tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534088974106052472024-03-15T18:09:29.331-07:00The Variegated ThumbZachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-28431840614759976742022-04-17T09:05:00.003-07:002022-04-17T13:21:42.172-07:00Pollinator Garden hardscaping<div class="separator"><br /></div><p>In 2020 I started a small garden of primarily native plants that support pollinators. It was in a corner of the front yard that was partial sun, partial shade. Since then I’ve been creeping the boundary outwards toward the sunnier part of the front yard bit by bit as I acquired more plants for that small space. </p><p>A couple of months ago out of the blue my wife said “why don’t we just convert half of the front yard to a pollinator garden?” SERIOUSLY!?! 1000 times yes!</p><p>I immediately started sketching a plan and looking at plants I wanted to include. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIgzk0vGebQmKXn-FyW7hqZoNGghuNg4-Jl-BnkVVX7_pN53dXRLBWiNKS60rqoxKwacD2rwiDdEF8qmRvm-1xsXt_WTGL9rOhrMcyI57nhPfUPRikXQZU0qGVkF7XJf7E4RpvES3zJJ65Cz_39-QdyIOuOXVJYKqG_i45EIV4-mUmzaSgB4Dy9uz/s4032/18E8C8AE-43A0-46CB-B305-14906359B990.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIgzk0vGebQmKXn-FyW7hqZoNGghuNg4-Jl-BnkVVX7_pN53dXRLBWiNKS60rqoxKwacD2rwiDdEF8qmRvm-1xsXt_WTGL9rOhrMcyI57nhPfUPRikXQZU0qGVkF7XJf7E4RpvES3zJJ65Cz_39-QdyIOuOXVJYKqG_i45EIV4-mUmzaSgB4Dy9uz/s320/18E8C8AE-43A0-46CB-B305-14906359B990.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I rented a gas tiller and tore up all of the grass in that half of the front yard. I’ve been slowly removing all of that grass and pieces of roots. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhrNWbfwmF_mgqC2AXOePze_fw6fg_pclq2dgCkne_WM6DyNy11mt6Hp_cwftYaGz1BVaLCvWHX-Xc0RYfenGXXbhy8fel93h5m4b8kDcvQT6RJxOYUnB10Ln2iAM_u4RKeCrSz7jxKe5jP3mJQ51z6K08mZG4WhKFfsmwUbNhTE_rJiIrrrjrfOR/s4032/A1565004-E8E0-4E0D-934E-BB0A1401F418.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhrNWbfwmF_mgqC2AXOePze_fw6fg_pclq2dgCkne_WM6DyNy11mt6Hp_cwftYaGz1BVaLCvWHX-Xc0RYfenGXXbhy8fel93h5m4b8kDcvQT6RJxOYUnB10Ln2iAM_u4RKeCrSz7jxKe5jP3mJQ51z6K08mZG4WhKFfsmwUbNhTE_rJiIrrrjrfOR/s320/A1565004-E8E0-4E0D-934E-BB0A1401F418.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCSQttfpwdXukgbaezuhhQvpNeZC-bvFUJ2hZ9jKnfdHousRkCXNGQO5YyoVJWrmV63hFYnwQh4l5tl_mAezPQDiJi0E7905X5AVP0SqsngrHPN8HhW6O6wmeEjOGiuhCmbfSS6gIfCru8YamUKw8b89tD96dJZ_z4jIamzdYq-Z-4kch0P8V5vgD/s1080/699FF4CD-CF37-4206-A0DF-D89EDE2B8FA0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCSQttfpwdXukgbaezuhhQvpNeZC-bvFUJ2hZ9jKnfdHousRkCXNGQO5YyoVJWrmV63hFYnwQh4l5tl_mAezPQDiJi0E7905X5AVP0SqsngrHPN8HhW6O6wmeEjOGiuhCmbfSS6gIfCru8YamUKw8b89tD96dJZ_z4jIamzdYq-Z-4kch0P8V5vgD/s320/699FF4CD-CF37-4206-A0DF-D89EDE2B8FA0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /><p>The next step was to get crushed granite screenings and lay the walking path through the garden. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5_PzJScgcJzuFO7yo-3M--rlsaeVBwv2I7CENfY6zb6yuQFOTAxeFDlQdXrM36oL5fygzVIcQ93jK5hjVPv36Fw-JTQos62rVosrYbYDcXFmOEoU9c6YV-cBNiu19hsRTW27ff_XL3YHwg_zEs2PamfdnMtTagNVb_-Ui_aAe1gxYugEn46uhT8-/s4032/97D277F7-2EDE-41A1-BD50-66F1C8B06BBA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5_PzJScgcJzuFO7yo-3M--rlsaeVBwv2I7CENfY6zb6yuQFOTAxeFDlQdXrM36oL5fygzVIcQ93jK5hjVPv36Fw-JTQos62rVosrYbYDcXFmOEoU9c6YV-cBNiu19hsRTW27ff_XL3YHwg_zEs2PamfdnMtTagNVb_-Ui_aAe1gxYugEn46uhT8-/s320/97D277F7-2EDE-41A1-BD50-66F1C8B06BBA.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the walking path was in place I started building a picket fence around the perimeter. The fence surrounds the garden except for a small entrance and the corner where the bench will sit, which will be covered by a corner arbor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKrUP8zUIYE72ldirXFznD91FZKnflcjsDZe7OXzPS6AUl9YIgk92qql28AE7OQCMH3U5dKBFMlTOo8fOjxREkIuXYm7AHS3pl39W3auPaWLHJzbox4XdM6h-AW2GDeeM3Gg62vG0p1FN45NFQvbZO1N93IdPXImtVhCSJoH1EUQEg8nTvQ1txncY/s1440/2B383A9B-70C5-43CC-A8DD-C063D5A7440F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKrUP8zUIYE72ldirXFznD91FZKnflcjsDZe7OXzPS6AUl9YIgk92qql28AE7OQCMH3U5dKBFMlTOo8fOjxREkIuXYm7AHS3pl39W3auPaWLHJzbox4XdM6h-AW2GDeeM3Gg62vG0p1FN45NFQvbZO1N93IdPXImtVhCSJoH1EUQEg8nTvQ1txncY/s320/2B383A9B-70C5-43CC-A8DD-C063D5A7440F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5WPW8vUkLt7vddnQE1Y5sqNsQXkyI-61S0EDWu8LdiIswYIJLa0QVWNHCnAjEg1EVSxGimOT56jsJ1kibWGLoUPbxFpT4m1bhuzBKHaKJZqhZW3fnVrz9Aa7RTZric2L5frNhx2nONiCYfNOF1VsjiHbtZq9IXjDFGWRPxgg900qn7eZmv8iGPKm/s1440/193A3ECA-77E4-4CE9-940D-172C82B180CD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5WPW8vUkLt7vddnQE1Y5sqNsQXkyI-61S0EDWu8LdiIswYIJLa0QVWNHCnAjEg1EVSxGimOT56jsJ1kibWGLoUPbxFpT4m1bhuzBKHaKJZqhZW3fnVrz9Aa7RTZric2L5frNhx2nONiCYfNOF1VsjiHbtZq9IXjDFGWRPxgg900qn7eZmv8iGPKm/s320/193A3ECA-77E4-4CE9-940D-172C82B180CD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sign means this garden is legit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’ll be posting more progress photos and sharing all of the wonderful plants that I’m including. Stay tuned!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-989396975902617252020-09-16T09:03:00.001-07:002020-09-16T09:03:00.320-07:00Greenhouse update<div class="separator">Since I haven't been keeping up with this blog for a while I figured I should provide a little update on my greenhouse. When you have limited growing space (don't we all?) and an ever-growing appetite for plants, it's hard to make space for everything.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342027116_612811d132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342027116_612811d132.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of my Encyclia orchids are kept together on this top shelf for the brightest light.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342025826_4f06e62491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342025826_4f06e62491.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another top shelf is filled with cacti and succulents.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Over the years some plants have been neglected. Some plants get over-watered or under-watered, depending on where they are located and how they are potted. Over the last month I have done the most comprehensive greenhouse cleanup since I first built it. I didn't quite take everything out, but I did go through all 7 shelving units and remove empty pots, sweep out all the leaves from the floor, remove all the junk that was being stored under benches, and repotted plants that were in need of new soil or more space. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342026681_11f569917d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342026681_11f569917d.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a few plants are hanging in the center of the greenhouse, taking advantage of every bit of available sunlight. It makes for less room to stand in the greenhouse, but that is a secondary consideration.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It was a big undertaking, but I'm really glad I took this on before moving all my plants back into the greenhouse for the winter. Probably a third to half of my plants come out of the greenhouse for the warm part of the year, but have to move back in during the winter to survive our cold weather. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342027376_1494e7f816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342027376_1494e7f816.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide-angle view to show most of the greenhouse at once.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It's this time of year when I start worrying that I won't be able to fit everything in. This year I <i>think</i> there might be enough room to get my plants in and still have a spot for me to stand to water things. That would be a big win!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342189087_aed6bf805e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50342189087_aed6bf805e.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mid-level shelf is more shaded and has tender new seedlings and other plants I need to keep a close eye on over the winter.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>During the winter the heater will really dry out the air in the greenhouse, so it's important that I keep a close eye on plants that are sensitive to dry conditions. For this reason I've tried to position some of these plants in positions where I they are front and center when I walk in the greenhouse.</p><p>Here's to hoping that the plants are happy over the winter and next spring I have lots of plants to share with friends!</p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-44151464476696259342020-09-12T14:35:00.004-07:002020-09-12T14:39:36.942-07:00Seedling of Anthurium lezamae<p>I've really neglected this blog. I'm going to try to start posting more regularly once again.</p><p>Several years ago I visited the Missouri Botanical Gardens and got to tour the living collection of Aroids. I was given permission to collect some berries from a plant marked <i>Anthurium lezamae</i>. This plant was collected by Dewey Fisk from Chiapas, Mexico.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/3921/14806072987_90036e7cb9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/3921/14806072987_90036e7cb9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/5595/14969622336_a7d7a0d23b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/5595/14969622336_a7d7a0d23b.jpg" /></a></div><p>I successfully germinated one of the seeds and my plant has been slowly growing. This summer I repotted it and have been giving it a little extra attention and it has been doing really well. Now it has it's first inflorescence (that I have noticed).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50329965758_399b03e089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50329965758_399b03e089.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50330637281_ab54984a46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50330637281_ab54984a46.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm not certain that my plant is the species <i>Anthurium lezamae</i>, and it differs from the parent plant. That could be because my plant is still young, or it could be because the berries were produced from a cross with another plant, making mine a hybrid. Maybe with time I'll be able to tell.</p><p> </p>Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-53126446754250374002019-02-25T11:25:00.000-08:002019-02-25T11:25:19.103-08:00Gomphocarpus from seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2018/04/update-plant-all-seeds.html">several plants I started from seed last year</a> was a milkweed nicknamed Hairy Balls or Balloon Plant (<i>Gomphocarpus physocarpus</i>). The nicknames are from the appearance of the large pods that form when the flowers set seed. This plant is native to southeast Africa, but is a good food source for Monarchs here in the United States. I ended up with two very tall and lanky plants. They did not branch and just continued to grow taller throughout the summer. At one point there were a few small flower buds but they aborted before opening. I don't know if this plant wanted more sunshine or something different. It seemed healthy and grew steadily, but I didn't get any flowers. I read that if you are growing these from seed it is best to start them indoors early because the growing season may not be long enough for flowers and new seed pods. Maybe that's what happened in my case.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tall and lanky Hairy Ball plants (<i>Gomphocarpus physocarpus</i>) in August of last year.</td></tr>
