would not stress it. In the morning they may look great, only to go out an hour later, and find them all bent over looking like they will croak any second. They just do that. I expect it when I move coneflower, lol. Keep them moist, give them a little shade, all will be well. A couple weeks or 3, they will be fine. you'll see!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 01, 2009 10:28 AM	Thank you for your insights! I will cut them back and move them into the shade. We have a fence going up in September, so will leave them in their pots until I can get them into their home. I am so thrilled over this forum as being a beginner, I can learn from you guys. Thanks again!
Sashagirl by the Muddy Miss, IA (Zone 5a) August 01, 2009 04:25 PM	Hc, You're going to love this place! Seems someone is always 'round the table' to help. Welcome aboard! Sasha
gardener09 San Antonio, TX August 02, 2009 11:11 PM	Wow, aren't coneflowers supposed to look wretched in July and August????? They are annuals and have gone to seed in this terrible drought in Texas. I'd take the blooms off to keep the seed in a paper bag and let nature take its course and plant new seeds this Sept. You'll have many, many new plants next spring!
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 03, 2009 09:50 AM	In Texas, I'm sure they do, farther North, they still look pretty decent right now, I'm going to deadhead them today, let the new bud take over , then leave that for the finches. Garderner09, are you getting any rain at all, I've been watching the news wondering how anything including humans survive your heat, lol. Couples years ago we went to Houston to visit friends, my first time to Texas. 103 was the coolest day for our trip! I thought i would cool of in the hotel pool, hmm, pool was 100 degrees! lol
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 03, 2009 10:28 PM	I cut them way back taking off all the dead stuff, put them in good soil in pots and have them in the shade under our deck. Will plant them this fall and throw in some coneflower seeds I bought on line. Hopefully, next year we'll have some flowers. I assume they multiply each year as when my mother-in-law planted her garden, she only had a few and now they are all over the place! (Iowa). I love this website - I have learned so much as this is my first year gardening - if I didn't visit anyplace else on the web, I'd stick here!
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 03, 2009 10:36 PM	hanseycollie: I just wanted to add my two cents to the discussion. They are very hardy plants and they will make you think you shouldn't have done the transplant, but not to worry with just some attention, water and some shade they will be fine. If you don't have a lot of shade try putting up and umbrella like what folks use on their patio tables. This works wonders on transplants. I have used it all the time. Just have to make sure your stand will hold it should some wind kick up. By the way, are you a collie lover? Welcome to the forum this is one of the best places here. Janet Meadowyck Collies View Larger
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 04, 2009 09:34 AM	Howdy neighbor! Where's Sagamore Hills? Wow your dog is stunning!!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 04, 2009 10:03 PM	Yes, Janet of Meadowyck Collies, I have a sable rough coat - he's stunning. I adopted him from Wayward Collie Rescue over by St. Louis, MO. He's now almost six and we named him, St. Han the Perfect, as he's the best dog I've ever owned. I love Duluth, MN, and hope to someday foster collies when we eventually move back there. In the meantime, Han is very excited to have a new garden he'll be able to wander through next year! View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 05, 2009 06:06 PM	crash: I'm off 271 and 82 Macedonia exit. Where are you??? I'm just south of Cleveland hansey: What a sweet one there you have and I can tell he is in good hands, his coat is perfect. Thank you for adopting a rescue. When I lived back in Kentucky and was more active in collies, I had a small rescue group that I took care of and looked for homes. Not enough folks look to the rescues first. Janet this is my sweet blessing who died in Feb 09, just kills me to not have her, cancer got her and she was only 9. edited to add, your boy is pure for sable, that is why he is so fair compared to my girl This message was edited Aug 5, 2009 6:11 PM View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 05, 2009 06:10 PM	here is her mother at 13.5 who died the week after blessing, old age for her. I was blessed to have them both as long as I did cause after I moved up here first Acacia bloated and was saved then a year later almost to the day Blessing bloated and just happened to have been home that day. Janet now back to the topic sorry to have hijacked the thread. View Larger
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 07, 2009 11:20 PM	I am so sorry to hear you lost both those gorgeous collies. I can't imagine what it'll be like to lose Han as he's my baby. Love the name of your dog, My Sweet Blessing. Such a great name for a collie. Han's brother, Luke, and he were left to die in a park near Fenton, MO, and eventually ended up at a collie rescue. I found him on petfinder.com and after rigorous screening, was able to adopt him. His foster mom is one of my best friends now - there's something special about Collie Moms! Thanks for your comments and the photos. I'll attach a photo of Gretchen (a sheltie) and Han's brother, Luke, as he's gorgeous too - he's a white collie. BTW, I think the coneflowers are gonna make it as I have had them in the shade and I believe there is new growth about to come up from the roots. Yippee!!! Cynthia View Larger
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 08, 2009 12:40 PM	Awwww, haha, that is the cutest picture!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 08, 2009 08:35 PM	Thanks - they are both rescue dogs too.
