New Sprout

A Daylily Show

2009-05-31T09:22:00.002-05:00

Saucy Sue
Just a few days ago my daylilies put on a good show. I got to see Saucy Sue for the first time and Ruffled Valentine. Not only did I get to see those but Saucy Sue had two buds and Raindrop had 3 blooms at the same time. Normally only one bloom per plant at a time.

Saucy Sue about to bloom

Ruffled Valentine

Raindrop

Scarlet Gleam Nasturtium
The Scarlet Gleam Nasturtium had it's first bloom. I didn't take good care of my nasturtiums so they aren't as big as they should be. At least I got to see a bloom!

Wordless Wednesday:: Jewels of Opar

2009-05-27T21:08:00.002-05:00

Jewels of Opar. Just obtained from the plant exchange at Festival of Flowers.

Daylily Season

2009-05-26T22:20:00.002-05:00

It's daylily season here at New Sprout. I'm so glad that this year I did go on vacation at this time. Last year I missed most of my daylily and did not get a great show out of them. This year it is different and it seems every daylily I have has a scape on it! So here is the show of daylilies. I think I finally got them figured out as to who is who. Now if only I marked the fan before the blooms are all gone.

Raindrop
A tiny daylily 2 inches in diameter that is beautiful yellow. So small but still so pretty.

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Abstract Art
This year I know for sure this is Abstract Art. The changing colors from the front 3 petals and the back 3 petals are more apparent.

Common Daylily
What many call the common ditch daylily. I still like it and I can't complain as I got it and others in a daylily grab bag for $1.

Windsor Castle
Love this color!

Sacred Way
I don't think I saw this one last year. I'm not too sure that his is scared way as I can't find photos online of what Sacred Way looks like. From the description this is yet. It said light gold with pink midribs and small yellow throat. This is the only one that looks like it has a light gold with pink midribs. To me it's Sacred Way.

Eruption
Lastly the one red daylily that has been blooming. I bought several other red daylilies but I don't think those have bloomed. They only have slight differences like a tad bit more purple and one more ruffly, etc. Out of all the red daylilies I bought eruption is the one that closely matches my bloom.

The Creation of a Garden Bed

2009-05-24T23:59:00.007-05:00

Finally I have a garden bed that is almost done. It only took a few months to get one done. Taking out the grass was the longest most boring and painful process. After taking out the grass it was easy.

I purchased some herb mix soil from Fertile Garden Supply. I got to say I love that place as it has every mix of soil I could want and mulch too. The herb mix is made of compost, decayed bark, orange sand, and cedar flakes. It makes a nice airy mix with a touch of nutrients. I liked it out of all the other ones. Just straight compost was my initial want but they husband did not want poo in his then new truck.

Planttone was added and plants were planted. Then off we went to get some mulch. This was a harder choice as I have never mulched anything in my life. I got double shredded cedar as others say it repels pests. If only it repelled dogs from going into the bed.

The white plastic picket fence is not to my liking. It was bought because the dogs know no boundaries. They see new dirt and that mommy is digging so they think it is okay to go in there. It's easier for now to keep them out of it because they have small areas to sneak in from. I'll be getting some stone pavers to put in the place of the fence so it looks more...natural I guess. Hopefully they will still see the pavers sticking out of the ground as a boundary.

I potted up this container just a few days. This container is plastic or something like that and it was about $16 or something, so it was a real bargain. It makes a great focal point in that bed. In the container I planted a Tiffany rose, a balloon flower, and a lemon thyme. The Tiffany Rose was what I bought the container for, plus I like blue. The rose blooms pink and the other two plants I just added in because they needed to be potted up. Hopefully it grows and looks awesome.

I'm very nervous about my bed because it's hard to plant things and think of how they will look in the future. I took into account leaf texture color and blue color. The leaf color was hard since everything was about the same shade of green. There are annuals in the bed so I will be able to put new thins in after they die. The grass that I am putting in the back is Panicum Cloud Nine. It's nice and airy so It should provide a nice background for the other plants and make them stand out more.

Here is the progress of the bed.

Late Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

2009-04-19T17:45:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I have participated in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Thanks to Carol from May Dreams Gardens for creating this wonderful event. Every 15th of the month garden bloggers are encouraged to take photos of their blooms. I actually did take these pictures on the 15th but haven't had any time to post them up. After doing this post I have homework to do. It's been long since I last posted but I just haven't had the time or even the want to continue with my blog. There are times I get so run down and tired of things I just have to take a break. I think I'm ready to come back again now that I have a yard that I'm trying to get going. No more balcony garden and I'm glad but frustrated too. All my plants are still in pots while I'm trying to rid of the massive amounts of fire ants and make beds.

Here is what is blooming!

Earth Star

Weeping Dwarf Crape Myrtle Sacramento

Cocktail Vodka Begonia

Red Spider Zinnia

Red Pineapple Sage

Vinca

Stock

Sweet William Pinocchio

Petunias

Laura Bush Petunia

Statice

Statice

Mexican Heather

Soapwort

Stock

Stock

Basil

Salvia daghestanica/Dwarf Silver Leaf Sage

Salvia daghestanica/Dwarf Silver Leaf Sage

Graptopetalum/Ghost Plant

Tomato Blooms

Tomato Blooms

Bunny Tails Grass

Wordless Wednesday: Puppy Posing

2009-02-04T08:43:00.001-06:00

Tova the Shiba Inu Puppy Posing with his rings

Spontaneous Garden Center Purchases

2009-02-02T18:24:00.003-06:00

Unknown Begonia

A few days ago I had the urge to go my local garden centers to see if there were any begonias. I'm a begonia lover, specifically rex and angel wing begonias so far. I have plans in the future to become a collector or even start my own little business selling them and other things. Anyways, off I went to go see what the garden center was up. Lucky me found not 1 but 2 Begonias and few other things I couldn't resist.

Unknown Begonia

Sadly the begonias have no tags or names on them. I posted up on the Gardenweb Begonia forum to see if someone can ID them. I've looked online quickly but not found anything except maybe 'Fairy' that looks like the one above. Nothing for the one below has looked even similar.

Unknown Begonia #2

I looked around and found a few other things I just couldn't pass up.

Echeveria?

Here is an Echeveria I think that is fairly large, about 5inches in diameter. I loved the nice pink tone in the middle. I'm a sucker for echeverias or succulents that look like rosettes and have a pink blush to them.

Cryptanthus Red Star

Lastly I bought this Cryptanthus Red Star. Yet again no label. It took me a while to find it on the internet because all I knew was that it was related to the Bromeliad and I had seen them before. I just love it! It looks so mean and evil but it's so pretty with such a bright red coloring to it. I don't know why but I just love Bromeliads and little guys like this.

Those were my purchases. Maybe someone out there knows the names of the Begonias and even the Echeveria perhaps.

Surprise Blooms

2009-01-30T18:55:00.003-06:00

Bunny Tails Grass

Another few things that happened while I was gone on my vacation to Portugal for 3 weeks were surprise blooms. Surprise blooms are blooms from plants that haven't bloomed and you never expected them to bloom because it's been FOREVER. Bunny Tails Grass and Stock I both grew from seeds...I forget when. Bunny Tails Grass was last year. Stock Tudor Tapestry was one of the first plants I planted so about the end of 2007.