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Thankfully, the plant has stayed happy in my greenhouse this winter so maybe next summer I will get some flowers. Ideally those flowers will set seed pods so that I can start new plants from seed and maybe prune my two existing stalks to get a fuller plant.<br />
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Open seed pod of <i>Gomphocarpus physocarpus</i>.<br />Like many other milkweeds, the seed are attached to a fluffy piece of cotton-like material</div>
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that helps them disperse in the wind.</div>
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Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-57929246584837690292019-02-21T14:03:00.001-08:002019-02-21T14:03:29.213-08:00Milk Jug Germination<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Spring will be here before we know it. Already I am seeing a few blooms on my quince bush, buds on our Daffodils, and leaves from our tulips are breaking through the surface of the soil.<br />
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I have seeds of several milkweeds that I would like to grow this year, including three native <i>Asclepias</i> and one <i>Calotropis</i> native to Africa and Asia. The American natives all require cold stratification. I have most of the seeds in the refrigerator, but I am starting a few others using a different method. </div>
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I cut open two milk jugs and added soil to the bottom of the jug. I scattered some of my seeds on the top of the soil, watered them in, and then taped the jugs closed. I’ve sat the milk jugs outside on the ledge of my greenhouse. Hopefully they won’t blow over or become dog chew toys there. With any luck, they will experience the requisite cold period and then will germinate in about a month when the temperature begins to climb and the days get longer and they’ll have a head start in their little biodomes. If it doesn’t work, no big deal. I only used part of my seed stash on this experiment.<br />
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I did a little more reading on this technique and apparently it's important for the top cap to be removed. I was assuming more of a close greenhouse/terrarium setup was desired, but I will stick to the recommended method and remove my top caps.</div>
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Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-39411275432017214972019-01-22T07:42:00.001-08:002019-01-22T07:42:44.468-08:00Treaty Oak update 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been trying to be patient and not disturb my little <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2018/11/trip-report-treaty-oak.html">Treaty Oak seeds</a>. I managed to go a couple of weeks without looking at the pot. Over the weekend I stole about 30 minutes to give my greenhouse a thorough watering and glanced at the Treaty Oak pot to see what was happening. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqGb17E5o9PdquZ8Jq0vMEPC0f43N60hjP7tTqK1s6cmeXtx6XvSgh4FismP6YCqMfYYmTB1CR2qKD5X92spQ5ikJEHKspiGk95aAgAdU0FxXt4EEE0t0od3isWmBurP3GolBIogqFJQ/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqGb17E5o9PdquZ8Jq0vMEPC0f43N60hjP7tTqK1s6cmeXtx6XvSgh4FismP6YCqMfYYmTB1CR2qKD5X92spQ5ikJEHKspiGk95aAgAdU0FxXt4EEE0t0od3isWmBurP3GolBIogqFJQ/s320/IMG_5367.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seedlings from the Austin Treaty Oak<br />Texas Live Oak (<i>Quercus fusiformis</i>)</td></tr>
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Yes! Four little seedlings have broken the surface and have leaves! Even at this tiny size, the leaves have a unique shape. The stems were growing towards the light, which was coming mostly from one direction, so I snapped a few pictures, rotated the pot, and put it back on the shelf. I am very happy to see that they are doing well. These are Texas Live Oaks (<i>Quercus fusiformis</i>). I plan to give one to my mother-in-law for Mother's Day, since this tree has some special significance to her. I will look for other homes for the other ones. I am not quite sure if they are hardy in central Oklahoma, but I think they will do well in southern Oklahoma, so I could plant some at my parents' lake cabin.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-40874470233713340452018-11-16T08:26:00.001-08:002018-11-16T08:26:08.084-08:00Trip Report: Zilker Botanical Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While we were in Austin we visited Zilker Botanical Garden. There was a special event going on while we were there with local vendors with art, plants, and other things for sale. One of the vendors was a local nursery that had some rare plants for sale, including a small Frankincense tree about 6 inches tall, selling for $250! I talked to the owner and he said that it was a cutting from their parent plant, which isn't very large and that the cuttings are difficult to root. I bought a small Curry Tree for $6 for my friend who had been looking for one of these for years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGr_2L3Lx7cIuxtaCBzfrsQePLJq4xhMMEo7Ys3l6rd6E5MT0OfaeDVFV4N4uaLlYcHQMOCB4-5PIiAonWLnCkacPgbIi_8u4gFKn_oOdHYgc7pBTduXGsZEwbuCeq9faPe-gRwRLrao/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGr_2L3Lx7cIuxtaCBzfrsQePLJq4xhMMEo7Ys3l6rd6E5MT0OfaeDVFV4N4uaLlYcHQMOCB4-5PIiAonWLnCkacPgbIi_8u4gFKn_oOdHYgc7pBTduXGsZEwbuCeq9faPe-gRwRLrao/s640/IMG_2934.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
The sun shines brightly through the canopy, </div>
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nearly preventing us from seeing the dino statue across the lotus pond.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIedPoWRcVHElOf4ZexMiy5fB1-04k234fhOfVbNTcgQhpbVAIjRpbp04ps0229YKMxfCKsMk7k26WloZhB2xGzQFKMZ6weFUBn3N7VyhuveAtKqAMWiRqbTRS2IYOVQx32YXeiOCDQ8/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIedPoWRcVHElOf4ZexMiy5fB1-04k234fhOfVbNTcgQhpbVAIjRpbp04ps0229YKMxfCKsMk7k26WloZhB2xGzQFKMZ6weFUBn3N7VyhuveAtKqAMWiRqbTRS2IYOVQx32YXeiOCDQ8/s400/IMG_2937.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite fossils are used as paving stones by the lotus pond.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdeLVxi76h77vvMLWPYkZWQsSWtz6TiXSa-gomyFUsaJsIGxPDPqGqS8Gr_bBopcShBR0rNmOuqcTKo0t7WjwuHNWZy-4JLL4vZLUDqaaJO_W8HzBphnZLxf29u1GtitVqxMXsjTNg74/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1288" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdeLVxi76h77vvMLWPYkZWQsSWtz6TiXSa-gomyFUsaJsIGxPDPqGqS8Gr_bBopcShBR0rNmOuqcTKo0t7WjwuHNWZy-4JLL4vZLUDqaaJO_W8HzBphnZLxf29u1GtitVqxMXsjTNg74/s400/IMG_2947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing in front of a waterfall in the Prehistoric Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYdOMyH2Nw-bOhEIP_4jcJAUldWu_uCFLC_DxX_IYEXujB41H3HoiEltLXc-OccJKBkWNtzlIxXtN8LLFAl1jV7wRPziEBku_vbmAYd-X8uIW4ZMxQzPCBWwHXCkD3nDOJvoi2HPdIa8/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYdOMyH2Nw-bOhEIP_4jcJAUldWu_uCFLC_DxX_IYEXujB41H3HoiEltLXc-OccJKBkWNtzlIxXtN8LLFAl1jV7wRPziEBku_vbmAYd-X8uIW4ZMxQzPCBWwHXCkD3nDOJvoi2HPdIa8/s400/IMG_2930.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator Plant (<i>Acanthus montanus</i>)</td></tr>
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We really enjoyed the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which consists of plants from families that have been on earth for millions of years: cycads, ferns, palms. This garden was inspired by dinosaur tracks and an ancient turtle fossil that were found inside the gardens in 1992. At one spot there are paving stones that are actual ammonite fossils, which is really cool. They also have a bronze dinosaur statue in view across a pond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/27772993/large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/27772993/large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Dogface (<i>Zerene cesonia</i>) enjoying a Coreopsis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/27771947/original.jpeg?1541515166" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/27771947/original.jpeg?1541515166" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Snout (<i>Libytheana carinenta</i>) enjoying a Coreopsis</td></tr>
