Reblooming Red Miniature Rose ¿Danika? 31 May 24.

 Here is the red Valentines Day rose that I bought in early March and bare- rooted, then up- potted on 16 March.    The first new flower appeared about a week ago.

I wasn't sure I liked it but now...  a very nice, reblooming miniature potted rose. 

It can't take full sun.  The flowers get sunburn.  

I'll add to this post, after a doctor's appointment yesterday, I stopped at the Safeway next door.  I thought this one there, marked down (post Mothers' day) would be fun to treat the same way.

I didn't wait this time.  The original peat medium is just too finicky.  It dries out too fast, sometimes overnight, leading to dead flowets and crispy leaves.  I bare-rooted it by un- potting and swishing around in a bucket of water.

There were three plants.  A good number for a group pot.  Not a lot of roots.  No wonder they wilt so quickly in peat.

I planted in regular potting soil (I use Black Magic).

I try to spread the roots out as much as possible.  Also, I went from about  4" pot to about 6" and a bit deeper.

Watered in.  They can be floppy at first, so a stake might be a good idea.  I didn't but I might tomorrow.

Bare rooting while in full bloom seems drastic, but each time I do it, the plant doesn't miss a beat.  The new soil and larger volume to keep the current flowers blooming longer and set it up for future success.

Edit:  From the list of choices on the container, this is Felicitas Kordana Light Pink.  I can't be 100% certain, but it's the closest match.  The grocery store plants are meant to enjoy and discard, so not sold with cultivar names.

Edit:  corrected some typos.

Pruning and Up-Potting More Schlumbergeras. 30 May 24.

 These are the last of the main collection of Schlumbergeras.  The first group is sending out new growth where I pruned them, so I wanted to complete the job.

As I did with the earlier plants, I changed from plastic pots to glazed clay.  They should be more stable, less likely to tip over.  Especially when in bloom.  I used a knife to slice off about an inch from the sides of the root ball, and the bottom, then used a general purpose soil.  They have about 50% more growth medium than they did before up-potting.

Hybrid Tropical Hibiscus. 30 May 24.

 Here is the hybrid hibiscus plant that I bought.

From the tag, I thought I was buying a yellow hibiscus with red flame edges.  Oh well.

Revived Clematis. 30 May 24.

 Here is the clematis vine that was dug out by accident, because it looked dead (oops) then left to dry out for a day, then trimmed and potted on 12 April.

It has a vigorous main shoot now, and more new shoots emerging from the roots.

Here it was when I discovered the dug-up roots on 12 April.

Seedlings Update. Zinnias, Marigolds, Cosmos, Portulaca, Nasturtiums. 30 May 24.

 Most of the flower seedlings still need a little growth before planting out.9

There are also some squashes and a couple of left-over peppers and a tomato there.

Zinnias, dwarf sunflowers, squashes.

Marigolds

I planted some of the portulacas among other plants and some in a patio bowl.

These are the second nasturtiums that I planted.  I think the first were fodder for birds.  Also in photo, marigolds and alpine strawberries

All in all, it might be a colorful year.

Ozark Beauty Strawberry Plants In Containers. 30 May 24.

 Here are the Ozark Beauty strawberry plants now.   I bought them, bare root on Amazon, in early February.

I think the growth looks quite healthy and vigorous.  I did give them a dose of Miracid fertilizer, because I read they need acid conditions.  Growth might even be a bit too lush now.  I'll just use water for a few weeks.  They have been producing a few flower buds.  I cut those off so the plants can concentrate on growing for now.  The same for a couple of runners.

The weather has been cool and rainy, 60s during the day and 40s at night.  I imagine warmer weather and more sun will stimulate growth even more.

Here they were when I planted them, 10 Feb 16.  I wondered if they would grow.  They did - every plant.

Alpine Strawberry Seedlings. 30 May 24.

 Here are the Alpine Strawberry seedlings now.

I think they look very good, exactly like others' photos.  I read that germination is usually poor, erratic, and slow.  That was not the case here.  Also, I did not stratify.  Maybe the seed seller did, I don't know.

I think they need to grow a little more before I plant them into individual cell packs.

Completed Garden Scooting Bench / Cart. 26 May 24.

 Here's the completed garden bench / cart / scooter.  It's stained now.  I added four-inch, easily  lockable casters for safety.   It has a heavy duty pull rope.  I added a cushion.

When the rope is not in use, it's easily tucked into the side opening.  So i's not a tripping hazard.

