Efrain Prieto, the Rosewood development representative, updated us on the project which will include a luxurious 63-room boutique hotel, a 20,000 square feet spa and a planned 135 individual two-five bedroom homes. There will be only one entrance on Calle Nueva with underground streets and parking that leave street level access for pedestrians only and preserve the beauty of the 14 acre project. The developers employ an impressive array of international talent and have hired 900 additional workers in order to meet the projected December 2010 completion date . Their architect is from Mexico City, the designers are from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and the textiles expert is from London. The project has managed to save some existing trees on the site by designing around them while those which were not old and/or diseased were relocated to a park in SMA. We were pleasantly surprised to find out from Efrain, who is himself a dedicated artist since childhood (he studied in Florence and had his first public art exhibition at age 7!), that the area at the corner of Ancha San Antonio and Cardo will be dedicated to the arts. Efrain´s personal wish is to see an art district here in town such as the one on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM and he hopes to see art and language classes given at the hotel once it is completed. The members and guests were then invited to tour this lovely home located at Recreo 51 which is the current headquarters of the project and includes a scale model of the layout. The original July program included a tour of the actual site but with heavy cranes operating it was decided to postpone the visit to a later date.

Proceeds from the sale of our 2010 Calender help fund projects like those below.
Give back to the San Miguel de Allende Community. Order 2010 Garden Club Calenders here.

The Garden Club has enjoyed a close relationship with the botanical gardens, El Charco de Ingenio, recognizing the hard work that has been done for the last ten years in this reserve, a world-class botanical garden and treasure for the community.  It contributed to the building of three new greenhouses that will contain the collection of rare and endangered cacti and succulents that El Charco maintains in trust for the people of Mexico.  Built near the Conservatory to create a combined public display and education centers as well as a working greenhouse, this facility is used to teach people from rural communities how to propagate cactus and succulents for export and sale to public and private gardens in SMA.  It is all powered with solar energy and subsequently the Club contributed to a windmill that provides an independent source of water to the gardens and assisted in the development of a tree barrier to encroaching housing projects.

From 2002, the Club has taken on the responsibility of maintaining the Biblioteca’s many garden areas, trees and plants, tended for many years previously by Nancy Harvie using her own resources and gardener, Tomas. This community center well-used by citizens and tourists alike for cultural and educational activites is a mostly likely benefactor of the Club’s interest in plants and the desire to provide beauty for all to share.
In 2003 the Club contributed to the Campaign Por Una Ciudad Limpia (For a Clean City) which was launched in preschools and grade schools throughout the city and surrounding communities and included education on the importance of a clean community, planting of trees and neighborhood clean-up drives that involved parents, children, teachers and neighbors. The campaign was designed and initiated by faculty and students of the preparatory institute Las Casas and Instituto Allende with participation of schools, non-government and civic organizations with the hope of creating a network of activisim and education.

In 2003 the Club contributed to Salvemos Al Rio Laja (Save the Laja River) organization which is dedicated to the greening of our watershed by showing villagers how to control their floods with rock dams, tree plantings, field terracing, fences and installation of ponds. Now many rural areas bounding the river can control the floods, protecting their land and topsoil and once again being able to provide food for their children to eat.
Also in 2003 the Club was responsible for the construction and funding of a public drinking fountain in Parque Benito Juarez in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the park. The fountain which has four separate faucets was built near the children’s playground and features a mural drawn by Lavinia Ruiz, local artist and framer, of Fray Juan de San Miguel, the padre and his dog credited with finding the pure water for the early settlers. Maestro de Ceramica Octavio Corduro Luis then transfered the drawing into tile making the mural both attractive and practical.

To help with educational facilities within the community, in 2004 the Club provided funds to Bellas Artes for their scholarship fund for Mexican students who wish to study art at El Nigromante”. The contribution was made in honor and memory of Club member Sra. Rosa W. Davison, who was a long-time resident of SMA and contributor to the community, in order to allow a student the chance to study at the cultural center.

In 2005 the Club sponsored the Alma Vegetable Garden Project that provided the equipment and supplies need to establish a vegetable garden on the property. The land was first cultivated and then planted with a variety of vegetables, lovingly tended by the home’s gardener. Alma is the wonderful home for the Aged poor people of San Miguel and the garden is flourishing and sustaining Alma’s residents with fresh vegetables.

More recently a tree fund has been established whose contributions are used for the purpose of planting trees in communities to increase moisture, cut down on dust and airborne bacteria and beautify previously barren streets. The first street to be planted with Perule Chino trees, which don’t need much space or water and grow quickly, was the Calle Providencia followed by Calle de La Cruz in Colonia Santa Cruz de la Paz. Additional streets within this colonia have been planted with trees and the original trees planted are thriving.