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The butterfly garden was rather unkempt looking, but the bushy flowering plants were absolutely covered in butterflies enjoying the nectar. I think most of the plants were Blue Mistflower (<i>Conoclinium coelestinum</i>). We saw at least 10 species, likely a few more: Queens, American Snouts, Sachems, Gulf Fritillaries, Red Admirals, Monarchs, Pipevine Swallowtail, White-striped Longtail, Southern Dogface, and a couple of Skippers I didn't identify.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBTAekrfahUPUsKQAZ56eKtYnCd-uNls6lIm5Ccrw5ymLce6JHtFFplb7sOYRDm7aplXge83owWf27-21XveD887nTlv6yDH7sAkNd4ipeeEFgepGEeZwZ3Syk_pQ4L5QoUTb5Vpi40/s1600/IMG_2958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBTAekrfahUPUsKQAZ56eKtYnCd-uNls6lIm5Ccrw5ymLce6JHtFFplb7sOYRDm7aplXge83owWf27-21XveD887nTlv6yDH7sAkNd4ipeeEFgepGEeZwZ3Syk_pQ4L5QoUTb5Vpi40/s400/IMG_2958.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Queen (<i>Danaus gilippus</i>) butterfly enjoying some nectar </div>
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from the Blue Mistflower (<i>Conoclinium coelestinum</i>)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh13pSzB_DsGzhoKNWIlmnwe-E67FMJ5MzNlA7ikbBdXOrsQq9tGB5qovuSVgyWf2WAR-3UmiD3d7jk_8ShlVFoWqzgjJmkLx0jYi7P86ykWSQgPpWoliMBGyGOWSybU0LvW9Zrf9nDVI/s1600/IMG_2963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh13pSzB_DsGzhoKNWIlmnwe-E67FMJ5MzNlA7ikbBdXOrsQq9tGB5qovuSVgyWf2WAR-3UmiD3d7jk_8ShlVFoWqzgjJmkLx0jYi7P86ykWSQgPpWoliMBGyGOWSybU0LvW9Zrf9nDVI/s400/IMG_2963.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen (<i>Danaus gilippus</i>) butterflies enjoying... each other.</td></tr>
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A few other quick things to note:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/27649949/original.jpg?1541311105" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/27649949/original.jpg?1541311105" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral Fungi, probably from the genus <i>Ramaria</i></td></tr>
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This is not a plant, but I have admired photos of Coral Fungi before but not seen one in person. Along the path in one part of the gardens I noticed a bunch of these on the ground. So beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jnDFMF09xJbOymVnwvWY3gRkOzgIzJNiIkWAVy7O-f1qOr38EPL1VpDyD5Ht43EvbbjQ146DAAQUPlxmE0JEncr5Y9OB27ge0jzOsskJz-Uul_ZWlh9h1nnSUc7xQW1cATXNdvKDVP0/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jnDFMF09xJbOymVnwvWY3gRkOzgIzJNiIkWAVy7O-f1qOr38EPL1VpDyD5Ht43EvbbjQ146DAAQUPlxmE0JEncr5Y9OB27ge0jzOsskJz-Uul_ZWlh9h1nnSUc7xQW1cATXNdvKDVP0/s400/IMG_2973.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real rock turned into an outdoor light along the pathway</td></tr>
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The gardens have these really cool lights along the path. They were not illuminated while we were there visiting in the daytime, but I noticed one when I was bent down inspecting the fungi. They are actual rocks - not those fake plastic ones - that have been cut in half and had lights installed in them. What a cool idea!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVRDueDT-O1nng5nd_9XSW_GX6mK4Kypv9CNB7bxsnxJT2NgVt53iYRpCAiMte7MFdrik_ym4iPH3u8rDm8SXhUmSeKJNGHknxHphi9quwsGgExH5nVFet4E_7jYSSYMMlgYBo7G9YUk/s1600/IMG_2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVRDueDT-O1nng5nd_9XSW_GX6mK4Kypv9CNB7bxsnxJT2NgVt53iYRpCAiMte7MFdrik_ym4iPH3u8rDm8SXhUmSeKJNGHknxHphi9quwsGgExH5nVFet4E_7jYSSYMMlgYBo7G9YUk/s400/IMG_2954.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<i>Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum</i> mislabeled as both a Philodendron (almost right) </div>
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and a Monstera (definitely not right).</div>
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It's not unusual to find plants mislabeled in a botanic garden, but it still surprises me every time I see it... In all fairness, this plant used to belong to the genus Philodendron and only recently moved to the new genus of Thaumatophyllum. But still, <i>Monstera deliciosa</i> is a very different plant and in a separate genus.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-55942661907959791552018-11-13T11:21:00.001-08:002018-11-13T11:24:21.032-08:00Trip Report: Treaty Oak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For my birthday weekend my wife and I went down to Austin for a few days sans kiddos. Our itinerary was mostly made up of places to eat and a few activities sprinkled in between. On Sunday morning we visited a famous tree, Treaty Oak, which my wife remembered having visited when she was young. This oak tree is thought to be about 500 years old and is the only member of a group of 14 trees that once stood in this location in what is today downtown Austin. In 1989 someone poisoned the tree and severely damaged it. That is when my wife traveled with her family to see it. Thankfully the tree pulled through and still stands. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbDPoeep9fmiIrD03j3oe_hG0SC1PfTTGZFH-J7RiRb_6F3vZKZFMYafOfJ-36eNN_SXZIO_2Cs-zLwG-tMr-e2jAVfT8twUXUoMXpTwhLz9fv-XmFMGEehGPTZcd-iIm79dSlawaM4/s1600/IMG_3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbDPoeep9fmiIrD03j3oe_hG0SC1PfTTGZFH-J7RiRb_6F3vZKZFMYafOfJ-36eNN_SXZIO_2Cs-zLwG-tMr-e2jAVfT8twUXUoMXpTwhLz9fv-XmFMGEehGPTZcd-iIm79dSlawaM4/s400/IMG_3085.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wife at Treaty Oak in downtown Austin</td></tr>
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The plaque reads:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The Caldwell Treat-Oak Park</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Estimated to have been a majestic tree of about 100 years when Columbus first landed on North American shores, this live oak tree has been pronounced the most perfect specimen of a tree in North America, and its picture hangs in the Hall of Fame of Forestry at Washington.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Formerly standing as the center of a group of trees called "The Council Oaks," this tree takes its name from its role in the history of the Lone Star State. Stephen F. Austin is reputed to have signed the first boundary line agreement between Indians and whites under the canopy of its branches; battles and important conferences have been planned, pacts signed, and feasts and religious ceremonies celebrated in its shade.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The Treaty Oak was purchased by the City of Austin in 1937 to stand as a living and fitting symbol of the mighty state it has watched develop.</i></blockquote>
We were both surprised to see how much of the tree lies on the ground. I don't know if this is characteristic of the species (Texas Live Oak, Quercus fusiformis), or if it has more to do with the vandalism, or the age of this particular tree. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3CtMGUc7GazjQVjAYHLACfkFYtYPs6Rh55m_QvejyL5V3w71yG1FT1Z0EKkHQfSdqxEu22IT5U9LMToYHtsRUg7A2azDW8BM0q9efv-08jhhzh-ZZ8UDwlm7JS-Tg4GTWeeBAYCukys/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3CtMGUc7GazjQVjAYHLACfkFYtYPs6Rh55m_QvejyL5V3w71yG1FT1Z0EKkHQfSdqxEu22IT5U9LMToYHtsRUg7A2azDW8BM0q9efv-08jhhzh-ZZ8UDwlm7JS-Tg4GTWeeBAYCukys/s400/IMG_3296.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treaty Oak acorns</td></tr>
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While we were visiting the tree I noticed some acorn caps on the branches at eye level and realized there must be some dropped acorns nearby. We searched around and found 5 that were brown and "ripe." I brought these home and soaked them in a bowl of water to see if any floated, which means the acorn is not viable. They all sunk and I decided I would plant them the next day. But I forgot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_aPAamHbExNdt35LsMAFTB8SoGsoJTeKkWr7DR4t0QDK0Tq_RqBGGhkkhsy1KQ_6jzPNFSa5Rkkto8X-AkCSc0jlKAI30rg7SPhf7aiZkioGKwf5kx3raeR2SNRYZQ4MbzIoZ01tvNc/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_aPAamHbExNdt35LsMAFTB8SoGsoJTeKkWr7DR4t0QDK0Tq_RqBGGhkkhsy1KQ_6jzPNFSa5Rkkto8X-AkCSc0jlKAI30rg7SPhf7aiZkioGKwf5kx3raeR2SNRYZQ4MbzIoZ01tvNc/s400/IMG_3297.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treaty Oak acorn beginning to germinate</td></tr>
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More than a week passed before I noticed the bowl of acorns! I was worried at first when I saw they looked different, but on closer inspection I realized they were sprouting. I went ahead and potted the five acorns and watered them well (since they were used to being saturated and seemed happy with the situation). If I am successful I will have some offspring from a famous tree, which is kind of fun. Updates to come!</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-90708075406227340002018-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:002018-10-22T05:00:05.440-07:00A tree with a view<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My good friend Steve gave me a couple of Paw-Paw trees (<i>Asimina triloba</i>) during the summer. I have kept them in the pot until now, wanting to make sure they were kept watered and healthy during the hot season. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwRXII4a_4GZKlN47Vj5ls1omJyram_VWayw-panBWF1hPZ9OR03oXaHhaOQOxCE581Yg0cVtBuY3iBkoEMXqGUqRtjAKJXMOFmIICOR5yjjU40e9-nU_L49mTa7-q1N6GvKOJjmvLgw/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwRXII4a_4GZKlN47Vj5ls1omJyram_VWayw-panBWF1hPZ9OR03oXaHhaOQOxCE581Yg0cVtBuY3iBkoEMXqGUqRtjAKJXMOFmIICOR5yjjU40e9-nU_L49mTa7-q1N6GvKOJjmvLgw/s400/IMG_2226.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paw-Paw tree (<i>Asimina triloba</i>) with a view of a little pond</td></tr>
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Last week I took them out to my in-law's land where there is plenty of room to plant trees and searched for a good spot. I also had some young Persimmon (<i>Diospyros virginiana</i>) trees to plant. My mother-in-law pointed me an area which already had a cluster of Persimmon trees growing. I don't know if the trees were planted together here many years ago (when my wife's ancestors settled the land), or if they grew here naturally. My mother-in-law had shown these to me in the past but I had never seen any fruit on them. This time around I saw a few fruits up on the tall skinny trees and I saw one smaller, squat tree that was absolutely covered in fruit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfi6TmXwPj18MThjKzYRutlSZ_63efOuGeLpMNjdkUHbixLonSzwK8hk1ncqVdsULA75WvQSa_77Yq2E6vjvDc0sglhMNgF0iZWbswKdrN-UTJ1imnKYC-gwOBNNsajDgLECPIGwZqvo/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfi6TmXwPj18MThjKzYRutlSZ_63efOuGeLpMNjdkUHbixLonSzwK8hk1ncqVdsULA75WvQSa_77Yq2E6vjvDc0sglhMNgF0iZWbswKdrN-UTJ1imnKYC-gwOBNNsajDgLECPIGwZqvo/s320/IMG_2239.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby Persimmon (<i>Diospyros virginiana</i>) tree loaded with fruit</td></tr>