I think it needed the back for sturdiness.  I'm glad I cut openings to let light in and lighten the weight a tad.

Next to the old bench.  Compared to that, this one is slightly taller, for my height; wider and longer for lower center of gravity and more sturdy.  With the casters, I can scoot around on it, rather that getting up whenever I want to move a little.  

So far I'm pretty happy with my new garden bench / cart / scooter.  I think it's safer than the old seat, which was threatening to collapse when I sat on it.  It's more comfortable for me, and more useful.

Except for the casters and the pad, all of the materials were upcycle / re-purpose / lying around in the woodshed or garage.

Update, my own review of my own cart!

This cart is far more convenient, comfortable, and useful compared to the tubular steel garden stool.  There is just no comparison.  It's in a different league altogether.  I like it a lot!

Two improvements are needed.  First, with the casters, it has a tendency to roll all over the place while being pulled.  Sometimes it tips over.  An axle with wagon wheels might not do that.  I thought a rigid pull handle might be better.  I ordered one on Amazon in June, but it has yet to be delivered.  Shortening the pull rope by about half, helped about 90%.  With so much less laxity, it doesn't get to roll sideways nearly as much.  Much better, but not perfect yet.

The second change, those side pieces around the top are too thin, and break too easily.  I need to find wood strips closer to 1/2 inch thick.  Maybe a winter project.

Mandevilla Vines Awakening. 25 May 24.

 The Mandevilla vines are starting to grow again, despite the rainy chilly weather.

Fig Tree Update. 25 May 24.

Here are the fig trees that I pruned last winter.

Young Hardy Chicago, grown from offshoot three (?) years ago.  Atreano in background.

Brunswick.

Smith.

The large fir tree that was shading them and competing, is gone now.  I think they will have a burst of growth and possibly productivity.  Time will tell.

Miniature Dahlia Plants Waking Up. 25 May 24.

 Here are the miniature dahlia plants now.  The smaller ones are something like three weeks after planting.  I planted the other ones preciously.

If nothing else, this shows that the miniature dahlia tubers can be overwintered in their original containers, dry, with basically no trouble at all. Just kept in unheated garage, dry, in their pitting soil.

Strawberry Update. 25 May 24.

 Here are the container strawberry plants now.  They look healthy to me.

I gave them some general purpose fertilizer to promote growth.   They are in full sun on the deck, away from deer-favored areas.

Schlumbergeras Are In Their Summer Home. New Growth After Pruning. 25 Apr 24,

 I moved the Schlumbergeras to the north side of the house.  Last year they flourished there.  If placed in the sun, they dry out too fast and the pads develop permanent sunburn damage.

I wondered how they would respond to the pruning I gave them.  They are putting out healthy looking new growth now.

I gave them some general purpose house plant fertilizer today - Schultz's.  

Two others need attention, which I think I should do soon.  Pruning and repotting.

Planting Over-Wintered Dahlia Tubers. 25 May 24.

 I finally planted the over-wintered Dahlia tubers.   I had them outside and was watering them, but didn't plant until a few days ago.

It's only recent that they started to show signs of life.  I also needed to free up some tubs, because I want to grow them in containers.

I planted them very shallowly, and will fill in soil as they grow.

I'll post on the mini-dahlias soon.  They are also growing.

David Austin Roses In Containers. Update. 25 May 26.

 Here are the David Austin roses, in containers, on the deck now.

Boscobel.  It does have that spicy myrrh fragrence.  

Darcy Bussell.  I'm not noticing much fragrance yet.  Fragrance can vary a lot by time of day, warmth, etc so I won't give up from this first try.

I forgot to photograph "Bring Me Sunshine".  It's a little behind the other two.  It recovered fully from the initial loss of too-tender, weak growth (warehouse and shipping) that got blasted by the early hot spell.  Will post later.

Here's a mixed bouquet, David Austin roses and others.

Earlier, I posted I thought the red rose was Climbing Mr. Lincoln but in retrospect, it might be Don Juan.  The pink is Scepter'd Isle - strong myrrh fragrance.  The yellow is Vanessa Bell - good spicy tea fragrance.  The purple is Midnight Blue, a shrub rose with small flowers, strong clove fragrance.  The sort of pale apricot color is Tamara (I think), mild fragrance.  The white is John F Kennedy, no fragrance.  The splashy mixed color flower is the climber Tropical Lightening.  Last week I couldn't smell it, but today it's a classic tea rose fragrance.  

Edit:  Here is the "Give Me Sunshine" David Austin Rose plant, between the others.