From the wilting studios of Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem, PA, it's time for another verticillious episode of chemical free horticultural hijinks, You Bet Your Garden.

I'm your host, Mike McGrath.

Can the soil-borne wilt - it's one of the biggest threats to our tomatoes - also take down a tree?

On today's show, we'll discuss how to handle that wilt, whether it is attacking your maypoles or your mortgage lifters.

Plus up to the minute insider information about the upcoming and outdoors Philadelphia flower show.

So keep your eyes and/or ears right here, true believers, because we're going to help ease your worry about wilt and help you attend the greatest flower show on Earth.

Right after this.

- Support for You Bet Your Garden is provided by the Espoma company, offering a complete selection of natural organic plant foods and potting soils.

More information about Espoma and the Espoma natural gardening community can be found at: - Welcome to an especially thrilling episode of You Bet Your Garden from the studios of Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem, PA.

I am your host, Mike McGrath, and we have a very special show for you, cats and kittens.

Whether you live in the greater Philadelphia area or not, you've heard of the fabulous Philadelphia show.

Well, this is the first time the show has been held outdoors.

It's right around the corner.

And we have a very special interview with Sam Lemheney, the show's designer, and brand new information.

Sam is going to call in at the very end of this show and tell us the status and how things are going.

It's so exciting!

In the meantime, no calls.

Just Sam and I.

Here we go.

Now it is time to bring on our very special guest, my old friend Sam Lemheney, who last time I introduced hi... Don't wave, Sam.

Don't wave.

It's crude.

..was the designer of the Philadelphia Flower Show, but I just saw in an email from the show that Sam has a new title.

He's like director of spontaneous combustion or something.

What is it?

Am I close?

- You're close.

It's the chief of shows and events here at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

My team runs all the events.

- Right.

And basically, you only have one big one.

So it's like you're your head chairman of the Department of Redundancy Department.

- Yeah, kind of, I guess.

Yeah, kind of.

- All right, let me set the stage here.

The Philadelphia Flower Show has been for probably 100 years the world's largest indoor flower show.

When it first started out, for the first 87 or something, I'm not sure it was that big, but for quite a while it's been the world's largest indoor flower show.

And I will tell you, because you and I were working like mad at this previous flower show in the spring, and we just got out under our chinny chin chin.

I mean, the world started shutting down as, you know, we were breaking down the exhibits.

- Yeah, Mike, I think we were probably one of the last major events that happened in this country before the country started shutting down.

I think I was telling you that we literally watched the last truck leave on that Wednesday after the show closed down.

And then by Friday, two days later, the whole country had basically gone into shutdown mode.

And we've been back and forth here since then.

- We got a big announcement.

Some people may know this.

Some people may be surprised.

Right after the last flower show in the spring, you and I and, you know, you and several thousand people sat down and went, oh, wow, what are we gonna do?

Nobody's going to want to go into, you know, into the convention center.

And, you know, my stupid idea, if you remember, was that we would take over Lincoln Financial Field and turn the field itself into a giant flower show once the weather got nice, because you got parking, you got concessions, you got the subway right there.

And you shot me down on that, but you moved across the street.

I mean, you know, you could walk there.

So now we're going to be in Roosevelt Park.

- Yep, FDR Park is the new location for the show, and it has a beautiful backdrop, has an amazing landscape, some great architecture there.

It is an Olmsted Brothers-designed park.

So you talked about New York and Central Park.

This park was designed by the Olmsted Brothers.

And a really great treasure and an amazing location, very well-used park.

And we couldn't be more excited to that be the home for the 2021 flower show in June.

So remember, it's a new time frame, too, Mike, we're moving it to the summer and early summer to June fifth through the 13th.

And we're going to be outdoors.

We feel like this show is going to be beautiful, lends itself to so many different things that we can do outside that we can't do on an indoor show.

But it also... - OK, wait, wait, wait.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Time-out, time-out, flag down.

Five yards.

