Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Thinking thoughts of summer as I tend to the prisoners

It’s been four and a half months since the big move inside and undercover took place. At least once during the winter I like to take a very thorough look at all the plants, getting up close to see how they’re doing. A dark rainy Thursday afternoon last week provided just the opportunity I needed.

I think it’s the mild winter but as I worked I couldn't help but fantasize that maybe they’d be coming out of hibernation early this year. Perhaps they've only got another couple of months in the basement? A girl can dream...

The largest Alocacsia already has been given the boot (above). The mites were taking over and I couldn't stand it any longer…I figured it’s hopefully warm enough outside for the plant to hang on while maybe the little suckers will die or at least be knocked back. The rest of the Alo/Colocasia collection is looking pitiful but alive, which is all that matters. Come the warmer months I’ll have big leaves again.

No big surprises with the agaves, everyone is doing well. Agave 'Kissho Kan'…

Agave ocahui

I really like the deeper colors this particular Agave desmettiana variegata has taken on.

And the surprisingly flat teeth of Agave bovicornuta are pretty cool.

Agave pygmae ‘Dragon Toes’ looks a little thirsty. It has gone months without a drink; yes of course I gave him one, a small one.

Here’s a bucket of survivors. The two big agaves in the back were from the 2011 tough love sale at Cistus Nursery. They were in pretty sad shape when I bought them but after our warm dry summer they really were looking good, and still do!

Alas here’s something in the bucket that wasn’t so lucky, that used to be a Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'…

Luckily this one that was gifted to me has survived!

My Aeonium tabuliforme…

Has ceased to be flat!

One side looks like this…

While the other looks like this…

Freaky eh? Equally freaky (but cool) is the fact these Graptoveria leaves fell off the plant and are starting new plants, just lying on the cement floor!

Also mildly freaky this Cryptanthus bloomed last fall and in the place of the flowers at the center of the plant are all these tiny new plants. Maybe this is normal for Cryptanthus?

So them’s the highlights from the basement “once over”…come Friday it was time to do the same thing out in the shade pavilion greenhouse. These prisoners hadn’t had to deal with any outlandish winter cold snaps, but they had been horribly ignored for months. The day’s mild (61F) temperatures and sun had me in full spring mode so I sprang a few of the big ones, like the Sonchus canariensis, and they’ll get to experience life out in the real world…

It’s gotten so bushy!

The Acacia pravissima also will stay outside, all the better to enjoy its coming blooms.

Yucca Bright Star…alive but with a case of winter acne.

Hey I can actually get in there now! Time to water a few things.

Banksia serrata looking good…

As is my little Leucadendron argenteum!

I love it's tiny hairs which give it the silver gleam when lit by the sun.

Finally, remember the Agave Rescue Mission that took place last fall? Well there hasn’t been any deterioration among their ranks.

In fact everyone is looking pretty good!

And speaking of Sally Priest of WeHoP (we were because she’s the one the agaves came from) she made a trip down to California a few weeks ago and spent time at a few plant wholesalers checking out “the goods.” Sharing the joy she linked me up with a whole set of photos, a few of which I’ve posted over on my danger garden facebook page, if you’re interested. Yes…I’ve finally started to pay attention to that page I set up a couple years ago and did nothing with. Occasionally I share expanded info from blog goings on there so you might want to check it out on occasion or “like” it if you are interested in more crazy plant ramblings from yours truly (in which case I am eternally grateful).

All material © 2009-2013 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

31 comments:

  1. It's good to see almost everything is looking so nice and healthy. I don't know if I've ever said it before, but I love how your shade pavilion does double duty. I've been contemplating my need for a real greenhouse lately, and wondering if there's a way to make it so that the windows are removable and it can be used like yours for seating in the dry summer months.

    I've been checking out my indoor succulents lately too. I have what I think is a Graptoveria that has also dropped a couple of leaves that have turned into plants. I'm thinking I should do a post about them, up close and personal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be a great business plan for somebody...a line of greenhouses that converts to a summer structure. If the husband's day job ever falters I think I see our niche!

      I look forward to your graptoveria post.

      Delete
  2. I like your Aeonium tabuliforme, hmmm, one for my plant list.

    Great to see everything looking in pretty good condition after the winter.

    I will be taking my Agaves out of my plastic greenhouse In a couple of weeks time. The winter has been average temperature and rainfall-wise, and I have been watching them regularly and they look okay.

    My new turf was laid yesterday and it looks great, but it also shows up how dirty the slabs and decking is. Oh well, lots of tasks to do in the garden over the next few weeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are rumblings about us having a cooler, but drier spring. After several wet ones I do like the idea of a drier than normal spring.

      Spring is the busy season for us isn't it? I was noticing the other day just how dirty some of our pavers are getting (specifically outlines of where the containers were over the summer). Guess I should look into cleaning them, any suggestions?

