Saturday, July 06, 2013

Shallots and Bees. And spider.


 I let the shallots bloom for more bee forage.  It's OK if that results in smaller shallots.  These are "Holland White".  The name refers to the shallot itself, not the flower.  I think.   It's a pretty flower very dramatic.  Native bees - tiny bees and bumblebees - forage the flowers as well as honeybees.  Possibly more than the honeybees.

 White shallot flower provides camoflage for white apivorous spider.   I'll guess, white crab spider.


Other bee forage in bloom, dandelions, clover, thistle.  They like the thistle more than the dandelions and clover. 

Thursday, July 04, 2013

Chicken Tractor

Chicken Tractor

Overwintered Deck Plants, in bloom

Brugmansia
 These were the deck plants that i let dry out in late fall, then stored in the garage.  In April, I got them out and watered. The brugmansia also needed a larger container.  Now all blooming nicely.

Agapanthus, Zantadeschia, Dianthus

Geraniums

Moving a mature grape vine. At least 6 months later.

Tiny buds
I think it was December when I moved this grapevine.   This is a green grape, seeded, bought at Vancouver Farmer's Market.  I don't know the variety. It was 11 years old.  It had grown up into a tree, maybe 20 feet tall. 

I dug it up and moved it to the Battleground place.  Pruned severely because of root loss.  No growth this spring.  Assumed it was dead.  The only reason I didn't cut it off or dig it up was lack of ambition.

Now the trunk has 2 growing buds.  Tiny.  Interesting.  It might survive after all.   If it does, then every plant, shrub, tree that I moved here, survived.

Monday, July 01, 2013

Fig Trees - started from cuttings this winter.

Atreano
 These are fig trees started from cuttings this winter.  These are among the fastest to grow.  I have some under 1 foot tall.   For the most part, all have been getting 1/4 teaspoon Miracle Grow for Tomatoes.  Not organic, I know.  A temporary measure to get them up and growing faster.  The idea is similar to fertigation.  Sort of.
Carini
 There are several Carini starts.  This is one of the smaller ones.  May be a bit stunted due to the figs already growing.
Another Carini
 Another Carini, also with some early fig formation.

Champagne
 Champagne fig.  This is the larger of two.  There are tiny figs forming in leaf axils.
 
North of house on hot day
 There are potential disadvantages to the fast growth.  They may not be hardy for winter.  They are also not durable for hot summer days in full sun.  So I moved them to the North side of the house.  They need daily water.
Lattarula
 I don't need another Lattarula but I have someone in mind who would like to have it.  Once we are past the hottest part of summer, I plan to give it away.
Smith
The Smith cuttings surprised me and took off like the others.  I thought they would be slower.
The other Smith
This Smith tree needs a larger container.  I'm concerned it will dry out if I don't water dailyh or twice daily.