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Volunteers in the Succulent Garden

Where are the succulents? Most are small plants and starts from a variety of sources.

Recent Post Succulent Garden Progress

Volunteers

Hibiscus trionum, Flower of the Hour

Volunteers

Appears and actually smells like a Datura.
Where did it come from?

Volunteers

Another

Volunteers

And Another, may be a Datura metel.

Volunteers

Not a Volunteer. Peony seed found on hike.
May be Paeonia californica.
Bit yellow, but still hopeful it will survive.

Previous post on Paeonia californica


Succulent Garden In Progress

Because, is a garden ever finished?

Succulent Garden

Succulent Garden in Progress, Removal of Oak Roots Took Nearly 2 Weeks!

Succulent Garden

Succulent Garden From Above
July 5, 2017

I decided to remove the drip irrigation before I started using it. I was concerned that since the line would be attached to the courtyard, the succulents would be overwatered. Easy and enjoyable to hand water.

Most of the plants are small or starts from a variety of sources. I prefer to purchase small plants and allow them to grow and fill the garden.

Succulent Garden

Succulent Garden In Progress

The plant in the central location may become as large as its parent.

Plant Start

Succulent Garden

Parent Plant
The plant has been in the space for several years.

The parent plant is in full sun nearly all day. The succulent garden gets morning and early afternoon sun, then shade.

Succulent Garden

Succulent Garden Detail

Succulent Garden

First Starts of Trapped Cactus
Tall plants staked in the upper right.

Succulent Garden

Second Starts of Trapped Cactus
Staked with a Start of Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Fang’

Previous Trapped Cactus Posts
Trapped Cactus Growth and Buds
Trapped Cactus in Bloom

Chicken

Why is the chicken wearing a wool yarn flower?

Every time I watered my garden I tripped over the chicken. Why leave the chicken there? It is to prevent the hose from dragging through the garden.

When I placed the rocks and added mulch to the succulent garden, the oxidized chicken became part of the ground. Every time I walked down the steps I tripped over the chicken and knocked it off of its stake. My hope is the bright colors will visually remind me that the chicken is there. So far it is working.

Yes, those are pine needles. We have large pines on the outside of the courtyard and this time of the year there are a lot of needles in the garden. I added mulch to the succulent garden with the notion the dropped pine needles and also the oak leaves would not be as noticeable.

This year I am trying something new. I am planting and then allowing nature to work its will. Also, I am a bit weary of cleaning up after the trees.


Milkweed, a Caterpillar, and Lots of Aphids

Last week I noticed that my milkweed wasn’t looking quite right. The lower leaves were turning yellow and dropping. And most of the flowers had gone missing. The heat of the past days?

Milkweed and aphids

I took a quick look and one of the problems seemed to be aphids. When I was nearly finished spraying the aphids, I saw a caterpillar. Concerned that I might have accidentally sprayed the caterpillar, I gave the it a bit of a shower. Shortly after its shower, the caterpillar began to move quickly down the stem. And then it seemed to disappear.

Caterpillar

I looked for it for three days. Couldn’t find it until maybe today. I found this caterpillar in the same location.

Caterpillar

Coincidence or the same caterpillar?

I would like to believe that it is the same caterpillar. That the spray that I used on the milkweed had not harmed it. And it appears that the caterpillar loves the milkweed flowers.

Caterpillar

Unfortunately, the spray didn’t take care of the aphid problem. This is what I found today.

Aphids

Gosh there are a lot of them, but it is interesting that the bodies are yellow with black legs.


Previous posts on Milkweed and caterpillars–

Monarch Caterpillars and Milkweed

Milkweed and Ants


Planted Seedlings From Unidentified Seeds

Seedlings

Seedlings From Unidentified Seeds

Seedling

A Seedling Prior to Planting

In order to quickly see the seedlings after planting, I added a small bamboo marker. The markers seemed to disappear into the garden, so I decided to add a bit of color.

Marker

Dipped the Top of the First Bamboo Marker in Paint
Result–Messy

Marker

Second Marker–Applied Paint With Brush Below Top to Allow for Finger Hold

Brush

Popped Brush in Ground to Prevent Contamination

Seedling

Three Days after Planting
Most of the Seedlings Look Like This

Survivor

One of Two Survivors

Previous post on a recent attempt to grow plants from the mystery seed followed by a photo of the seed and a plant.

Seeds

Plants


Aphids and Other Damage

Recently noticed that this plant had aphids.

Plant with Aphids

Aphids

I sprayed the plant with a solution of 8 ounces of water, 8 ounces of alcohol, and 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap.

Succulent Damage

After the Application of Alcohol/Soap Solution

Other Damaged Plants

Succulent Damage

A ding and Suntan

Succulent Damage

Leaf Tip Damage

Succulent Damage

Sun Damage and More

Succulent Damage

Accidentally bumped this plant and two section fell off. But that isn’t really damage.
It is one way succulents can be propagated.

Succulent Damage

Popped the two pieces in the ground. Now I wait for them to root.