FIELD NOTES
Rio Update / October 22 2022
Rio Update / October 22 2022
By Daniela Velazco
Test Plot Intern
Test Plot Intern
Nina and I met up at the Test Plots to monitor the
existing species and create labels for plants when necessary. We met at 10am on
a Sunday. The log borders are working well as a way to differeniate the plots from the path. It seems that the most successful plots have a thick 3-5” layer of mulch.
While going through and taking note of successful species two park visitors came up to us and told us they were volunteers and a part of the larger recent natives planting at Rio. The area around the test plots had 50-100 new young sprouts that were planted.
One of the volunteers mentioned noticing what seemed like a pest growing on one of the oak tree saplings. She remarked how much she loved the species and knew how long they take to grow, so she wanted to keep an eye on it to give it the best chance possible. We walked over and saw a red beetle and white substance underneath the oak leaves (eggs, fungus, foam?). We took pictures and notified the Parks Coordinator. We then completed our assessment of the plots and infilled metal labels in areas that needed it most. We were at the park for around an hour.
While going through and taking note of successful species two park visitors came up to us and told us they were volunteers and a part of the larger recent natives planting at Rio. The area around the test plots had 50-100 new young sprouts that were planted.
One of the volunteers mentioned noticing what seemed like a pest growing on one of the oak tree saplings. She remarked how much she loved the species and knew how long they take to grow, so she wanted to keep an eye on it to give it the best chance possible. We walked over and saw a red beetle and white substance underneath the oak leaves (eggs, fungus, foam?). We took pictures and notified the Parks Coordinator. We then completed our assessment of the plots and infilled metal labels in areas that needed it most. We were at the park for around an hour.
Weather
High of 72, Low of 59 degrees
We received the first sprinkle of rain earlier this month, Prior to that it has not rained since April, which is typical of our summer dry climate.
Tests
The seeded only plots are visibly different from the plots planted with 1-5 gallon plants. Not as variety visible in the fall with the seeded plots. This could be due to the seeded species being mostly annual wildflowers. Check plantlist to vertify hypothesis.
High of 72, Low of 59 degrees
We received the first sprinkle of rain earlier this month, Prior to that it has not rained since April, which is typical of our summer dry climate.
Tests
The seeded only plots are visibly different from the plots planted with 1-5 gallon plants. Not as variety visible in the fall with the seeded plots. This could be due to the seeded species being mostly annual wildflowers. Check plantlist to vertify hypothesis.
How are the plants doing?
The plants look good, none are visibly in distress. Many of the plants have gone to seed or fruit. California Buckwheat provides a nice color through its seeds to compliment the evergreens in the Fall. After monitoring the test plots for two years we’ve noticed certain species are thriving
Successful species:
The plants look good, none are visibly in distress. Many of the plants have gone to seed or fruit. California Buckwheat provides a nice color through its seeds to compliment the evergreens in the Fall. After monitoring the test plots for two years we’ve noticed certain species are thriving
Successful species:
- Eriogonum fasciculatum - California Buckwheat
- Isocoma menziesii - Menzies' Goldenbush
- Baccharis pilularis - Coyotebrush
- Asclepias fascicularis - Narrowleaf milkweed
- Muhlenbergia rigens - Deergrass
- Sphaeralcea ambigua var. Rugosa - Apricot Mallow
Future Activities
Note spontaneous growth in the Spring. Many of the species have grown for 2 years, infill planting to fill in the gaps as next steps
Note spontaneous growth in the Spring. Many of the species have grown for 2 years, infill planting to fill in the gaps as next steps
- Mulch beds with depleted mulch layer. 3-5” thick layer of wood chip mulch is optimal.
- Replace labels and provide labels for all plants
- (Tongva, English, Botanical names)
- Can this be done before the Oct 17th?
- Update “What is Planted Here” laminated sheets
- Make this signage more visible
- Increase vegetation density
- Increase variety of species
- Struggling species
- Penstemon spectabilis (Showy Penstemon)