Stock Tudor Tapestry

Now here they are fully starting to bloom. I'm beyond thrilled with the Bunny Tails Grass. This plant just pulls at my heart. Now the stock I have learned to hate. One because it took forever, it wilts real easily in the heat and is so not as drought tolerant as my other container plants. And the plant it's self just looks crappy. I'm sure they is 100% my fault because I have 4 plants in one 8inch pot and 2 plants in I think an 8inch pot also. It's crowded in there and all the leaves are gone from the bottom.

It's nice to have some blooms finally. Things were looking dead and dull here but they are finally perking back up.

Wordless Wednesday: Shibas Share

2009-01-28T18:28:00.002-06:00

Kasha and Tova

When Sedum Attacks....

2009-01-26T10:59:00.002-06:00

Dragons Blood Sedum

While I was gone on my trip to Portugal to see my parents, something grew on my balcony. I had waited months for my Dragons Blood Sedum to spread in the little corner of the weeping dwarf crape myrtle sacramento. It did grow but it took me a few days to even notice because...

Variegated Carpet Sedum

When I came back it was not the Dragons Blood Sedum that I initially noticed but the Variegated Sedum. When I had left this sedum had spread but it was about 6 pieces standing 3 inches tall. Now it's spread everywhere and looks gorgeous. These started out as 3 cuttings that I "stole" from my last employer after they did cuttings of pots before sending them to the stores. Those 3 turned into six which turned into this! 3 of them died because i put them indoors and they just didn't make it. 3 of them went to a lucky raffle winner at the school hort club. Now I have all these.

Containers with Ivy, Sedums and Jovibarba

Not only did I notice the Sedums but the IVY!!! I got this ivy as a little plantlet when I volunteered at the botanical gardens. We were ripping out some ivy that they no longer wanted under the palms. I took a tiny little one home with me. It hardly grew for a whole year. Yet when I come back this thing is taking over. It has now branched out behind the planter and infront of the planter. The initial leader is not about 4 feet long. I could not take an accurate photo but the leader in on the ground wrapped around some pots.

Isn't it crazy how you wait for so long to see your plants grow and think you are doing something wrong. When really they just want to grow out of your sight.

It's Seed Time!

2009-01-24T23:01:00.003-06:00

Seeds sown 1-23-09

Finally I sowed some of my seeds. There are tons of seeds I bought for this year. What I planted is such a small portion of what I have. I'm regretting planting the different types that I did because I don't have the space to grow substantial amounts of all of them. Each type has 3 pots or less. Some pots will probably be too small in a short time. I'll see how it goes but it's fun to plant seeds anyways and I'll be happy if I get some nice basic plants to plant for my home when we start moving in April.

Really I have no idea if most of these seeds will do well here. I'm so used to container gardening and being able to manipulate the soil and light to my liking. The balcony provides some shade so none of my plants get the full blazing hot killing sun that SA offers. Live and learn, I just can't resist buying seeds that might make it.

There are 63 pots and 23 different plants:
Castor Oil Bean Zanzibarrensis Mix
Black-eyed Susan Vine 'Spanish Eyes'
Verbena Adonis Mango
Cosmos Daydream
Zinnia Red Spider
Profusion Apricot Zinnia
Nicotiana Domino Salmon Pink
Nicotiana Tinkerbell
Wizard Velvet Red Coleus
Palisandra Coleus
Bronze Fennel Smokey
Salvia viridis Blue Denim
Love Lies Bleeding
Cigar Plant Matchless
Osteospermum African Moon
Hyssop
Lavender English Dwarf Hidcote
Petunia Easy Wave Beachcombers Mix
Achillea Summer Pastels
Basil Dark Opal Purple
Coreopsis Sunray
Alternanthera Purple Knight
Nasturtium Scarlet Gleam

Made it to Portugal

2008-12-18T16:50:00.002-06:00

I'm here in Portugal visiting my parents. I thought I would never make it. This was the work traveling I have ever done but it was my own fault. I missed my first flight because I could have sworn it had said 8pm and not 8am. Anyways I noticed at 9am my mistake and was able to connect to my flight that left from boston to azores. Sadly my hubby had to pay 117 to get me there since Northwest cancelled all my flights because I missed that one. Everyone I landed I had problems. It was just never ending pain. I still have to figure out how to get home and if I'll be refunded at all. I still have my flight to boston but after that all my flights were cancelled. My first plane was delayed so it got there about 15 mins before my next one was scheduled to take off. It took forever for the plane to stop and when it did it was nowhere near a gate and we had to take a shuttle to get inside. I got inside and my next flight was delayed a bit an extra 10 mins but I was at gate E and my next one was at gate A. They said I wouldn't make it so they changed my flight to a later time (2 hours away). I thought I would try anyways. I made it only because it was delayed another 10 more minutes! Then when I got to boston my bags did not show because they had gone on the plane that was scheduled 2 hours later. This became a problem because I needed to check in and check in my bags and only had a 30 min time in between. I had to run from terminal A to terminal E to go check in and check what to do, then to go back and try to get my bags or tell them to send it to terminal a, they were there so i checked them in and made it in time. But i couldn't fix anything in texas because the airlines could not be contacted. When I got to boston they couldn't do anything so said for me to fix when i got to azores. I am pooped and have not gotten it fixed yet.

My husband has been dealing with the house while I have been here doing all the bidding and paperwork. So I am excited so far everything has been going good. The inspector is scheduled for monday. I hope all goes okay and there isn't much of anything at all wrong.

My coworkers had asked me to take photos of plants here and maybe bring some seeds of interesting things. Well I had told them I'm pretty sure they have basically all the same plants. I never notice before what plants were here but I was right. Practically all the same plants just way bigger because it does't get as cold here. Pampas grass, hibiscus, bougainvillea, hydrangeas, vincas, geraniums. But there is one plant everywhere that I have no idea what it is. I'm going to go search for it now but I don't think it sets seed. I'm pretty sure I can't take a plant on my trip back and it would probably die by the time I got back. My mother has a lot of house plants. Her ferns here are huge. The house is humid and it makes them grow like beasts. She has always been really good at growing ferns. Not myself. When I went to college and they moved here she gave me 2 ferns. Well they died soon but I think I neglected them too much. I'll be trying again when I get home since I only have a plumosa fern outside but no ferns inside just ivy, begonias, and succulents.

I'm Alive Trust Me

2008-12-15T20:03:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone. I'm sure you have all been worried about where I have been. I got busy with school and work in general. Finals were last week but I still have an online final to do. Sorry for not posting much, I have been so down about our apartment. My Husband and I have been in dire want of a home. I'll be leaving tomorrow to go visit my parents in Portugal and I'll be gone until January 7th.

Good news, We are house hunting. We found a great home and will be starting tomorrow on the process of getting it. So soon I will have a yard to garden in. This home has some nice landscaping too with some what looked to me to be wonderful plants. I'm very excited and do hope we get the home.

Every one have a great holiday season. I'll be back next year hopefully with a garden to plan for!

