Cymbidium Bud and Blooms
March 24th, 2021Amaryllis in Progress
March 18th, 20212021 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
March 17th, 2021Senecio articulatus
New Addition 2021 March 17
Update 2021 April 14
Apple Tree–Pink Lady
March 17th, 2021Regrowth After Fire (September 6, 2020)
March 7th, 2021A 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
March 4th, 2021My 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
February 28th, 2021A 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
February 15th, 2021Received 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.
A Volunteer
February 10th, 2021Casemaking Moth on Ceramic Vessel
February 9th, 2021Last 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.
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.
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.
How did it even get inside? No clue.
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.
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.
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.