Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Because, as we've discussed, a plant void is BAD

It was finally time to bring in my ceramic Point Pot. We haven't had a freeze yet, but the forecast is flirting with cool temperatures. Plus even with it's unique shape it's collected a substantial amount of rain and if I want those sticks to stay on "fire" and not rot, well, dry is better.

So, as I first wrote back in 2013, and again in 2014, I hate when the hooks on front of the garage end up empty for the season.

Brainstorming on what to hang there this winter (last year Andrew painted the front of the garage late in the season and the hooks didn't go back back up until spring), I remembered these ingenious wire pot hangers I ordered from Lee Valley back in 2013.

And then I remembered these metal shades from old clamp-on lights...

Like this one...

I use them on the plants in the basement (ignore the plastic, the bathroom construction project is still underway) but we traded up to some fancy LED bulbs that don't need the reflector shades...

The shades have a nice wide lip that fits inside the wire hangers perfectly.

And look at that fabulous drainage! A piece of metal screen keeps the soil in place nicely.

Of course you know what I planted in them, right?...these make me so happy!

The small segmented Opuntia is O. pusilla, from Cistus..."pads easily detach and can be shared, purposely or not"...

The larger Opuntia with the AMAZING spines is also from Cistus, but via Mr. Kuzma, who gave me a few pads — I didn't get their name.

The Agaves are miscellaneous pups I had on hand. I lost track of what the smaller ones are, but the larger are A. weberi.

They're not the hardiest Agaves around, plus they're hanging in mid-air, not in the ground, so that also takes away a little hardiness. But the drainage is great!

If we head into the super chilly temps, or stay under freezing for any length of time, I'll pull these for the duration of the cold snap.

Until then...

Spiky happiness!

Weather Diary, Oct 30: Hi 63, Low 41/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

24 comments:

  1. Your ability to re-imagine different uses for objects is unmatched, Loree! We may get some rain this weekend ourselves but we're looking forward to it.

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    1. Thanks Kris, and I hope you do get that rain!

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  2. LOVE IT! I agree with what Kris said. Your imagination continues to amaze me.

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  3. I agree with Kris. Your ability to see beyond the original function of an object always amazes me.

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    1. You mean those reflector shades don't scream "hanging planter" to you?

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  4. Ingenious. It looks extremely stylish with the dark paint of the garage.

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    1. Thanks chavliness, that paint color was chosen — in part — because it plays so well with the plants.

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  5. I do remember lusting after those Lee Hooks! After that statement I must echo Kris, you do see things from a different and curiously delightful perspective. The metal shades are perfect, but adding the screen mesh... brilliant!
    Happy Halloween!

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    1. I've hauled a small role of that mesh around with me for years...it comes in handy!

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  6. Your creative well is deep Ms Danger! Love these.

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  7. You ..are quite brilliant ! Love your new hanging cacti pots ! :)

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  8. Just close enough to the gate latch to make somebody sure that they really want to open it. :)
    Beautiful!

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  9. Those look great! Hopefully you won't have to bring them in to much this winter.

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  10. Yes, this has been thoroughly discussed, and concerning that void, you are definitely winning!

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  11. They really look terrific! nothing like a new planter. I think my opuntia fragilis potato look a lot like your little guy

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