MASTER GARDENERS CONVENTION IN CAPE THIS WEEKEND

As many as 200 master gardeners will be in Cape Girardeau today and Sunday for the Missouri Master Gardeners Convention at Drury Lodge.

Today's schedule is a busy one, featuring tours of Pickle Springs Nature Area, Penzel's Azalea and Rhododendron Farm, Southeast Missouri State University greenhouse and garden, Ceramo Pottery, Lorberg Farm and Cape Girardeau gardens.

Also on the schedule is an afternoon wreath-making workshop presented by Kristy Fredrick and a bent-twig trellis workshop presented by Don Koehler. Koehler, president of SEMO Master Gardeners, and his wife, Carol, raise herbs.

Dr. Charles H. Korns, retired professor of horticulture at Southeast Missouri State who now lives in Arkansas, will return to present a Sunday class on plant nomenclature.

Other Sunday speakers include Kevin Godsey, who will discuss soil. Dave Niswonger, who has been hybridizing irises for more than 45 years, will discuss hybridization, and Pat Steinborn will discuss bonsai trees.

Rounding out the list of speakers are Jeff Oberhaus, who will discus rose gardening; William Edelman, who will talk about the collecting, processing and storage of seed for local native plants; Mel Zielinsk, who will discuss composting; and Chris Shimp, who will discuss hydroponics, pest control and plant management.

Sunday visitors to the conference can learn about the master gardener program.

Cost of the Sunday program is $25. Regular cost of the two-day event for master gardeners is $75.

"Anyone interested in gardening, lawns, trees, shrubs, and environment can become a master gardener," said Koehler.

The SEMO Master Gardeners has about 75 members in four chapters in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry and Scott counties. They hold area workshops each year.

Master gardeners are part of the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension. Classes are conducted by extension each year.