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 08, 2009 09:09 PM	I am southwest of Columbus, 'bout an 3/4 hour meadow. Are you fairly close to the lake? Hansey, god bless you for rescuing animals in need!! Thank you.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 09, 2009 12:10 AM	I couldn't figure out what was going on with their eyes until I clicked on the pic..... ROFL to cute.... Did the collie hide after wards....? mine would go sulk after I put reindeer ears on them.... or hats... thanks for sharing. also glad to hear they are recovering. I did find out something very interesting today, don't know how true this is, but if different kinds of cones are planted close together they will change... I'm going to do some more research on this to see if this really is true... if so then I've gone some transplanting to do myself... Janet
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 09, 2009 09:18 AM	I think that might be true, as I no longer have a "Sundown" , it is now pink.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 09, 2009 09:36 PM	Oh man, well next weekend they are all getting moved then. As I love each one separately. thanks Janet
NoGreenThumbnTN Jackson, TN (Zone 7b) August 10, 2009 08:08 AM	I wonder how close 'close together' actually is. I have several different coneflowers blooming for their second season planted close together. So far they have all bloomed as their original colors.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 10, 2009 11:02 AM	Hi everyone.... loving the pictures of your collies. They're all such beautiful dogs! I'm interested in what you're saying about the coneflowers changing colors. I had Sundowns that were planted close to regular purple coneflowers and I swear they changed to regular and some even turned white. I posted that question on the coneflower forum and they suggested that my original Sundowns died and they are the seedlings that I have left. I thought this could be true but how would the seedlings even change to white? This has happened with my neighbor as well. She absolutely had a Sunrise which is no longer yellow. She also says all her phlox are mostly all purple where she had a variety of colors all closely planted. I wonder if it has to do with cross pollination. If cross-pollination occurs, what is the point of spending extra on new cultivars only to have them revert?
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 10, 2009 11:14 AM	Medinac, maybe they know something I don't , but if my sundown died and it is a seed, it is a sundown seedling, I did not have any other cones close enough. I have the same thing going on here, some that were Magnus, pink are now pale to white , my sundown pink. My sundown is PINK. it didn't die. something is happening. Now, i'm wondering about soil acidity., changing the colors??
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 10, 2009 10:28 PM	soil being responsible for the changing colors sounds more believable to me... at least that is an idea that I can wrap my brain around. Medinac, thanks for you kinds remarks on my four legged kids...LOL Here are my boys (I call them the S & S boys) Saul & Saint (right after eating with dirty noses). Janet View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 10, 2009 10:30 PM	This is Sarah, (daughter to Acacia (on right) mother of Saul & Saint and Gracie... Janet View Larger
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 11, 2009 09:33 AM	I love Sarah's face!!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 02:12 PM	Collies and coneflowers - what a great combination! Can anyone tell me what this plant is? It's my neighbors, and we think it's bizarre. The stem is like a leopard skin and the leaves are u-shaped and large on a long stem. Anyone know? Thanks, Cynthia View Larger
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 02:14 PM	And here is St. Han's glamour shot just for grins! View Larger
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 11, 2009 05:53 PM	Those are some great pictures of your kids! St. Han's glamour shot is adorable, looks just like the doggy version of the People Glamour Shots (do they even have any of those places anymore?) That picture could be a contest winner! Collies are one of the most beautiful dogs, I think. We have the opposite, tiny little (as in hair, not size)shorthaired dogs - German Shorthaired Pointers. Anyway, about the coneflowers.... with these new cultivars - from what I understand, they are created using tissue culture from different plants so the seedlings will not be true when dropped - they will be the regular purple coneflower. That's why, and this happened to me with Sundown, if bad tissue culture is used you get a funky looking plant in both leaf and flowering - it has happened alot in the Big Sky Series. I had many Sundowns that were deformed in either leaf, flower - or both. I believe I did lose plants and had their seedlings in there instead. Although, I still think that I have some of the mother plants - and I see my neighbor's too - that seem to be changing color. I don't know if any of you are Heuchera fans, but the same thing goes for all these new cultivars of Heuchera, none will grow true to seed if you save the seeds and try to grow them. They'll only be true by division. Maybe if I get some time this winter I'll read up about pollination, I'm still betting it has something to do with that. Your neighbor's plant is the most bizzarre thing I've seen in the garden. Did a bird drop a seed - I'm guessing she didn't plant it? Strange!
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 06:12 PM	What a sweetie... just makes me want to bury my face in his coat with my arms wrapped around him.... kissy to him.... never seen anything like that plant, post it on the ID forum, and send us a link, as I would like to hear what it is... Birds deposited several LARGE sunflowers in my front bed... looks kinda funny but I'm leaving them there... going to try and get seeds off them. medinac I'm really bummed now to hear that Heuchera won't come true from seed, guess I'll throw those seeds I collected out....
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 11, 2009 06:19 PM	Janet - Oh, you might try them... you might grow something totally different and cool from those seeds - you never know! If it turns out to be something really pretty and different, you may have the next new patent! Wouldn't that be fun! Looking at your Sarah, it always amazes me how mature dogs get gray, just like we do.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 08:01 PM	Sarah is gorgeous - blue merle? How many collies do you have Janet? I just bought a ton of coneflower seeds - and read you can toss them out right before winter and they'll grow in the spring? So that's not true? Rats - I really wanted to grow some inside, too, and have them ready for the ground next spring... did I say rats!? (Here's a cute one of Han at the local dog wash). View Larger
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 09:09 PM	By the way, the weird plant is a Sauromatum Venosum or a voodoo lily. I posted it on the plant ID site. Check it out and look at the weird flower (if you can call it that) it grows. Was gonna transplant some but now .... nope.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 11, 2009 10:18 PM	Han looks like he's enjoying his bath, looks like he's smiling to me! Mine never smile during their baths. Our one loves the water, but for swimming only - not baths and our other doesn't like water, period. I think I'd go ahead and toss the seeds out before winter, they should be fine since that's what happens in nature when they drop in their fall decline. Interesting about the voodoo lily but sounds scarey to have around, just the name, yikes! Checking it out after this post.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 10:58 PM	From what I have read, they have blooms that smell like dead meat and attract flies to pollinate...? I was gonna transplant some over here, but since I've read about them now, uhhhhh, nope. Gonna stick with the pretty flowers instead! And I think you're right - might as well toss some seeds out and see what happens. What can it hurt?
