Oklahoma Gardening October 17, 2026

0:00 Welcome to Oklahoma Gardening! 02:39 Blooming on Route 66: Sapulpa’s Downtown Petunia Display Discover how giant hanging baskets of bubblegum petunias are transforming downtown Sapulpa and drawing visitors from around the world to Route 66! We visit downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to meet with Kent Daniel, known locally as the "Petunia Guy," to see how these 30-inch baskets grow to five feet across. Learn what it takes to manage shifting downtown sunlight, why hand-watering and daily flushing are essential during triple-digit summer heat, and how this vibrant floral display is boosting community spirit and local business traffic ahead of next year's Petunia Fest. 10:38 How to Make Hypertufa Pots Create your own custom, lightweight planters at home using a simple blend of everyday gardening and building materials! Edie Tillery demonstrates step-by-step how to mix equal parts of cement, perlite, and sphagnum moss with water to mold durable hypertufa containers perfect for indoor houseplants, kitchen gardens, or outdoor patios. Learn how to select and prep nested container molds, create sturdy bases with proper drainage holes, prevent air pockets, and properly cure your homemade pots for maximum strength. 20:28 How Water Moves Through Plants Take a closer look at the unseen forces that pull water from the soil all the way to the tops of trees! Dr. Shelley Mitchell explains the science behind the transpiration stream and why water only travels upward through a plant's xylem tubes. Learn how cohesion and adhesion work together during photosynthesis, how guard cells and stomata regulate gas exchange and moisture loss on hot days, and how you can test plant transpiration yourself using a simple plastic bag experiment. #oklahomagardening #route66 #hypertufa Photo by Mitchell Alcala - OSU Agriculture #5316 Airdate: 10/17/26 Questions? To find out more information about show topics as well as recipes, articles, videos, fact sheets and other resources, including the directory of local Extension offices, be sure to visit our website. http://oklahomagardening.okstate.edu/ You can also find us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oklahomagardening/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oklahomagardening/ Oklahoma Gardening is a production of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University and is produced by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Agricultural Communications Services. All products featured on this program are for demonstration purposes only. No commercial endorsement is intended.