Song and Plants

What is the compound in the oil of Nepeta cateria that makes it such an effective insect repellent? How were higher essential oil yielding catnip plants developed? What has the research concluded about the effectiveness and potential for this herb? How can you grow it at home for yourself, your pollinators and your feline friends to enjoy? I was joined by William Reichert to explore all things Nepeta cataria!

To contact William Reichert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-reichert-ph-d-053565169/

The Rutgers lab with which he did this work: https://newuseag.rutgers.edu/

William Reichert's dissertation (breeding and nepetalactone repellent efficacy): https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/60974/

Opening tune: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

Magnoliaceae evolved flowers before the emergence of bees, how did this shape its pollination strategies? What makes the Magnolia flower perfect? In which growing conditions does Magnolia officinalis flourish? What compound gives M.officinalis essential oil its distinctive aroma? This episode is a brief introduction to a fascinating, ancient, historically significant tree.

Intro tune: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

Magnolia Pollination:

https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2018-05-05-magnolia-pollination

New Insights into Breeding and Propagating Magnolias. Thomas Ranney and Dominic Gillooly,

Department of Horticultural Science, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and

Extension Center, North Carolina State University:

https://mcilab.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ranney-and-gillooly-2014.pdf?fwd=no

Phenolic Constituents from the Stem Bark of Magnolia officinalis:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/np800494e

Magnolol: A multifunctional compound isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant

Magnolia officinalis, European Journal of Integrative Medicine:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2011.09.002

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382011001405

Neuroprotective effect of honokiol and magnolol, compounds from Magnolia officinalis, on beta-amyloid-induced toxicity in PC12 cells: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3178

Vine or bine? What parts of Humulus lupulus are edible? Why are hops added to beer? What are alpha and beta acids? In this episode Nathan Vadeboncoeur shares fascinating insights, history and the science of hops growing and brewing!

To learn more about Nathan's terroir brewery: https://projecthop.beer/

or follow projecthop on Instagram

Opening tune: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carrmenporter.com)

Is the flavor of Passiflora incarnata fruit reminiscent of other species of passion fruits? What other parts of the plant are edible? Does maypop require trellising? What are ideal growing conditions? In this episode I am joined by Nate Kleinman of the Experimental Farm Network to talk about all thing Passiflora incarnata. He shares his insights and experience from seed collection and planting through to harvesting and processing.

To learn more or get involved with the Experimental Farm Network:

https://www.experimentalfarmnetwork.org/

To purchase seeds and browse their catalogue:

https://store.experimentalfarmnetwork.org/ or EFNseeds.com

To view another fascinating project in which Nate is involved:

https://www.coopgardens.org/

Intro tune: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

Which chamomlie is typically used to make a soothing herbal brew? What garden conditions are required for chamomile to flourish? Throughout history chamomiles have been used extensively medicinally, cosmetically and aesthetically. In this episode we'll take a look at Matricaria recutita (syn. M. chamomlia) and Chamaemelum nobile (syn. Anthemis nobilis), both known commonly as chamomile.

Opening and closing music: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

Singh, Ompal et al. “Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview.” Pharmacognosy reviews

vol. 5,9 (2011): 82-95. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79103

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210003/

https://heritagegarden.uic.edu/german-chamomile-matricaria-recutita

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/chamomile

Lavender is the common name given to a few species of the Lavandula genus. Each has different uses and dominant compounds. What are the most commonly grown species and how do they differ? How closely are they related? Which has the best flavor for cooking? What are their dominant compounds? How does this affect the aroma of their essential oil?

Opening tune: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

Renata Prusinowska, Krzysztof B. Śmigielski, Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. http://www.herbapolonica.pl/articles/view/1346

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/eucalyptol

Iman Bajalan., (2015) Chemical composition of lavandin essential oil (Case study: Borujerd from Iran). J. Appl. Sci. & Agric., http://www.aensiweb.com/old/jasa/rjfh/2015/March%202015/12-14.pdf

Insawang S, Pripdeevech P, Tanapichatsakul C, Khruengsai S, Monggoot S, Nakham T, Artrod A, D'Souza PE, Panuwet P. (2019) Essential Oil Compositions and Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Five Lavandula stoechas Cultivars Grown in Thailand. Chem Biodivers. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.201900371

M. M. Barazandeh (2002) Essential Oil Composition of Lavandula latifolia Medik from Iran, Journal of Essential Oil Research, doi: 10.1080/10412905.2002.9699784

https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/a-helpful-guide-to-buying-your-lavender-essential-oil.html

https://www.lavenderwind.com/lavender-essential-oils/

What makes lemon balm smell so good? Why is it called Melissa officinalis? What growing conditions does it prefer? Is it related to mint? What are some ways to enjoy this delightful herb?

Opening tune: Botanical Berceuse by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/melissa-officinalis

Abolfazl Shakeri, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Behjat Javadi. Melissa officinalis L. – A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 188, 2016

https://www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com/articles/study-of-genetic-diversity-in-lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis-l-populations-based-on-morphological-traits-and-essential-o.pdf

What is the latest research regarding squash bee flower preferences, range expansion and morphology? Where did squash bees and most of the Cucurbita spp. that we grow originate? How can you encourage these amazing native bees to pollinate your squash? Dr Margarita Lopez-Uribe shares her extensive knowledge!

To see more of the fantastic research projects being conducted at her lab: https://lopezuribelab.com/

To contact her directly: [email protected]

Opening tune: Beeloved by Carmen Porter (https://carmenporter.com)

Shannon shares insights into the amazing diversity of wonderful, Cucurbitaceae heirloom varieties! We explore open pollinated squash, melon, cucumber and watermelon varieties that have been developed and grown all over the world.

Baker Creek Seed Company: www.rareseeds.com

Opening tune: 'Beeloved' by Carmen Porter (www.carmenporter.com)

What is the difference between a hybrid and an heirloom? How can you ensure that your saved squash seeds will grow true to the parent plant? Seed saving is the reclaiming of seed sovereignty!

Opening tune: 'Beeloved' by Carmen Porter (www.carmenporter.com)

References:

https://www.seedsavers.org/site/pdf/grow-save-squash.pdf

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/tools-supplies/seed-storage-guide.html?q=seed%20viability