Solandra Buds and First Flower of the Season
Passiflora Buds and Flower
Amaryllis Opened Pod
Category: Plants
Popcorn Seedlings
I was pleasantly surprised that I now have corn seedlings. I purchased a package of corn seed for use as part of a Thanksgiving card. Even though I attempted to use the seeds in a card, the seeds were still viable.
I ended up using pumpkin seeds that I harvested in 2011.
The lyrics are from a Thanksgiving song that was popular when I was in elementary school.
Lyrics–Henry Alford, 1810-1871
Music–George J. Elvey, 1816-1893
Botanical Interests offer great seed in gorgeously illustrated packets.
Memory Bowl Tests
Gone back to working on my knitted Memory Bowls. Ran into a problem with the bowls not being sturdy enough. Put them on hold.
The bowls are fiber with some negative spaces within the patterns, a stiffener is in order. In the past I used sugar, shellac, corn starch, liquid starch, floor wax, microcrystalline wax, salt, and miscellaneous other stuff in the past. Wanted to spend some time thinking about how to finish the bowls.
Serendipity?
I have been following Maria Amélia Mendes’ YouTube channel. Her concrete tutorials are easy to follow, with loads of good tips. I really want to make some concrete pieces. Recently she posted a video–How to make baskets with wood sawdust. Thought I would test out her glue formula on a couple of knitted pieces.
The glue was combined with wood shavings and pressed into a form. After the pieces dried and hardened she added an application of her Finishing Glue. It is the same formula as her glue, with the addition of 100 ml of PVA.
Maria Amélia Mendes’ Homemade glue recipe:
1 liter of water
1 cup of cornstarch
50 ml of white vinegar
I made the Finishing Glue for my test pieces. I had forgotten that heated corn starch and water solution can suddenly become thick. Applied the glue to the test pieces. The thickness made it a tad challenging. If the pieces had been fragile, wouldn’t have been able to apply the glue. I refrigerated the left over glue. May try diluting it a bit if/when I use it in the future.
The first bowl is linen with a little plant fiber.
Because the glue was a bit thick, after I applied the glue I gave it a rinse with the kitchen faucet spray function. The bowl was placed over a form to dry.
The second bowl is cotton with plant fiber.
The bowls were placed over forms and left in the sun to dry.
Both bowls are firm and the appearance of fiber hasn’t been altered too much.
My next test will be with wool. Wool can be tricky. My first test using molten wax on wool changed its appearance to a plastic-like surface. Definitely ugly.
Check out Maria Amélia Mendes’ Youtube channel and her excellent concrete videos.
Cymbidium Bud and Blooms
Amaryllis in Progress
2021 February 20
2021 March 1
2021 March 2
2021 March 3
2021 March 8
2021 March 9
2021 March 10
2021 March 14
2021 March 16
2021 March 18
New Addition
Senecio articulatus
New Addition 2021 March 17
Update 2021 April 14
Regrowth After Fire (September 6, 2020)
A few photos taken today when I hiked around the base of the mountain. Surprised there is so much plant activity. There has been very little rain since the fire.
Clearing Made by Bulldozer
Fire Retardant Still Visible
Miscellaneous Images
Photos posted the day of the fire.
Senecio articulatus, Botanical Illustration, Photos, Books
My Senecio articulatus looks elongated. During the day it sits on a window ledge. Why elongated? Could this be normal growth?
This morning I googled Senecio articulatus. Most of the images did not look like my plant, but an interesting and very cool thing happened. I found a link to a botanical illustration site. One Senecio articulatus illustration was dated 1781. Gives me pause to think my plant could be connected to the plant in the illustration.
I spent some time looking at several illustrations. The images are so beautiful.
Senecio articulatus at PlantIllustrations.org
Links and Photos Plantgenera.org
Great day for finding loads to view and read!
Power of Plants
A few days ago I looked out the window and noticed the Iris perfectly framed by a dead Brugmansia. The Iris was left over after transplanting. So, I popped it in the ground in its current location, to enjoy it every time I looked out of the window.
Must remove the dead Brugmansia. It was a cutting that struggled through last year.
The Iris was a gift from a relative in the 80s. It started its journey in Pennsylvania; was transported to Ohio, New Jersey, Georgia, San Jose (CA), and finally to the California Central Coast.
Plants have the power to connect us to people, places, and memories.
Gift of Amaryllis
Received an Amaryllis bulb for my birthday in November. Predicted the flower would open today, Valentine’s Day. Wanted to use it for a Valentine greeting.
Looks a tad like a heart. If you squint a bit.
I embroidered the background for a piece. Didn’t quite work. Maybe someday it will find a home.
Sunday, Valentine’s Evening
Moved to a warmer and safer location overnight.
Monday Early Morning
Moved the plant back to the warmest spot in the house.
Can see the white Brugmansia flowers outside. The Brug is a Brazillian White that I grew from seed. We try to keep it to 6′, but currently is over 10′.
Monday Nearly Noon
Sunday Afternoon, February 21
The weight of the three flowers is too heavy for the potting mix and pot. To the right is a bamboo stake in a pot of heavy rocks. When the fourth flower blooms, probably tomorrow, the weight of the flowers should be distributed a bit better. May not need support.
There is bamboo yarn inside a handkerchief to support the plant. The handkerchief should protect it from being cut or damaged by the yarn.
Used the Instants Photo Edition app to make the Valentine greeting.