May 2012 Newsletter

Note from the President- Our last meeting was a special treat with the American Hosta Society President, Doug Beilstein being the speaker for the evening.  Doug gave a wonderful pictorial presentation of the history of the AHS and bounced directly into a presentation on freeze damage in the garden.  Doug stated that by pinching the freeze damaged growth back to viable tissue that you can save the growth bud from rotting totally and waiting for the lateral growth buds to start the growth cycle.  He also showed pictures of his method of propagation and the set-up devoted to his passion.  Doug grows Hosta from seed……thousands of seeds and thousands of Hosta.  How many of you could cull hundreds of plants from your efforts?  He has to cull thousands.  Did you know that a 10% solution of household vinegar and water will kill the fungus from your seed trays?  Doug was generous with this type of information and willing to talk with anybody.  What a wonderful experience it was to have the President of a National Organization come speak to us about our favorite garden subject, Hosta.

                There are still spots available for the May 10^th, 2012 Paper-crete class at the Hanner’s in Otisville.  If you would like to participate in the class but have not signed up, please email Glen so your name can be added to the list.  Don’t wait until the day of the class to let us know you want to participate as we will mix paper-crete for the number of people participating. 

                I am looking forward to our summer meetings and seeing the beautiful gardens.  EMHS wishes to thank our summer garden meeting hosts in advance for all the hard work that goes into making their garden “just right” for all of us to enjoy.  If any members have time to volunteer you may want to ask the hosts if they would like help in their gardens preparing for the meeting.  The names of this year’s hosts can be found in the calendar of events.

Sincerely,
Glen

Next Meeting- Our next meeting will be on May 10^th, 2012 at 4:00 PM at the Hanner’s 10414 Oak Road, Otisville, MI 48463.  The Hanner’s phone number is 810-631-4292.  This is the paper-crete container making class.  There is no cost to EMHS Members.

            Directions from M-15; Take M-15 to the traffic light in downtown Otisville   (Main St/Wilson Road) and turn to the East.  Drive 1.4 miles to Oak Road and turn right (South).  Drive 0.2 miles to the house on the left. 
            Directions from Lapeer area; Take M-24 to Columbiaville Road and turn West.  Drive 7.6 miles to Washburn Road and turn right (North).  Drive 0.5 miles to Wilson Road and turn left (West).  Drive 2.0 miles to Oak Road and turn left (South).  Drive 0.2 miles to house on left. 

There are openings for the Paper-crete class, email or call Glen to reserve your spot.

Refreshments- Over the years our refreshment time has turned into a potluck, so as to not break the precedence already established we ask that you bring your favorite dish to pass to add to the table of plenty.  The club will provide the flatware, plates, cups, napkins, and coffee. 

Hosta Stones- The 2012 Hosta Stones featuring Ron Livingston’s 2008 introduction H. “Alakazaam” are for sale with more in production.  The regular member cost for this year’s stone is $30.00 for Natural and $5.00 more for colored.  Non-member price is $35.00 for Natural and colors $5.00 more.  Call Cathy Hodgson at 810-664-8985 to place your order. 

Membership Dues- If you have not yet paid your 2012 EMHS Membership dues please do so by sending your $5.00 check made out to EMHS, to EMHS Treasurer Mary Smith, 3431 Swaffer Road, Millington, MI 48746.  Mary will have the most up to date printout of the membership list at every meeting if you need to check on your membership status.

2012 Calendar of Events:

May 10^th at the Hanner’s, Hands on paper-crete class.  Openings available.

June 14^th at The Vrable’s in Chesaning.  Member Garden Tour

June 13^th-16^th- Nat’l Hosta Convention in Nashville, TN

July 12^th at the Major’s in Goodrich.  Member Garden Tour

August 9^th- at Barb Hunter’s in Lapeer.  Member Garden Tour

September 13^th at the Hodgson’s in Lapeer.  Annual Plant Exchange

October- No meeting scheduled

November- No meeting scheduled

December 6^th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Annual Christmas Party

Websites of Interest:

American Hosta Society- http://www.americanhostasociety.org/

American Hosta Society Convention Website- http://www.hosta2012.com/
AHS Hosta Library Website- http://www.hostalibrary.org/
Michigan Hosta Society Website- http://www.hostahappenings.com/
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society blog- http://easternmichiganhostasociety.blogspot.com/

Hosta College Website- http://ihostohio.com/portal/glhc/

Hosta Society Membership info-
American Hosta Society,  $30 individual, $57/2 years, $34 family, $62/2 years
Send dues to: Sandie Markland, AHS Membership Secretary, Post Office Box 7539, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Michigan Hosta Society, Dues is $15 per household for up to two people, good for 2 years. Make checks payable to: The Michigan Hosta Society and send to; Michigan Hosta Society, 2509 Wembly Lane, Troy, MI 48084-1280
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society, Dues $5 per year per household, Make check payable to EMHS and mail to: Mary Smith, EMHS Treasurer, 3431 Swaffer Rd, Millington, MI 48746

This is for those of you that took the black buckets at the last meeting

Making wet shredded paper for Paper-Crete

Preparation time:

20 minutes

Time required for soaking:

At least 48-72 hours but 4-5 days is best

Ingredients needed:

1 gallon of water

36 full sheets of newsprint. (Approximately 3 complete USA Today newspapers)

            Clarification- a full sheet of newsprint is four numbered pages of a newspaper. A single full sheet of USA Today (Lee Coates paper of choice) is 24 inches wide x 21 inches high.  These are not the huge newspapers we used to get. DO NOT USE SHINY PAPER

Instructions-

Measure out 1 gallon of water and pour in bucket

Add strips of paper as below

            -Tear each of the 36 pages of newsprint into half inch wide strips and put in bucket with the water.

            -After every page be sure to push the strips of paper down into the water to ensure they absorb the water.

            -After all pages are shredded and in the bucket with the water, let the bucket sit overnight.

            -Twice each day, stir the wet paper to ensure that all newsprint is wet.

            -If there is dry newsprint and no water in the bucket you will have to add a small amount of water to wet the dry paper.

            -You want the paper wet, but do not want excess water standing in the bucket.

            -This mixture has to sit for at least 48-72 hours before we can use the mixer to make the pulp for paper-crete, but letting it sit for 4-5 days is best.  Please be sure to make this in time for the meeting.