This past year the Club has contributed significant financial support to PEASMA for environmental education programs and workshops for elementary students. Through this precedent-setting program headed by Natalia Ortega and Eugeia Velasco, more than 10,000 San Miguel elementary students participated in environmental classes, workshops and field trips in the 2006-2007 school year. The subject matter for each grade is different ecological topic so that each progressive year, a student will be educated on a different topic including wildlife and plants, birds, recycling, ecosystems, preservation of river basins, and water pollution and treatment. The Club gladly anticipates sponsoring the first grade teacher again for the school year 2007-2008.


On an ongoing bi-annual basis the Club presents a flower show to share with the public creative floral arrangements and horticultural exhibits intended to promote education about horticulture and flowers. The next flower show will be in the Spring of 2008 and will undoubtedly be greeted with the same public enthusiasm as in past years.

Soil:
The major types of soil in this are black soil, loma, and tepetate. Black soil is clay: heavy, gets too dry and too wet. Lots of nutrients. Loma is sandy, from rivers, with no organic matter. A good mixer for clay. Tepetate is desert caliche: white to light brown, alkaline, no organic material, will not support plant life except cactus (found in Balcones). Tesotle is volcanic stone.
Alfonso mixes his own soil: Organic compost (leaf mold, mushroom, etc.), which gives the soil structure, black soil and loma (using less black soil than the other two). Organic composts can be purchased at local viveros. Home Depot sells composted sheep manure, as does Mega. Caution against uncomposted animal manure: it is very “hot” and can damage plants. Horse manure contains white soil grubs. All may contain weed seeds. Animal manures need to be composted one year. There is a mushroom farm on the way to Comonfort where mushroom compost can be purchased, but easier to get at local viveros. Do not compost eucalyptus leaves. Toxic.
Our water here tends to be very alkaline from the wells, as the desert soil from which it perks is very alkaline, with no organic material and 100% calcium. Native plants do well with alkalinity, but ornamentals do not. They need more acidity. Excess alkalinity shows itself through yellow leaves, iron chlorosis, although too much water can also cause yellowing, especially on bougainvillea. All symptoms of heavy soil. Alkalinity stops nutrients from reaching plant. We must add organic matter. Mediterranean plants do best here; very difficult for azaleas & camellias. He also recommends acid for citrus trees. Hard water = alkalinity. Vinegar can be used to change the pH of the soil. 1T/gallon of water can be poured in pots to change the pH. Use one a year or once every 6 months. Wet soil before you use the vinegar mixture.

Fertilizers:
Use regular fertilizer once a month. You can use Miracle Grow monthly for two months, and then use Miracid for one month. He adds compost twice yearly and turns it into the soil. The two types of fertilizers are synthetic and organic. Chemical fertilizers are designed for certain things: for leaf growth, flower growth, etc. Balanced fertilizers have the same three numbers on the bag, such as 20-20-20 (20 = 20%, etc.). Nitrogen is the first number: grows leaves, turns leaves green, such as grasses, lawns. Phosphorus, the middle number, is for flowers and fruits. When the 2nd number is larger, that fertilizer is for flowers and fruits. Potassium, the 3rd number, is for roots and strengthening of the plant. Alfonso uses 20-20-20 for general fertilizer. There are also secondary nutrients, called micronutrients. You can buy 17-17-17 by the kilo at El Sirco, across from the Bus Station. This works fine. This does not have micronutrients, however, and is too heavy for pots. In the soil, add once per month and turn it into the soil.
Ammonium sulfate is pure nitrogen and is used for lawns. Water first, and then after application. Also good for bamboo and ficus. Safe for pets. Use once per month. Don’t fertilize in winter (Dec., Jan., Feb.), as new growth is susceptible to cold. There is some dormancy here. In the rainy season, fertilizer washes quickly from pots. Natural fertilizers are manures and compost. Read compost notes from above. Compost should have light scent, and look like soil. Best are from chicken, sheep and goats. Worm castings are also excellent, but worms should not be allowed in containers, as they create harmful air pockets around the roots. Purchasing chemical fertilizers: Alfonso can get them for us from a company called “Serviagricola” in Queretaro. We discussed that I had been there, but it is very far away on the highway to Mexico City, and difficult to find in an industrial area (they had recently moved, but I had been to the new location). Since Alfonso gets wholesale prices, we agreed that it would be much easier to order what you want through Alfonso, and he will have it for you at his store adjoining his restaurant, La Crepe. I will scan the catalog from Serviagricola and attach it to this document, so you will know what is available. You can purchase Osmocote in large bags. Because it is expensive, it is best for pots. Chemical fertilizers have a long-term salty effect. Watch for white build-up as indicator. Right now, it is easier to get chemical fertilizer than organic here in Mexico. Always use a pitchfork to turn soil after fertilizer application.