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We decided that we would go ahead and plant the Paw-Paw trees here with the Persimmon trees. I like that these little trees have such a nice view. By the way, I took advantage of the loaded Persimmon tree. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJwWoilmLuwnxLR2TWK7grUupHSAVTxnlGkNh8d8CscSoMWu4khbBkJWiXAI01zO6Z8BL0sZnTOlbIYR_rJ83nillsEcH3RuchyUzLIrneoMvghLBfcJXqiZ_kdNioDkR_zdXT3TPgII/s1600/IMG_2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJwWoilmLuwnxLR2TWK7grUupHSAVTxnlGkNh8d8CscSoMWu4khbBkJWiXAI01zO6Z8BL0sZnTOlbIYR_rJ83nillsEcH3RuchyUzLIrneoMvghLBfcJXqiZ_kdNioDkR_zdXT3TPgII/s320/IMG_2238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon fruits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZXqAkO6Turn5FZZ2xCNcJDI1N7fXnjEcjE_zTrLTv0E938lBRhy3PJKTq2O65v4eFHgfWohoqTFvyD7y7KMxgTcmg1_rKaZZVbaXDwd4Ut6FEKxLOMC9rXdrc_qYCVZWZnhcfoq_BJo/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZXqAkO6Turn5FZZ2xCNcJDI1N7fXnjEcjE_zTrLTv0E938lBRhy3PJKTq2O65v4eFHgfWohoqTFvyD7y7KMxgTcmg1_rKaZZVbaXDwd4Ut6FEKxLOMC9rXdrc_qYCVZWZnhcfoq_BJo/s320/IMG_2240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon seeds removed from fruit. <br />There's actually more seed volume than fruit volume and it was a lot of work to separate the two.</td></tr>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHyrgoF5sFqwgcn7juP-QV8EfcKpVtdXyIu4P0oRruVOPHeawj7cN4-JkKZ2gNMzoHrrBYEShcOiMlUd8Ml1KiazDtjsNBGMQOon9mOiZa5v1V-J6Kbu47l_TOmcOj4ZylUEulvpovMU/s1600/IMG_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHyrgoF5sFqwgcn7juP-QV8EfcKpVtdXyIu4P0oRruVOPHeawj7cN4-JkKZ2gNMzoHrrBYEShcOiMlUd8Ml1KiazDtjsNBGMQOon9mOiZa5v1V-J6Kbu47l_TOmcOj4ZylUEulvpovMU/s320/IMG_2242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon cookies</td></tr>
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<div>
I brought about 30 fruits home and laboriously separated the small amount of fruit from the large amount of skin and seeds and made one batch of Persimmon cookies using the <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2017/09/native-persimmons-and-recipe.html">recipe I've shared before</a>. I only got 1/3 cup of persimmon out of the fruits I collected, so I had to modify the recipe. The end result was 14 delicious cookies and 110 seeds that I can now plant. Johnny Appleseed, there's a new seed sower in town.</div>
</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-1583395301018519332018-10-19T09:01:00.000-07:002018-10-19T09:01:11.194-07:00That time of year...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's once again that time of year when all of the plants have to be moved back into the greenhouse for a long winter slumber in semi-tropical conditions. Most of my plant collection consists of tropical and semi-tropical plants that can't take the cold Oklahoma winter weather. I keep my greenhouse thermostat at 60 Fahrenheit and it does a pretty good job of maintaining that temperature overnight during the winter, only falling lower when the outside temperature is down in the 20s for multiple hours. Prepping the greenhouse and then moving in all of the winter occupants is a pretty big chore which I knock out in two sessions of about two hours each.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vVK9ytNYEwz_UTsF1AMjMstrjDDelCIJp9zLbgThX-M1G1MLTWChEnQDSBN3uAH7jdCidfw2G2uroxH1zw8pw8a8z7UjPLE3Yo4cg3Y4V3Lrh2O1nMOeLS896QaCPotN24DCXVVp3JE/s1600/IMG_2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vVK9ytNYEwz_UTsF1AMjMstrjDDelCIJp9zLbgThX-M1G1MLTWChEnQDSBN3uAH7jdCidfw2G2uroxH1zw8pw8a8z7UjPLE3Yo4cg3Y4V3Lrh2O1nMOeLS896QaCPotN24DCXVVp3JE/s400/IMG_2246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: Plumbago (<i>Plumbago auriculata</i>) in all it's glory</td></tr>
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My greenhouse is pretty small - especially for the hundreds of potted plants I have. So I have to pack everything in tight, and in vertical layers. Some of the larger plants have to be trimmed back. This year our potted Plumbago really took off and was blooming something fierce last week, when I was moving all of the plants into the greenhouse. I saved it for last and finally took out the shears. After it's haircut it fit into the greenhouse pretty well, leaving just one tiny amount of floor space for me to stand in while I try to water all of the captive plants over the next 5 months. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU9e6bUgfjIliWAtNYvYfdi-rfKWD2JruaR5AYWKwoK1-ABuD-0MxZd4Smc5cADZapvk0kEx2oaeii22qtwkoZK1Ukf-11tbQAjDCBTJANjHzJ9ADeGyWmEYc2OPcrLm8or0Od1AmV24/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU9e6bUgfjIliWAtNYvYfdi-rfKWD2JruaR5AYWKwoK1-ABuD-0MxZd4Smc5cADZapvk0kEx2oaeii22qtwkoZK1Ukf-11tbQAjDCBTJANjHzJ9ADeGyWmEYc2OPcrLm8or0Od1AmV24/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: Plumbago (<i>Plumbago auriculata</i>) trimmed back and ready to pack into the greenhouse</td></tr>
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Every year I make minor modifications to my greenhouse setup and where I place all of my plants. This year I decided to put my cacti and succulents (which can stay pretty dry over the winter) in the hardest to reach places. I think this will really help because it brings more plants which <i>do</i> need to be watered to more accessible locations and prevents me from accidentally watering something that would prefer to be dry. Also, some of those hard to reach places receive a little more light than other places and the cacti and succulents will like that. In previous years I had put my Plumeria plants on one of these high, sunny shelves. Since they drop their leaves over the dry winter, they really don't need to be in sunlight, so I have those scattered around in various places in the greenhouse this year.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-47699499480896296082018-10-10T07:13:00.000-07:002018-10-10T07:13:02.573-07:00Cactus rot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has been a wetter than normal year in most of Oklahoma. My sister just got interested in succulents and cacti recently and has some of her plants out on her front porch for the warm season. When I was at her house a few weeks ago she pointed out one of her new cacti that was in bad shape. I'm afraid this plant was getting a lot of runoff from her roof and was just too wet. She mentioned it was actually her favorite and she was hoping it wasn't a goner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTlQhcsXuj9hhXqCpGwmkcWG6BThkJx_OJHj9UWrftwk-KExL5VNt7resdNrIKfMYE29vEdldtK1BeOCRfwoMicatfT_ZjkQ45pXJFcQ34Rm9fgdOpaZi6a_yWkGiUFTU1CRHojSwkOs/s1600/IMG_1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTlQhcsXuj9hhXqCpGwmkcWG6BThkJx_OJHj9UWrftwk-KExL5VNt7resdNrIKfMYE29vEdldtK1BeOCRfwoMicatfT_ZjkQ45pXJFcQ34Rm9fgdOpaZi6a_yWkGiUFTU1CRHojSwkOs/s320/IMG_1885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The central growth had rotted and was just a black mushy clump with spines. However, it looked like there may be some salvageable growth that had not begun to rot - yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TokQXlytxu7cGFxUOhIf0HIiSdQCWUTXq7dBtlXymbeYLx2zhRKANnsHqR7gb8bnvo6lcyXysEhEHRo0cYjR2I45zB7sGkOYgedAhLEDkRB-3iiohI5RNUdhmQ8HLq0bclsiOL0_114/s1600/IMG_1886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TokQXlytxu7cGFxUOhIf0HIiSdQCWUTXq7dBtlXymbeYLx2zhRKANnsHqR7gb8bnvo6lcyXysEhEHRo0cYjR2I45zB7sGkOYgedAhLEDkRB-3iiohI5RNUdhmQ8HLq0bclsiOL0_114/s320/IMG_1886.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I gave my sister some instructions on what to do and then asked if she'd like me to do it. She was happy to hand it over. I took it home, donned some gloves, and carefully unpotted it. I separated the healthy green growth from the black mush and threw that away. I was going to set the green growth aside to let it callous before planting it again, but it seems to be without wounds and had roots attached, so I carefully repotted those growths. Important: I did not water the pot and I sat it aside in the greenhouse in a location where it will stay dry.<br />
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I will check this pot regularly over the next several weeks and hopefully not see any new rotting. Assuming all is well, I'll add some rocks to the surface of the soil again and take it back to my sister.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-53081308835203837642018-09-19T06:59:00.000-07:002018-09-19T06:59:42.481-07:00The Mighty Plumbago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I first became familiar with Plumbago (<i>Plumbago auriculata</i>) several years ago when we were planning our Galveston garden. This is a pretty popular garden plant in that area. It grows into a pretty big bush with time and will be covered in pale periwinkle blue flowers during much of the year (in warm climates). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeEQaVQ_MJMx_NDkpvxOwrAClxQs7eGEzRX2tMSYSPuWk30XvZqXXsZLrTN8NEXfWWNy3-0hQE9FbkumbQgCsE5nb2LyfGe-zsBeDcFp2AEGxJwWFLNBqQSPU2ps1fYrxRJdnASaMe8E/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeEQaVQ_MJMx_NDkpvxOwrAClxQs7eGEzRX2tMSYSPuWk30XvZqXXsZLrTN8NEXfWWNy3-0hQE9FbkumbQgCsE5nb2LyfGe-zsBeDcFp2AEGxJwWFLNBqQSPU2ps1fYrxRJdnASaMe8E/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plumbago auriculata</i></td></tr>
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We planted one in Galveston and it grew quite large - prior to the brutal winter, which killed it. We have since replaced that bush with a tiny starter, which I expect will take a year or two before it is dominating it's area of the flowerbed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyvsiBWBng63AVxzl__LczQdTFlP8LD2lHmL8H3fBjysbpUCz2TsawDh8Af5QGL-ggfGnOEsp6jKE8-AR8LY8S6N-mR87hVeQmdt6jqw9Nis8rM8SmXUL_zx0TDpQEH6t5SZYjMfM1J0/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyvsiBWBng63AVxzl__LczQdTFlP8LD2lHmL8H3fBjysbpUCz2TsawDh8Af5QGL-ggfGnOEsp6jKE8-AR8LY8S6N-mR87hVeQmdt6jqw9Nis8rM8SmXUL_zx0TDpQEH6t5SZYjMfM1J0/s400/IMG_1241.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plumbago auriculata</i></td></tr>
