Diffusely lit, cool morning

What a pretty boy! Male staminate flower on b. Caribbean Queen 

Lightly overcast cool morning. Fed by watering can everything I didn't get to yesterday. Gave the gardenia (and oak leaf croton) a systemic insecticide.. as it's loosing all of it's leaves. It's a new plant, $40, it is blooming nicely, but 2/3 of it's leaves have yellowed and are starting to drop. I planted it by the book: light bleach and rinsing of pot, plenty of drain holes in bottom, a 2" layer of lava rock, weed block, fresh potting soil.. if it's a fungus or insect, perhaps the chemo will help.

Cool and humid (68F / 20C)

The potato tree aka solanum macranthum

Cool, damp, mostly gray day. Spot fertilized (crystal MiracleGro 2 tbs per 3 gal can) in the early am. I am trying maintain discipline when it comes to watering the begonias. I need to see the leaves wilt a bit or at least a nice dry top 3/4" of soil. Bleeding heart, jasmine in boxes by handrail are always thirsty.

I don't know why I haven't put palms in large pots for shade. So many types that would do fine out there to choose from. I could tie them up with some sturdy fishing line to secure from wind.

A comment was left to my Wednesday post suggesting Solanum macranthum that, from research, looks to have gorgeous leaves and bluish-purple flowers. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like a very wind tolerant plant. Ocean breezes, often packing a punch are part of my terrace environment. I tried brugmansia and they didn't take to the wind so well. That plant was ultimately eaten up by spider mites. I didn't have the energy at the time to put up a fight. 

They also suggested bromeliad 'Harvey's Pride'. I might have too much direct sun for that I'll have to research it. Doing some research on this bromeliad I ran across: 

http://www.jacksbromeliads.com/ 

A great website. It's fascinating and someone's put a lot of work into sharing their love of these plants!

Good night

Sol de invierno suave

Most of my time recently has been spent at the office. I've not been getting up early enough to water, but the gentle cool temperatures buy me time-- I can spot water as needed by water can and give everyone a bath this coming weekend.

I can grow begonias on my terrace in winter. It's drier, cooler, the sun is gentler. Happy days are these.

The new 'Caribbean King' has a nice spot to acclimate to the new environment of a terrace behind the Vietnamese gardenia which is blooming. What's not to love about green velvet?

Side shoots coming off of main rhizome of Caribbean Corsair- one of my favorites

Regarding rhizomatous begonias

A rhizome is an above ground root usually horizontal in position, that usually produces roots below and sends up shoots progressively from the upper surface.  See below. 

This is the understory of the b. 'Caribbean Queen'. New leaf and flower stalks lead the growth of the rhizomes. Notice the bare rhizome following along after stalks have fallen off of root.

Many rhizomatous begonias, such as this B "Palomar Whirlwind" have beautiful leaves making them a valuable plant in and out of bloom.

Here is a shot of the rhizome of the 'Palomar Whirlwind' begonia above. When the pot gets tight, they will climb right over the rim. It's getting pretty snug in this pot.

Some rhizomes grow straight up in the air-- until gravity slowly bends them back down
b. 'Selph's Mahogany'

Ribs 'n cobbler

Perfect weather for outdoor dining in S FL now. I have a number of loose ends I need to tie up before setting the table. I had hoped to get up early enough to beat the sun and water everyone. But I didn't and then had to play tennis so here I am now midday. I have a few empty pots that need to be cleaned and put away. Keeping the terrace clear of unused containers or any other inanimate objects that distract from plants is imperative, though not always so easy in the workaday life. Moved around some of the begonias, vacuumed, did some spot watering to help out some wilting leaves. The garden was certainly presentable.

Exhausted from cleaning house and garden. But having eaten the tenderest baby back ribs, corn muffins, sweet potatoes, cole slaw-- and then some peach blueberry cobbler. (The fruit was perfectly ripe. Chile is putting out the most delicious winter peaches). It was worth every scrub of toilet, floor and after dinner pot. The evening air was cool and the sunset turned into two sweet candles on the table.

More later..

Lime is a refreshing color. I'll find name and post asap.

