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Rescued Trapped Cactus Flower

April 10
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 15
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 19
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 23 9:00am
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 10:00am
Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 12:00 pm
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 12:30 pm
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 5:30 pm
Has a light fragrance, sort of similar to Narcissus.
Trapped Cactus Flower
Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 5:50 pm

Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 6:23 pm
Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 6:58 pm
Trapped Cactus Flower
Trapped Cactus Flower
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 7:30 pm

Trapped Cactus Flower
Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 24 8:21 pm
Trapped Cactus Flower

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 25 9:10 am

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 26 11:00 am
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 26 2:00 pm

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 27 10:00 am

Trapped Cactus Flower

April 29 8:47 am
Trapped Cactus Flower

April 30 10:50 am
Trapped Cactus Flower


May 11 Trapped Cactus Parent Plant

Trapped Cactus Parent Plant


Piece in Progress–Contemplate Something Beautiful

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.

Contemplate something beautiful

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.

Contemplate something beautiful

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.

Contemplate something beautiful

I think it looks beautiful as part of the piece. Will I keep it? Maybe…


A Nature Gift

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.

Oak Cutting

Last week I moved it upstairs. I thought it would get better light during the day.

Oak Cutting

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.

Oak Cutting

I think the green section may survive. How, not sure.

This leaf gave me pause.

Oak Cutting

Nature offers amazingly beautiful gifts!


Cymbidium, Datura, Prickly Pear

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 1

Cymbidium 1

Cymbidium 1

Cymbidium 2
Cymbidium 2

Cymbidium 2

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.

Datura New Growth

Datura New Growth

Datura New Growth

Usually I remove the seedpods to start new plants in flats and pots.
This year, I left a few to self sow.

Datura Pod

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.

Prickly Pear


New Plants and Seeds Purchased the Last Day of 2021

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.

Milkweed Plant

The tropical Milkweed, that is not recommended for Monarchs, doesn’t seem to die back.

Tropical Milkweed Plants

Tropical Milkweed Plants

Volunteer plants have occurred.

Tropical Milkweed Volunteer

The annoying thing is that I planted the proper milkweed seed in the exact locations and not a single sprout.

Milkweed Seeds

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.

Monarch Caterpillar

Monarch Caterpillar

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
Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe

Tillandsias Pretty Boy
Tillandsias pretty boy

Removed the wire hanger and constructed a hanger of linen.
Tillandsias pretty boy

Tillandsias pretty boy

Tillandsias pretty boy flowers

Tillandsias Houston Colossus

Tillandsias Houston Colossus

Made a wee linen basket for this plant.

Tillandsias Houston Colossus

Tillandsias hanging from shelf

They frame my laptop, how cool is that?!