Open Days San Antonio: The Fox Garden cont.-Orchid Greenhouse

2008-10-21T16:50:00.003-05:00

Like I mentioned in the last post, here is the rest of the Fox Garden from the Open Days Tour on Saturday 18th. This blew me away and has been in my head since then. The Fox Garden had a great greenhouse filled with beautiful orchids. I never expected what It would look like inside.

There was a nice sign in front of the greenhouse saying "Welcome to Davids Greenhouse"

Remember to click on photos for larger size.

Here are all the orchids in the greenhouse. Isn't this just a site to see! Look at all those roots hanging down. There were a few orchids that were blooming. Of course I had to take photos of all them. Along with these orchids were two hanging outside one of those was blooming. Enjoy the photos. This is the end of the Fox Garden.

All the blooming orchids in the greenhouse

The blooming orchid outside

Open Days San Antonio: The Fox Garden

2008-10-20T23:03:00.004-05:00

Open Days in San Antonio was held on October 18th a wonderful Saturday. It ran from 10am to 5pm and there were 6 gardens to tour. Entering the gardens cost $5 each or $25 if you bought all 6 tickets at a local nursery. This was the first time San Antonio has been in Open Days. Proceeds benefited Gardening Volunteers of South Texas, the Alamo Heights Homeowners Association and the national non-profit Garden Conservancy. I took as many photos as I could of each garden before my memory card ran out. Just as a note these Open Days blog posts will be photo heavy. Sorry but I just could not leave anything out. If you want to see bigger photos just click on the images.

The first garden on I went to was The Fox Garden. (Following Description from Garden Conservancy Website) Construction of the Fox Garden began in 2003 and was completed in 2005. The pre-existing groundcover, plants, and deck were removed, and boulders and fertile soil were brought in to create this tropical paradise. More than 100 majestic palms are the main feature of the garden. The owners have also added a cabana with an outdoor kitchen, a tented pavilion, and a greenhouse. An area was preserved for a large vegetable garden. Visitors will have the opportunity to see a tropical oasis of palms and flowers juxtaposed against a vegetable garden, and a greenhouse featuring a variety of orchids. (End Description)

The front of the House had nice beds with lots of great plants. The House it's self was beautiful of course. Sorry I did not get an overview, I was just not thinking at that moment. There was such nice placement of plants textures and color. There is a philodendron in that photo along with pentas, oxalis, sago, ruellia and probably more.

There were wonderful trees in the front surrounded by these wonderful beds filled with calladiums, liropes, sagos and much more.

The first thing I noticed were the wonderful container combinations. I was jealous of course. Well acutally the first thing I noticed was the nice car but I didn't take a picture of that sorry it was blue, my favorite color. Sherlie my friend and class mate who I coincidentally met her loved this planter with Mona Lisa Lavender, Petunias, Diamond Frost Euphorbia, and Silver Dragon Liriope.

There were tons of great containers all lining the driveway and the path to the garden. I'm estimating about 15 containers with crazy combinations. These two were great of course. One was simple and the other more complex but with pink as the main tying color.

This was my favorite container. I'm really liking that Bromeliad or whatever type of Bromeliad it is.

The Fox Garden did really well at using a handful of plants and combining them in different ways. The vine that was used everywhere were mandevillas in pink and white.

Another common plant seen everywhere was the Diamond Frost Euphorbia. This combination was great and lined the walkway leading to the garden. Silver Dragon Liriope, Diamond Frost Euphorbia, and Foxtail Ferns.

This was the entrance walkway but looking the otherway (I was just leaving and forgot I hadn't taken a picture of it). There were also caladiums and some other plants in those side beds besides the diamond frost euphorbia, liriope and foxtail ferns.

When walking in this is what you first see. What a beautiful site! I felt like I was on a movie set or something. The pool was stunning and all the decor went together. It was all so very clean and pristine. There was a downside to this garden, it looked too perfect. It looked like there was some hired help or something because not a stray leaf was found or a sad looking plant. Like Sherlie said, "There is not a space not filled. I wonder if they planted most of this a few days ago?" It did not seem like a 'real' garden at all.

By the pool and home there was a bed that was filled with Holly Ferns, Aspidistra, Palms, Caladiums, Dahlias, yellow shrimp plants, hibiscus, and more.

The most common plant seen in every garden, besides palms were Aspidistra. I have never seen so many large clumps of Aspidistra ever. This is an expensive plant and I couldn't believe every garden had them in such large amounts.

Here is a look back at the entrance with the greenhouse hidden to the right. I'll get to that next post as I have many pictures of the inside of it.

Here is the tented pavilion. It is gorgeous of course, sitting in on the couch facing the fountain.

On the way to the pavilion there was this great surprise. Bromeliads in the palms! I loved this idea. I'm sure everyone who can does this but I never would have thought about it.

The inside of the Pavilion. Isn't it garden magazine center spread looking?!?! I would die to have this in my future yard, what a nice place to relax and read or take a nap.

I loved this little container on the table in the pavilion.

This was the little path leading down to the veggie garden. There were the usual plants that were elsewhere in the garden lining the way. There were some orchids hanging from trees and portulaca and ferns in the rocks.

Here is the vegetable garden. I'm not sure what was on this side. But there was another side that had lots of large tomato plants and pepper plants. This area had a huge lawn area and a shed to the left of this bed. I don't know what happened but I did not take photos of all that. I guess I got distracted about what I saw next....

I saw these Ghost Plants....

HOUNDREDS of them all along the wall. It was a site to see. They mixed so well with the firecracker plant cascading over them. I was in awe at the use of these succulents. It was such a nice shocker to an area that didn't have much interest.

The Fox Garden was a great way to start the Open Days Tour. Of course I haven't shown you the Orchid Greenhouse yet. It would be too many photos in one post. So I'll let you all take a break and be back next post with the Fox Gardens Orchid Greenhouse. Prepare for eye candy!

Wordless Wednesday: Violas

2008-10-01T09:06:00.001-05:00

Violas

T Shirt Designs

2008-09-24T19:56:00.003-05:00

At school we have a Horticulture Club. They want T-Shirts and of course asked if anyone had artistic talent. I really did not want to volunteer since I have too many things on my plate at the moment, but no one raised their hand and I thought, well one more thing couldn't hurt. I raised my hand to do the T-Shirt design and everyone got a surprised look on their face and some asked... are you sure you can draw. People tend to under estimate what I can do, but that is okay.

Anyways, no one had any design ideas and the group is mostly male. Being a female it's hard to think of what the male Horticulture lovers would want on a shirt. They suggested a tree and that is what they did last year, but I really wanted something better and not so cliche. I drew out some flowers and a tree, all things that grow well in our area. Here they are:

Esperanza

Plumbago

Crape Myrtle

I showed these 3 to some group members both girls and guys. The girls loved the Esperanza and the guys didn't like any of them and wanted a more strong and manly tree. I think they are being selfish, really. I made the crape myrtle thinking it would please both sides. It's got flowers and is feminine but it's a tree and doesn't scream too feminine. After getting input from the males I went home and chose a more manly tree. Really I think it would be better for the males to have their manly tree and the females to have their esperanza. The tree is just so cliche and I like flowers I'm sorry. When I think of tree I think of arboriculture and not Horticulture as a whole.

