Category: Gardens
Billbergia nutans
Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars
The courtyard garden needs cleaning and clearing. The drought offers loads of dropped oak leaves and pine needles.
Passiflora and Pandorea vines growing on the trellises need some care.
When I started to clean and clear the dead bits and the dropped oak leaves and pine needles, I saw a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar.
This morning I found another one.
Late for them to be hanging around the garden. Good that there is plenty fo food for them.
If they make it through the chrysalis process, this is how the will emerge.
The chrysalis of the Gulf Fritillary looks a bit like a dead leaf.
Plan to put the cleaning on hold to give the caterpillars a chance of becoming butterflies.
Acacia Seed Pods
The interior of the pod is beautiful!
Datura Pod
Wind Toppled Trees
When I walked into the kitchen I noticed both potted pine trees had toppled over.
Apparently even though we put a ton of weight in the bottom of the pot, the Norfolk Pine is still top heavy enough to be toppled over by the wind.
Moved it closer to the corner of the house, hoping to prevent another fall.
This is the tree we brought in for Christmas the past several years.
Moved it closer to the house to protect it from the wind.
Unfortunately, the Norfolk Pine isn’t fragrant, but nice greenery.
Thought the container of bits might be fun to knit into a small bowl.
Norfolk Pine Bits and Wool I-Cord Started
Norfolk Pine Bits and Wool I-Cord Completed
Succulent Activity Inside and Outside
Albuca namaquensis More New Growth
The Succulent in the Courtyard
Its Flowers
Seeds Developing
Interesting Plants Today
Albuca namaquensis
The first sprouts of my new Albuca.
Senecio articulatus
And the first leaves of my Senecio articulatus
Kalanchoe fang Cuttings with New Growth
Variegated Agave
Last week I cleaned up the insect infestation on the little agave. I left the plant sitting on the floor just inside the greenhouse. Today I found that someone had taken a bite.
Crazy, since I recently found out that I am allergic to agave. Still have a rash on my arm from contact. How is it possible that an animal could eat it?
Brachychiton
2018 March–Brachychiton Pods Found in Home Depot Parking Lot
2018 April–Planted Brachychiton Seed
2020 October The Largest of the Trees
Rhipsalis pilocarpa (Hairy Stemmed)
Cuttings for Propagation 2020 October 26
World of Succulents–Rhipsalis pilocarpa
Royal Horticultural Society–Rhipsalis pilocarpa
Insect Infestation of a Variegated Agave
This morning I noticed that my little variegated agave had some yellowing sections. I first thought it might be the result of too much sun, not enough water, or maybe both.
On closer inspection I found an insect infestation.
I used a solution of water, alcohol, and Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap to remove the insects with cotton swabs.
The agave was placed in a sheltered space in the greenhouse away from other plants.
How did I miss the start of the insect infestation? I have not been venturing out much because of COVID and the lousy air quality from the California wildfires. Not able to care properly for my gardens.
It is not unexpected to have insects, especially spider mites, in my gardens. We haven’t had rain for months. I did miss seasons and those all day rains that can occur in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.
Agaves Allergic Reaction
Last week I began striping fiber from a dried agave leaf for possible use in a piece. What I found was the fiber was really too thin and that I am allergic to agave. I still have red welts on my arm. Today I tried to wear gloves when working on the little variegated agave, but it was too difficult to access small spaces. After I finished work, I washed my hands throughly several times. So far, no symptoms of an allergic reaction.