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.

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.


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.

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.


Casemaking Moth on Ceramic Vessel

Last night I turned on the light over my work bench and found on oddity.

This little vessel has been hanging in my studio for decades. I fired the piece multiple times. Before the last firing, I bound it with wire and applied low fire lead glazes.

Casemaking moth on ceramic vessel

The oddity is a casemaking moth. What is it eating? Clearly not the glaze because typically the case that the casemaking moth construction will be the color of whatever it has eaten.

Casemaking moth on ceramic vessel

Recently looked through my stash of wood objects to use as an addition to a piece. The boxes were wrapped in plastic and stored in a wood bench. When I opened the drawer I found a green casemaking moth.

Green casemaking moth inside drawer

How did it even get inside? No clue.

Green casemaking moth inside drawer

I have cleaned my studio numerous times to remove the niches the moths like–undisturbed dark areas with fiber and plant material.

I have been forced to keep my stored completed work, work in progress and fiber materials in plastic. But, I can still find casemaking moths. It is frustrating, especially when I find that they have damaged something of value.

I use two methods for treating pieces and materials–place them in the freezer or someplace that becomes quite hot, like the trunk of a car.

The freezer shelf that is set aside for materials and work.
Freezer shelf for work and materials

Recently found a casemaking moth on a wool I-cord that had been an embellishment for a rooster lamp that has been sitting on the china cabinet for nearly 15 years.

Rooster lamp

He looks lost without it.

I washed the I-cord in warm soapy water. Gave it a rinse, popped it in a plastic bag, and placed it in the freezer.

Wet frozen I-cord