Ciao Manhattan? (never)

Not a lot to report lately. The some cool weather blew last night, it is a beautiful, clear day out though breezy. Having grown it fairly densely, the garden protects itself. If a 6’ begonia can fair a near tropical storm winds of a few days ago, perhaps it’s time to try some rhizomatous begonias again. I have several climbing philodendrons going some already attached 2 other pots flush against the wall ready for clinging tendrils to take hold—and they will take hold strongly. I would say they are philo ‘monstera’, the leaves look have the same incised leaves but given the incredible diversity of the family who knows what exactly they are. Jesse Durko pulled some off a tree as we went around the nursery in a golf cart one day.  

Wishing friends in NYC safe passage.

The morning after

Hurricane Sandy has passed after some consistent rain and hard wind. There was nothing to do but sit on my hands and see how the plants would fair. I was especially fearful for the begonia coccinea- would the canes brake, would the rain of 4 days be too much and rot the roots? Everyone seemed to have faired very well. The little bit of wind damage came today when the wind shifted from northeasterly to a northwesterly- bringing with some cold air-- 70's.

It is an interesting phenomenon that after 3 days of rain, some of the plants still need to be watered. So I watered and fed with a mild protect and feed wash, there have been some bite marks in the bougie leaves. How to have beautiful lush garden? Get everyone cranked up on some fertilizer. Party !! Get 'em  tweaking on some Miracle Gro!

One potato..

 

A subtly scented bouquet of the solanum macranthum tree

Floriferous and real grower! She needs food and regular water, the large leaves transpire quite a lot. Don't let it wilt too much as the sharp needles on the back of leaves and branches will rip the leaves at the slightest breath. Keep a close eye for pests, one in particular, probably some sort of mite, is veracious and it takes weeks after treatment for the new growth to grow in completely. I use a diluted douche of Bayer protect and feed every 2 or 3 weeks. Bottom line; this one takes some care but it's gigantic leaves and beautiful papery blossoms make it a real spectacle on the terrace-- and it can provide shelter for those under it's skirts.

Early AM duties

I've spent the past two early mornings feeding. Tuesday was fish/guano/superthrive. Today, simply SUPERthrive. I used the f/g/s tea on 'Arte Hodes' to no obvious ill effects. Most everyone got some food, except large ferns. I need to proffer a meal to them as soon as I have time. Purple bougainvillea is looking good, new sprouts breaking out on the branches soon to become purple bracts.

The PM sun gets ready for evening

First things first

I had gone to Home Depot yesterday to look for a wooden trellis that could be sunk into the large 12' plumeria pot to keep the wind from bending the branches too much, they will break. I found that and then went to peruse the fertilizers. I bought a gallon of 6-1-1 fish emulsion. Organic fertilizer with healthful bacteria that enriches the soil seemed important. Bougain, the specialty food for bougainvillea sold by the IBG (international bougainvillea growers) supposedly with 'meaningful' amounts of micronutrients was several products down so I bought a five pound bag. Not cheap-- but the bougainvillea are all dying to bloom and need some food to do so. Got up first thing this morning and got busy. All bougies were fed and watered thoroughly. These have delicate roots that can get burned. B. coccinea also got just a powdering of the fertilizer as it's good for bloomers. I've had to move coccinea out from under portico into a sheltered area but it's going to take more sun. Maybe too much. The wind was just too pushy next to pilaster.

Lucky number sleven

Respectable wind coming in from the NNE .. temperatures in the upper 70's. Flushes of heavy showers followed by still hot to the touch sun. Yesterday wet from rain at 7a, I took advantage of already dripping drainpipes (that pelt my neighbors below) and watered everyone in heavily. Even when it seems to have rained hard and long, the foliage of some of the plants keep the soil underneath from getting a good soak. This would not happen in the ground of course. The drip line around the canopy of the plant would provide plenty of moisture. I'm noticing more agressive growth from the bamboo of late... it has filled out quite a bit. I'm thinking that it might by from the SUPERthrive.. my feeding routine is soo unscientific that it's hard to say. I mix in fish n poop with the Super so maybe it's a combo.

