Question for expert/master gardeners. Why does the 'Red Hot Poker' have a small plant like growth on the flower stalk? It almost looks like it is ready to drop this growth to the ground to make a new plant. Can anyone explain the importance or role of this in the plants life cycle or does it have any evolutionary significance? I have tried planting these but so far none has survived. Here is a link that might be useful: Red Hot Poker - what is this plant like growth?

This coming weekend.... Saturday, April 19, 9am-3pm -UT Arboretum Spring Plant Sale - Local nurseries and Arboretum Society provided plant of all kinds will be available. Get some unusual and high quality plants at a great price and help the Arboretum at the same time! The Whitcomb series of crape myrtles (the creme de la creme of crape myrtles) and 'Appalachian Spring' dogwoods will be among the many types of plants available at the sale. and then..... Saturday, April 19, 10am-3pm - Ijams Nature Center - Spring Native Plant Sale.

Racheff Gardens are located on Tennessee Avenue, off Western Avenue between I-640 and downtown. It's down in the old heavy industry area just north of downtown Knoxville, the last place you'd expect to find a public garden. More info on the gardens at the website below. Interesting history. The gardens were created by the founder of a steel mill who lived on the mill property and had them created at his house for his family and the workers. They are beautiful and worth the trip. Here is a link that might be useful: Racheff Gardens

digdirt, The soil around here is very fine sand. It's an old large river bed. Every other year I add in a lot of leaf and other vegetation compost from my compost pile. It's about 4-5 yards every other year of compost. Last year just before planting I brought in 3 yards of steer manure from the local supply company. This year I plan on adding another 10 yards of manure, and probably 5-6 yards of compost. As for fertilizers other than compost/manure, I use Gurney's Sweet Corn Food as a side dress when they are about a foot tall. I will be getting a professional test done to see where my soil is at, and will amend as needed. I've already contacted them, just waiting to hear back on how much they need for a sample. grandad; In years past, except for the last 2, I've always got 2 ears per stalk, even on the sh2 varieties. But I have heard that from other people before, too. But I've been growing Gurney's Gotta Have It for several years now with great success, aside from the last 2. Now, about watering, what do the rest of you all do to water? Do you use soaker hoses? Overhead watering? How long do you let the water run for?