First Chestnuts. 10.12.18

Maraval Chestnuts.  1.21.18

These are the first two Maraval chestnuts.  I know it's not a lot - two chestnuts.  The other burr may have two more.

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.

Yates American Persimmonss. 10.9.18

Yates American Persimmon.  10.9.18

Today as I was wandering around my orchard, I passed by the Yates American Persimmon tree.  I brushed against a branch, and a fruit fell off.  Looking at the ground, there were multiple juicy, ripe persimmons.

These are delicious.

I planted this tree in January, 2015.  Not bad, just 3 years old.

The First, Ever, of the Pawpaws. 10.8.18

NC-1 Pawpaw.  10.8.18

 Here is the first of the pawpaws.


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!

NC-1 Pawpaw.  10.8.18

NC-1 Pawpaw.  10.8.18

This was the only pawpaw on the tree, so may be larger than it would be if there were lots.  The variety was NC-1.

The other tree, Sunflower, has quite a few, small, fruits.  I'll keep watching for those.

Irises Planted from Dried Rhizomes, at One Month.  10.6.18

 On 9.6.18, I planted some bearded iris rhizomes that I bought at Costco.  I wondered if they would grow at all before the first frost.  Here there are, lots of increased / new growth.  So they are doing well.  One is "My friend Jonathan" and the other is "His Royal Highness" but I didn't label them, so I don't know which is which.

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..

The other iris from the same package.

Bearded Iris Planted August, 2018

Gallardias. 10.7.18

Gallardia planted Aug, 2018

Gallardia Planted in 2017

I don't know when the year-old gallardia startied blooming this year.  I think, early summer.  I didn't dead head it regularly.  I almost never watered it.  Deer and rabbits did not touch it.  It just continued to grow and bloom.  I bought the other one this summer.  I forgot it was in the car, and it dried out to crispy brown flowers, although the wilted leaves were still green-ish.  Then I saw it and planted it.  That plant recovered, and is now blooming again.

These are tough flowers.  Inspired, I've bought some seeds to cultivars with other color nuances.