Manly Tree (Live Oak wannabe)

Hopefully now the tree will appease the males. I'll have to wait until the beginning of October to get a group vote and see what everyone has to say. It's hard to do this Horticulture Club because everyone is so used to the way that it has always been run. The previous semesters there were leaders that did not participate and then leaders that are so lax that hardly anything happens. I have a genuine want for the club to be fun and useful for everyone. This semester I want it to continue for the entire semester and to do fun things besides a plant sale. I'd like to meet 2 times a month instead of once a month. Meeting once a month would only be a total of 4 meetings for that semester. We have already had one to just get organized a bit and then the next would be getting together the plant sale. I really wanted to meet every week so there could be more activities and fun things to do and give everyone a good chance to attend some of the meetings. No one really liked that idea but agreed to 2 a month.

I'm Vice President but I might as well be the President as the one that was elected is scattered, unorganized, and not much initiative. The members of the club can't agree on anything but don't have a real want to do much of anything that is suggested but anyone. I threw out so many ideas at the meeting and everyone was just not on the train for much if any of them. The person elected PR hasn't done much along the lines of finding people to come and talk and places for us to go. I some how got chosen to be the person to find plant donations when it had been discussed as being a whole group task and everyone's responsibility. I'm feeling like the group just doesn't want to do much of anything really and they are just there for the food that first meeting. My hopes and dreams are just too high I guess. I really shouldn't care but I do feel hurt. The club could be so much fun and really connect us and new comers and get the students more into the city community and the actual Horticulture community. I know people have full time jobs and families but it's just a half hour to an hour 2 times a month before or after your regular classes. I'm busy too, very busy and just so overwhelmed.

Sorry again for the rant. Really if anyone has input on how to drive the clubs spirit and logo design ideas that appeal to all please do say. I really wanted a logo on the front but no one is into that, they are boring.

EDIT
**************************************************************************************************
As suggested I did a tool. This might just work!! Tell me what you think.

Dirt and Trowel

Home but not Garden Television

2008-09-10T16:20:00.002-05:00

Morning Glory 'Lt. Blue Mnt. Fuji' and Sweet Potato Vines

On Plurk a couple of garden bloggers brought up the dreaded H(G)TV. Being gardeners we are peeved that there is no garden in Home and Garden Television. The station has been overrun with home improvement and house makeover shows that I can't say when I last saw a garden show. It's been brought up that if they don't have garden shows why not just take out the garden from their station title.

I used to watch HGTV often and don't ever remember seeing a single garden show, but I'm young so maybe once upon a time there were some. Really if HGTV would put garden shows on their station they would get more ratings right? Apparently they don't believe so it seems. To them those home improvement shows are the big money makers. That could be why now a days not many people go into gardening and don't have appealing gardens or appealing neighborhoods anymore. Very rarely do I see a totally nice neighborhood or more than one house that has a great well kept garden. There are probably more people who are into interior designing, buying selling houses and what not because that's all the shows they televise. I have a feeling if they put more garden shows on their station more people would know what to do with their yards and how to grow plants and have just more general plant knowledge. I could be wrong, but it would be nice for us gardeners to have stuff to watch too. I don't have a home to renovate but I do have place to plant stuff.

So HGTV, make more garden shows and educate your viewers into making the outside of their home look good too. It's not all about the inside. Or just take out the garden from your name and us gardeners won't be peeved that there is not gardening on your channel.

I'm always surprised to here people say 'You must have a green thumb to be going into the Horticulture Industry'. Well just a year ago I thought I couldn't grow anything not even ivy. Most people has this idea that gardening is hard and just so time consuming. It's not time consuming if you find it fun and pleasurable. It does get hard to go out and garden in 100 degree weather and seeing your plants suffer despite your best efforts. In my mind having shows to reeducate the generations that gardening is not this impossible thing, and with knowledge you can grow stuff and make a pretty place. Most of the time I hear people say 'I don't have time'. But yet they are able to watch tv for 3 hours or spend their time doing something else ridiculous when they could be out there taking care of their wonderful garden. It's rewarding, more rewarding then watching tv. After saying that then why bother have a tv station show gardening? It gets out to those out there that maybe want to garden but don't know how, and it would maybe give them a boost and inspiration into making a garden and beautifying their world and space. I bet everyone wants a beautiful garden but many just don't believe they can take care of it, grow plants, have the time, have the money, etc. Just my thoughts on what I have noticed in general of the people I talk to.

Blotanical Awards 2008

2008-09-08T17:04:00.002-05:00

Blotanical is having it's first Blotanical Awards. If for those garden bloggers that are a part of Blotanical. For all that read my blog please go and vote for your favorites. Of course I would be honored to even be chosen for one of the categories but even if not it's great to award those that do a great job. Go and vote all even if you don't vote for me. Award the special bloggers in that you love who are part of Blotanical. If you are not part of Blotanical and have a garden blog or like reading garden blogs do join! Hurry up there are only 12 days left. My how time does fly.

More Seeds

2008-09-07T11:44:00.002-05:00

Seeds from Select Seeds

I've been on a seed buying craze these past few months. Whenever I see a site that has seeds on sale I just have to look and of course there are things I find that I just NEED. I just purchased seeds from Select Seeds from their clearance section. I thought I would need more annuals as I have mostly perennials and they just out grow the containers so fast. I made an effort to get more herbs and more annuals in different colors.

Here is what I purchased:
Feverfew 'Virgo'-chrysanthemum parthenium
Bronze Fennel 'Smokey'- Foeniculum vulgare
Salvia annual clary 'Blue Denim'- Salvia viridis
Castor Oil Bean 'Zanzibariensis Mix'- Ricinus communis
Love Lies Bleeding- Amaranthus caudatus
Calendula 'Pink Surprise'- Calendula officinalis
Jasmine Tobacco- Nicotiana alata
Love in a Mist 'Miss Jekyll Blue'- Nigella damascena
Cosmos 'White Sonata'- Cosmos bipinnatus
Larkspur 'Scarlet King'- Consolida ambigua
Shirley Poppy- Papaver rhoeas (Free with order)

I'm not sure if some of these will do well here but I might as well try. I have been wanting to get the Bronze Fennel after seeing it at the Botanical Gardens and the Love in a Mist has been on my must have list forever. I tried to pick colors that would look good together easily and some texture differences. I'm going to have to make a plan so that my balcony will look organized instead of looking like a plant bomb landing on it.

Corkscrew Buds

2008-09-03T11:15:00.000-05:00

Corkscrew Vine Flower Bud

The corkscrews are coming! My corkscrew vine (Vigna caracalla) has buds. I can't believe that I will be getting actual blooms from this vine. I really lost hope as all year it has been growing and taking over my balcony but no sign of any flowers. While spraying (Stupid mites and white flies) I saw buds, everywhere!f I've been so disattached to my balcony garden that I didn't notice. It's been so disappointing to go out and water all the wilting plants that are infested with bad bad bugs that I can't get rid of. Now that the weather is cooling I hope my plants can get healthy again and fight off the bugs. It's so hard to keep them all properly watered when I am gone for 8 hours. I deeply water them all before I go to work but it does not help them all. The corkscrew has been doing really well but it is starting to get mites and the white flies love to hide behind all those leaves. I can't wait to see and smell these blooms. They better come soon before the bugs take over.