There was nothing we couldn't do at the indoor show.

You watched me do a lot of those things!

- You're exactly right.

That indoor show has been...

It is amazing to see what horticulture, what people, when they put their mind to it, can actually do in an indoor show in March when it's gray and gloomy outside.

So never lose that.

We can never lose that.

You're exactly right.

- Right.

Which is why it was so important to have then.

Let's talk about accessibility, because obviously one of the big draws for this location is it's the last stop on the Broad Street subway.

Depending on what part of the park you will start in, it could be a shorter walk to the flower show from the subway than to Citizens Bank Park.

- Correct.

Yep.

Yeah.

So this is an important piece of making sure that the visitor has a great experience, not only in the show but getting to the show.

And that's one of our top priorities, is making sure that that happens.

We are working with SEPTA to make sure that the Broad Street line is running and running to the capacities that we might see coming into the show, because we know a lot of people like to take the train to the show.

We are working with the different teams and the different areas of PIDC, Navy Yard for parking down there so that there's ample amounts of parking.

And we don't have it nailed down yet.

But we are looking at doing trains or trams or outdoor open-air trolleys so that people can go from the parking lot right to the front door of the show, because accessibility is really great.

And then once you're in the show, we're making sure that that show is as accessible as it can be and making sure that everybody can enjoy the flower show as the experience that everybody should have.

So we're excited about that.

We're looking forward to that.

And it's something that the park lends itself to, the folks at Parks and Rec, who are amazing partners with us, that we've been enjoying working with, and they're excited about us being down there.

We'll hopefully be making a lot of improvements to the park when we're down there.

So that's something that the neighborhoods can get excited about, that the flower show will leave behind some great legacy and improvements that they'll be able to enjoy all year round to.

It's in the heart of a lot of a lot of different neighborhoods in South Philadelphia.

So biking to the show is going to be an option in June, right?

So this is an easier option to get to the show.

So we're working with folks to make sure we have enough parking for bikes as well as drop off locations for the buses.

And so we have a lot of different ways that we can get there.

And, of course, if you decide to drive, 95 goes right near there and you can get off at the Broad Street exit and can come right in and use the parking lots that are all around there as well.

So we're trying to make this as easy as possible.

- The idea of the parking and the access to public transportation is unparalleled.

Obviously, there was really no other choice if you're thinking of convenience.

And in physical reality, people are going to get into the show an hour earlier than they used to because, you know, we're talking about a place that's been handling 50, 70,000 cars at a pop for decades.

- Right.

Yeah.

And our show starts at 10:00 a.m. like it normally does and will run till 7:00 p.m.

If you're a member of the Horticultural Society, you actually will get to come in at nine o'clock.

So you will get that extra hour to spend in the show before it gets too crazy in there.

But we are selling tickets.

You'll have to know by the day when to buy your tickets, so which day you would plan to come.

And then we're also going to be selling AM or PM on that day, so if you want to come in the a.m. or in the morning or if you want to come in the afternoon for those tickets.

And that's all about trying to keep everybody safe, really controlling the attendance and the amount of people that are coming through there and making sure that we have the right amount of folks and so that everybody can socially distance and be as safe as they possibly can and still really enjoy the show.

You know, this flower show is really something.

Mike, you and I have talked about this before.

It's a show, and we want people to forget about the outside world and really sort of be engulfed and immersed into the experience of the show.

And we want to make sure that they feel as safe as they can so they can still have that experience and be immersed in this flower show.

- What is this year's show theme?

Because you know what I laughingly call my memory, and did it have to be adjusted?

Because I know the themes are picked out years in advance.

- Correct.

Believe it or not, the theme for this year's flower show and the theme that the flower show has been working on for at least three years now is called Habitat.

So we did not have to change the theme, because we felt that the outdoor location actually will lend itself to a perfect interpretation of the Habitat theme.

And we're excited about this theme.

It's really goes down from, you know, as the animals and the plants that they use as their habitats and incorporate into that to you, even every day where you have your outdoor living spaces.