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 11, 2009 11:12 PM	Yuck! Yep, I'd stick with the pretty flowers. That one didn't have much in the way of a pretty flower anyhow....unusual but definitely not pretty. I saw you popped in over on the coneflower forum. You can learn alot over there, they really know their stuff. Best of luck with yours. You'll need to post pictures of your coneflowers next summer when they bloom.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 11, 2009 11:19 PM	Yes, I just joined tonight so I have been all over the site. Not sure really how to get back to the places where I've asked questions.... the little light bulb over my head hasn't gone off yet. I think with more time... I am amazed at how quickly people answer your questions. That voodoo lily was identified in about an hour - I was blown away by that! I think this site will be as addicting as Facebook is to some people, ha! Do you have a photo of your GS pointers you can post? I love seeing other people's dogs!
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 12, 2009 12:15 PM	hanseycollie, all of the posts that you make to threads will automatically appear everytime a new post is made to that thread. So if anyone post to the threads you have asked question on, it will show up on your home page when you log in. It is called your thread watcher. Also , if you get any d-mail, it will show up in daves heading. There is also a way to search older threads, or body of posts of thereads. just click on the search DG m, and type in what you are looking for.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 12, 2009 04:31 PM	Thank you crashbandiscoot. So, when I go to my home page, if anyone has made a post to a thread I began, it'll show "yes", correct? Cause when I click on the link, it takes me to the forum - I assume then I go to my thread? Is that correct? I have been all over the site and it's a little overwhelming, you know? :^) I love it though! Cynthia
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 12, 2009 06:52 PM	It will be your thread you have been posting to directly!
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 12, 2009 07:01 PM	For example, when you log in , your page will say Welcome home hanseycollie. Then below that, it will say something like, there are 3 new posts in your thread watcher. just click on the one of those you want to read and tada!! If you will look at the top of you threads it will also give you options you can click on such as Unwatch thread, if you don't care to watch that thread anymore, you can click on Unwatch thread , and it will no longer show up on your thread watch. There are all sorts of things to do here at daves, like keeping a diary, and journals. I am still learning and I have been here a couple years, lol Everything on the sites gives instructions on how to use whatever you want. There is also a facts page too. Welcome, and I am glad you are here, I have really enjoyed this thread anfd your beautiful pictures.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 12, 2009 10:04 PM	Thanks so much! I spent part of the afternoon reading about winter sowing - another new hobby! I am just loving this site - everyone is so knowledgeable! I'm learning tons and have to force myself to get off the computer! (Except when I can be outside working, ha). Thanks for the encouragement! Here's my other baby, Charlie. View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 12, 2009 10:05 PM	You can also go to the forums and find ones of interest to you and click for that one to be a watched one for you, then when ever there is a new topic posted you will see it. I have met some incredible folks here and don't go in the coop section....LOL Janet I hit the send button too soon as I was going to say go to the winter sow and you could do that with your coneflowers and have them in a more controlled area so you can pick an choose how many you want to plant This message was edited Aug 12, 2009 10:07 PM
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 13, 2009 11:16 AM	I have been reading tons of stuff on the winter sow area since you mentioned it to me - you are not good for my health, ha! And the coop section - it's all I can do right now to stop buying for next year's gardens, ha. My husband says if I miss going to Menard's garden center for a week, they'll lay people off. I am ordering seeds, too, so I can winter sow. That'll be such great fun cause over the winter I'll be painting some rooms indoors, but will need to be getting ready for another year outside, woohooooo! Thanks again for all your knowledge! View Larger
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 13, 2009 11:53 AM	ooo hanseycollie, I love your baby too, how cute is that face!!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 13, 2009 01:32 PM	His name is actually St. Han the Perfect as he's the best dog ever - a rescue collie left to die in a park. Thanks, he's a therapy dog at a nursing home too - have to share him!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 14, 2009 05:23 PM	Did anyone ever figure out if planting them close together makes them change color? I am about to plan my garden for next year (our fence materials are in, woohoooo) and it'll make a difference where I put all the coneflowers I have coming. I think I'm hooked - used to be a tulip lover but these coneflowers have stolen my heart. Meadowyck, I have a friend who just joined (buddycolliemom) who has a rescued white collie. I'm attaching my "God-dog" Buddy's photo. He is gorgeous too! View Larger
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 14, 2009 06:13 PM	The best guess we came up with hansywas, we think it might be more due in part to soil acidity. awwwww Buddy
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 14, 2009 11:26 PM	A lassie want a be.....LOL Sweet face, thanks for sharing with us. I find the whites very interesting but the white is too much for me to keep clean... I have hard enough time with my boys with all the herding that they do.... too much upkeep me, although I do enjoy seeing a beautiful one. two of Sarah's children are white factored, meaning if bred to another white factored they would produce white collies.. Ok talked to my fiend about it and they are saying it is most likely due to the bees cross pollinating them. Need to plant at least 10 feet apart to be on the safe side. So that means I'm transplanting in a few weeks. We are actually having some warm weather and I don't want to stress them by transplanting them now... Janet
crashbandiscoot Springfield, OH (Zone 6a) August 15, 2009 09:55 AM	yes but wouldn't the crosspollenation only affect seed?? I dunno, I think that is how most plants work. I do know that my rudbeckia are never true from seed , they are always something else, at least 90% of the time.