More newbies to New Sprout

2008-08-31T14:27:00.002-05:00

Senecia rowleyanus 'String of Pearls'

Did some shopping yesterday and got some great little succulents. Also got a nice little house plant too while shopping at a different place. I went to Rainbow gardens to get a client some Philippine violets before they sold out. Plus I had to go to that garden center because I had coupons that were about to expire. I've been wanting to start a succulent collect to maybe start selling...maybe some day. I have some weird interest in succulents but I have been fighting getting more because I don't really have room. Since I am going to be making a 4 tier grow cart I thought it would be a good time to get started on the collection.

Senecia rowleyanus 'String of Pearls'. I knew this was called string of pearls because I remember seeing it online once. The thing I hate about getting succulents from stores is that they normally do not have actual names, it just says assorted succulents. I like the uniqueness of this plant and I think it would be a good seller as it makes a great hanging basket too. Succulents make great houseplants. They are also good for most anyone because normal not plant crazed people don't want to water often, so the succulents and cactus are the way to go. My mother had many cactus that were strewn around the house she loved them and they never died.

Haworthia fasciata

Ever since I went to the botanical gardens and saw the Haworthia reinwardtii I have been in love with the Haworthias that are shaped that same way. Of course when I saw this Haworthia I couldn't pass it up. Yet again it was labeled as just plain succulent.

Hoya carnosa 'Krinkle Kurl' variegated

I have thought about Hoyas but never found one I really wanted. I love leaves that are curled and leaves that are variegated so I naturally had to get my first Hoya. It is supposed to bloom every few weeks if I fertilize every 2 weeks, or everyday with Eleanors vf-11 which I need to try out.

Echeveria

Darn these unlabeled succulents. This is an Echeveria and I'm not sure of the variety. I searched forever yesterday and the only thing I found that looked like it in some pictures was Echeveria subsessilis, but not too sure. Maybe someone out there can help with the ID. I'll post on Gardenweb to see if someone who is a succulent or echeveria guru will know.

Hemigraphis alternata

Hemigraphis alternata is called waffle plant or red ivy. I liked the unique texture of the leaves and the purple undersides. I'm still trying to find something that likes my computer desk. I'm hoping the waffle plant will be the one since it likes part shade. If not back on the windowsill.

Good news!!!

2008-08-31T13:29:00.003-05:00

I got a new job all!!! I feel so bad for leaving the large wholesale nursery that gave me a chance and provided me with so much experience. They just don't work around my school schedule. I thought it would be different and that once I started they would understand that I go full time to school and that work will be second. But last week it was very difficult for me. On Monday and Wednesday I went to work then to school then back to work then home for 2 hours then to school then home for 2 hours then sleep. Other days except for Friday I got to work then home for 2 hours then to school then home for two hours and then sleep. It's really hard to do anything while you are home for 2 hour intervals. I hardly have time to make food shower clean or anything really. Experiencing this I knew that I would have a very hard time doing homework. Besides that I was begged every day to stay later to work on Saturday and I'm working on labor day. Really I just can't I have school and extra time to devote to work. I don't like feeling guilty when I can't work when they need me. I don't like having to say no I can't work later or on the weekend because of school and then being told I'm so spoiled and special, because I am not. Other people that work there don't go to school after work so they can stay later and only have one day off a week. I was sick from driving around so much and not being able to eat enough or rest enough. On Tuesday of last week I said I'm quitting sorry all. So my last day would be September 9th but the prop manager told me I could leave this week on Thursday after everyone comes back from working in other areas. I really wish I could leave earlier I am so exhausted.

How did I already find another job. I have been looking for weeks really or even a month or more for something that would be more flexible with my hours. I applied for the Botanical Gardens but did not get even an interview the 3 times I applied. It was for the best since it is further away and wouldn't really work out with school. Then a the landscaping for the condo did not work out. I have been landscaping on the side and it has been fun but also a physical challenge. I found an ad for an herb farm that was looking for a person to fill in a propagation spot. I emailed and was asked to come in for an interview last week on Monday. I went in and filled out an app, got the tour of the area and asked lots of questions then offered the position and to start asap. I was excited. They will be working around my schedule and have no problem if I need to change it for whatever reason. I can add more hours or take more off or work different days. It's great and I'm excited, plus I'm getting .50 cents more but could be getting even more if they see that I know what I am doing. Another great thing is that is up the street so it really does save me gas.

Hopefully I will be staying at my new job for as long as I can. I really do want to stay at one place for a decent amount of time. I seem to only be able to stay for under a year or even a few months before something comes up and I just have to leave or find something else. Everyone has said it is a great place to work and I will more than likely like it more.

Wordless Wednesday: Pups

2008-08-13T20:28:00.002-05:00

2nd times the charm

2008-08-13T19:12:00.003-05:00

Really 2nd time is not the charm in my case. I cut my finger AGAIN. The same finger in the same place but a different angle. Now I have a massive load of gauze on my finger which makes it weird to do anything. I got liquid stitches since getting a real stitch wouldn't work because of the awkwardness of the cut Yes I cried, it hurt and I was scared I was going to lose my finger tip. I do not like how the doctor cleaned it and I am worried of infection. I was trimming jatropha seedlings with dirty ass shears that have a bunch of jatropha juice and who knows what all over them. Anyways I'm fine just, I can't believe I did it again.

What am I getting myself into?

2008-08-10T21:25:00.002-05:00

Sedum

Again I have been gone and I apologize. My garden hasn't been too eventful since it has been infested with mealy bugs, mites, and white flies. It's just so frustrating to go out there and spray and get more bugs the next day or a few days later. It's expensive to keep on buying $9 spray to not really have it be that effective. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or what. Many of my plants are just suffering trying to fight off the bugs. I'm doing my best with spraying and fertilizing to help them but it's not all that effective.

Besides the unhappiness with my little corner I have been doing some landscaping for a few people. One client I am doing a flower bed and most likely fixing up the empty flower beds in the front. I thought I would give a shot and doing some yard maintenance. It's been in the back of my head as a possibility for my future job having my own little business. As always I have run into a little dilemma with said clients before. A tiller was rented to till the flower bed and get the compost and fertilizer all mixed up and the ground nice and ready for plants. This said soil was hard as concrete for the top 4 inches and the tiller just didn't really do much. Also this said tiller was as big as me and dragged me with it so the homeowner was the one operating it as I just watched. I felt horrible and now know to mention that I will only maintain established gardens or plant in bed that are already amended. I have no problem figuring out what needs to be done, but those machines and heavy lifting are things I just can't do. Also on Saturday I over exhirted myself at this clients house and was on the verge of heat exhaustion. I keep on thinking I am stronger and more capable of doing things when I really am not.

The other clients house I am doing they already had a guy from another nursery that is no longer open come over and clean up the beds. The soil is okay but I haven't dug into it yet. Even if is not good I will just amend the holes instead of the whole beds. There is an acre I am doing that have some existing plants but it just needs some fixing up. Like I said I will have to just amend the planting holes as much as I don't like doing that but I just can't do anything else. This client is hard for me because they have part sun/shade and the homeowner wants plants that are low maintenance , colorful, and not annuals and will come back every year and not die. Let me tell you this is a hard task for me. I am still struggling to find some colorful plants for that shade area.