And that's what we call your habitat.

So it goes all the way from big to small.

And all over the world, habitats and plants are used for habitat.

So we're excited about that and really it connects to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to us as to how plants can incorporate, and it can impact your habitat and your environment and really improving that and making it healthier and making it more sustainable.

And we're going to include all of that messaging as well.

So we're excited about this theme and we did not have to change it.

We were lucky and it fit really perfectly with this outdoor location.

- And I'm presuming you and I will do something special in the central exhibit during the show.

- Absolutely.

We'll give a tour, just like we always do.

You and your folks who sign up during your fundraisers and your membership drives, we will definitely have a tour with you and I walking around and entertaining the folks.

The Mike and Sam show has always been there.

- Yeah!

All right, Sam.

I've kept you far too long, but, you know, this show is not only important to me, it's important to the city, it's important to all of horticulture.

And the late Bob Rodale said that you cannot have a truly thriving business unless it meets adversity head on at some point and changes organically into a better organization, into a better operation.

He called it regeneration.

He said embrace chaos and embrace problems, because your solution is going to keep you alive and adapting and changing with the times.

So I think you've done a great job.

I can't wait to see it.

It will be in the first week of June, starting June fifth.

- June fifth through the 13th.

You got it.

- At Roosevelt Park.

Don't mispronunciate it.

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park.

You got it.

FDR Park.

Mike, thank you so much for your support.

I've always appreciated it ever since, you know, you and I worked together back in my Disney days when I was there.

And then you've supported me and this flower show so much.

And we really appreciate all that you do.

And, hey, your visitors, we love them, too, because they come to the flower show definitely because of your support.

So we appreciate that.

- It's my great pleasure.

All right, Sam, get back to work.

You got a lot to do.

- We got a lot to do!

- And we'll see you in June.

- All right, Mike, thank you so much.

Appreciate it.

Thanks for having me on.

- My pleasure.

Thank you.

All right, and now it's time for a very special feature, an up to the minute report on the preparations for the fabulous Philadelphia Flower Show, which for the first time is going to be held outdoors, at FDR Park in South Philadelphia, which is just across Pattison Avenue from the sports complexes.

Actually, it's almost right next door to the Eagles' stadium.

We have Sam Lemheney, and right now, I imagine...

It is now May or late May, and I imagine you've got stuff going up in the park already.

- Oh, yeah, yeah, we're in full swing of set up mode right now, a lot of the tents, big tents are up, small tents are still going up.

A lot of the exhibitors have hit the site this week.

And we are excited about seeing some of the gardens.

And we have some plants here, Mike.

So it looks like a flower show, finally.

The first couple, first couple of times, you know, days was all more fence and tents and restrooms.

And now we've got some plants on the site.

So now it looks like a flower show.

So we're excited.

We can't wait for everybody to come down to FDR Park to see it.

It's going to be amazing.

- So when you had to plan for the flower show, not just exhibits, but, like, you know, how many tickets could you sell and everything like that, we were in the thick of Covid.

But now in Pennsylvania, those restrictions, especially for outdoor events, have been largely lifted.

How has that affected the show between your planning and the reality of now?

Because you planned for the worst and we're going into the best, it seems.

- So, yeah, Mike, this has been like hitting a moving target.

It's been a tough, tough time to sort of figure out what the restrictions are going to be, because they've been continuously lifting.

But, hey, we're excited and happy to know that if you're vaccinated and if you want to come to the flower show, you don't have to wear a mask.

So we're very excited about that.

And everybody can eat and drink and walk around and have a nice cocktail and enjoy the whole flower show without a mask if you're vaccinated.

So you just have to let us know that you are vaccinated or not and then you come on in.

- Now that the restrictions are lifted, are you going to make more tickets available?

- So there are now, you know, more tickets available.

None of the days so far had sold out, but now that the restrictions are lifted, then there will be additional tickets for sale.

