Onions look great, potatoes are shooting straight up, squash and beans look terrific! According to the two or three Almanacs Dad insist we go by for planting, the first week of April will see tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the ground. Hope to find some healthy broccoli to add to the mix this year. I would love some limas, but I hate to shell them so they will continue to come from the grocery store.
Have you tried the Cherokee Purple tomato? A real tasty treat - meaty, acidic and full of flavor. Next to my all time favorite, the Rutger, the Purple is my favorite.
Added a Japanese Maple to my garden this week along with a Butterfly Bush. I love flowering shrubs. The banana trees came back with several additional babies along the sides. I cut the slips off before the first freeze and potted those - I managed to get seven - which grew well in my dining room this winter. Now I have several to share. I think I will leave the Sago palms in their containers this year. They do not do well at all in our cold temperatures and I don't like to keep digging them up and then replanting. I will see how they fair over the summer and decide in the fall. I have been told they do well in containers year round.
I need to move a couple of Forsythia which should be safe to do now that the blooms have dropped. Like the azalea, the Forsythia does not like to be "handled" until right after the blooms drop. I have found they refuse to bloom if you wait until summer or fall to prune or relocate, so that is another project for the weekend or the first of the week.
My Easter Lilies are very proficient this year and have multiplied several times over. The same is true of my Hostas. I read last week that after they break the ground, they can be dug,separated, and replanted. Since mine are so thick I think this will be an additional project. This to do list should get me through the week and back into planting the following week.
The pollen is so thick right now, I can't work outside too long. I am hoping for rain over the weekend to bring relief to these allergies.
Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Showing posts with label banana tree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label banana tree. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Plants
Finally, last week we had our first frost here in middle Georgia. Summer just kept hanging on and frankly, for a change, I was very tired of it. This week has brought another round of warm temperatures but after the weekend we should be back to the mild seasonal temperatures this area is known for.
The temperatures changed quickly and I was "caught with my pants down" in that I had not prepared any of my plants for their transition to the inside. Before bringing my pretties in, I like to clean the top of the dirt, add more soil if needed (we all know soil settles as it sits and when it is watered) and trim dead or damaged leaves from the plants. Cleaning the outside of the pots always makes me feel better, too. Well, I didn't have time for any of that to happen. They are in, though in a cluttered fashion, and thriving well.
I have several cuttings in process of putting on roots which will have to be potted soon. I harvested the babies from my chandelier cactus and probably have over a hundred little ones now growing fast. I put a layer of small gravel, followed by a layer of potting sand and topped with potting soil in a fish bowl (the 10 inch size) to start my cactus. The little florets can be sprinkled over the top of the soil and evened out with a wooden skewer. These thin little skewers have many uses in my indoor garden and have become my favorite tool.
I have collected many candle jars for growing my little plants. The glass allows better viewing of the moisture content of the soil and also holds the moisture to aid in the growing process. It means transplanting again after a month or so, but I have lost less starters with these little jars. Once the plants get big enough for transplanting, they are much hardier and have a better chance of survival. I have already separated some of the cacti and will get to the rest this weekend.
Another trick I have learned is to transplant into peat cups and place in an inverted plastic tray. I have two - one is a meat tray container from a get together. Placing the peat cups in the top of the tray and covering provides a greenhouse effect and keeps the cups, soil, and plants from drying out in the arid climate of the house. I can lift the whole container and place outside on the warm and sunny days for a treat for these small plants. This has worked well for me over the years and I carry more plants to spring.
These little plant filled jars are also great for gifting. For plant lovers, they make the perfect hostess gift and are a great thank you gift also. An unusual plant and one that is hard to find the chandelier cactus is perfect for someone who has everything. I know I sound like a salesperson, but I have developed an interest in these cactus. Each plant grows differently. Some grow tall and slender, tall with a thick stem, some drape over the side of the container and then swoop upward, some just hang over the side - they are all unique.
I have 7 or 8 slips from the banana trees that are thriving since coming inside. These little beauties don't like the cold. I thought I had lost three, but on bringing them in, they have greened right up and seem sturdy. i hope in a month I am not writing that I lost them all. I still have to get my Sago palms in, but they can withstand short term cold. They will come in over the weekend also, but it may mean we have to move out, as the plants are really starting to take up space.
Thank for dropping in and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
The temperatures changed quickly and I was "caught with my pants down" in that I had not prepared any of my plants for their transition to the inside. Before bringing my pretties in, I like to clean the top of the dirt, add more soil if needed (we all know soil settles as it sits and when it is watered) and trim dead or damaged leaves from the plants. Cleaning the outside of the pots always makes me feel better, too. Well, I didn't have time for any of that to happen. They are in, though in a cluttered fashion, and thriving well.
I have several cuttings in process of putting on roots which will have to be potted soon. I harvested the babies from my chandelier cactus and probably have over a hundred little ones now growing fast. I put a layer of small gravel, followed by a layer of potting sand and topped with potting soil in a fish bowl (the 10 inch size) to start my cactus. The little florets can be sprinkled over the top of the soil and evened out with a wooden skewer. These thin little skewers have many uses in my indoor garden and have become my favorite tool.