I want to buy a palm tree to use as a foundation specimen on the east side, to provide shelter for begonias, etc.  Pygmy dates would be good, they sell fairly mature groups of three to a 25gal bucket. I could leave it in the pot, with some camoflage in front. But the sharp needles would have to be carefully trimmed. I've seen it done. The airy foliage would provide somewhat of a break from the direct sun. A pot of 3 alexander might work. It would work next to SE pilaster chained (discreetly) to the handrail.

Love saves the day

Below, please enjoy seeing a philodendron (planted in a large pot with my blood orange tree) climbing up the wall, intertwining it's clinging roots with creeping fig. I think it's imperative to grow vines on the walls of a garden. If, of course, your condominium will allow it. There are work arounds if not. I'm not  sure how high up the wall the wind will allow the philodendron to climb, but it's wonderful to see for myself the ability of particular types of philodendrons to cling tightly to boring, hard, hot masonry. Cover your garden walls. I now have night-blooming cereus, creeping fig and this philo currently. More to come.

Cooling green softens hard concrete

 In the midst of hurricane strength power poles, aging strip malls, and factory roofs. I am ever so grateful for the generosity and comfort this oasis has shown me.

 The terrace after 2 years. Again, notice creeping fig and night-blooming cereus under the light at left, vines allow the masonry to be incorporated into the garden.

An elegant gal

Tied straighter and gangly branches pruned (more to come here). Looking forward to shapely floriferous growth. It is a stately begonia.

Broke fast

Broke fast of 30hrs first things with a biscuit egg, cheese, sausage treat. Followed with masas de puerco with sauteed red onions and black beans for lunch. Chicken Madeira, asparagus, spinach for dinner. Low carb cheese cake.

Smaller plant stand from storage with some U402, aurelia and croton cuttings (which have begun to grow nicely). 

Judicious pinch back on coccinea. Leggy branches too far away from it's cane got the snip. Cleaned up pots, misc. odds and ends. Took them to storage along with a fairly large plant stand, a rounded rectangular shape. I brought back a smaller planter stand, in which I placed an aurelia (in a pretty fluted pot) and a U402  that I have had growing under the orange tree for some time. Terrace looks clear at least, I will always have a problem with soil stain on the tiles and the run-off  onto neighbors terraces below when I water.

A fast one.

Hard to pick out coccinea from plumeria but you get the idea of placement around pilaster. The begonia is on inside with brother plumeria covering it's back. b 'Carribean Queen' rhizomes in center of table, handsome b. 'Red' in blue bowl in backgroud.

Having to fast today for a procedure. Oh my stomach is crying for the near non-stop snacks of nuts and yogurt, Atkins's bars and rich creamy coffee I usually stuff myself with. My plants however, are not fasting. It's a nice sunny day, a beautiful break from the 12 hour downpours which have bullied us off and on (more on) over the last few weeks. As always, the plants use the water efficiently and grow. But a bright sunny day can do no one any harm! I've tied up the coccinea on it's bamboo supports, with non-stick garden plastic tape that gives with as the plant grows. I'm not sure if I should trim the smaller branches leaning out from the main part of the plant. I read online that trimming a cane, with a very restrained hand will prompt the plant to send up new canes. Back to my fasting and their breakfast. Fed the bougies a light mixture of the Bayer protect and feed. If i don't do this the new leaves will be eaten and not develop into colorful bracts. Fish poop for the blood orange pot and handrail planters with pandora vines and jasmine. Iron, acidifier and Miracle Grow for the crotons and gardenia. Didn't water bamboo, though it's blades are curling. I've notices that some of the culms that came up straight rather than having the distinctive bulbous culm, have begun to swell at the joints, I think they do this when they are dry but the root ball is not completely dry-- to preserve water. I'm only guessing here.