Last winter, I bought these two "Christmas Cactus" plants to cheer up my office. I think they are more correctly called "Thanksgiving Cactus" or better yet, Schlumbergera. They bloommed very nicely. During the summer, and into the cooler nights, they were outside, on the East side of the house, with morning sun and afternoon and evening shade. I watered them when I remembered. This is not organic, but I gave them Miracle-Grow for green plants, at 1/4 label recommended strength, until fall, then switched to the Miracle-Grow "Bloom Booster" at 1/4 strength. Now they are in my South Facing office window. Lots of buds. They might actually be in bloom at Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, there is the joy of anticipation and the pride of growing something that will bloom nicely, soon.
There are also a couple of Schlumbergera that are much older and larger. They are beginning to set flower buds, but not as much.
Edit: I can remember reading various schemes about putting these in the dark for a month to get them to bloom. That's just not true. I've grown them for years, and just let the change of seasons do it's thing. They always bloom, every year, without putting them into a dark closet. Maybe that's the climate or lattitude? I don't know, and I don't worry about it.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Music Garlic. 10.15.18
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Music Garlic Cloves to Plant. Planted 10.5.18 |
I still have some saved garlic cloves to plant from this year's crop. Four days ago I planted some (I think it was "German Red" - big, red skinned, pungent cloves) but did not have it labeled. I developed a back strain digging the heavy soil this time, so need to wait until that is better before planting the saved "Inchelium Red". I think I'm growing the "Inchelium Red" more for sentimental, than practical reasons now. That "German Red" actually seems more productive, with larger cloves.
Labels:
garlic,
heirloom garlic,
Inchelium Red,
music garlic,
Spanish Roja
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Rufus. 10.13.18
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Rufus. 10.10.18 |
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Rufus. 10.10.18 |
As a puppy, Rufus has boundless energy and mischief. He's very affectionate. He is a mix of lab, poodle, and gremlin. I'm hoping for a long, happy, healthy, loving life ahead for my buddy Rufus.
Rufus. May, 2018. |
Friday, October 12, 2018
First Chestnuts. 10.12.18
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Maraval Chestnuts. 1.21.18 |
My rule of thumb, for when trees first bear fruit, is one or two fruits the first year, 10 or 20 the second year, then a bowl or two or three the following year. It's not a perfect rule, but interesting to think about.
I will keep these at room temperature for 2 to 4 days, then roast them. That information is via WashingtonChestnuts.com.
Tuesday, October 09, 2018
Yates American Persimmonss. 10.9.18
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Yates American Persimmon. 10.9.18 |
These are delicious.
I planted this tree in January, 2015. Not bad, just 3 years old.
Monday, October 08, 2018
The First, Ever, of the Pawpaws. 10.8.18
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NC-1 Pawpaw. 10.8.18 |
The outside is similar texture and skin as an avocado. Unlike avocado, there are multiple, Lima bean-sized seeds. Taking them out, the amount of flesh, and the consistency of flesh, was also similar to avocado. There the similarity ends. Super sweet, tropical tasting. Sort of banana-like but not. Interesting.
There will be a few smaller ones, if they ripen soon. This was the first ever, took 6 years from planting, and a very nice fruit adventure!
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NC-1 Pawpaw. 10.8.18 |
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NC-1 Pawpaw. 10.8.18 |
The other tree, Sunflower, has quite a few, small, fruits. I'll keep watching for those.
Sunday, October 07, 2018
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Irises Planted from Dried Rhizomes, at One Month. 10.6.18 |
As for bearded irises that I replanted from about the property, that I had abandoned two or so years ago, also not labeled, they are putting on new growth too.
Finally, the bearded irises that I bough by mail order from Schreiners, and planted in July and August, those show nice growth too.
The big questions to follow this winter and next Spring: Will any of these bloom? Will they have bacterial and / or fungal rot disease? Will they survive? And the same, for other clumps that I planted in the woods border, which are currently looking OK where they are and are in full sun..
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The other iris from the same package. |
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Bearded Iris Planted August, 2018 |
Gallardias. 10.7.18
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Gallardia planted Aug, 2018 |
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Gallardia Planted in 2017 |
These are tough flowers. Inspired, I've bought some seeds to cultivars with other color nuances.
Healing "Summer Red" Maple Tree Trunk Wound, 6 Years Later. 10.7.18
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Maple Tree Progress. 10.7.18 |
I planted the tree with the wound on the southern side, to reduce potential for growth of rotting organisms. Maple wood is hard, and I read that trees have a process to seal off internal wounds, that stops spread of any potential rot.
Here we are, 6 years later. The tree has flourished and grown. It has beautiful fall color. I wondered if the small root ball size would result in a dead tree. It did not. This was a very hot dry summer, historic I think. I did water it about every 2 weeks, with water that I bailed out of the duck pond when replacing that water. That was about 15 gallons every 2 weeks.
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Maple Tree When Planted. 9.20.12 |
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Healing Trunk Wound. 10.7.18 |
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Wound At Time of Purchase 9.20.12 |
Labels:
small root ball,
Summer Red Maple,
tree wound
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