And I say that and still, hey, go out there and buy your tickets now.

You know, you never know what happens down the road, so get your tickets now.

And they're all for sale.

You go to our website, phsonline.org.

And, you know, we're looking forward to seeing everybody at the show.

So, we got plenty of room for everybody.

- What is the distance from the beginning of the show to the end, so to speak, at Pattison Avenue?

- The total footprint site, Mike, is 15 acres.

- Mm hmm.

- So it's a big site.

We have large walkways, so you feel comfortable.

You want to space out, spread out, you can do that.

And it's just a large site.

It's almost twice as big as the site we had at the convention center.

- Now, my turn.

I want to remind everybody who's thinking about going to the Philadelphia Flower Show that when you go to the flower show, you support PHS, who are responsible for so many greening projects around the city.

They improve the gateways to things like the airport.

They throw flowers around like nickels in places that need them.

They have control or support of, what, 500 community gardens around the city?

- Yeah, Mike, that program's team does an amazing job of working with the community here in Philadelphia and getting them out and about and gardening.

And you and I both know the impact of gardening has on everybody's lives.

- All right.

I know we've kept you longer than we were allowed to, but guess what?

I'm a bad boy.

So thanks for being with us.

- No worries, Mike.

Any time for you.

- I will see you soon before our walk-through, because I want to see what everything looks like.

But I'm looking forward to the Wednesday of the show and just the show itself.

I may bring a tent and set it up somewhere in the grounds.

- We got plenty of room for you, Mike.

- All right.

- Thank you so much.

- Sam Lemheney, ladies and gentlemen.

And I can't wait.

All right, as promised, it is time for the Question of the Week, which I'm going to call: Martin in Denison, Iowa, writes, I'm wondering: Well, I had never heard of, quote, "maple tree wilt" before, at least I don't think that I have.

Ducky?

Ducky, where are my car keys?

And so into the research swamp I went.

Although the common name threw me, it turns out that what we're talking about is a soil-borne disease that tomato growers know all too well, the verticillium.

I already knew, of course, that tomato plants grown in the same spot for three years or more would support this disease organism that has a bizarre kind of non-symbiotic relationship with the roots of certain plants.

But trees?

Who knew?

Anyway, to recap, if you grow a tomato plant in what seems to be an ideal spot and get a great harvest the second year, why would you not plant in that spot again?

The answer, obvious only to those of us with X-ray vision, is that a soil-borne wilt called verticillium in the north, and you can't get much more north than Iowa, and its nasty cousin, fusarium, in the South have been attracted to the roots of that plan.

But the numbers aren't great enough to cause any problems.

You know, you may notice some yellowing of the bottom leaves, but not enough to cause concern.

Underground, however, is another story.

In the second year, the wilt organisms are thriving, multiplying at a great rate, but you'll still get your tomatoes.

However, by year three, the yellowing will develop sooner and move faster up the plant.

This is your final warning.

If you plant in that spot in year four, your beefsteaks will be dead by July.

Luckily, the solution is easy.

Plant in another spot at least two feet away the following year, then let the original location be tomato free for two or three years and the wilt will essentially kind of starve to death.

But we're talking trees here, which are much harder to rotate than tomatoes.

And people say I don't know what I'm talking about!

So let us turn to a very informative bulletin from Michigan State University for some answers.

And I quote, Symptoms of verticillium wilt can be confusing because they are so variable.

They include marginal scorch and complete wilting of leaves on individual branches in the crowns of their host plants.

Symptoms can occur at any time of the year but often show up when hot, dry weather begins.

Sometimes a single branch or the foliage on one side of a tree will die.

Trees can go through years where no symptoms are present and then the symptoms show up again several years later.

Some trees can struggle along for years, while others may die soon after the first symptoms appear.

In addition to wilting, other symptoms may include small leaves, stunted growth, sparse foliage and abnormally large seed drops.

End quote.

I will add personally that these symptoms also appear on plants with no verticillium problem.

