RIWPSheader-2010-2
The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society E- Newsletter

January 2010
In This Issue
Seed Propagation of Native Perennials
Dr. Rebecca Brown talks about grasses at General Meeting
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Quick Links
Annual Grant  Deadline March 1, 2010
     
     Grant Application  PDF file
     Application Guidelines  PDF file
 
Upcoming January Program
  Asclepias
 
Seed Propagation of Native Perennials:  a Lecture and Demonstration
Saturday, January 23, 2010

Presenter:  Marty Fisher
Time:  10-12
Location:  Portsmouth Library, 2658 East Main Rd.
Weather Date:  Sat., Jan. 30, 2-4pm
 
The propagation of native plants from seed is not a difficult process.

There are a few special techniques that will make it easier for the gardener to be successful. This lecture and demonstration will cover ways to prepare the seed, soils to use, and the care and transplanting of the delicate seedlings. Our presenter, Marty Fisher, had a native plant nursery in Colorado, growing wildflowers for the retail and wholesale trade. Since moving to Rhode Island she has continued to explore the wildflowers here and to grow many of them from seed.
 
A great way to get the cold of winter to pass quickly is to dream of beautiful summer wildflowers, check through your seed catalogs and then come to the Portsmouth Library and hear Marty, now Rhode Island's talented propagator.

Min. #5, Max. #30
Fee:  FREE, but pre-registration required.
To register e-mail the office  or leave a voice mail message at 401 789-7497.
 
Recent  January General Meeting
 
Survival of the Fittest: Native and Naturalized grasses in High-stress Environments
 
Dr. Rebecca Brown-URI
 
 
On Saturday, January 9, 2009, Dr. Rebecca Brown, Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Rhode Island gave an excellent presentation on native grasses at the South Kingstown Land Trust barn.
     
Dr. Brown's talk focused on the work she has done with the adaptations grasses, both native and naturalized, have developed in order to survive.  The talk covered the different stresses these plants encounter and why in some cases native plants are the best adapted and in other cases introduced plants out-compete the natives. RIWPS members learned the difference between cool season and warm season grasses. In Rhode Island cool season grasses have rapid growth in the spring and fall and can remain green  all year. In New England the climate and soils are more similar to Europe than to the western prairie.

During the business meeting RIWPS members received a brief nominating committee report and learned about the upcoming Flower Show, and Plant Sale. Thank you to the members who brought snacks and pastries.  Volunteers received their new magnetic name badges, designed by Frances Topping. Members enjoyed conversations with each other and the opportunity to exchange ideas on native plants and other topics.
 

GM-Jan-2010-Morrissey-Pena

                                                  Paula Morrissey & Marcia Pena
     
 
The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of Rhode Island's native plants and their habitats.