One of the questions I am frequently asked at the farmer's market is "Are your plants organic?".  In Orange County it is virtually impossible to grow more than just bedding plants organically (because of 2 federal quarantines) and I don't want to say "no", so I now know to ask the inquirer what they actually mean.  It turns out that they really are concerned about genetically modified organisms (GMO), not whether you fertilize or otherwise grow organically or not.  Apparently and unfortunately, some of the public is believing that if produce is not organic, then it must be genetically modified.

First, note that all traditional plant breeding is also genetic modification.  Just about all of the major seed and plant growers have their own staff of technicians that are involved in the creation of new varieties and cultivars utilizing the plant's own reproductive systems.  The technicians selects the parents; the plants do the rest. Zaiger Genetics, a World famous fruit breeder headquartered in California, has used innovative techniques to create entirely new stonefruit.  Their techniques involve storing pollen to cross different species of fruit that don't bloom at the same time as well as extracting and growing the resulting embryos in labs when the hybrid can't produce a viable seed.  They have created plumcot, aprium, pluot, peachcot, and nectaplum hybrids that are virtually impossible in Nature, but involve normal genes of distantly related plants. 

"GMO" is reserved for the organisms that are intentionally genetically modified with genes not available in conventional breeding. 

The only crops being grown in the U.S. that are GMO include most field corn (corn not sold as corn on the cob), most soybeans, most cotton, some alfalfa, most papaya, some squash, most sugar beets, and rapeseed (source of canola oil).  Tomatoes were the first GMO crop, however, discontinued due to lack of any economic advantages.  So if you aren't purchasing any of these, you aren't getting GMO produce. 

Two of these, papaya and squash have essentially been inoculated against viruses.  Papaya and squash have been plagued by viruses which makes the plants very poor producers.  Technicians inserted inactive versions of these viruses into the genes of these plants to provide them, and their offspring, with permanent immunity.  The EPA has approved these for human consumption, primarily because the viruses are so prevalent that most of the intended consumers have already eaten them (the viruses).  
The cotton and some of the GMO corn now have Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) genes that produce a type of protein that kills insects upon ingestion.  Bt is a bacteria found in the soil that is used to control insects on certified organic farms and is considered to be safe for human consumption. 

Soybeans, rapeseed, soybeans, sugar beets and some corn have been modified to tolerate certain herbicides, usually Roundup.  This is certainly not natural. 

Remember the quest for the blue rose?  Some technicians convinced some investors that it would be quite simple to insert blue genes from a Delphinium into a Rose.  They did it, but the flowers were still pink.  Turns out that the acidity of the rose petal tissue was wrong for creating the blue color.  At least this is what they told the investors. 

If you truly want to avoid purchasing GMO products you should watch out for foods containing processed corn, corn-fed meats, cooking oils and cotton clothes.  Is it possible?

Singapore Plumeria Plumeria obtusa  2g  $50 (4 available) 

This is my favorite type of Plumeria and more difficult to acquire locally.  It is different than the more common Plumeria rubra which has a larger range of colors and pointed leaves.  The Singapore Plumeria has darker green leaves with rounded tips and large, powerfully fragrant white flowers with rounded petals.  It is evergreen in the tropics and occasionally evergreen locally during our mildest winters.  It is slightly more tender than Plumeria rubra and can suffer more branch tip damage during cool winters.  All Plumeria plants love extreme heat and sun.  Our plants can be watered daily during warm weather.  My own specimen has been in the ground about 8 years and is about 5' tall and wide and has survived light frosts.  I recommend you leave these plants in their containers for at least one more winter so you can bring them inside on frosty nights. 

 

 

African Tulip Tree Spathodea campanulata  7g  $100

Yellow African Tulip Tree  5g  $60, 7g $100

Along the 405 freeway in Westminster you can catch a glimpse of dozens of blooming trees similar to the one in the top photo.  The cluster of tulip-shaped flowers on the tip of each branch is about 1 foot across.  Flowering occurs constantly from the beginning of summer to the end of fall, sometimes longer.  The trees can be evergreen but drop their leaves at a hint of frost.  Typically the trees grow 20-25' tall and wide, but there is a very old, 70 foot tall specimen at the San Diego Zoo.  Red-orange is the common color.  The golden yellow may be a different species, being a smaller tree. 

 

 

Aloe vera  quart $3.50, 1-gallon $8.50, 2-gallon $20, 5-gallon $25, tub $30

We have a good selection of these beautiful and useful garden plants.  Aloe vera grows about 2 feet tall and wide with gray green rosettes of toothed (dull, not very sharp), succulent leaves.  Mature plants can send up spikes of yellow flowers in late spring.  The gel in the leaves is used as a treatment for first and second degree burns and is also used in medicines, cosmetics and foods.  Aloe vera is thought to be native to the Arabian peninsula, but no longer occurs in Nature.  It has been cultivated by man for more than 4000 years and is well known in nearly all countries located from the tropics to the mild temperate regions. 

 

Situate in full sun to full shade.  Plants look best with partial shade.  Provide well-drained soil.  Tolerates periods of drought.  Good in containers.  Can be grown indoors in bright light. 

 

Dragon Fruit Hylocereus cultivars  1-gallon  $18

This week we have a good selection of Dragon Fruit plants this week.