The causes are legion.

They include exposure to winter road salt, girdling, as when mulch is mounted up against the trunk of the tree, overwatering, underwatering and many more than we can mention.

If it's your tree showing these kinds of symptoms, Michigan suggest you send a sample to the plant disease diagnostic lab at Cornell, which I heartily endorse.

Details on how to take that sample are in the Michigan State article that we'll link up to, at the written version of this article, which is almost 100% cribbed from the MSU Bulletin.

Guys, please, I'm a poor radio show host.

Don't sue me!

Their suggestions?

If these symptoms appear and are caused by verticillium, quote, water during dry periods, especially if they occur in summer or fall, fertilize if needed, with a low nitrogen, high potassium fertilizer, as excessive fertilization increases problems with this disease.

End quote.

That means no 10-10-10, 20-20-20 or Miracle-Gro, campers.

If fertilize you must, use an organic product.

And here's this fascinating note.

Quote, Colleagues at the University of Wisconsin have looked at potential hazards associated with use of wood chip mulch from trees that are infected with verticillium.

They discovered that the pathogen will survive in these chips for up to a year.

In addition, they note, the type of maple tree you are growing is important.

Norway maples are easily infected.

Other maples, not so much.

So what does this mean to our worried maple owner up in Iowa?

Well, verticillium wilt is first attracted to vulnerable trees, underwatered, overfed, growing in compacted soil, and especially mulched with wood chips and especially Norway maples.

Plus, this disease is, for lack of a better phrase, root specific.

The only way it could transfer from one tree to another is if their roots touch.

It isn't airborne and insects don't transmit it.

So if your leaves look good, don't sweat it, but do water them during especially dry times.

Don't do anything to compact their soil like driving heavy equipment near them, don't use chemical fertilizers near them, and, for God's sake, avoid this horrifying trend of piling wood chips up against the trunks of your trees.

Even if the chips aren't infected, they could and will eventually kill that tree.

As I've said many times, have you ever seen a volcano mulched tree in a healthy forest?

Those roots need to breathe and the trunk needs to be able to dry out.

Please don't fall for the wood mulch scam.

Well, that sure was a lot of ways to play whack the wilt, now wasn't it?

Luckily for yous, the Question of the Week appears in print at the Gardens Alive website.

To read it over at your "leesure" or your "lesure", just click the link for the Question of the Week at our website, which is still and will forever be YouBetYourGarden.org.

Gardens Alive supports the You Bet Your Garden Question of the Week.

And you'll always find the latest Question of the Week at the Gardens Alive website.

YOU BET YOUR GARDEN is a half hour public television show, an hour long public radio show and podcast, all produced and delivered to you weekly by Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem, PA. Our radio show is distributed by PRX,, the Public Radio Exchange.

You Bet Your Garden was created by Mike McGrath.

Mike McGrath was created by the magician Merlin in the court of King Arthur but then banished to a cursed lagoon underwater, until he was finally freed by underwater detective Mike Nelson.

Yikes, my producer is threatening to wilt my watermelon if I don't get out of this studio.

We must be out of time.

But you can call us any time at our brand new number: Or send us your e-mail, your tired, your poor, your wretched refuse teeming towards our garden shore at: Tell us your location, and we don't mean which room in the house.

You'll find all of this contact information at our website, youbetyourgarden.org, where you'll also find the answers to hundreds, hundreds of your garden questions, audio of show, video of this show, audio and video of previous shows.

Oi!

What else do you want?

Oh, our internationally renowned podcast is the answer.

I'm your host, Mike McGrath, and as my fellow NPR personality Ben Vaughn likes to say, that's it.

We're out of time.

We got to go.

We got to get out of here.

Hey, wait, I just realized he stole that from Mick Jagger and the Animals.

Oh, well, I got to get out of here, too, and head on down to check out the first ever outdoor Philadelphia flower show, coming up next week in South Philly's historic Roosevelt Park.

But I'll still find the time to see you again next week.