buddycolliemom Saint Joseph, MO August 15, 2009 05:44 PM	Hello, Everyone!!! I'm Buddycolliemom's mom. He is all white except for his head and a brown spot on his right side. Also has brown around the base of his tail. He is also a rescue collie. He is now 5 1/2 years old. He was originally suppose to go to another lady that had 3 schnauzers [?], and after she got him home, she figured out that he was too big. [He is close to 100 pounds. Has lost about 5 pounds this summer.] I met her about 35 miles away, and exchanged cash for a leash. He has been spoiled ever since. He is also the God-dog of Hanseycollie. She has blessed me as much as Buddy. To the woman that had the German Shorthaired Pointers, they are also a great dog. Sparky was as loyal as can be and after 13 1/2 years, I had to have her put down because of cancer. She was sooo smart; even played hide and seek with my son when he was little. To the coneflowers: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them and plan on concentrating on them for next spring/late this fall. At one time, I had the purples mixed with blackeyed susans and the wild version of daisies. Was it ever beautiful. I love this site. Thank you for each and everyone of you and your knowledge. I am going to love this.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 15, 2009 05:59 PM	Welcome BuddyCollieMom - you are a cone-a-holic now .... I am so hooked. There are so many amazingly great gardners on this site and they can answer all the questions. So much for having a life away from here, ha! Buddy's God-Momma, Cynthia View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 15, 2009 06:31 PM	Got to love the eyes. It really is a shame what the conformation ring has done to the collie breed, with wanting a smaller and smaller eye to where they almost look like pig eyes. My youngest collies all have too small of an eye for my taste. I like the look of my three girls, Acacia, Blessing, Sarah. I've got purple cones, with shasta daisies and rubecia. I'll go out and take a picture and post shortly. I have two different purple cones and the other two flowers and I so love them. Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 15, 2009 11:26 PM	Yea! I'm anxious to see some of your photos Meadowyck. (Of your flowers and your collies!) We should have named this thread "Coneflowers and Collies"!
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 16, 2009 02:22 PM	Meadowyck, I'm anxious to see your photos. So you have 3colllies right now - Acacia, Sarah, Saint and Saul? I have ONE and have trouble keeping him brushed and beautiful! I don't like the eyes either of the breeders - they look almost like Doberman eyes - not collie eyes! I prefer them larger and more rounded - it makes for a sweeter face. My boy has a very long, thin nose - since his brother is white - I read on line that at one time they bred Borzoi's into the collie line to extend the nose and get the all-white collie. Have you heard that? Anxious to see your cones, shasta daiseys and rubecia! (This is Tubbie Tillie, one of our cats.) View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 17, 2009 01:03 AM	Sweet cat there. When I was a kid I had a collie who wouldn't eat unless the cat act with him out of the same bowl. Of course the collie would make a pig of himself and we would then feed the cat on the front porch so he would have sometime to eat...LOL Yes Borzoi's were breed into them to great a longer and cleaner head. The current members (top breeders) of CCA want a head that looks like a pencil, same size at the skull as there is at the tip of the nose.... regardless that the CCA standard says a wedge/pie shape head. Like what you see looking down over the top of the head. The white does come from the Borzoi's. Sad thing is that Aussies have been breed into collies and now have the same eye problems that collies. Most normal eyed collies have a larger and rounder eye. Sorry family came in and Havent gotten the pictures will post in a few days Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 17, 2009 08:49 AM	The breeders want a wider face then, vs. a pie shaped face? I wasn't aware of that. Han has some borzoi in him as does his white brother - I can see it in his face shape; thankfully, he also has normal eyes which are rounder and larger. I'm a bit partial though! Did I tell you some of the original coneflowers from IA lived and have new leaves coming up from the roots? I put some in the front flower bed which I'll be adding to over the next few years. I have four pots which are still stems, but I'm hoping they're still in shock and I'll see new growth soon. If not, still plan to put them in the ground and hope for next year! We have four cats - Willie, Stinkie, Tubbie and Sparky. They stay in the downstairs level of our home and the dogs live upstairs. It helps with the amount of hair in the main portion of the house. My hubby is a vet, and a cat person, and I'm a dog person. Two dogs = 4 cats, ha. Will look forward to your photos! My adopted sister, Cathy, is on now (buddycolliemom) and her baby is a white collie too. View Larger
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) August 17, 2009 11:54 PM	no not a wider face they want the end of the nose to be the same width as the back of the skull I love the normal eyes, but sorry to say my last four collies all have mild CRC. They can see just fine, but still what we call affected. You right to not give up hope on the cones. Just plant them and mulch them heavy before the first frost. and then add a little more till the first snow to make sure they have a great blanket for the winter... Janet
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 18, 2009 06:39 PM	Hi everyone. Sorry I was away for a few days and just returned. Cynthia - Charlie and Tubbie Tillie are adorable. Showed Charlie to my daughter and she loves him! Welcome Buddycolliemom - Buddy's a sweetheart! I'm happy for you that he came into your life! We are on German Shorthaired Pointer #3 . Our first two lived to be 14 and 13 1/2, both great dogs. Our 13 1/2, Georgie, was that one-of-a-kind dog. She was the best in every way. We now have Gracie and Mo. They are probably about the same age (4)...Mo is from a rescue so I don't know her exact age. She was on a farm in Southern Ilinois along with 20+ other dogs. The farmer tired of them and was going to start shooting them unless someone came and got them. Almost Home Foundation stepped in and took them all. A good thing as Mo came to us very thin, with whips and is an allergy dog. Sitll battling this allergy thing - but she's healthy and happy now and loves, loves, loves to eat! Gracie lives to hunt and retrieve duck dummies when swimming. She's a total lover dover dog enjoying as many kisses as you're willing to dish out. She'll press the side of her face to yours waiting for them. Here's a picture of the girls. View Larger