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This has become my wife's favorite plant. A couple of years ago we ran across a Plumbago in a nice black square pot at a nursery in Oklahoma and decided to get one for our house, even though it's not hardy. We keep the plant in my greenhouse overwinter and it usually looks pretty rough in the spring when we pull it back outside, but it grows pretty quickly and flowers vigorously in the summer. It is putting on quite the show right now. Soon I will have to prune it back and squeeze it into my greenhouse for the cold winter months.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-41601266309131762662018-09-18T14:39:00.003-07:002018-09-18T14:39:45.182-07:00Plant Find: Begonia sizemoreae<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The title of this post is a bit misleading. I didn't <i>find </i>this plant; it was given to me by my friend Steve. I use the "Plant Find" heading for new plants coming into my collection, regardless of how I obtained them. Steve tells me that it roots very easily from leaf cuttings and he has had to start tossing his cuttings now because he has so much of this plant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPGcPBhtbjGhSEZkxzEsQ6UsN_yawJLIl34tedhonLPZQlGMNJGhKs3Op8XCM9t96Mry_xDJwUyGkeMKnA17E0iR2iJaIQ2pN5X2Fu0Idyi0ZGbCDLekMUDsMffagZvsDXPOvPGsgrZM/s1600/IMG_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPGcPBhtbjGhSEZkxzEsQ6UsN_yawJLIl34tedhonLPZQlGMNJGhKs3Op8XCM9t96Mry_xDJwUyGkeMKnA17E0iR2iJaIQ2pN5X2Fu0Idyi0ZGbCDLekMUDsMffagZvsDXPOvPGsgrZM/s400/IMG_0866.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Begonia sizemoreae</i></td></tr>
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<i>Begonia sizemoreae</i> is native to Vietnam and likes humidity. It has been enjoying our wet summer. The leaves and petioles are covered in long bristly hairs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O_0rFkwnUoui85y8tWIu214MiRtI5VFOB2TZaiSOfYDQkl89iyv-MoDlt8HnTbAw5ptCtDcTmTgszsRAhwVf449kUk7230d8WOqjbAqBlBlQvL2e3WBqNu7TgKf_8SVqtjUUeBUS6VI/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O_0rFkwnUoui85y8tWIu214MiRtI5VFOB2TZaiSOfYDQkl89iyv-MoDlt8HnTbAw5ptCtDcTmTgszsRAhwVf449kUk7230d8WOqjbAqBlBlQvL2e3WBqNu7TgKf_8SVqtjUUeBUS6VI/s400/IMG_0867.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Begonia sizemoreae</i></td></tr>
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This beautifully patterned Begonia is named after an avid collector named Mary Sizemore. She is well known among Begonia aficionados.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-5313784878441040482018-09-12T11:43:00.004-07:002018-09-12T11:43:48.005-07:00Update: Sacred Bodhi Tree<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Seven years ago I was gifted some seedling Sacred Bodhi trees (<i>Ficus religiosa</i>) from a friend. <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2011/12/the-sacred-bodhi-tree.html">Read more about the tree here</a>. I gave one of those seedlings to my mother-in-law for insurance. I'm glad I did because my tree died a couple of years ago when it got too dry in my greenhouse. My mother-in-law's tree goes through a series of phases: rapid growth, scale infestation, dropping all the leaves - repeat. We're not sure why the scale keeps coming back, as it seems completely free of them when it is in it's rapid growth phase. Anyway, it seems to be an established pattern now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/43719716645/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ficus religiosa"><img alt="Ficus religiosa" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1857/43719716645_a03713bca0.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacred Bodhi Tree sapling (<i>Ficus religiosa</i>)</td></tr>
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I recently took two cuttings of her tree when it was in a rapid growth phase and one of those cuttings has rooted. I started the cutting in pure vermiculite. After I was sure that roots were established I transferred it to potting soil. It's now producing new leaves and seems to be pretty happy. In a humid tropical climate this tree would easily be meters tall by now, but in our temperate Oklahoma climate (and my mother-in-law's plant being grown indoors) it is staying fairly small, almost a bonsai. I'm so thankful to have this little tree back in my collection and will monitor it closely.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-7163596927319206412018-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:002018-09-05T06:00:08.539-07:00A couple Huernia blooms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Without a doubt, <i>Huernia</i> is my favorite succulent genus. This genus is in the Stapeliaceae family, closely related to the common carrion flower/starfish plant, <i>Stapelia gigantea</i>. I have amassed a pretty good collection of these plants and <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2017/06/cactus-and-succulent-show-2017.html">always seek</a> them out at the <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2013/06/2013-okc-cacti-and-succulent-show.html">Central Oklahoma Cacti and Succulent Show</a>. This year I purchased a new one that was labeled <i>Huernia sp.</i> The petals of the flower reflex after a day or two, resulting in a different appearance (shown in second photo).<br />
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It bloomed not long after the show and I was able to get some help identifying it as either <i>Huernia procumbens</i> or a hybrid of that species.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/43192407672/in/album-72157636948541263/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Huernia procumbens"><img alt="Huernia procumbens" height="375" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1824/43192407672_453127b7ce.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Another <i>Huernia</i> that I picked up recently is <i>Huernia zebrina</i>, which has very distinct yellow and red flowers. This plant is sometimes called the Lifesaver Plant, due to the red ring that forms in the center of the flower, similar to the plant above, but more pronounced and much more colorful. I was delighted when the first flower opened on my plant and have been pleasantly surprised to see this plant flower constantly all summer for me. There have been as many as 5 flowers open on the plant at one time.
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Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-39182807151834309832018-09-03T06:00:00.000-07:002018-09-03T06:00:01.161-07:00Year of Encyclia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2018 has been a banner year for my Encyclia collection. I have never had so many species bloom before. I just wanted to post a bunch of photos of their beautiful flowers here together to share the variety.
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/43099978891/in/photolist-28EAE9k-28EAEbp-LkuiAh-LkujtQ-JNU89k-28sQJYp-JNU8o8-28sQK82-274LUk8-27kXkDY-274LUjM-25GSpUY-28rutPH-27kXtaQ-25Fu71w-25TFL3V-K8AKfw-K8pSim-K8pQz1-27gtdRM-24zgfMd-K8ALzW-HtLmK6-HtLn2D-24zgehQ-UPum5P-SFEXaU-VsUfWj-onCDZW-o6az8Z-onrZP9-ogBKSz-oeSgMd-25AeYZh-ULos7E-TAsE9L-UeoEuN-To7v6d-TUvWy7-GqHyLh-Gy2Gxp-v6KKgk-qfCyMB-qfCvxF-ptMW4d-nM7Mi4-o2yVkh-nWuzXf-nE6Kvu-nE6S5d/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Encyclia Grand Bahama"><img alt="Encyclia Grand Bahama" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1810/43099978891_cb909d45fb.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/28309340288/in/photolist-28EAE9k-28EAEbp-LkuiAh-LkujtQ-JNU89k-28sQJYp-JNU8o8-28sQK82-274LUk8-27kXkDY-274LUjM-25GSpUY-28rutPH-27kXtaQ-25Fu71w-25TFL3V-K8AKfw-K8pSim-K8pQz1-27gtdRM-24zgfMd-K8ALzW-HtLmK6-HtLn2D-24zgehQ-UPum5P-SFEXaU-VsUfWj-onCDZW-o6az8Z-onrZP9-ogBKSz-oeSgMd-25AeYZh-ULos7E-TAsE9L-UeoEuN-To7v6d-TUvWy7-GqHyLh-Gy2Gxp-v6KKgk-qfCyMB-qfCvxF-ptMW4d-nM7Mi4-o2yVkh-nWuzXf-nE6Kvu-nE6S5d/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Encyclia Gay Rabbit"><img alt="Encyclia Gay Rabbit" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/960/28309340288_c7b5305649.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/40414178604/in/photolist-28EAE9k-28EAEbp-LkuiAh-LkujtQ-JNU89k-28sQJYp-JNU8o8-28sQK82-274LUk8-27kXkDY-274LUjM-25GSpUY-28rutPH-27kXtaQ-25Fu71w-25TFL3V-K8AKfw-K8pSim-K8pQz1-27gtdRM-24zgfMd-K8ALzW-HtLmK6-HtLn2D-24zgehQ-UPum5P-SFEXaU-VsUfWj-onCDZW-o6az8Z-onrZP9-ogBKSz-oeSgMd-25AeYZh-ULos7E-TAsE9L-UeoEuN-To7v6d-TUvWy7-GqHyLh-Gy2Gxp-v6KKgk-qfCyMB-qfCvxF-ptMW4d-nM7Mi4-o2yVkh-nWuzXf-nE6Kvu-nE6S5d/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Encyclia angustiloba"><img alt="Encyclia angustiloba" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/816/40414178604_e38213eb62.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/34667957943/in/photolist-28EAE9k-28EAEbp-LkuiAh-LkujtQ-JNU89k-28sQJYp-JNU8o8-28sQK82-274LUk8-27kXkDY-274LUjM-25GSpUY-28rutPH-27kXtaQ-25Fu71w-25TFL3V-K8AKfw-K8pSim-K8pQz1-27gtdRM-24zgfMd-K8ALzW-HtLmK6-HtLn2D-24zgehQ-UPum5P-SFEXaU-VsUfWj-onCDZW-o6az8Z-onrZP9-ogBKSz-oeSgMd-25AeYZh-ULos7E-TAsE9L-UeoEuN-To7v6d-TUvWy7-GqHyLh-Gy2Gxp-v6KKgk-qfCyMB-qfCvxF-ptMW4d-nM7Mi4-o2yVkh-nWuzXf-nE6Kvu-nE6S5d/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Encyclia belizensis"><img alt="Encyclia belizensis" height="500" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4240/34667957943_4d1c957bb4.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/44191896222/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Encyclia Orchid Jungle"><img alt="Encyclia Orchid Jungle" height="375" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/44191896222_704909bc80.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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In all, I had at least 16 Encyclia plants bloom this year, as well as about 8 other orchids.