That is what I have been doing. I need to stop slacking on here even though I have really nothing much to share unless I keep quiet for a week or more.

Wordless Wednesday: Rose

2008-08-06T06:56:00.001-05:00

Tournament of Roses, Floribunda Rose

More seeds!!!

2008-08-02T21:57:00.003-05:00

Vinca Seeds

Well today went very well, until I cut my finger. Sorry no picture on that I don't think anyone wants to see my finger with a bandaid over it. It was a pretty bad cut that make me cry for a minute and call my husband to ask if I need stitches. I was trimming back the evil Torenia and rushing before my friend came over. As you can probably guess I wasn't being careful and snipped my finger. I could have really snipped off the tip, and it was pretty close to doing that. It stopped bleeding after a few minutes but it's the worst cut I have had. Lets say from now on I will always be careful no matter what.

On to the seeds now. I haven't been paying attention to the Vinca I have and when I looked at it for disease discovered I had a few seed pods.Now I have some seeds, joys.

I purchased some seeds online from Home Harvest Garden Supply. They were having a sale on seeds and I just couldn't resist seed packets that were .72 cents each. I saved 5 dollars buying it online then going to the garden center. It would have been more of a savings if the cheapest shipping wasn't priority (about $7). I have no idea if most of these will grow well here but I will try. Do tell me if any one of you wants some of these seeds. I only use a few seeds, I have rarely used a full packet unless I have problems.

Iceland Poppy (mixed), Nasturtium 'Dwarf Cherry Rose' 'Scarlet Gleem', Coreopsis 'Sunray'

Dill Bouquet, German Chamomile, Alternanthera 'Purple Knight', Bail 'Dark Opal Purple'

Marigold 'Queen Sophia', Petunia Easy Wave Beachcomber Hybrid (Mixed), Achillea Summer Pastels

I know I said I wouldn't get Petunia seeds but I love this color combination. Tomorrow or next weekend I need to get supplies to make a seed propagation table at home. Last year my seeds got leggy from not enough light. So I need some wood, nails, and lights, maybe even a timer.

My Wordle

2008-08-02T21:50:00.002-05:00

Click to enlarge and go to Wordle.net and make your own Wordle

Welcome home

2008-08-01T21:01:00.002-05:00

Sunday I went and purchased some plants. As always I only intended to get some potting soil and a plant or two to replace the ones I threw out. I tossed out the Hibiscus which was infested with whitefly that I could not rid. The Hibiscus had not bloomed in months and I just gave up on it. Then I threw out all the mint, the ferns, and the knotweed because it had gotten whitefly too and the mint just always got aphids. As you can guess I got more than 2 plants. I tried to be good and get some taller plants but...I still somehow picked out some not tall plants

Purple Lady Iresine

I have never seen this and I am trying to make an effort to pick out plants that some more interesting colors so it's not all green except for flowers. It's a spreading plant that does well in shade to part sun. It can do well in full sun in humid areas (which I don't think it is here). I purchased it mainly for the great red purple color and the planter out front need the creeping ruellia gone, it's not doing well. I have issues with the planters at my front door since I don't think I am getting plants that do really well in low light. I will see with this one. If not I'm sure I can make some room on the balcony for it. I surprisingly have some plants on my balcony that are part sun/shade and they are doing pretty darn good.

Confetti Lantana

Silver Mound Lantana

Next I got lantana. I want something that attracts butterflies, be drought tolerant, and grow like a beast be cut and keep on growing. I personally love Lantana. I know many Texans who actually do not like it but get it because it's the a great plant for here and deer resistant. I love the smell of lantana, but pretty much everyone I have talked to does not like the smell. It smells citrus like to me and just so fresh. This time I made the effort to get Lantana. I thought these two would look good with one another. I'm not sure if I will plant them together or in their won separate containers.

Gold Bar Miscanthus Grass or Zebra Grass

My main thought when going to the garden center was to get grasses. I like the texture of them and I need some different textures on my balcony. Like I said before I wanted some different colors too on my balcony. I had seen this somewhere and I had it on my mind when I went there to begin with. Of course I was overjoyed when I spotted the Gold Bar Miscanthus. It looks so awesome especially when it is grown and larger. It's a slow grower so it'll take a few year if not a lot of years to reach it's full height of 3-5 feet. That is not a bad thing though. I'll be having to think of what I need to move around to make room for these new additions. I kind of throw things wherever there is space and it's looking really mismatched. I can't put this tall growing grass in front of plants that only grow a foot tall. So I have to do some moving, mostly of daylilies,and maybe a bougainvillea.

Mexican Feather Grass

I saw this at work one day and loved the effect of it. In my Herbaceous Plants class last semester I learned about this grass so I had to get it after seeing it. I got this grass because of the texture, it get these great light and airy plumes that really make a spectacular sight. It gets about 2 ft tall and is drought tolerant too.

Hawaiian Snowbush

This plant took my breath away. It has an interesting shape, some great variegation placement and wonderful texture. I have never heard of Hawaiian snowbush (Breynia disticha). Since I have never seen it or heard about it I have a fear it will die sooner or later. It's a zone 10-11 plant so I'll be bringing it inside for the winter. Just have a feeling I will have a hard time with it. I think this is the compact version because if you look at the normal Hawaiian Snowbush it has more pink to it and a different form.

Those were my purchases. Sorry to blab on and on about nothing really but oh well. Do tell me if you have any experiences with this plants especially if you live in texas or 8b.

When will I have enough ...

2008-07-31T17:51:00.002-05:00

Enough experience that is. I did not get the position for gardener at the condo. It was perfect with flexible hours and a chance to get my feet into gardening and seeing if it is something I want to do. Can you guess why I didn't get chosen? Not enough experience, yep. Over a year of accumulating knowledge, volunteering and getting whatever plant related job possible and even being an intern for a wholesale nursery is not enough experience. You would be surprised how many people I have met in the industry that I know more than...it's scary. I guess I'm not convincing enough that I know stuff and can do a great job and learn on my own without being trained if I don't know something.

I'm upset and I will cry when I get home after my final. I don't know how I will do on my final either since I can't seem to retain anything with what has been going on this week. I'm sad but at least I do have a job and a position waiting for me, it's just not a position that I think will be all that fun for very long. So I can't really complain because where I intern they do like me and there are more than one person who wants me to work for them at the nursery. It just takes them seeing me work to believe I know something and can do it. Unfortunately I can not be convincing to employers that I know stuff and will be wonderful.

I did put a resume I guess you call it on craigslist asking if anyone out there has a garden or landscape they need to be maintained and upkept. So maybe something great will come up soon that I didn't expect. I knew something was fishy with that position since I never got called for an interview or talked to on the phone but was just asked a few 3 liner questions over email. I feel like a failure really when I have applied for two jobs I really really wanted only to be chopped down and told I don't have enough experience. It's hard to get that experience they all talk about. I thought the internship would give me that experience to be convincing to employers. The internship was great and the company is pretty good don't get me wrong, but wholesale nursery work is not really my cup of tea like I thought it would be. Maybe another nursery another time in another place doing seed or propagation. I still got my eye on propagation and maybe this position I am being offered will be what I wanted after all and I'm just scared that I will hate it and am trying to run away. I think that is it really. I am scared I won't like being a grower in prop. But also I want to try the gardening thing too just so I know that I didn't wait for so long to find out I don't like it.

