April 10
April 15
April 19
April 23 9:00am
April 24 10:00am
April 24 12:00 pm
April 24 12:30 pm
April 24 5:30 pm
Has a light fragrance, sort of similar to Narcissus.
April 24 5:50 pm
April 24 6:23 pm
April 24 6:58 pm
April 24 7:30 pm
April 24 8:21 pm
April 25 9:10 am
April 26 11:00 am
April 26 2:00 pm
April 27 10:00 am
April 29 8:47 am
April 30 10:50 am
May 11 Trapped Cactus Parent Plant
Succulent Flower
Dietes
Hibiscus
Lilac
Cutting from a plant in my orchard.
Nigella
Passion Flower
Salvia
I am working on a piece that has the code–contemplate something beautiful. The code is based on a masonic cipher. Or the common Pigpen Cipher.
I upcycled some green painters’ paper that was used as a template for a previous project. Made the blocks from tree wrap and cotton twine. Used safety pins and cotton thread to attach to the blocks to the background. Then used a solution of salt, peroxide, and white vinegar to age the metal. Unfortunately I used stainless washers for the twine icord at the top.
This morning the piece still wasn’t dry so I placed it outside to finish drying. When I checked on it, I found that a spent Brugmansia flower had fallen onto it.
I think it looks beautiful as part of the piece. Will I keep it? Maybe…
Alstroemeria
Brugmansia
Cerinthe
Cistus
Cymbidium
Daffodil
Evening Primrose
Freesia
Hellebore
Knotweed
Pussy Willow (cutting)
Sweet Pea Shrub
Wisteria
In mid December I checked out the green waste bin looking for potential art materials. Saw a sweet little oak cutting. I snagged it.
Looked like a wee stump with a few twigs. Thought that it might be fun to use in a piece. Popped it in some water hoping it would prevent it from drying out before I had an opportunity to look at it closer. It has been growing new leaves, no roots. Pretty sure this is not a tree that can be propagated in water.
Last week I moved it upstairs. I thought it would get better light during the day.
I totally forgot to water the little oak one day. It requires loads of water.
Unfortunately, it’s started to lose leaves and some of the twig-like branches died.
I pruned the dried dead bits.
I think the green section may survive. How, not sure.
This leaf gave me pause.
Nature offers amazingly beautiful gifts!
Bud 2022 02 23
Bloomed 2022 03 04
The cymbidium are doing great his year. I had planned to repot them for two years and kept missing the dormant time. The pots are also full of leaf litter from the wisterias covering the deck. The cymbidium will continue to bloom for several months. Maybe later this year I can repot them. Also wanted to pop some in the courtyard garden.
Cymbidium 1
Cymbidium 2
Datura
Even though Datura are considered to be annuals, some don’t actually die back where I live. They will lose nearly all of their leaves and then the base of the plant begins to thicken. Shortly after, new growth appears at the base and sometimes at the top of the stem if it hasn’t been cut back.
Usually I remove the seedpods to start new plants in flats and pots.
This year, I left a few to self sow.
Prickly Pear
The start of the Prickly Pear is growing out of its pot. Just not sure where to transplant it. I don’t enjoy dealing with plants that can cause injury. A slight bump and multiple, nearly invisible spines to remove.
One of my concrete cherubs and flowers from my garden.
Milkweed
Early 2021 I purchased milkweed seed and planted them in flats and directly in the gardens. Only a single plant survived. Well, this is it today. Not sure how much longer it will survive.
The tropical Milkweed, that is not recommended for Monarchs, doesn’t seem to die back.
Volunteer plants have occurred.
The annoying thing is that I planted the proper milkweed seed in the exact locations and not a single sprout.
When I planted the seed, I unfortunately found two Monarch caterpillars. They should have gone through the chrysalis cycle and been on their journey to someplace warmer.
Concerned about them. The night temperature has been in the low 40s. I have tried caring for caterpillars in the past with no success. I hate leaving them on their own, but right now I am waiting to see what happens.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Tillandsias Pretty Boy
Removed the wire hanger and constructed a hanger of linen.
Tillandsias Houston Colossus
Made a wee linen basket for this plant.
They frame my laptop, how cool is that?!