Archive for the ‘Plants’ Category

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Senecio articulatus, Botanical Illustration, Photos, Books

Thursday, March 4th, 2021

My Senecio articulatus looks elongated. During the day it sits on a window ledge. Why elongated? Could this be normal growth?

Senecio articulatus

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

The Online Books Page–Botany

Great day for finding loads to view and read!

Posted in Art, Books, Nature, Plants, Succulents | No Comments »

Power of Plants

Sunday, February 28th, 2021

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.

Iris

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.

Iris

Plants have the power to connect us to people, places, and memories.

Posted in Gardens, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Gift of Amaryllis

Monday, February 15th, 2021

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.

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.
Amaryllis Sunday Night

Monday Early Morning
Moved the plant back to the warmest spot in the house.
Amaryllis Monday Morning

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′.
Amaryllis Monday Morning

Monday Nearly Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Amaryllis Monday Noon

Amaryllis Monday 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.

Amaryllis

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.

Posted in Plants, Rituals and Traditions, Tools | No Comments »

A Volunteer

Wednesday, February 10th, 2021

Pine

Pine

Pine

Pine

Pine

Posted in Gardens, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Sweet Essence of the Magnolia

Friday, January 22nd, 2021

Magnolia

Magnolia

Posted in Gardens, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Billbergia nutans

Sunday, January 10th, 2021

Queen’s Tears
Bromeliads

Bromeliads

San Marcos Growers–Billbergia nutans

World of Succulents–Billbergia nutans

Posted in Gardens, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars

Saturday, December 26th, 2020

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.

Passiflora and Pandorea

When I started to clean and clear the dead bits and the dropped oak leaves and pine needles, I saw a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar.

Caterpillar

This morning I found another one.

Caterpillar

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.

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

The chrysalis of the Gulf Fritillary looks a bit like a dead leaf.

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

Plan to put the cleaning on hold to give the caterpillars a chance of becoming butterflies.

Posted in Gardens, Insects, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Converted Egyptian Paste Piece

Sunday, November 29th, 2020

While reorganizing my garage studio space I found one of my Egyptian Paste test pieces had apparently been used as a hotel for mice.

Egyptian Paste Box

The mice managed to get in the garage and found all of the dried and drying plant materials sustaining.

Mouse

When I was cleaning the space after the mice were relocated, it didn’t occur to me that I should look through the boxes of pieces stored in the space.

The box was constructed of hardware cloth and Egyptian paste. After firing the box, it was lined with black nylon and bound closed with strips of the same fabric. The fabric was dipped in diluted wood glue and hit with a heat gun, for a shrink wrap effect. I like that nylon can look like a skin, exposing the structure under it.

I have posted about this piece in the past. Pleased that the pieces have not developed a light coating of sodium.

Egyptian Paste Vessel

The pieces were constructed of hardware cloth, some had the addition of nails.

Egyptian Paste Vessel Nail Detail

The Egyptian paste was used like spackle and the lot fired to cone 015.

What to do with the mouse house? I am leaning toward popping it someplace, out of the way, in the garden.

Posted in Ceramics, Critters, Fiber, Materials, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Acacia Seed Pods

Thursday, November 19th, 2020

Acacia Seed Pods

Acacia Seeds Pods

The interior of the pod is beautiful!
Acacia Pod Interior

Acacia Seed and Foliage

Posted in Gardens, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

Ladybug Visitor

Thursday, November 19th, 2020

Ladybug Found Roaming around the Kitchen

Placed it on a potted Brugmansia that is infested with spider mites.
Ladybug

The concave area appears to be a malformation or some type of damage. The ladybug probably came to be in the kitchen after involuntarily hitching a ride on dandelions or kale that was purchased at the Farmers’ Market.

Ladybug

I sharpened the image to show the damaged area a bit better.

Posted in Insects, Nature, Plants | No Comments »

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