Culled Fig Tree Starts. Fig Mosaic Virus

Culled due to FMV

These fig starts are about to be culled.  They have much less vigor, compared to the others I started.

From what I read, FMV is ubiquitous.  Fig Mosaic Virus.  So I shouldn't need to worry about transmitting virus from one to another.

However, I also read there are multiple viruses that cause Fig Mosaic Disease.  What happens with infection by multiple viruses?

Fig Mosaic Disease

Since these are growing so poorly, I will discard them.  Most are Violette de Bordeaux.  One or two are Black Marseilles.

Disappointed, but this is responsible garden epidemiology.

I have Petite negri (possible Aubique pettite) which is very productive, despite evidence for FMD.  Young King Fig (Desert King) shows FMD, but grows out of it and is very vigorous.  But these starts have had their chance, and I don't want to, possibly, add new infections to my collection.

Bee forage now. Late July.

Oregano flowers

I should keep better track of what is blooming, what has foraging bees, and what doesn't.

Oregano just started blooming.  I don't have a lot of oregano, but they are covered with honeybees.

Lavender is blooming.  Lots of honeybees and bumble bees.

Caryopteris continues blooming.  Honeybees and bumble bees.

Shallots just stopped blooming and have set seeds.  They bloomed about 2 or 3 weeks.  They were covered by honeybees.

Chinese chives are almost finished blooming.  I don't have a lot.  They should be more prolific next year.  Bees foraged the chive flowers frequently.

White clover and dandelions - occasional bees.

Catnip - starting to bloom.  Occasional honeybees and occasional small pollinating bees.  As these continue to bloom, bees are more active on the catnip blossoms.

Buddleia - rare bumble bee visitors.  In full bloom now, although "Miss Molly" and "Miss Ruby" are dwindling a bit.  "Blueberry Cobbler" just started.

Sweet alyssum, thyme, marigolds - I have not seen bees visiting these.  They are in full bloom.

About to bloom:  Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Spearmint.

Sun Screen for Black Plant Containers

Reflective, insulating sleeves

This was a bubble-pack type material with reflective mylar surface.  I originally bought it to cover the copper beehive roof.  Without the cover, the roof was to hot to touch.  With the cover, it was cool to the touch, under the insulating material.

The black containers dry out too fast.  Sometimes I can't keep up, especially on hot days.  So I made sleeves for the containers.  They are held in place with reflective duct tape.  With the reflective, insulating sleeves in place, I can water less frequently.

It's possible the warm soil helped the trees grow faster.  It's OK if they slow down now.  They will need to harden off for winter.  New, rank growth might not harden off as well, so it's time to slow down.

Tigridia 2nd year. Ginkgo seedlings.

Tigridia and Ginkgo biloba

I read that Tigridia won't survive a wet winter, so I treated these as annuals last year.  They were planted in a barrel among ginkgo trees Ning was growing - seedlings I started several years back.

Ning moved the ginkgos to Battleground, and planted in his perennial garden.  Intent is to keep them pruned as small trees.  Interesting, the tigridia came back, blooming among the ginkgos.

Transplanting Borage

Borage in container

 I read that Borage can't be transplanted, so needs to be grown from seed in situ.  This plant was at the local farmer's market in a small container.  Looked droopy.  I planted in a larger container, gave some TLC (code name for Miracle-Gro 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, with each watering) and had it on the deck.  It filled in and now is covered with flower buds.

Since it survived that transplanting, I think it will survive being planted in the iris bed.  I was gentle with flipping it out if the pot.  Tried not to disturb roots.

I read this is a great bee plant.  There are others nearby, almost in bloom.  This was a challenge I wanted to try.

Borage planted in Iris bed.