The gift had multiple insects including a grasshopper. Rare to see grasshoppers in my gardens.
Month: September 2021
Ash and Squirrel
When I documented the Datura this morning I noticed ash floating through the air and settling on the plants. Is the ash from the Sequoia National Park Fire?
And a visitor–standing on the rabbit ornament eating Zinnia flowers.
Datura First Bloom
The plant was grown from a Datura seed mix. It was recently transplanted from a 4 inch pot into the succulent garden.
Pretty sure that it is a Datura metel Belle Blanche. Several years back I grew Datura Belle and the foliage, flower, and fragrance of this plant seems consistent with what I remember. Many Datura have a delicious fragrance in the evening. The Belle has fragrance but it is as annoying for me as some Narcissus.
22 September 2021 8:00 am
23 September 2021 1:45 pm
23 September 2021 2:45 pm
23 September 2021 4:30 pm
23 September 2021 6:10 pm
23 September 2021 6:30 pm
24 September 2021 8:30 am
I started marking my seedlings with clothes pins after the Blue Jay fiasco. I found every stake removed and tossed on the floor of the greenhouse.
The permanent marker is fading. Next go round I am planning to apply paint to the clothes pins before applying the identification in marker.
Can still see R20 C1. The location of the seedling was Row 20 and Cell 1 of the flat.
Datura Flower and Pod
Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars Are Back
The loss of Passiflora flowers is worth it to see the lovely Gulf Fritillary butterflies.
An Intact Flower
Morning Glories
I purchased packets of Morning Glory seed at the local Dollar Tree in 2018. The packets have basic information with common names, not proper botanical names. Not a lot of seed in a packet but good success.
I planted Morning Glories this year from harvested seed. Have already harvested loads of seed this season. Some planted in the gardens, some in pots.
I wrapped seed harvested 8/21 in damp paper towel and placed the lot in a small open plastic bag. On 8/26 I potted them and placed them in a sunny window.
The pot is in now the kitchen. Hope that it will enjoy climbing the ornaments and wrap its tendrils around the garland and valance eyelets.
The lovely pink flowers will be welcoming in the morning.
The Morning Glory is growing up a variegated Brugmansia.
Had hoped the plant would grow up the double white Brugmansia, instead climbed the Dietes.
Currently growing American Seed: Basil (Genovese), Italian Parsley, Carrot (Red cored Chantenay), Peas, Yellow Bush (Cherokee) Beans, and Kale (Dwarf Blue Curled).
Most of the produce will be snacks for my two house rabbits.
At four packets of seed 25¢ each, definitely an amazing bargain.
Popcorn
I purchased popcorn seed for a Thanksgiving card. Had a few seeds left over so I decided to plant them. The result was three plants. Two of the plants were infested with insects. One died, the other looks like this–
Will there be a few kernels of popcorn?
The third plant was slow to grow. I kept it protected in the greenhouse. Recently potted it up.
Third Popcorn Plant August 30
Third Popcorn Plant August 31
Third Popcorn Plant September 4
Largus californicus
All Tucked In
Activity
Transformation
When I went back to check on the progress of the transformation, a lizard ran out of the area. No insect to be found. Did it run off? Or…?
Adult
Borage–First Flower
August 3 AM–Many of Borage Plants Were Eaten
August 28 AM
August 31 AM
September 1 AM
September 2 AM
September 4 PM Plant 1 Update
Plant 2 First Flower
Botanical Interests Borage Seed