      Delete
    2. For the slabs I put the patio cleaner attachment on my pressure washer and wash them down (I used to just blast them with the nozzle, it was good fun, but I ended up getting very wet from the spray that went everywhere!).

      I then spray a product called "Patio Magic" on with a hand held sprayer, this keeps the green away for a year or so.

      http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001VEJCMQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

      Can you get this over in the USA?

      With regards to the decking I am going to use the decking product made by the same company called "Fence & Decking Magic". I will take the patio attachment to the decking and then try the product out on it.

      I have created my google account and I am trying to post this reply through that. I have also attached profile pic as well.

      Delete
    3. A quick search says no, but I'll look a little more and see if I can't track down some "patio magic" plus we've got a neighbor who has a pressure washer he'd probably let us borrow.

      Your profile and profile pic seemed to have worked great!

      Delete
  3. I'm a little apprehensive about bringing my plants out of the garage once it warms up (another month?) because I fear some of them may not come back. So I haven't yet done a thorough review like you have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "not come back" as in they died? I hope not!

      Delete
  4. My goodness what an assortment of prickly plants you have. Some are unusual and some are quite beautiful too.

    FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks FlowerLady...I do have a few flowers too! Although I tend to only really show them off on garden bloggers bloomday the 15th of each month.

      Delete
  5. That's normal for Cryptanthus. Once they get a little bigger, you can pull them off the plant and give them their own pots. (The parent plant will often keep making new ones for a while after you pull the older ones off.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very interesting...more plants, gotta love that! Thanks mr s

      Delete
  6. You have two remarkably happy groups of wintered over plants there. But it makes me feel better to hear (and see) that even the danger garden winter plant care model isn't foolproof (not that I'd wish ANY plant to expire on your watch, of course.) What's the determining factor when you decide whether to put a plant in the shade pavilion vs. the basement? From your pictures, size doesn't seem like a necessary requirement...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plants that stay outside can withstand our (avg) winter temps but just need protection from too much rain. Plants that come inside either can't handle the temps, I'm unsure if they can handle the temps, or are in a container that probably can't handle a freeze/thaw situation.

      Delete
    2. Ah, thanks for clarifying that. The freeze-thaw issue is more likely on smaller pots, so that's one of my determining factors for indoor or outdoor winters, too.

      Delete
  7. Things are looking really good! Thanks for the Cryptanthus picture, I'd never seen one do that before. Your Sonchus canariensis looks much better than mine which has lost a lot of leaves over the winter. Are you leaving yours outside for the season now or was that just a day trip?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine (Sonchus canariensis) seems to get really happy over the winter. Ya it's outside now, since it's been in the SPG all winter it's totally down with the temperatures we're having and I figure a little sky water will be good for it. Of course I wasn't counting on the 29 degree morning on Monday. That thick frost on it's tender leaves had me worried but thankfully it seems ok. I'll be keeping an eye on the forecast and not let that happen again.

      Delete
  8. Your plants look great! That Aeonium tabuliforme may be getting ready to bloom. Mine was like that. Perfectly flat at first, then the center began to lift and stretch.

    I still have all kinds of plants inside. With the exception of last week, or temps have been consistenly below average.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember you posting about your aeonium, I'm on the look out for bloom developments!

      Delete
  9. Your basement and covered pavilion, not prison at all, more like treasure vaults!

    And some gorgeous shots, especially the close up of the spear of Agave bovicornuta, love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I like that "treasure vaults"...I'm going to use that in the future!

      Delete
  10. The prisoners look well-cared for. My sonchus is not nearly as leafed out as yours, but it is throwing blooms. I'm amazed that your plants seem to stay in stasis and not outgrow their containers year to year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or maybe they do and are quietly screaming out to be repotted and I don't hear them?

      Delete
  11. I am truly amazed at your plant collection. Always fun to visit your blog and learn something new! Cheers, Jenni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jenni, sometimes it amazes me too!

      Delete
  12. Your prisoners look very happy! Perhaps they think of it as a second, tropical home, like going to Hawaii in the winter... Thanks for sharing all these pictures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so, I don't want to intentionally mistreat them!

      Delete
  13. That's a nice prison! I bet some more of those can come out into your (damp) light. Just brought out my Las Vegas friend's Agave a. 'Mediopicta' gift, onto the patio. It seems firm and rooting in the pot it is in, awaiting my next place (Z8 or bust).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow Z8 huh? That will change everything for you won't it?

      Delete
  14. Nice to see the Leucadendron and Banksia looking fine :-) I think my last couple Leucadendron argenteum will manage to grow up of some tip dieback that occurred when my heater stopped working on the coldest night of winter - oops.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How exactly does the heater know it's the coldest night of the winter, they seem to have a sixth sense about these things. BTW the Banksia marginata and B. canei, which are both in the ground, are looking good too! A couple of leaves on the marginata have a bit of damage but it's not substantial. Yay!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!