Sorry for being so down lately really everyone. It's just been a rollercoaster. Sorry for no photos either. I really don't like my entries with no pretty photos but I just have to vent and let it out to people who will listen and comfort me in a plant lovers way.

What have I been up to?

2008-07-30T18:33:00.002-05:00

I know I know, I haven't been updating religiously like I used to and said I would start doing again. I'm such a slacker but I have updates both good and bad.

I bought plants that I will post up probably Friday. I got seed that I will post up hopefully on Saturday.

Now for what has been going on. My Internship is about to end. It has been fun and I have learned a lot at the wholesale nursery that I work it. Like I wanted, I can get a position in Propagation being a grower with maybe a bit of a raise. That is good right? Well yes and no. I wanted to work at the Botanical Gardens and there was an opening for Gardener that I applied for last week. Sadly I did not get selected for even an interview. I am sad because I wanted to experience being a gardener and just maintaining landscape and a beautiful place in this city. Also I think being a gardener at a Botanical Garden, Formal Garden, Estate Garden, or whatever else is what I would love to do for the rest of my life. I want something that makes me happy and keeps me learning and active. It's great working in a wholesale nursery but there is not that much intimacy with the plants and the surroundings. After not getting selected and being really sad I did a quick search to see if maybe there was another position similar out there for me. I found one, it's a high end condo that is looking for a gardener that loves plants and can beautify their area. It has wonderful flexible hours and no need to learn plumbing and electricity and be the maintenance person for everything there, just gardening and sprinklers and fence. I can do the gardening for sure and I have taken many woodworking classes so I am comfortable with wood and tools and building things. Sprinklers I know nothing about fixing but I can easily learn. Anyways I emailed about the position stating my case and my interesting and just put in my resume today. This is all good right? Well it would be if I didn't have to give an answer to the GM of the wholesale nursery on Friday before he goes on vacation. I'm either in or out and there is no in between I'm not sure, can you keep me in an area for another week. It's either yes I want to continue and take a position, no I don't want to work any more here, or maybe but I won't be working next week.So now I am awaiting to see if i get the gardener position that would be great for me and give me a head start. That is what is going on with my career.

Finals are coming up tomorrow!!! I haven't studied and I'm slacking. I'll go back to school again in the fall full time and I'll be taking 5 classes. For those that don't know...5 classes is pushing it. I'm scared really, I don't know how I will balance everything out. I got wonderful news today though! Back in May I applied for a scholarship through TNLA (Texas Nursery and Landscape Association). I hadn't heard anything so I thought for sure I had not gotten the scholarship. I wasn't even sure if my app was good since I had 3 transcripts to get in and was really cutting it close on the deadline. Well I got a call today and I did get the scholarship. This is wonderful since I don't have to stress about having to save up for school and not knowing if I will have the money to continue going at this pace. Well anyways, it's $1,000 that is split in 2 for next semester (fall) and next years semester(spring). It doesn't pay for everything but sure helps a whole lot.

That is pretty much everything in a nutshell. Well then there is the aphid, spidermite, whitefly, and mealy bug infestation on my balcony that is annoying me to no end. I'm not sure what is going on but everything has something and some have more than one thing. I spray but I practically went through a bottle of neem that I just bought today alone spraying every plant I have (50+). I hope this goes away soon or lessens.

Okay off to study now...maybe.

I also have a giveaway to do but it might be awhile. So keep your eyes pealed LADIES for an opportunity to win something great that you will love and will be useful to you.

Wordless Wednesday: Crinum

2008-07-30T18:22:00.002-05:00

Crinum 'Walter Flory'

I know this is wordless Wednesday but I have to say this. I had written the name of this Crinum down and typed in the computer as water foly...which I found nothing when doing a search. After looking for pink Crinums I found that it must be Walter Flory. I wonder if I wrote it down wrong or if the Botanical Gardens plaque is wrong.

Wordless Wednesday: Pomegranate

2008-07-23T19:32:00.001-05:00

Pomegranate

Super Late Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

2008-07-21T17:56:00.002-05:00

Purple Fountain Grass

Wow I am late with Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Really I was prepared on July 15th but for some reason my motivation has been slacking in all aspects of life. I need a nice vacation with no stress, like that is possible. Better late then never right? Carol from May Dreams Gardens created Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Garden Bloggers from all over the world share their blooms every 15th of the month. Go and visit Carol and all the wonderful bloggers who participated in GBBD.

Lobelia Crystal Palace

Campanula Deep Blue Clips

Balloon Flower

Candytuft

Mexican Heather

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle

Vinca

Weeping Drawf Crape Myrtle Sacramento

Juanita Hatten Bougainvillea

Barbara Karst Bougainvillea

Chenille Firetail

Cocktail Vodka Begonia

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle

Abutilon Bella Red Grapefruit

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle

Sweet William Pinocchio

White Pentas

Wordless Wednesday: Succulent

2008-07-09T06:51:00.001-05:00

Succulent Unknown

My Balcony Update

2008-07-06T12:17:00.002-05:00

Right side on my balcony

So here is my balcony again for all to see. Of course it has changed since I have taken this picture. I just put out a flat with some sweet potato vine cuttings and the ground is messy again. When I take photos of my balcony is always after I have swept it. I added one plant since taking this photo, the basket plant I had inside.

On this side:
bougainvillea (2), jasmine, evening primrose, torenia, laura bush petunia, abutioin, corkscrew vine, daylily, hyacinth bean vine, stock, coleus, gaillardia, parsley, cocktail vodka begonia, vinca, livewire grass, variegated devils backbone, mexican heather, plumos fern, sunflower (2 both not doing well), winter squash, woolly mint, statice, mt fuji morning glory, phlox, salvia (not doing well), nemesia, bunny tail grass, lobelia, and soapwort

Lower right corner

Upper right corner

Left side

The left side always seems to get all the bad insects and diseases. Right now that side has white flies badly, minor spider mites, and the dianthus was partially rotting for some reason. This side has improved alot since I first started. It used to be the side where nothing would really grow and just didn't look too great. It looks great now in the picture but those darn white flies. I think I had some control over them recently with my daily (sometimes twice) spraying.

Plants here:
Hibiscus, boston fern, maiden hair fern, mint, knotweed, weeping dwarf crape myrtle, jacqueline hillier elm, dragons blood sedum, myrtle spurge, jovibarba hirta, needle point ivy, variegated devils backbone, variegated dracaena, amaryllis, snake plant, purple fountain grass, sweet potato vine, mt fuji morning glories, chenille plant, white pentas, dianthus pinnocchio, campanula blue clips, and balloon flower.

Lower left corner

Upper left corner

Do click on photos to see bigger picture.

The Cause Of My Absence

2008-07-04T19:29:00.002-05:00

Tova our new Shiba Inu puppy.