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 18, 2009 09:37 PM	Oh my gosh, Gracie and Mo are gorgeous! What amazingly beautiful dogs! I can't believe how anyone could take a dog like Gracie, Mo, Han, or Buddy and either want them dead or abandon them. Such great animals! I always hope people like that develop a rash in the warmest part of their bodies that will never stop itching ... until thedie & rot in hell, of course. I am a firm believer in rescues! Five of our six animals are rescues and I'll never have any other.... welcome back Medinac! View Larger
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) August 19, 2009 09:34 PM	Thank you! I just don't understand people who are cruel to animals either and I'm with you on their punishment for it! Gracie is not a rescue, but I am a firm believer in them too. Of the 6 dogs we've had, 4 have been "rescues" of different sorts. So many pets, and not enough good homes. I'm so glad we are able to give those we can forever homes. I also thank those who foster the animals and work with them. Mo has come with her "issues", but nothing that can't be managedand work on. It took her a whole year to finally trust my husband - that farmer must have been a very bad man. You sure are doing your part saving animals! Bless you! By the way, I'm glad your cones are coming back! They are amazingly hardy. I've been watching the yellow finches enjoying mine. When I see that, I don't want to deadhead them. I think I'll just leave them for the birds. Do you have any hummingbird feeders up? I put one up this year by our family room window and we're enjoying seeing them come to the feeder. 3 different ones come to visit - 2 males and 1 female. They're fun to watch.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) August 31, 2009 11:53 PM	Medinac, I have never seen a hummingbird here in Missouri - until today! I had the screen door open on the deck and was out moving some plants when this BIG "bug" hummed up behind me and hovered at the open door. I thought that huge bug was going to go in my house (!!!!!) and then realized it was a hummingbird! It flew away in just a second, and I was so thankful it didn't go into our home... may invest in a feeder now!
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 01, 2009 09:24 PM	The hummers are lots of fun to watch OUTSIDE the window! The really are very curious about us so it doesn't surprise me he hovered near you. Another female has been coming around. I can tell there's two of each because one is much smaller than the other in both cases. I haven't heard them yet but my neighbor has heard their wings and noises they make. How are your coneflowers doing now?
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 01, 2009 10:07 PM	That's how I realized that huge bug was near me - I could hear it hummmmmmmiiiinnnnnnngggggggggg. It actually scared me for a second, thank goodness I didn't swat at it, and then it was like a slow motion picture waiting for my brain to kick in to what I was actually seeing. I was so excited as I've never seen one here in MO, and from what've read, they are more prolific in less urban areas. Does your couple come around often? Another question - do the bees bother your hummingbird feeder? Now that I have sedums, we have tons of bees around now which I don't mind, but would rather not draw them to sugared water if it'll bother them...??? The coneflowers are from my husband's parents' farm in IA. His mom died almost two years ago and they are from her garden. I am so happy that some are going to make it and are actually putting out quite a few new leaves. They are sentimental cause she loved her garden. I sprayed them with Configure and it seems to be helping. Yippee! View Larger
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 01, 2009 10:56 PM	Cute picture of the dogs. They seem to really like their headbands. I don't think I could get mine to keep them on their heads. We used to only get the 2 male hummers. Then one female starting coming but wouldn't land.. the males come by and chase her away. They stake their claim to a feeder and will chase all others away. Then just within the last couple days another female started coming by - that's how I noticed this new female is much smaller. They come to the feeder every day. I've only seen one bee checking it out. The holes are so small the bees can't get into them and don't seem to bother them. Although, I have them by boxwoods and heuchera - and I've cut down the flowers on the heuchera so there's nothing to really attract the bees to that area anyway. Oh, and we live just outside O'Hare so we're pretty populated but in a wooded area and they're still around here...although sadly I think it's almost time for them to go. How nice to have your mother in laws coneflowers. I too have Phlox from my grandma's house and my mom's house (the one I grew up in, mom's in a condo now). I've had some of them for 25 years now.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 01, 2009 11:16 PM	That is so cool that you live by O'Hare and still get hummingbirds! I think I'll try a hummingbird feeder hanging on the deck cover next time I go to Menard's and try to attract some. You're a little further into your season being in Illinois so I might get lucky. Somehow I think Gracie and Mo would still look regal even with the silly headbands on! They are stunning dogs for sure. My Han wears reindeer antlers at Christmas when we go visiting, and I think he forgets he has them on. Now he looks really stupid in them, but he doesn't realize it, so life is good. I have hostas that were my great-grandfather's, transplanted to my grandfather's, transplanted to my dad's, and now we have them. They used to be very verigated, but now there have been so many offspring they aren't near as much as they used to be. However, they keep growing like weeds. With all my family gone, except my hubby, it's nice to have them as remembrances. Kinda like Jannie's coneflowers.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 02, 2009 09:53 AM	How cool to have your great-grandfather's hostas! We may not have them with us anymore physically, but we always have their flowers and can think of them every time we look at their beauty. I'm sorry all your family's gone. We're fortunate to have my husband's grandmother still with us - she's 96 and still doing pretty well. I'm sorry I don't have any of her flowers she gave me after moving back here from Arkansas to an apartment. Those were my early gardening days and I managed to kill what she gave me. Sigh...