Insecticides:
Whitefly is hard to kill; infests lantana, sage. Spray as soon as you see a few. Organic insecticides, such as pyrethroids, are the safest. “Ambush” is one of these, although it is NOT SAFE for fish and honey bees. Use the weakest solution frequently. We then had a discussion saying that the presence of whitefly, etc. often indicated a cultural problem (wrong location, etc.), and that meeting the plant’s proper cultural requirements was a better solution than using toxic chemical pesticides. Toxic pesticides kill the good bugs along with the bad. Unfortunately, Mexico’s importation laws have made it very difficult for the less toxic pesticides, such as the non-toxic Neem oils, to get from the USA to here. Systemic vs. contact insecticides: Systemic become a part of the plant. Contact insecticides are generally safe when dry, such as “Ambush.” For ants, kill outside your walls. Don Pedro sells a bait from Ortho. Best to find the ant hole first than to just scatter bait. For grub worms: diazanon. For slugs: shallow bowls of beer, or bring Sluggo (non-toxic to birds and pets) from USA. You can create your own low-toxic spray with laundry soap and water. The cheaper the soap the better. He uses 40/60 soap to water, then puts it in a spray bottle. (Note: there are formulas on the internet using liquid dishwater detergent that may be easier to spray). Fungicides are for spots on leaves. Cuprabit is the safest, at El Sirco.

QUESTIONS FROM ATTENDEES:
1. My bougainvillea doesn’t bloom! Too much water; too little sun. Wait until soil is dry before watering. Epson salts are good for them (ammonium sulfate).
2. My tree’s roots get into our plumbing! Better tree to plant close to house is common privet.
3. Why isn’t my orange tree growing big? Soil too heavy; not enough sun. Citrus needs full sun. Also, orange trees don’t live forever. But at 10 yrs of age, should be OK.

The Sazón Cooking School with its specialized kitchen complete with overhead mirrors and closed circuit TVs provided the perfect setting for our program on the art of preparing perky recipes with pungent plants. Victoria Challancin, introduced as “fascinating and charming” and in other glowing terms by Jane Sallis, is a well-known expert and teacher of food preparation, specializing in the use of herbs and other plants. She maintains a newsletter and blog named Flavors of the Sun to which all of us are invited to subscribe and use and is a trip organizer to exotic places.
Victoria began with a fascinating history lesson on the nasturtium and then taught us to love its colors (yellow to red), versatility (pestos and salad to simple adornment), health benefits (natural antibiotic) and flavor (pungent to spicy). Since the group expressed such interest in the medicinal qualities, Victoria gave us recipes for both an elixir and tincture of the leaves for use as a fast-acting antibiotic which does not kill the flora in the intestines. It was obvious from this informative and lively discussion that Victoria is a history and academics buff who is coincidentally fascinated by botany, loves cooking and can translate all that into unusual and flavorful dishes thus bringing all her loves together in the kitchen.
She pointed out how beneficial and underused are the whole family of salad greens and how our health could be vastly improved by their inclusion in our diets. Arugula, now growing wild in the campo as well as being available in our organic markets, has forty known medicinal uses and is now being studied in universities as a treatment for stomach ulcers and is thought to be is a tremendous cancer fighter. Its leaves form the shape of a cross and is sometimes called the “plant that serves man”. Victoria continued her green plant discussion with examples of the actual plants being passed among us so we could touch, taste and smell them. Watercress is an acquatic plant which is high in sulphur content and used as a strong diuretic as well for pulmonary and kidney problems. It is a blood purifier that also contains high levels of iodine, potassium and vitamins. Kiwa is a round-seeded grain full of all essential amino acids and therefore very healthy. Victoria is so well-informed and gives such an entertaining stream of conversation that we could have spent the entire day listening and watching her prepare dishes but our own special luncheon at the Hotel Sierra Nevada’s Restaurant was waiting hence we sadly had to bring the program to a close. She stressed the need to support the local organic farmers and to change our diet to include these tasty and healthy foods. Many thanks to Victoria for her fun and informative commentary, the shared dishes to taste and the “perky” recipes.

website- www.Flavors of The Sun.blogspot.com

Back to our Garden Club by popular demand, our program presenter, Ben Pitre, was introduced. Ben received many years of formal training from an old and famous Japanese school in the ancient and honorable art of Ichibana flower arranging. Ben gave us a fascinating history of floral compositions as it intertwined with Japanese history up to modern times when non-traditional arrangements, as opposed to the rigidly orchestrated arrangements that were largely for religious purposes, have gained in favor.

Ben demonstrated the construction of three non-traditional arrangements. His first display, which many in our group most admired, was deceptively simple, with two gracefully opposing palm fronds, two birds of paradise, and an agapanthus bloom cut very short. This arrangement made it easy for us to visualize the ¨7-5-3¨formula, in which the tall flowers, the medium-height flowers, and the short flowers emulate those perfect proportions. The most important feeling to be imparted by the arrangement, Ben said, was that butterflies could fly through it. We all liked that concept.

Ben completed two more delicious floral concoctions using leaves and flowers, and both traditional oval and non-traditional low vases.

The height of the finished arrangement, he said, should be 3.5 to 4 times the diameter of the vase. At the conclusion, Chris conveyed to Ben our enthusiastic thanks, along with wine in a lovely basket. Ben Pitre´s artistic, sensitive handling and placement of the various plant materials was fascinating to watch, but is difficult to summarize in words.