Zinnias. 8.20.2020

 This year I didn't do as well with zinnias.  Something ate the first batches that I planted, and the second group never really took off.  Finally I bought a six-pack, which was so root-bound that I had doubts about the viability.  However, they grew and some of the earlier seedlings are starting to bloom too.

So far, there hasn't been much honeybee activity in the zinnias.  Not like, say, alliums, poppies, milkweeds, etc.

No a zinnia, but an African marigold.  It's not supposed to have single flowers.  They rest of the plants have fully double flowers.  But I like this one more than those.  I think I'll save seeds from it.

More zinnias, this time from the seeds that I planted.  On the side is a "wild" petunia.

Four O'Clocks. 8.20.2020

 When I first started growing Four O'Clocks, I thought they might be difficult to grow.  I planted the seeds inside, coddled them, transplanted, gave them TLC.  Now, having grown them for many years, I usually just plant the seeds directly in the garden.  This year I didn't even try.  Within the vegetable garden are volunteers that grew from volunteers that grew from  volunteers.  I transplanted some, left some where they were.  They turned out very nice.

I don't think I ever bought or planted pink 4 O'clocks, but here they are.  

These red ones are a very rich color, quite lovely.

I think I planted this yellow one in front of the house a few years ago.  It comes up every year.

Honeybees generally stay away from 4 O'clocks, but there can be exceptions.  It's possible that the flowers bloom before the bees are active, and close up too early.

This year I want to save seeds separately for each color.  They are all nice, and have an antique feel to them.

Dahlias. 8.20.2020

 I grew these dahlias in the vegetable garden.  There, they were safe from deer and rabbits.  I didn't tie them up very well, and the garden is crowded, but some came out very nice.

 

 

First Taste of First Redlove® Calypso® Apple

 This was the first apple from my first-leaf Redlove® Calypso® apple tree.  The apple fell off the small tree, so I took that as a signal it was not going to ripen further.

Some precautions -

First year fruits are not always reliable indicators of the future fruits from the same tree.  Next year, this tree might have larger, sweeter fruits.  Or it might not.

This fruit might not have fully ripened.  The tree does have two other fruits.  Maybe they will ripen further.

A small tree may not be able to support full ripening.

That said, this small (about silver dollar size) apple was colorful on the inside.  The  flesh had a crisp, juicy texture.  It was not astringent or bitter.  What it was, was very tart - like a lemon candy.  Or a pineapple, or grapefruit, but crisp.

Peach Bud Graft Took and Growing. 8.11.2020

 This is the leaf curl resistant "Sunny Day" peach that I did patch grafts.  I think they both took, but the heat was too much and I was unable to look after them for a while.  One started growing, but the other one dried out and baked.  I think I'll just let them alone except for watering and shelter, and cut the top from the one that took, next Spring.  I might keep the other one for another graft attempt next year.