Nascent dog days of summer

That time of year when I remove the sprayer from the hose and use my thumb to give everyone a heavy drinking for a leg up during these hot, glaring days. They are appreciative and growth is steady on. The vines and planting against the railing now form a relaxing privacy screen. The croton, potato tree and vietnamese gardenia, all having been given a sharp trim are growing in convincingly.

Experiment

Philodendrons burle marx and a monstera-like climber packed into a 12" deep bowl. Hoping these will grow up and over, forming a lush mound of green exotic foliage. We'll see if this experiment works (some sprigs of begonia U402 stuck in for luck). 

Here is a pic of some beautiful dark soil with plenty of humus and organic matter- full of nutrients and porous for drainage and aeration of the roots.  The soil below is MiracleGro with moisture control, costs more, but it's a very convenient size for a container garden. 

A light mix like this is a good  drainer. 

Dragon frut, creepingfig,  with a bougie on the side. As it's been said before, cover the masonry with green-- it cools the garden air. This is planted on both sides of the sliders.

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While away the hours

Day off work, a simple chore of watering turned into the much needed task of sweeping leaves and mud from behind and underneath. Pruned croton, trimmed bamboo grass back to 5" so it will grow back in more evenly and upright. Lirope had been pulled out of the pot the bamboo grass is now in. I separated it into a few clumps and filled in handrail planters where needed. The bougainvillea planters especially needed some filler underneath- we'll see how it looks. Watered everyone in thoroughly and then applied fish / superthrive mix. The buddha belly bamboo is sending up an number of culms on the edge of one side of it's pot.. time will tell how long the pot can contain it.

Notice rootlets coming out of joint in trunk- the will adhere to the masonry. Hopefully the wind won't prove too much for  them.

The philodendron planted in orange tree pot has begun to send out some feelers to climb. I've said it before, if you have any shade on your terrace, even if it's only for a few hours, try growing some type of philodendron. They will fill and overflow their pot, lending a lush, tropical look to your terrace. I'll post pics of this one when the light gets a little softer.

At times some things are best left alone.

15 + knot gusts--blowing around a lot of rain. Rolling thunder, though not much lightning. The garden is getting pretty wild looking from the front of the building. Growing up, through and over a 4th floor handrail. Not many things blooming. Maybe I'll leave well enough alone and just let it grow wild..

probably best to let these sleeping dogs lie (Ossining, NY) 

White orchid safari

Kay Taylor, native plant enthusiast, sent me these striking pictures of the understory of an Everglades hammock.  Kay took these during a hike, hosted by the Broward chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, in search of the native ghost orchid. Here is a link for more of their efforts: www.npsbroward.org/

In the river of grass, paradise found.

Success, the  quiet beauty of a ghost orchid. An endangered species  native to SW FL and Cuba.

Philodendron does the needful

Piece of philodendron pulled from a tree at J Durko's Nursery

It's grown in nicely.

More later

Ashes to ashes

Haven't had much time for the garden. To tell the truth, it needs a good sweep- ideally a good scrub, and the idea of that labor has kept me inside. Watered everyone down tonight however. Struck by the size the little cutting of philodendron given to me by J Durko. It has become a buxom gal, overflowing it's pot (shared with the blood orange, creeping fig, bromeliade, begonia alba, begonia Caribbean queen).  I'll post a pic of the dramatic growth tomorrow.

I think this graveyard was where Light Horse Harry Lee was buried for a while. 

My mother's ashes were scattered along the highway with her much loved wildflowers. I wish I could have known her as the avid gardener that she was.

A classic for a tea towel

Alamanda vine while walking the dog. 15' leaning up and over a concrete wall in the alley behind an old Florida, 1960's, strip mall a block or two from home

The devil and his wife

Saturday's evening

 Rain off and on all day, though the sky was mostly clear and sunny. My mother used to say that the devil was beating his wife when this happened.The spritz is perfect for keeping big-leafed solanum macranthum from wilting.

Played tennis first thing, the air was full of white flies, like falling white soot in a paper mill town.

I love you U402

U402. This delicate thing keeps my love of begonias alive-- it can take a beating and keeps it dainty habit with tiny pink flowers  ALL YEAR! Cram it in some decent soil and watch her grow.

An update on croton pruning. Several weeks ago, began selective cut back on oak leaf croton. The formerly leggy branches now have are now filling in the shape of the shrub nicely (and quickly). I've planted cuttings around the terrace.

Caladiums

A dowdy summer bedding plant? I thought so, but all the nurseries are selling them and the choices of leaf color and pattern is remarkable. I bought several quarts at $3.99 - 20% (they were on sale). 

The airy flowing form of these leaves is like a pressed summer linen. .. and they can take on full South Florida sun. 

Admittedly gaudy (and a tad cliche) but color is fun to play around with.

Like a wild hog

They removed all of the hogs from an island that was to be made into a national park. They said the hogs disturbed the environment. And the hogs did root things up. However, there was nothing sweeter than to see a sow with a string of piglets in tow.

I rooted up my garden this weekend. Pruning, transplanting, moving large pots. Overturned soil- a pig in the garden. Panic and chaos began catcalling -- ultimately silenced by a strong, sobering cup of coffee. Time, sun and rain are the healing salves for most all of my mistakes in the garden.

Tropic of (skin) cancer

The intensity of the caribbean sun today overroad the soft but persistent ocean breeze- the sun to be ignored at one's peril. 

Dragonfruit (night-blooming cereus) has hit the ceiling. 

The roots are clinging and so far are holding the trunk upside down.

Home sweet home

Finally planted padora vine in a handsome weathered pot. Positioned against handrail to provide guidance for it's lively tendrils. The pot is large enough to hold the vine for a good while. 

new home for pandorea jasminoides