I have collected many candle jars for growing my little plants. The glass allows better viewing of the moisture content of the soil and also holds the moisture to aid in the growing process. It means transplanting again after a month or so, but I have lost less starters with these little jars. Once the plants get big enough for transplanting, they are much hardier and have a better chance of survival. I have already separated some of the cacti and will get to the rest this weekend.
Another trick I have learned is to transplant into peat cups and place in an inverted plastic tray. I have two - one is a meat tray container from a get together. Placing the peat cups in the top of the tray and covering provides a greenhouse effect and keeps the cups, soil, and plants from drying out in the arid climate of the house. I can lift the whole container and place outside on the warm and sunny days for a treat for these small plants. This has worked well for me over the years and I carry more plants to spring.
These little plant filled jars are also great for gifting. For plant lovers, they make the perfect hostess gift and are a great thank you gift also. An unusual plant and one that is hard to find the chandelier cactus is perfect for someone who has everything. I know I sound like a salesperson, but I have developed an interest in these cactus. Each plant grows differently. Some grow tall and slender, tall with a thick stem, some drape over the side of the container and then swoop upward, some just hang over the side - they are all unique.
I have 7 or 8 slips from the banana trees that are thriving since coming inside. These little beauties don't like the cold. I thought I had lost three, but on bringing them in, they have greened right up and seem sturdy. i hope in a month I am not writing that I lost them all. I still have to get my Sago palms in, but they can withstand short term cold. They will come in over the weekend also, but it may mean we have to move out, as the plants are really starting to take up space.
Thank for dropping in and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thoughts and Deeds
I can feel it coming and I am so ready. It is time for those end of Summer chores in anticipation of the cold, wet days of winter. No, it isn't fall yet, but in order to enjoy the turning leaves and the cool mornings, there is much outside work to be done. The mornings are cooler and the late afternoons are conducive to getting those bushes straightened out, cleaning that garden up, planting the fall veggies, and just general maintenance.
I have spent two wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weeks with friends and family. A couple of hours of an afternoon in the pool and good conversation brightens my day. I have wonderful friends and good things have been going on in their lives. Nothing restores me better than their positive attitudes, their laughter, and the fellowship we share. Can't wait until the next visit. Thank you my friends.
With the heat and the rain I am much behind in my grass cutting. I have talked myself out of getting out there just by watching the weather forecast and the potential for rain, but today I can procrastinate no longer. It must be done and I must do it. The trick is not to cut the television on and see a weather forecast. Glenn Burns can sometimes be my friend, but other times he is the devil's advocate leading me to be slovenly in my outdoor chores, but I cannot blame him for the 100 degree temps we have seen of late.
My banana trees have grown tremendously. The little information tab stuck in the side of the pot when they were purchased advised the trees could grow as much as 2 feet per week. Well mine just sat there, adding a few little leaves every week, but not growing at all. Not knowing what kind of fertilizer a banana tree prefers, about four weeks ago I took the chance and mixed a weak Miracle Gro (all-purpose) solution and doused each tree with a half gallon. While I anticipated the leaves shrivelling up and turning brown, I was much surprised when they grew about a foot in the first week and then another foot on the second week when they received another half gallon of solution. The trees tripled in size and the dark green of the leaves are beautiful. Wish I had become desperate sooner, but hey I am still new at this tropical plant stuff, but I am learning! Now if I could find the answer to making a Sago grow faster, but I have been told they are slow growers. We will see, maybe they need a little Miracle Gro solution also.
Earlier in the week I made a visit to the local thrift store and hit the jackpot. I found a dozen or so books to add to my reading for the fall and winter. All the books were in great condition and I even found two or three first editions in the batch and all for about 50 cents each. Not a bad find if I say so myself. I am working through Grisham's books at the moment, but found a Ludlam, Clancy and Grimes I wanted to read, plus some authors I haven't read before so I am excited to start on those and see if we can become friends. I was so excited I may make another trip next week. Joy can be found in the strangest places.
I am much excited over my daughter's research into the cause of her eczema and food allergies which she has suffered with since two years old. An Air Force baby, I had taken her to the base for a well baby check up even though she was prone to head and chest colds. The base did not have separate waiting rooms for well and sick babies. In a weeks time she had developed a nasty cold which earned another trip to the based doctor. A small patch of red had developed under her little nose that wouldn't heal and I was advised she had developed impetigo. After rounds of cream and antibiotics the patch finally cleared only to have a rash break out on other parts of her little body. The doctors advised it was heat rash and gave me an ointment. As soon as I would get one rash cleared another would appear and for the last 34 years my daughter has fought the rash. Doctor after doctor could not identify the cause so to the allergist she went sometimes with me sometimes with my mother. Picked, probed, and stuck over and over, we were told she was allergic to food and her diet needed to be rotated as when she would eat something repeatedly she would develop an allergic reaction to it.
Thus has been my daughters life with allergies. This week she has been researching the causes of her health problems. Hopefully she has found the answer in the form of Candida albans, a fungal yeast that thrives in the body once it establishes itself and destroys the healthy bacteria that keeps our body's functioning as God designed. You can link to her site through the link at the bottom of the right hand column of this page. She is documenting her problems and progress through this adventure in the hope that it may help some other soul that is experiencing like problems. She as always is in my prayers and I hope she has found the answer.