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 03, 2009 08:01 PM	I used to brag that I never wanted any plants cause they'd just be one more thing to take care of, and that I had a black thumb. Amazing how time changes things. Now I love the plants, my thumb is maybe gray now, and I only have a husband, collie, pekingese and four cats to take cae of. Daughter is grown and moved, don't see her much, so the dogs are my babies now. And the plants.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 04, 2009 06:40 PM	Well, plants are another thing to take care of but I think very much worth it - I'm one of those people who actually enjoy weeding, I find it therapeutic. You may get a little bit longer of a growing season, but 3 months here just isn't long enough. My two kids are freshman and with everything, I surely have enough to keep me busy. Missy Mo has found something new to amuse herself. She now goes after bees of any sort, biting and dropping them until they die and then she eats them! I think she may have gotten stung yesterday but she still keeps at it. I'm not too happy about it but I can't seem to make her stop. At least she's not killing the butterflies that were visiting the Butterfly Bushes anymore. THAT made me really mad. We haven't had the butterflies this year that we had last year though either. Talk about feeling guilty... I felt like I was luring them here only to be murdererd.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 05, 2009 11:20 AM	ROFL, the butterfly murderer, I can see the headlines in the Bensenville News Press now ... "Avid Gardner Lures Butterflies to Murder by Overzealous German Shorthaired Pointer" - lol - and the bee thing - is that just stupidity on our dogs' part? Han has noticed bees now that our sedums are blooming and with his six inch long nose, he tends to want to smell them. So far, no stings. What do you do for your girls if they get stung? Me, I have never been stung but with the amount of bees we are now attracting, it's just a matter of time. I assume your children are freshmen in high school? Mine is almost 22 and in Mississippi. She's a handful - I'm loving her from a safe distance at the moment, lol I do love the empty nesting - don't let anyone tell you it's awful cause it's really not - kids are grown, on their own and you can do something for yourself. After 22 years, I'm loving it! Cynthia
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 06, 2009 09:06 PM	I so hear ya on kid grown out of house and my collies became my new kids....rofl Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 07, 2009 08:21 PM	You have three or four Janet? I think Saint, Saul, Sarah and Gracie? We have Han, but have three God-dogs - Grace, Buddy and Josey - all collies. All three are rescue collies too. Beautiful animals. Just don't want to lose their mommas to get them as mine, for sure.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 20, 2009 09:38 AM	Yep I hear ya about not losing their mom. yep Sarah is mama to Saul, Saint and last but most certainly not least Gracie...LOL Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 20, 2009 03:38 PM	Gracie is the name of one of my God-dogs - she was used as pit bull bait. Can you imagine using a collie to train dogs how to attack? She is scarred and has many long-term issues, but she's in a good home now and has been nursed back to health. The people who used her will surely burn forever... BTW, the transplanted coneflowers are still hanging in there - even in wet, clay soil. There's just not much we can do with our awful dirt here. I hope they make it and adjust, or they'll have to be container flowers. Heavy sigh.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 23, 2009 10:44 PM	The cones once they take a rest for the year, look out next year. Give them plenty of leaf humus for protection during the winter and some sweet peat next spring and they will be good to go. Honest. Yes I for sure see them burning forever for using and dog let a lone a collie for bait. Wouldn't ya love to see them staked and cover them in honey and watch the ants have fun.... Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 24, 2009 08:57 AM	ROFL, my wish is for an incurable, horrendously itchy rash in the HOTTEST parts of their bodies that they can't reach. I'll go with the honey and FIREants too. Here is Gracie now. She's coming to visit in a month as I've never met her. She is only about six but the doctors say her body is about a 12 year old. View Larger
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 24, 2009 12:19 PM	Gracie looks sweet as pie. You can tell her body looks, well, achy, I guess is how I'd describe her. The extent of the cruelty of some humans never ceases to amaze me when I hear such things. I always think however they treat an animal is what should be done to them. I doubt they'd ever do it again if that were the case. Janet - What is sweet peat? I haven't heard that term before.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 24, 2009 04:19 PM	LOL, I agree - let's let the pit bulls use THEM for bait! Can you imagine your two babies being used to teach a dog how to fight? Linda (Gracie's mommy) says she's the sweetest dog and it took her a long time to get used to being loved - now she's a normal collie. Warms my heart. I have no clue what sweet peat is either ... help Janet!