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Encyclia alata (syn. belizensis)</li>
<li>Encyclia angustiloba</li>
<li>Encyclia atrorubens</li>
<li>Encyclia 'Belize 82'</li>
<li>Encyclia hanburyi</li>
<li>Encyclia phoenicea</li>
<li>Encyclia plicata</li>
<li>Encyclia ramonense</li>
<li>Encyclia seidelii</li>
<li>Encyclia tampensis</li>
<li>Encyclia tampensis v. alba</li>
<li>Encyclia unaensis</li>
<li>Encyclia Faerie Glen</li>
<li>Encyclia Gay Rabbit</li>
<li>Encyclia Grand Bahama</li>
<li>Encyclia Orchid Jungle</li>
</ul>
<br /></div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-55979670311387063872018-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:002018-08-31T06:00:06.227-07:00Butterfly Vine from seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have long-since admired a particular plant growing in the Butterfly Garden on the bay side of Moody Gardens in Galveston. I'm actually amazed that I've never blogged about it before. This plant is a creeping and mounding vine, and I suppose it would climb if it had something to climb. In the summer it produces many small yellow flowers in clusters.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/42376121340/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mascagnia macroptera"><img alt="Mascagnia macroptera" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1813/42376121340_086f2333f0.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/42376121170/in/photostream/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mascagnia macroptera"><img alt="Mascagnia macroptera" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/42376121170_174a693f97.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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After those flowers are pollinated the seed pods form and things start getting interesting. The seed pods begin green and sort of blend in with the foliage, but they have a very interesting shape. Like many other seeds they have wings that help them disperse in the wind. It just so happens that these wings make them look a lot like butterflies. As the season progresses the seed pods dry out and become a more conspicuous brown. I collected some of these seed pods a few years ago and my mother-in-law was using them as decorations.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/15492487618/in/photolist-27yCGsN-27yCGvJ-pAYunF-pB23Pu-pB53Aj-fAgLYM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Mascagnia macroptera (butterfly vine)"><img alt="Mascagnia macroptera (butterfly vine)" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15492487618_08705e4c48.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
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This summer I decided to dissect a few of these to get to the seeds. The seeds are smaller than I was expecting. I planted them in some moist soil and let time do its thing. Just a few of these germinated for me, not surprising considering the amount of time since they had been harvested. I planted one of these along the fence line at the house in Galveston and I'm hoping it will do well there without any special care. I have kept the other one at home, in a community pot with other seedlings I started this summer. It is slow growing so far. Perhaps I need to provide more sunlight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWACu4_B79axZeqjnFkThjkJrwUod4a1gUDDjzjKVb9rC9Fe9KSexaXZqZmJJndGPyHq1GDRiRHgyAxkDKVc5N-slIvLNvPK6xurC7A880lpLZl_npfCyIjApeKqPDbtptUaHSbRAK4gg/s1600/IMG_9208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWACu4_B79axZeqjnFkThjkJrwUod4a1gUDDjzjKVb9rC9Fe9KSexaXZqZmJJndGPyHq1GDRiRHgyAxkDKVc5N-slIvLNvPK6xurC7A880lpLZl_npfCyIjApeKqPDbtptUaHSbRAK4gg/s640/IMG_9208.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Butterfly Vine (<i>Mascagnia macroptera</i>) seedling, </div>
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growing in a community pot with Cockspur Coral Tree (<i>Erythrina crista-galli</i>) seedlings.</div>
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I found a <a href="http://plantanswers.com/butterfly_vine/Butterfly-Pod-Story-original-scan.jpg">story from Birds & Blooms magazine</a> about a woman who painted the seed pods as real butterflies. Pretty neat.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-13300653179796668292018-08-29T06:00:00.000-07:002018-08-29T06:00:01.102-07:00Cockspur Coral Tree from seed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This past summer my family ventured to Galveston in early June and again at the end of July. On our first trip we had a picnic at Moody Gardens and walked around the grounds. I was very sad to see that the butterfly garden was barren, normally fully planted and bursting in color. One of the few living plants in this area was a Cockspur Coral Tree (<i>Erythrina crista-galli</i>), which was about 10' tall and in bloom. I'm guessing this tree blooms through much of the year, because it also had seed pods on it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UCVwN7AvPQQkyQzxFrbNCjtF_GGRjXs7vVomVZwg3Y5KKs_dbGNC60no0eZ4-WmwF9_MoXOzXNKXh2Zz1AAtJBdbIs4cFNqZZ94rBy5GECRDKW0jaio9X0YGw0n7oVzflkLYmdRf-Mk/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UCVwN7AvPQQkyQzxFrbNCjtF_GGRjXs7vVomVZwg3Y5KKs_dbGNC60no0eZ4-WmwF9_MoXOzXNKXh2Zz1AAtJBdbIs4cFNqZZ94rBy5GECRDKW0jaio9X0YGw0n7oVzflkLYmdRf-Mk/s640/IMG_2982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockspur Coral Tree (<i>Erythrina crista-galli</i>) in bloom at Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm4ZbeJX6mYI8JQj6cBcRuXYkFa_EppKgRXvcLUJCVCUdJ9U_Y70s_Emfvu8y3SH0fG2WgofjbXLKRRfsl-B7GKN9BgCp5AomnLo7fQqY4TeYj-Rse_O_VfSHX2LR6fNFW8c52Z2B5Jg/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm4ZbeJX6mYI8JQj6cBcRuXYkFa_EppKgRXvcLUJCVCUdJ9U_Y70s_Emfvu8y3SH0fG2WgofjbXLKRRfsl-B7GKN9BgCp5AomnLo7fQqY4TeYj-Rse_O_VfSHX2LR6fNFW8c52Z2B5Jg/s640/IMG_2983.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockspur Coral Tree (<i>Erythrina crista-galli</i>) in bloom at Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas.</td></tr>
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You know me, I swiped a seed pod, thinking maybe I would be able to germinate them. I planted the seeds a while later and most (maybe all) of the seeds germinated. I don't know this species very well and was a little surprised to find how prickly they are, even as little seedlings. See the photo below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVt-QDSmKh7KETR4_LTVdHOAxoskzvvUozDtWZ13EuHKtX2ajzJuxL10o2RdGZvOno3iArWAbFT4oKwKmqzBs60WHQNXQfyoqqAQppkSH1bjMxxrVImi7E3xCG-8ajfk4i2TEtAeyxJg/s1600/IMG_9205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1489" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVt-QDSmKh7KETR4_LTVdHOAxoskzvvUozDtWZ13EuHKtX2ajzJuxL10o2RdGZvOno3iArWAbFT4oKwKmqzBs60WHQNXQfyoqqAQppkSH1bjMxxrVImi7E3xCG-8ajfk4i2TEtAeyxJg/s400/IMG_9205.JPG" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Cockspur Coral Tree (<i>Erythrina crista-galli</i>) seedlings.</div>
<div>
I don't recommend growing trees in a hanging basket. This is just what I started the seeds in.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO2cu3zNKCjaIhhKF6RTQ3unT-LNzGHMS01Ca97i43H-GVNU3EPTWhmg4_84ULJ_c_RCUej0gqBQ5tTy_Kl5on6KIXyTzbUwItgkm1v_aOelBiyaX1Fcaj25N32usmbQXVxjq5mht4A0/s1600/IMG_9207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO2cu3zNKCjaIhhKF6RTQ3unT-LNzGHMS01Ca97i43H-GVNU3EPTWhmg4_84ULJ_c_RCUej0gqBQ5tTy_Kl5on6KIXyTzbUwItgkm1v_aOelBiyaX1Fcaj25N32usmbQXVxjq5mht4A0/s640/IMG_9207.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prickles on Cockspur Coral Tree (<i>Erythrina crista-galli</i>) seedling.</td></tr>
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On our return trip to Galveston in July I took one little 5" tall seedling with me. I planted this seedling in one of the spots vacated by the Natal Plums (<i>Carissa macrocarpa</i>). The Natal Plums <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2018/05/hard-winter-strikes-blow.html">died back to the ground over the winter</a>, but were sprouting back from the roots. My mother-in-law suggested that we take this opportunity and just remove them since they were way oversized for the location where they had been planted and were covered in fierce thorns. I obliged her, digging up all of the plants and roots, and transferred one of these to a pot, where I plan to keep it trimmed (sort of a bonsai) and small.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0FUz4DfUVkZ-HpilIIqLAg1isvMK-tnc0TbdC8RfdDoyKVgq-A8Pq5cfJ1b_6xWwCxXaW-2HWdbXA_C6KzMfRrrkxuqiZ_ST9AwsUuweldZSkk8uRS_n79ReZFLVcSeQ5JnJ6JSPtQU/s1600/natalplum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1486" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0FUz4DfUVkZ-HpilIIqLAg1isvMK-tnc0TbdC8RfdDoyKVgq-A8Pq5cfJ1b_6xWwCxXaW-2HWdbXA_C6KzMfRrrkxuqiZ_ST9AwsUuweldZSkk8uRS_n79ReZFLVcSeQ5JnJ6JSPtQU/s400/natalplum.jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">potted Natal Plum (<i>Carissa macrocarpa</i>)</td></tr>
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The Cockspur Coral Tree looks pretty pathetic in this location right now, but I put some barriers around it so that it won't be mowed down and I'm hoping that the Galveston climate will have this little tree growing towards the heavens in no time. The little Natal Plum does <i>not</i> look pathetic in it's pot on my front porch. It looks awesome! Let's just hope I can keep it small - the thorns on this plant are vicious!</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-9694737346957140762018-08-27T06:00:00.000-07:002018-08-27T06:48:38.750-07:00Trip Report: Exploring Austin, part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've written about finding interesting Bauhinia, Catalpa, and Persimmon trees in the Austin area in previous posts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrtHi7awDYQONVtFeFTmu-HBH1xaOXoAjPzTS16buyE4NsZv7LifX3gqjQOrr8RKoQhTesbQtfDkfMxUkgI-FFzk3XmKU7R3EMiFFxVI4Gh5RhiDroK9eNxCb7r8DVt-BaUHONrci-xI/s1600/buckeye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrtHi7awDYQONVtFeFTmu-HBH1xaOXoAjPzTS16buyE4NsZv7LifX3gqjQOrr8RKoQhTesbQtfDkfMxUkgI-FFzk3XmKU7R3EMiFFxVI4Gh5RhiDroK9eNxCb7r8DVt-BaUHONrci-xI/s640/buckeye.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Buckeye (<i>Ungnadia speciosa</i>)</td></tr>
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On my first morning in Austin I went to a small natural area known as <a href="http://texashillcountry.com/stillhouse-hollow-preserve-austin/">Stillhouse Hollow Nature Preserve</a>, nestled into a neighborhood. The sign at the entrance told about an endangered species, the Karst Invertebrate, which lives in limestone caves. This area is also home to the endangered bird species Golden-cheeked Warblers and Black-capped Vireos. There is a nice path through this park and then an overlook. Near the overlook are signs asking that people stay on the path and respect the native flora and fauna, one of which is this endangered species living underground. I would have loved to explore off the path and find this little cave dweller, but I stuck to the rules and observed from the path only. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSUyOO7vqk31FeNHhSaLOecOeuGJU8j3kQsAq2ZaLeKpBxYyHI96xPKhEoPuH7Egt6Z3SCOOK8nIwM4-mQjjv3Aq0iHI82o-az8W4q-ixOlU32uVBVCMA3LyvzmcwlEUp_hHXXLKV84U/s1600/seedpod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSUyOO7vqk31FeNHhSaLOecOeuGJU8j3kQsAq2ZaLeKpBxYyHI96xPKhEoPuH7Egt6Z3SCOOK8nIwM4-mQjjv3Aq0iHI82o-az8W4q-ixOlU32uVBVCMA3LyvzmcwlEUp_hHXXLKV84U/s640/seedpod.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Buckeye (<i>Ungnadia speciosa</i>) seed pod</td></tr>