I have a new grandchild in the form of a 4 month old Maltese. Bentley is his name and he is a precious addition to our family. The grandchildren love him dearly. If they can keep the little bundle of white fur out of the lake he will give them many years of happiness.
Dad felt the hand of God clear the blood clot from his body and it was caught by the age old stint. He is back in motion and riding his scooter. He told me yesterday he had cut back the English Ivy off the house that had overgrown the window sills. He may have been down for months, but he is back at it and going strong. Maybe God just wanted to keep him out of the garden and the hot sun this year. I am just glad he is up and about once again and the angel of death has given us a reprieve.
For the first time in many years I am ready for fall. The summer has been extremely hot and humid and has hindered my activity and as a result my motivation and thinking. I look forward to the cooler days of fall. Well, that about catches me up with our doings, so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I have spent two wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weeks with friends and family. A couple of hours of an afternoon in the pool and good conversation brightens my day. I have wonderful friends and good things have been going on in their lives. Nothing restores me better than their positive attitudes, their laughter, and the fellowship we share. Can't wait until the next visit. Thank you my friends.
With the heat and the rain I am much behind in my grass cutting. I have talked myself out of getting out there just by watching the weather forecast and the potential for rain, but today I can procrastinate no longer. It must be done and I must do it. The trick is not to cut the television on and see a weather forecast. Glenn Burns can sometimes be my friend, but other times he is the devil's advocate leading me to be slovenly in my outdoor chores, but I cannot blame him for the 100 degree temps we have seen of late.
My banana trees have grown tremendously. The little information tab stuck in the side of the pot when they were purchased advised the trees could grow as much as 2 feet per week. Well mine just sat there, adding a few little leaves every week, but not growing at all. Not knowing what kind of fertilizer a banana tree prefers, about four weeks ago I took the chance and mixed a weak Miracle Gro (all-purpose) solution and doused each tree with a half gallon. While I anticipated the leaves shrivelling up and turning brown, I was much surprised when they grew about a foot in the first week and then another foot on the second week when they received another half gallon of solution. The trees tripled in size and the dark green of the leaves are beautiful. Wish I had become desperate sooner, but hey I am still new at this tropical plant stuff, but I am learning! Now if I could find the answer to making a Sago grow faster, but I have been told they are slow growers. We will see, maybe they need a little Miracle Gro solution also.
Earlier in the week I made a visit to the local thrift store and hit the jackpot. I found a dozen or so books to add to my reading for the fall and winter. All the books were in great condition and I even found two or three first editions in the batch and all for about 50 cents each. Not a bad find if I say so myself. I am working through Grisham's books at the moment, but found a Ludlam, Clancy and Grimes I wanted to read, plus some authors I haven't read before so I am excited to start on those and see if we can become friends. I was so excited I may make another trip next week. Joy can be found in the strangest places.
I am much excited over my daughter's research into the cause of her eczema and food allergies which she has suffered with since two years old. An Air Force baby, I had taken her to the base for a well baby check up even though she was prone to head and chest colds. The base did not have separate waiting rooms for well and sick babies. In a weeks time she had developed a nasty cold which earned another trip to the based doctor. A small patch of red had developed under her little nose that wouldn't heal and I was advised she had developed impetigo. After rounds of cream and antibiotics the patch finally cleared only to have a rash break out on other parts of her little body. The doctors advised it was heat rash and gave me an ointment. As soon as I would get one rash cleared another would appear and for the last 34 years my daughter has fought the rash. Doctor after doctor could not identify the cause so to the allergist she went sometimes with me sometimes with my mother. Picked, probed, and stuck over and over, we were told she was allergic to food and her diet needed to be rotated as when she would eat something repeatedly she would develop an allergic reaction to it.
Thus has been my daughters life with allergies. This week she has been researching the causes of her health problems. Hopefully she has found the answer in the form of Candida albans, a fungal yeast that thrives in the body once it establishes itself and destroys the healthy bacteria that keeps our body's functioning as God designed. You can link to her site through the link at the bottom of the right hand column of this page. She is documenting her problems and progress through this adventure in the hope that it may help some other soul that is experiencing like problems. She as always is in my prayers and I hope she has found the answer.
I have a new grandchild in the form of a 4 month old Maltese. Bentley is his name and he is a precious addition to our family. The grandchildren love him dearly. If they can keep the little bundle of white fur out of the lake he will give them many years of happiness.
Dad felt the hand of God clear the blood clot from his body and it was caught by the age old stint. He is back in motion and riding his scooter. He told me yesterday he had cut back the English Ivy off the house that had overgrown the window sills. He may have been down for months, but he is back at it and going strong. Maybe God just wanted to keep him out of the garden and the hot sun this year. I am just glad he is up and about once again and the angel of death has given us a reprieve.
For the first time in many years I am ready for fall. The summer has been extremely hot and humid and has hindered my activity and as a result my motivation and thinking. I look forward to the cooler days of fall. Well, that about catches me up with our doings, so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
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