Nelumbifolia

We seemed to have made it through last night's cold snap unscathed, though I haven't looked under the protective plastic sheet I put over Burly Marx philodendron. They are very cold sensitive, anything near the upper 30's will burn them, mid 30's and KO. The past 2 years had a number of nights near freezing and Fort Lauderdale has fewer Burly Marx around town to show for it. The Plumeria looked wilted, I was afraid it had gotten bit, but it revived by the end of the day, after a 3 gal bucket of water. The begonias are all fine. 

b. Nelumbifolia Mexican species [photo: me at Palm Hammock Orchid Estate parking lot]

Winter chill 4.44C

My current begonia inventory, all rhizomatous:

Caribbean King 1998 Tim Anderson (Washington State x Joe Hayden)
Caribbean Queen 1998 Tim Anderson (Washington State x self)
Odorata Alba  1813 Species Guadeloupe
Caribbean Corsair 1998 Tim Anderson (Nelumbifolia x Black Velvet)
Heracleifolia var nigricans Species Mexico, Central America
Arte Hodes (Caribbean Prince? )
U402 Species Venezuela (?)
Pattern 1982 Shigemi Hybrid (B. Viriob x B. Verde Grande Seedling)
Selph's Mahogany (Heracleicotyle x unknown)

Repotted Selph and Heracleifolia as they were sharing a large Mexican bowl with an agressive Arte Hodes. I planted them both in fairly small clay pots. If there was one thing that I saw at my last visit to Palm Hammock Orchid Estate was that I've been over potting.

I haven't repotted the Arte Hodes which had been in the large bowl yet, it's wrapped in a wet paper towel waiting for a free moment to mix up some light soil. It's not very shapely as grew in a large bowl and the stems were supported by the rim of the bowl and haven't developed strong stems-- though it has beautiful leaves. I'll have to trim back for shaping. It's a tough plant, I don't think there'll be much of a problem coming back.

Selph's Mahogany, an erect rhizomatous begonia [photo me, Palm Hammock]

The year of the dragon





The year in review

There were a lot of mistakes and some successes. I have learned a great deal. The casualties have made me more amenable to listening to the experience of others. In any case, the love of gardening is a great gift which I've enjoyed immensely this year. For the new year, I wish you, happy reader, the quiet peace that only a beautiful pot with excellent drainage can give. And may your rhizomes never rot, nor snails make swiss cheese of your beautiful begonia leaves, nor scale attack your bamboo culms. And finally, may your tea be as expensive as you can afford and a plate of Eccles cakes always ready by the pot. 

Asleep in the quiet, dappled shade

The sun still sits low in the southern sky. Even though it's cooler, begonias can burn in the direct light, I have them hidden behind larger pots. I am going to have to design a portable "Shade-Brella" that I can spear into a large pot and have the more delicates underneath the umbra. The goal would be to block direct sun rays and protect against the heavy rains. Ideally the design would somehow allow for the "Shade-Brella" to stay in place during light to medium wind (do not try to use this name for a similar product you may design-- it's mine, though it just came to me).

The shade garden below cannot be replicated on my 4th floor terrace due to the harsher sun, wind and rain. I am a little envious when I visit this peaceful place (Palm Hammock Orchid Estate). It's easy to fall asleep leaning against the potting supply house after a good turn under the screen shaded rows of begonias, ferns, water plants, etc.

A large bed of b. "Arte Hodes" (or similiar with 'pig skin' texture leaf)  and friends, they look quite content in this gently lit understory.

The walk into Palm Hammock Orchid Estate nursery

The gentle water fall  provides ideal moisture for the adiantum aethiopicum growing on the stone. Although known as the 'common  maidenhair fern', it's delicate spray of vibrant, green leaves makes for a very elegant plant.

b. peleata, a very beautiful species begonia.

b. peleata, large leafed maiden hair, et al.

A great center piece for the dinner table.

The King and I

Went to Palm Hammock Orchid Estate today to buy gifts in celebration of the upcoming year of the dragon.  

Yours truly with newest acquisition b. "Caribbean King" 

Miami Beach 85F 12/26

12/26/2011 Miami Frank Gehry New World Symphony Park. The bougainvillea will climb all over these lattices.
[Photos: me]

Looking toward the concert hall building. Palms planted en masse like this provide a nice canopy of shade from this unusually warm winter day.

Miami Beach botanic garden, it would be great to have one of the same in Broward County

On a side note

Curiosity, imagination and compassion, not necessarily in that order, are the most precious attributes a gardener can encourage and grow. 

Absolutely nothing to do with repotting a palm, one of my favorite TV series 

Rhizomes of the Caribbean

b. Caribben Queen flowers in front of a Caribbean Corsair note
b. Odorata Alba in the background

 


Sweet. A spray of inflorescence from b. U402

 


 A must visit site for begonias

Gentle morning sky

Moisture coming in from the Straights of Florida against a backdrop of auquamarine