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 24, 2009 07:55 PM	It's hard for me to imagine any human being using animals like that.... it sickens and angers me to no end. It took Mo a full year just to even somewhat trust my husband. She now fully trusts him and respects him. He talks, she listens. Much better than with me. Even though I follow through with my commands with her, they always know who the push over is, and who isn't. I'm so glad Gracie could open herself up to love and trust someone again. That's the great thing people miss about them.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 26, 2009 11:06 AM	Same in our house - the dogs look to me as "mommy" and don't listen as well as they should. UNLESS, Han is at pet therapy, then he listens to everything I say. It's like he knows he has to mind becaust at 100 pounds, he could accidentally hurt someone if he doesn't sit and stay when I tell him too. At home, though, I am not the alpha most of the time, LOL. Charlie, the Peke, doesn't mind ever. He's a true Pekingese - fearless, independent, and wanting love when he wants love. He'll come to me when he feels like it, not when I ask him to, ha.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 26, 2009 02:59 PM	Charlie does have the cutest looking face though. Our former elderly neighbor had a Peke and he was the same. He'd come over to see me IF and WHEN he decided he wanted attention by me. That was a dog with an attitude. What's pet therapy? Is that like obedience class?
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 26, 2009 05:03 PM	Pet therapy at the nursing home - Han is so big that when someone is walking using a walker or being guided, he HAS to sit down, be still and wait. Should he decide to move, he could knock them down by accident. Somehow he knows to really mind me when we're at the nursing home and there are frail, elderly around.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 26, 2009 07:28 PM	ah, ok, that makes sense now. I believe you mentioned that before, it just slipped by mind... as lots of things do these days!! Amazing Han understands when you're there that he needs to obey. We just had DH's 96 year old gram here today, we busted her out of the nursing home so I could cut and fix her hair. Had to put the pooches in their kennels. They are just way too rambunctious when visitors arrive and I wouldn't trust them. She does great other than being unsteady on her feet.
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 26, 2009 08:07 PM	Yup, that's why it is so important Han mind me. He seems to know when he's leashed and in the nursing home, that he HAS to stay still and mind me. He just does an amazing job. That's sweet to do Grandma's hair - I bet she felt good getting it cut and fixed. Somehow, a new haircut always makes life seem better.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 26, 2009 10:00 PM	sorry, work is a bear these days.... Oh what a sweet picture of Gracie. You can see the collie spirit in her. Thanks for sharing her picture Sweet Peat, how in the world could yall not have heard of this.... oh wait I forget that there are states out there that don't horses on their land as much as the common wealth of kentucky does....LOL Sweet peat is a nice way of saying horse manure.... this is one of the best fertilizers I've ever used in my garden, and now some of my garden members are starting to believe me. My beginning garden went from nothing to incredible in one years time. Now we are working on letting some horse manure age so that it will be ready for next years garden. Look around for some riding stables and take a truck and get it. Most places are happy to have someone haul it away. Just make sure you let it age before using or it will burn your plants. This is also excellent for veg gardens. Janet
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 26, 2009 10:13 PM	Alright, now I get it! That's funny... I had taken my mom to Shipshewana, IN - an Amish community week before last. I was commenting how I'd LOVE to scoop up that horse poop from the roads and take it home to age over the winter for my garden. That was until I got close enough for a good whiff....LOL.... I decided I'd have needed a way to transport it home OUTSIDE my vehicle. I believe there are still a couple of people who still own horses in the area. If not, Arlington Park racetrack is only about 10 miles or so from here. I'm sure there's plenty there. Just gotta take the pickup truck. Also, always wanted to go to the United Center when the Circus was in town for elephant manure. Never did though...
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 26, 2009 10:52 PM	now if you can get your hands on some goat, rabbit manure those are good ones also and the best part, you don't have to let it age. You can use it right away in the garden. don't know if you have ever had wild rabbits through your yard but if you watch where their droppings have been in the yard how that clump of grass grows greener....LOL Yes pick up some bins at wal mart then use those to fill with the horse manure and then dump them and let it sit outside over the winter. Now good horse manure will have some smell but not a smell that is bad, more sweet smell, now not sweet as in flower sweet smell just a nice earthy sweet smell. Call me nuts but I do love the smell of a barn...LOL Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 09:20 AM	Oh my gosh, I love the smell of the barn! My husband is 4th generation of an Iowa farm and it's one of my favorite places in the world. I so love the smell of the cattle and hay, yummmmmmmmmmm. I also love the smell of pupppy breath so call me weird, LOL. Sweet peat is horse poopey? That is way funny - I literally laughed when I read that. Here I thought it was some amazIng new organic fertilizer I'd have to reseach online, how funny!!! We have a wild bunny that lives under our hostas. I always forget he's there until I water and then he startles me when he dashes away. Always comes back though. So far, he hasn't caught Han's attention! Hope you both are having a great weekend! Janet, isn't Gracie lovely for being so abused? Have I sent you her website and story before?