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One item of interest off the path and out of reach was a shrub that had distinct seed pods. After using iNaturalist to identify this as a buckeye I assumed this was a species that I had seen in bloom once or twice before, one of the <i>Aesculus</i> genus. However, I learned that this was a Mexican Buckeye (<i>Ungnadia speciosa</i>). Thankfully even though this plant was well off the path, I came across this plant at nearly every other park I visited in the Austin area and was able to collect seeds from other plants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/14083004/original.jpeg?1520820351" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/14083004/original.jpeg?1520820351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by iNaturalist observer <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/people/caliche_kid">caliche_kid</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I researched germination methods for each of the species I brought home. Most require some form of cold stratification and spring planting. This species was the exception, suggesting germination of fresh seeds. I went ahead and planted some of the seeds, setting aside some others to try in the spring if this first batch wasn't successful. In the week after planting the seeds we had consistent rains every few days - unusual for August. After just 10 days I noticed that the seeds had sprouted and were growing vigorously.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdY9Q_m7T6Jjb8Jn8Q8XJehvD8U_AaF5NxBG9IEE2s8klgI-KsTRXznhwSHIu11SqWt8AQC2FR5Vl5PhYkuPGVBlv354oyZ4l0OTgGtfjyt8zfDuz5TIod4xsFnKre05cwg6i2KuIRuE/s1600/IMG_8887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdY9Q_m7T6Jjb8Jn8Q8XJehvD8U_AaF5NxBG9IEE2s8klgI-KsTRXznhwSHIu11SqWt8AQC2FR5Vl5PhYkuPGVBlv354oyZ4l0OTgGtfjyt8zfDuz5TIod4xsFnKre05cwg6i2KuIRuE/s640/IMG_8887.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Buckeye (<i>Ungnadia speciosa</i>) seedlings - off to the races!<br />
10 days after planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgu-vjNKnNpBoUEWJ64jZCwENnD01-tVUHbRDFl71J5lprH_xUbIaEwn4DxpaJrCYMz0f2TFkfFP0KVrW-57zOPWpOYqIajKgEFWYq-ZhREMM_xgEyHfiTfdhCDvQKc3vCh2nCm4nljg/s1600/IMG_9211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgu-vjNKnNpBoUEWJ64jZCwENnD01-tVUHbRDFl71J5lprH_xUbIaEwn4DxpaJrCYMz0f2TFkfFP0KVrW-57zOPWpOYqIajKgEFWYq-ZhREMM_xgEyHfiTfdhCDvQKc3vCh2nCm4nljg/s400/IMG_9211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Mexican Buckeye (<i>Ungnadia speciosa</i>) seedlings.</div>
<div>
15 days after planting.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not exactly sure where I will plant these bushes. From <a href="https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/ungnadiaspecio.htm">what I can find online</a> they are probably only hardy in zones 8 and greater, but I think my parents' land near Lake Texoma (zone 7b) might work. I'll probably wait to see how many plants I have. If I have plenty then I'll test some in that climate and keep others potted in my greenhouse as insurance.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-64934673195536354812018-08-24T05:00:00.000-07:002018-08-24T07:21:33.030-07:00Trip Report: Exploring Austin, part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In my last two posts I talked about plants that I found along the Colorado River in downtown Austin.<br />
<br />
On a different day I went to St. Edward's Park to do some birding and I noticed one tree had small green fruits on it - about the size of a pecan with it's outer green shell still attached. iNaturalist to the rescue again, I learned that this was a Texas Persimmon Tree (<i>Diospyros texana</i>). <a href="http://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2017/09/native-persimmons-and-recipe.html">My admiration for native Persimmon trees</a> is well known to readers of this blog, and I was very excited to learn that there is more than<a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2018/05/update-native-persimmons.html"> one species</a> that grows natively in the United States. I saw a larger specimen of this tree when I visited Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, this one marked with a placard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagimAaBtHmnl8UXe7paONqQrYqilDvfaxcoOeDlxBfRdRNr0w-5G3nlYppHHAopcRpgXdzEuSrCNQsmIVfrvXht8WiCJ2c3H6PNcOyFCuZNwJFg6MiQFxv8EP91Cf8XpI4G05OP-4D_w/s1600/specimen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagimAaBtHmnl8UXe7paONqQrYqilDvfaxcoOeDlxBfRdRNr0w-5G3nlYppHHAopcRpgXdzEuSrCNQsmIVfrvXht8WiCJ2c3H6PNcOyFCuZNwJFg6MiQFxv8EP91Cf8XpI4G05OP-4D_w/s400/specimen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Persimmon at Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FM1QQv6wjlVzfH_X_s5YnGQBN5AbQ_h-JiXLVuPB-Ipc9YgkkPaUMy2sYgqcLFvltqadC8JkxXbG_ZPEhtgyF_JFknaAyT7jZA1FsdDgsz-KmipbRSGiBC7L6_HT0w_Z0jATxGVNEZM/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FM1QQv6wjlVzfH_X_s5YnGQBN5AbQ_h-JiXLVuPB-Ipc9YgkkPaUMy2sYgqcLFvltqadC8JkxXbG_ZPEhtgyF_JFknaAyT7jZA1FsdDgsz-KmipbRSGiBC7L6_HT0w_Z0jATxGVNEZM/s400/IMG_6450.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also found this tree growing at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park. I collected a couple of fruits and harvested the seeds. Since I had good luck germinating some native persimmons last year, I am trying the same method: removing all fruit from the seeds, placing them in a pot of soil outdoors, and leaving them alone through the fall and winter. I <i>may</i> move this pot into a slightly warmer spot over the coldest part of the winter, just in case they aren't quite as hardy as I'm hoping, but I do want them to experience the cold they would naturally in the Austin area. Here are some photos of the fruits and flowers by other iNaturalist observers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/10063655/original.jpeg?1503883778" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/10063655/original.jpeg?1503883778" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by iNaturalist observer <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/people/butterflies4fun">butterflies4fun</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/4044911/original.JPG?1466286762" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/4044911/original.JPG?1466286762" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by iNaturalist observer <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/people/manesalinas">manesalinas</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've done some research on this species (good info <a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=dite3">here</a> and <a href="http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/diotexa.pdf">here</a>) and found that it is likely hardy where I live in central Oklahoma, so I plan to try growing in here. It is also a recommended species for greater landscaping use, being small, nicely formed, attractive bark, naturally feeding wildlife, and drought tolerant. As the placard mentions above, the fruit is small but edible. Hopefully I'll have a chance to try one some day.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-77855492690557463562018-08-22T06:00:00.000-07:002018-08-22T06:00:00.926-07:00Trip Report: Exploring Austin, part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In my <a href="https://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2018/08/trip-report-exploring-austin-part-1.html">last post</a> I talked about finding a native species of <i>Bauhinia</i> along the Colorado River in downtown Austin.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0vmT84oq9jQzjEMfWlXnum3TxfYwP7XHccR0R3ekanqMmG3xFrPWJwSVjE28siPNsT0rCfDCnqro8KKIO_KXB5o5LVGxvL4dhpbleWsujokspvmwTtpORcFyTCPFtqU5nUZqFPuiT14/s1600/catalpa+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0vmT84oq9jQzjEMfWlXnum3TxfYwP7XHccR0R3ekanqMmG3xFrPWJwSVjE28siPNsT0rCfDCnqro8KKIO_KXB5o5LVGxvL4dhpbleWsujokspvmwTtpORcFyTCPFtqU5nUZqFPuiT14/s640/catalpa+leaves.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catalpa leaves and seed pods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Also along this path I came across a large <i>Catalpa</i> tree. I am familiar with these trees growing in Oklahoma. They are easily distinguished by their large leaves, showy flowers in the spring, and long green seed pods through the summer into the fall. The tree along the path was in seed pod stage and the pods were longer and more slender (pencil size or skinnier) than those I am used to seeing (finger size or thicker). Comparing images on iNaturalist and <a href="https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/catalpa-8-23-13.aspx">reading some articles online</a>, I believe this is the Northern Catalpa (<i>Catalpa speciosa</i>), whereas the species I see at home is the Southern Catalpa (<i>Catalpa bignonioides</i>). This is a bit ironic since I am finding the northern species to the south of where I am used to seeing the southern species. Anyway, I believe this is correct.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw9Cp6HPNa5u0kdlXjhZkRCACkgTxg-kib4GFBtV9wqcw7p15XOVG_pQOKKaVP6VKftovyo8U_g4k9gPBAAV3Qq4ZDUC2RFWdtT14Fzs6VM14sbhy96_aKWBG7qxqQ7hcril9S8WYAmU/s1600/seed_pods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw9Cp6HPNa5u0kdlXjhZkRCACkgTxg-kib4GFBtV9wqcw7p15XOVG_pQOKKaVP6VKftovyo8U_g4k9gPBAAV3Qq4ZDUC2RFWdtT14Fzs6VM14sbhy96_aKWBG7qxqQ7hcril9S8WYAmU/s640/seed_pods.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catalpa seed pods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
True to form, I collected the seeds from these long seed pods shown in the photo and will plant them next spring.<br />
<div>
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>I have a few more posts related to my time in Austin, so stay tuned!</div>
</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-3493923278439395212018-08-20T13:35:00.001-07:002018-08-23T08:48:11.144-07:00Trip Report: Exploring Austin, part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I spent two weeks in Austin this summer, taking a training course to be a Red Hat System Administrator. In the evenings I traipsed around the metro area, birding in local parks and natural areas and doing my normal thing - observing and logging everything new species (to me) using the iNaturalist app.<br />
<br />
