Malus Domestica: The Common Apple

Botanical name: Malus domestica

Common na

m

me: The Comon Apple or Domesticated Apple

Family: Rosaceae

Subfamily: Pomoideae

Cold Hardiness Zone: 3-9 depending on variety

Height: 9-39 feet depending on variety

Potential pests and diseases: maggots, aphids, caterpillars, blight, apple scab fungus, cedar apple rust

Fruiting: apples fruit August-late October depending on the variety

Pollination: Apple trees must be cross-pollinated by another apple or crabapple variety planted nearby with a similar bloom-time. Go here fora chart on which varieties to plant as pollinators.

Pruning: Apple trees are tolerant of different pruning methods. During the first 2 years after planting the tree should be trained to it's desired shape. The best time for pruning is in the Winter when the tree is dormant. If the tree is grown as espalier then the best time for pruning is during the growing season to train the branches.

A fascinating thing about the apple tree is its incredibly large genome. According to Wikipedia a Golden Delicious apple tree has about 57,000 genes! Compare that to the human geno

me of about 30,000 genes. This is also the highest number of any plant genome to date. It kind of makes you re-think the phrase "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Yes, the apple may not fall far from the tree-but you can bet your bottom dollar that its offspring will be vastly different! This is such a wonderful way for this plant to ensure its survival against pests and diseases. (Did you see that extensive list up there of how many it is susceptible to?)

There is so much to be said on this remarkable plant! It has

played an important role in history and mythology. Its biology is amazing. Have you ever cut an apple in half crossways to see its 5-pointed star?

It's amazing. It is beauty, and art, and symmetry in nature at its finest. If you have not watched the documentary The Botany of Desire I encourage you to do so. It is available to watch online through Netflix. (It is also a book, which I have surprisingly not read yet.) I gives a fascinating history of the apple and how it came to be what we know it as today. You will neverlook at an apple the same way again!

Upcoming...

I've been applying for jobs in my field again. Oh I can't tell you how much I MISS horticulture. I am aching for it! Please pray for me that if it's right I'll get this job I'm interviewing for. I want it so bad! That being said I've decided to start a plant ID series. Like I said, I'm just aching to get back into my field. I think this will help me get back in my groove and fulfill just a little bit of that need.

A Mother Heart

Some of us may never be mothers, but we still have a mother heart.

A Mother Heart

She cries herself to sleep each night

she wants to do what she knows is right

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

Her soul's deepest wish and sincerest desire

burns within her, hotter than fire

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

She'd give up riches, honor, and fame

just to quench that bitter flame

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

Her barren womb will fail her still

but she submits to the Almighty's will

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

Other's around her scoff and scorn

few can see the depth of her mourn

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

She feeds the light, and fights to win

She won't abandon the hope within

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

She continues to pray in faith each day

and retains a hope when it doesn't work out that way

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

She longs to lift, to create, to build

In spite of what her womb won't yield

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

She'll show love to those in need

She'll fill her life with every good deed

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

To love, to bless, to give, to care

To help, to heal, to live, to share

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

She turns and looks toward the Son

And knows at last her battle is won

-That's the way of a Mother Heart

Sarah's Lamentation

I really feel for Sarah. You know, THE Sarah, Abraham's wife. The one who thought she'd never have any children yet ended up being the grandmother of the house of Israel. I feel like I have a foot in one of her moccasins (er, sandals in this case?). I think we can relate to each other as only few women can. This is how I think she must have felt upon seeing what she thought was to be her blessing being given to another-well, this is how I would feel at least.

Sarah's Lamentation

Hagar has conceived

Hagar, Hagar

Why won't my heart rejoice?

Shouldn't my soul be singing?

Hagar has concieved

The child of the promise

Will at last be born

Though not of me

Hagar bore a child

A boy, a son

The promise is now fulfilled

though not through me

Hagar has been chosen

A servent, a girl

has fulfilled the role

I once thought was mine

Abram has a child

His seed will now be forever

As sands of the endless sea

His, not mine

The time for lamentations has past

Abram has a son

Hagar has been chosen

A blessing from heaven has surely been given

I tried so hard to come up with a nice picture to go along with this post. I couldn't find anything I wanted, so until I learn to become an artist it will just have to be how it is.

The Epitome of a Woman

I first wrote this poem my last year at BYU-Idaho. I was sitting in church one day observing the wife of a member of our Bishopric who was also a new mother. I was inspired. The first two verses I wrote then, the rest I added to it last summer.

The Epitome of a Woman

The epitome of a woman

Is in her touch

Is in her smile

In only doing that

Which she knows is worthwhile

When she looks into tomorrow

Never thinking about today

The link through generations

Love and sacrifice is her way

She is always filled with virtue

She is always filled with strength

Standing tall and firm and steadfast

She will run the greater length

Her life may be a battle

Of truth and right from wrong

Yet never does she weary

She fills the world with song

Against her lies no competition

No enemy can prevail

The Lord is ever with her

She sees beyond the veil

She lifts, she builds, she strengthens

With heaven's mighty pull

Her body may be weary

But her heart is ever full

With wisdom she'll press forward

Generations yet to come

Will remember her in honor

Of the woman she has become

These are the women I think of when I think of this poem. My pioneer ancestors. They gave up everything. They faced so many difficulties and challenges. Each one has a miraculous story. Each one has been a source of strength to many. I honor them. Just in these photographs you can see courage, determination, and even refinement in their eyes. I also think of this woman.

She is not my ancestor. She never had any children, but her legacy is timeless. She is remembered and honored by thousands if not millions. She surely faced many of the trials I am going through, but like a modern-day Nephi she pressed forward with unwavering courage and determination. I want to be more like her: Eliza R. Snow.

Rain Stay

Rain, rain

Don't go away

Rain, rain

Please stay

We can have sunshine any other day

But just for today

Rain, rain

Please stay

Haha. I actually wrote that when I was in 8th grade. Unfortunately I am not as optimistic about rain now as I was then-but I still think it's a cute poem. And yes, I do still like the rain for the most part.

Happy New Year!

It's here! Have a Happy New Year!