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 11:05 AM	no not her website, please send. I'm a sucker for the rescues....LOL You are funny now that you know the code for sweet peat....LOL Janet
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 11:10 AM	Hay, sorry to get off track again on your thread, but since you are collecting seeds for WS have you purchased any seeds from JonnaSudenius in Daves Market place. She has some of the most incredible seeds and the price is good. If you place more than one order she will combine all orders to cut down on shipping. She lives in Belgium and after I've paid (paypal) my seeds get here quicker than trying to mail first class letter from the east coast to the west coast. Check her out for some really incredible seeds. I have framing for a hoop greenhouse and will be getting an early start next year on seeds. I plan to sell some of the plants to pay for my soil purchases that I make. We have clay soil and I make raised beds using good top soil, SWEET PEAT and leaf humus. I highly recommend her. Best place to purchase seeds from. Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 01:24 PM	Janet, stop!!! I have so many seeds to winter sow, I mean a WHOLE refrigerator drawer full, and a small lot to plant them on, LOL! Now you give me another site to buy from ... yikes ... "Hello, my name is Cynthia and I'm a seed-a-holic." Please help..... :^) http://members.petfinder.org/~MO233/grace.html Here is Gracie's story - you won't believe how old, frail and beat up she was when my dear friend Linda rescued her. She is coming to visit me in November and bringing Gracie and Luke (Han's bro) so I can't wait to see them. Gracie is my god-dog and I'm anxious to get some nose kisses in. I think this thread has gone in so many different directions it's funny. I guess part of DG is making gardening friends, tho, and sharing stories - ours tend to run around our dogs, LOL.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 05:08 PM	Dogs and gardening what a great combination in my book... Janet
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 09:22 PM	Mine too! Collies and coneflowers, LOL. Would you believe I dropped some seeds in the ground when I transplanted my mother in law's coneflowers and I have little tiny sprouts coming up. I know they'll die, but it is encouraging that I can grow new flowers in our terrible dirt.
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 27, 2009 09:51 PM	At least Cynthia started this thread so we don't have to worry that's we're hijacking someone's thread, right? I agree, dogs and gardening - the two things that keep me sane in life! Just read Grace's story. It's a heartbreaking story. It doesn't surprise me she had heartworm so bad. Why would they bother with heartworm medication when she was used as bait. Truly sounds like she's a miracle dog. So she's still currently in rescue? It was heartwarming to see what great progress Grace made though in the year her story covers. It's great to see them actually acting like dogs. That's why my Mo is so spoiled. Regarding Grace's arthritis supplements - we used them with our girl, Georgie who was 13 1/2 and had severe in her front paw due to breaking her toes several times (chasing those darn squirrels) and they worked really well to relieve her pain, so I really do believe in them. She had a very sensitive stomach and had a hard time with Rimadyl or anything like that. Our other dog, Cody, who grew up with Georgie had heartworm when we got her. I got her from a guy at work who built a new house and his wife didn't want her in her new house. I was so mad at him when I learned she had heartworm - something that is so preventable. That was the early '90's and I remember it being a harsh treatment on her. We lost her to liver cancer at 13 1/2 also. She was a a great dog. The guy I got her from didn't know what he was missing.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 27, 2009 10:31 PM	Well back to the topic of coneflowers. I cut mine down today as I'm in tidy mode getting the garden ready for winter, which is fast approaching...ouch.. I really hated to cut them down cause the birds are having so much fun eating the seeds, but for two months I've not been able to keep up with the garden, (life kept getting in the way), so I just wanted neat... But I think I'll collect some seeds then take the rest to the back yard bird feeding station and leave them already picked ..... Janet View Larger
hanseycollie Cynthia (N. Kansas City), MO (Zone 5b) September 28, 2009 09:19 AM	Janet, your flowers are beautiful - I know that tidy mode. Mine are still blooming so pretty that I'm just gonna let them die and go to seed so maybe they'll grow more next year (it's my first year). I'll post a photo of my new garden sometime this week. Cheryl, I keep Han on Synovi G3 for his joints - Gracie is on a product one step up called Phycox. Both are glucosamine products that help with the arthritis - I don't want to put Han on anything prescription unless he really needs it. So far, he is faring very well and it's a miracle Gracie can walk considering her leg injuries. And yes, since I started this thread I guess if we get off topic for a while it's okay. We'll always come back to coneflowers ... though next we'll be on the Winter Sowing theads (soon). LOL.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 28, 2009 12:38 PM	Hay you too, go to this site, I use Marina all the time. Benefin(sp) Shark cartilage is the most natural and easiest on the stomach to take for bone pain. Expensive but very good. I use to take it for bone spurs for my feet. http://www.naturalrearing.com Janet
medinac Bensenville, IL (Zone 5a) September 28, 2009 08:29 PM	Cynthia - Synovi G3 is what I used to give Georgie! It was recommended by a holistic vet. I read up on the Phycox after reading Grace's story. I've been giving my Gracie and Mo Triple Joint Max - my friend's vet told her you can start them at a young age and it will help keep their joints flexible. Don't know if I'm throwing my money out the window or not but Gracie's 4 1/2 and still lays frog-style all the time. For as hard as she works in the field, I think it's good for her to be on it. Janet - Thanks for the link to Natural Rearing. I will look at it when I'm finished here on DG. I'm trying to help Mo with this biting thing/ allergies/ whatever. I was taking her to this holistic vet who is well thought of in this area. I was spending an absolute fortune and not seeing any difference. I just couldn't go that route anymore. I'm trying to avoid putting her on medication the rest of her life. So, I try different things as long as I'm confident it's safe for her.
meadowyck Sagamore Hills, OH (Zone 5b) September 28, 2009 09:20 PM	Medinac: I'm sending a pm since I'm about to go way off topic. Janet

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