Pretty little nameless orphan $10 from nearby nursery -- supposed to have a pretty red spray of flowers

Likes the sun but what really excites is the growing availability of TREE BRANCHES to hang on

I've been a little surprised with some black soot that's appeared on the Sea Grape. I had to scrub a few leafs off.  Also, aphids (some sort of sucker) LOVE the new born leaves.

The gardenia was absolutely overcome with soot 4 or so weeks ago. I cut back severely trying to clear all signs of soot. A month or so later, she is a ball of shiny green leaves. 

Soot is tricky. It can be washed off though that is a pain in the ass. The leaves will survive if cleaned. Left too long, it will destroy the plant. Probably because photosynthesis becomes impossible? This is one of my famous S.W.A.G.'s (scientific wild ass guesses). Same with the suckers. If sprayed with a little soap, new Sea Grape leaves mature - though sometimes with some puckering. Actually, the Sea Grape is pretty scrappy and can outgrow the suckers. Other types of shrubs on the terrace, e.g., the croton, gardenia need to have the insects removed.. systemic anti pest works well. 

Along came autumn

Celebrating the autumnal equinox today. The temperature, although early in the year to change, has bent lower for the past several days. There is a sweet ocean breeze blowing today.

Oh dear. The price, size and health of these canes made them irresistable. The problem--neither colusia nor seagrapes offer enough shelter for these two quarts. Impulse buying can lead to sorry endings.

$15 bucks a quart (2 here). Great deal. 

Beautiful leaves and flowers; canes are elegant begonias

I'm a fool for you baby

Having coffee and rolls with a loved one at the 'Alchemist' coffee shop today. There is a small rather homey nursery adjacent -- which has a good selection of begonias for it's size. There were two b 'Lana' (?) superba type canes, 36" high with some beautiful pink clusters of flowers. I bought one for $15 dollars, the nurseryman 'accidently' rang up two, had to buy both. I'll post a portrait of the pair tomorrow.

Until then;

Of Mere Being

The palm at the end of the mind,
Beyond the last thought, rises
In the bronze distance.

A gold-feathered bird
Sings in the palm, without human meaning,
Without human feeling, a foreign song.

You know then that it is not the reason
That makes us happy or unhappy.
The bird sings. Its feathers shine.

The palm stands on the edge of space.
The wind moves slowly in the branches.
The bird’s fire-fangled feathers dangle down.

~Wallace Stevens, 1954~

Perfection.

Sunday dinner

reckless handfuls of Alaska All Purpose kelp all around to liven up tired soil. Watered in well of course.. by.. my...new..purple WATER RIGHT Extra Light Garden Hose. Fab-u-lous.

Talk to me my love(s)

The vellum kept green this am by 99% humidity

Bending up to face the sun

Only flowers on a drooping bough

Hylocereus undatus

If it's happy and shows it, you better tie her securely to something

I clipped the top at a joint. Planted in rich soil a number of fingers are sprouting.  I'm guessing gravity will pull them -- hopefully to flower and fruit.

10/4/2014- gravity and a gentle nudge sent these stalks hanging low. It seems that once this one gets going she gets going. A little research suggests that pollination (by hand?) is necessary for the fruit to set. 

Morikami Garden (Delray Beach, FL) UPDATE

I posted earlier that I had been disappointed with Morikami garden. Reviewing my pictures of that visit of bonsai and Japanese buildings of the former pineapple landowner certainly warrant a visit.



Cool cover of green for an already hot midday at the end of August

Tree dates from 1930, bonsai'd in '76. 

sweet n' gnarly

 

I am a fool for the windswept romance of an evergreen bonsai however. Well done here.