I visited 10 different parks during my two weeks and covered a lot of ground. I observed a few new species of birds (Black-crested Titmice, Least Grebe, Pectoral Sandpiper), several new dragon/damselflies (Swift Setwing, Marl Pennant, Kiowa Dancer, Dusky Dancer, Checkered Setwing, American Rubyspot), several new plants, and even found a nice <a href="https://flic.kr/p/29bS4xY">gastropod fossil</a>. But this is a plant blog, so let me dive in to more detail about some of the plants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2DbOJntz9GA1OWuVb7ODYpHp7mgRypGrurBtFpy6S8H1sgcUi9w_CoZESG-3zVkWlpuj_EEuwZxQxWj_Q6oxkzRsvCXC4lpj9f2cVaA8V-_3ss70UhilVXqkezgmsbIkNk2bUFw7wl8/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2DbOJntz9GA1OWuVb7ODYpHp7mgRypGrurBtFpy6S8H1sgcUi9w_CoZESG-3zVkWlpuj_EEuwZxQxWj_Q6oxkzRsvCXC4lpj9f2cVaA8V-_3ss70UhilVXqkezgmsbIkNk2bUFw7wl8/s640/original.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small bilobed leaves of the Anacacho Orchid tree (<i>Bauhinia lunarioides</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Along the Colorado River in Austin there is a nice walking trail that is well used by locals walking their dogs, cycling, and jogging, as well as to observe bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge. (I sort of stumbled along this myself and was treated to quite the spectacle around sunset.) Along this path I came across a couple of really neat plants. The first was a small shrubby tree (probably about 6' tall and about the same width that was covered in opened seed pods. There was nothing too remarkable about the tree except that the seed pods had all split open in a spiraling fashion and they were pretty conspicuous. Upon closer examination I realized the leaves were the distinct shape of a <i>Bauhinia</i>, which greatly excited me. I took some photos and uploaded the <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14530290">observation</a> to iNaturalist, which suggested the name of <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/159198-Bauhinia-lunarioides">Anacacho Orchid</a> (<i>Bauhinia lunarioides</i>), a native of central and southern Texas into northern Mexico. This species has small and deeply split leaves, almost appearing as two leaves. The flowers (which appear in the spring) are white (or occasionally pink) and showy. I don't have any of my own photos of flowers to show, but the photos below are from iNaturalist observations (<a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10401794">here</a> and <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3637436">here</a>).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/14442867/large.jpg?1521933937" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/14442867/large.jpg?1521933937" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by iNaturalist user <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/people/anschad">anschad</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/4205245/large.jpg?1467904840" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/4205245/large.jpg?1467904840" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by iNaturalist user <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/people/johnkarges">johnkarges</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Of course I collected a handful of seeds and brought them home for experimentation. I have started other species of <i>Bauhinia</i> from seed and they have germinated easily and been a fairly easy plant to grow, although they are tropical and cannot winter outdoors in my climate. This species appears to be a little more hardy, but <a href="https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/bauhinialunarioid.htm">not enough</a> (zone 8) to overwinter in central Oklahoma (zone 7). It's not clear to me whether the tree was growing naturally along the path or had been planted there. I'm guessing the latter but who knows?<br />
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Part 2 coming later this week!</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-52998612750207010162018-05-23T06:00:00.000-07:002018-05-23T06:00:03.025-07:00Squash in bloom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Invariably when I mention to someone that I have a greenhouse the next question is what kind of food plants I grow. People are always surprised to find that I grow tropical plants (mostly orchids and aroids) in my greenhouse.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/variegatedthumb/42234591482/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="summer squash flowers"><img alt="summer squash flowers" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/965/42234591482_7a55e5dcf2.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer squash blooms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I have tried growing a few fruits and vegetables in the past, with limited success:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2009/07/a-key-lime-was-born.html">key lime</a> - few fruits before the tree succumbed.</li>
<li>broccoli - my favorite vegetable, plants were destroyed by caterpillars before they flowered.</li>
<li>tomatoes - limited success.</li>
<li>squash - plants were either eaten by insects or withered in the sun before they flowered.</li>
<li><a href="http://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2009/08/you-say-potato-i-say-solanum-tuberosum.html">potatoes</a> - actually a decent little harvest, especially considering the spot I picked was shadier than is ideal.</li>
</ul>
Much of our yard is shaded, which we love during the hot summer months, but there's not a great place to put in a garden. This year I decided to try some squash seeds in a planter box that I can move around to get the right level of sun. Also I figured the planter box is pretty similar to the raised beds that everyone is planting these days. Another change from my unsuccessful attempt with squash seeds last year: I decided to plant the seeds directly in the planter box, rather than starting them in a seed tray and then transplanting them. I started with two different varieties of yellow summer squash - the kind we really like to eat over the summer. I planted more seeds than recommended for the space, but figured I could thin them out if they got too crowded.
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/variegatedthumb/28408317998/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="summer squash flowers"><img alt="summer squash flowers" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/968/28408317998_c75c46cce0.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer squash blooms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/variegatedthumb/40474554330/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="summer squash flowers"><img alt="summer squash flowers" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/972/40474554330_f6d6e16698.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer squash blooms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
Things are going really well! The plants have been getting big and produced a bunch of buds over the last two weeks. The flowers just started opening over the weekend and I'm hopeful we'll have a bunch of squash a few weeks from now. I've been monitoring the plants closely for squash bugs and haven't seen one yet.
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Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-76151870537759924772018-05-22T07:34:00.001-07:002018-05-22T07:34:07.390-07:00Update: Native persimmons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You may recall that last year I <a href="http://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2017/09/native-persimmons-and-recipe.html">collected a wild persimmon and planted the seeds</a>. I put these in a pot outdoors and just let them be - no water, no attention whatsoever. I figured the less I messed with them, the more likely they would be to germinate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/42181884071/in/photostream/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana)"><img alt="Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana)" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/829/42181884071_7d76bd8459.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon tree (<i>Diospyros virginiana</i>) beginning to sprout from the soil.</td></tr>
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It appears my gambit worked! I have one little tree that sprouted from the soil in late March or early April and another one is breaking through the soil now. (And I'm pretty sure it's not a pecan or oak tree planted by a neighborhood squirrel, which is what usually comes up in my pots that sit outdoors...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zdufran/41461003764/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana)"><img alt="Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana)" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/953/41461003764_1e243df3e7.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon tree (<i>Diospyros virginiana</i>) growing quickly.</td></tr>
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The funny thing is that just a week before the first tree sprouted I placed an order from a plant catalog and included two small persimmon trees, so it looks like I may soon have persimmon trees coming out my ears and I don't really have a plan for where to plant them!<br />
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I know my mom would love to be able to pick persimmons from her own yard, but I also know that these native persimmons are not the ideal candidates for cooking. And I also realize it will be years before the trees are large enough to bear fruit...<br />
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I do have access to land where I can plant these, so maybe I'll start a little grove there.</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653408897410605247.post-40421543035558431922018-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:002018-05-21T06:00:03.471-07:00Hard winter strikes a blow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just a month after posting my <a href="http://variegatedthumb.blogspot.com/2018/03/galveston-update.html">Galveston garden update</a> I traveled down there for a weekend birding trip and found that the garden didn't quite look the same. Apparently this winter was a hard one in coastal Texas and a number of plants that had never before seen a hard freeze were zapped to the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/variegatedthumb/41454143744/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Galveston winter damage"><img alt="Galveston winter damage" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/41454143744_1b7d7bc3dc.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead plant material where there used to be Natal Plum (top), as well as Duranta and Jatropha (bottom).</td></tr>
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The Natal Plums (<i>Carissa macrocarpa</i>) along the front sidewalk had grown really large over the last 5 years but after this winter they were DEAD to the ground. The Duranta (<i>Duranta erecta</i>), Plumbago (<i>P. auriculata</i>), Spicy Jatropha (<i>J. integerrima</i>), White Bird-of-Paradise (<i>Strelitzia nicolai</i>), Esperanza (<i>Tecoma stans</i>), and Bougainvillea were also all dead to the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/variegatedthumb/41454143684/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Galveston winter damage"><img alt="Galveston winter damage" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/950/41454143684_2e7494e45a.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
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Dead plant material where there used to be Bougainvillea and Esperanza.</div>
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You can see new Esperanza growth beginning.</div>
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The good news is that I could see new green stems appearing at the ground level, coming up from the roots, of just about everything. I will have a heck of a job cutting back and disposing of the old, dead growth on my next trip down to Galveston, but thankfully this winter did not spell the end for most of the plants. I guess the other silver lining is that the plants will not be as crowded now that many of them are starting over from ground level.<br />
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Plants that seemed to have been unfazed by the winter include: all of the Oleanders, Indian Hawthorns (<i>Rhaphiolepsis indica</i>), Shrimp Plant (<i>Justicia brandegeana</i>), Bottlebrush (<i>Callistemon citrinus </i>'Little John'), Yucca, Pineapple Guava (<i>Feijoa sellowiana</i>), Buttonwood (<i>Conocarpus erectus</i>), and Cycad (<i>Zamia vazquezii</i>).</div>
Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14591545830532096734noreply@blogger.com0