The reason I have been absent from my blog for a while is because of that little guy. We got him on Tuesday to give our 1.5 year old Shiba Inu Girl Kasha a buddy to play with. It has been difficult getting a good schedule going. The first few nights was hard because he would whine. So I would come home from work exhausted and then have to watch him and play with him. Kasha didn't get along with him for the first two days but she has stared to play with him today and isn't trying to hurt him any more. Sorry for not being around but I have been reading blogs when I get a little time. My husband just started working from 10pm to 6am so it's been difficult to get things done when I am home alone and he comes home when I got to work.

I'm finally starting to get into a rhythm now. Now I have to re-implement cleaning into the schedule. I have been slacking off but I'll get things going again soon.

Now with the balcony...here is what is going on that I can remember. The lobelia crystal palace is starting to bloom, the campanula is reblooming after it's shock when I went on vacation, the corkscrew vine is taking over it's area and has quickly run out of trellis to grow on (i need to figure something out), the bougainvillea juanita hatten has started to bloom, the purple fountain grass started to tumble so I cut off those pieces and have them inside vases to decorate, I'm still battling whiteflies on my Hibiscus that have taken over my mint and starting to get on my weeping dwarf crape myrtle, the mt fuji morning glory vine is really starting to grow now, the chenille plant has many blooms but it's leaves are looking a bit odd (maybe more fertilizer?), candytuft is blooming again, the woolly mint has started to fill out, the hosta is doing badly inside, the creeping ruellia and the rex begonia still aren't looking too great even though the creeping ruellia is blooming today, the white penta no longer has aphids, the winter squash seedling leaves are looking yellow (maybe I will try next year and put something else in their container, and lastly for now the hyacinth bean vine is starting to climb up its trellis but it's leaves are still yellow (fix soil drainage could help?).

Living in The Sun

2008-06-27T06:13:00.002-05:00

Plumosa Fern

There are two plants on my balcony that I have been monitoring for any signs of sun burn. I got them and the signs at the nursery said full sun but the internet and their tags said other wise. The Plumosa Fern and the Chenille Firetail are the two. Online the Plumosa Fern I think says partial shade. I don't really have partial shade on my balcony. I tried to shade it some by putting it by the cocktail vodka begonia. So far it's doing wonderful.

Plumosa Fern and Torenia Leaves

I'm a lover of the light airy texture of Plumosa Fern. Ferns are a favorite of mine but I can't ever get any since I have no shade or even partial shade. I should just buy some and keep them inside but so far I haven't been a good indoor plant grower. The Plumsa Fern looks great will the Torenia Planted next door. The Torenia has started to trail around the Plumosa Fern. It looks great when there is a bloom by the fern.

By the way according to my research notes the Plumosa Fern can get up to 4ft tall and isn't really a fern at all. The Plumosa Fern is in the asparagus family.

Chenille Firetail

I chose the Chenille Firetail for my hanging basket. The sign for it said it could take full sun but the tag and internet said shade to partial shade I don't really have a place of partial shade to hang it from. It's done great so far and has another bloom and the previous blooms have gotten longer. No signs of burn yet. I hope these two plants do well because I love them so far

Any other gardeners out there experience this with some of their plants? I'm so very surprised that they are doing well in full sun.

Making Babies

2008-06-26T11:03:00.000-05:00

Jovibarba hirta f/Belansky Tatra

No I am not making babies...but my Jovibarbas are. I plucked some jovis from my container and put them in the container that has my weeping dwarf crape myrlte. I want them to spread in that corner so I can put them in pots and maybe spread the joy. I love jovibarbas and maybe someone else in San Antonio does too. I'm glad to see that these two are making babies to roll away from home one day and continue the cycle.

Wordless Wednesday: Fence

2008-06-25T17:34:00.001-05:00

A fence of the Kumamoto En Garden at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Do click to enlarge and see it bigger and better.

Fabric of Petals

2008-06-23T21:13:00.003-05:00

Mt. Fuji Morning Glory Lt. Blue

I am always amazed by the blooms of the Mt Fuji Morning Glory. This has been the bloom with the truest color and probably the biggest so far. Previous blooms were more purple, but this time it really was blue. The flower was so big the little vine just tipped over from the weight on the end.

When I picked up the flopped over vine with the bloom on it there were about 8 ants crawling all in the bloom. I managed to get a few bad shots of some of them. I really liked how the petals looked like fabric. It was just stunning to me. I wish I could have gotten better pictures but I was just not having a good time with the lighting. These are the times I wish I had a great macro lens.

I have started to build an invisible trellis for this vine. I had thought of putting having it twine up the railing. This was my original plan until I got some winter squash seeds and planted those. Those winter squash will need the railing, I'm sure. So now I have to figure out where to situate the winter squash. I want to put the winter squash were the morning glories are right now. But I have no where else to put the morning glories. I could have them climb up one corner but I have no room to put that pot in that corner. It's the corner by were the storage door opens. If I put the pot there the door will not open all the way and I won't be able to move it once the vines get going up the trellis. So I might just put the winter squash to the left of the morning glories so they cross in a section then go their separate ways. The morning glories will go towards the wall and the winter squash will go on the railing creeping it's way towards the corkscrew vine. I'm a vine addict and just bought way to many vining things for my own good.

For those that do not know what an invisible trellis is I am more than glad to inform you. It's just a trellis using fishing line. That is what makes it invisible. Normally you would run the fishing line vertically but since I have no ladder Mine will be horizontal and I hope that works out just as well. I'll probably add fishing line vertically but I'll have to attach it to the horizontal fishing line instead of attaching it to an eye screw. I got 2 eye screws in right now. I stopped putting them in today because I noticed the morning glories have spider mites .I don't want to put the screws in and the fishing line if the morning glories won't make it there.

Results of Not Researching

2008-06-22T13:31:00.002-05:00

Angel Wing Begonia 'Frosty'

A few weeks back at the beginning of June I purchased two plants and a wind chime. I was looking for some shade plants to place inside and by my front door. I didn't research before I went to the garden center as I didn't plan on going there at all that day. Anyways, I asked the lady at the register what kind of lighting these two plants need. She said shade and I took her word for it.

The Begonia above is started to get brown edges. I think it's just not getting enough sun I have a feeling. Why do I feel this? I have another Angel Wing or Rex Begonia that my teacher had said would do well in shade. Lets say it's not looking great right now and has lost a majority of it's leaves. This just started happening a few days ago. I just took some cuttings of each to root in water. I might have to take more cuttings of the red and silver one I have because it's almost a goner.

Variegated Woolly Plectranthus

This is the other plant that has started to lose it's lower leaves. I just did some research and I think it needs full sun or more sun then it was getting. I had it near my sliding doors on my entertainment center and it wasn't doing well. I just put it outside a few moments ago to see if it fairs better. I feel like they should have these light requirements on the tags or make signs or something. Even though I asked I just think they spit out something according to where the plant was situated outside. These two were under some light shade but who knows how long they have been there. I know when I did merchandising we would put plants under conditions they will not do well in the long run but will be fine in the short time until they get sold. I just wish these businesses would better educate their employees or at least put up signs. Some of them do don't get me wrong but others don't. I'm not that angry it was mainly my fault for not doing my normal research when I got home and for not sticking with plants I know.

Wind Chime

I finally found a wind chime I thought was worthy enough to buy. Even though I do like it I don't really love it. I'll probably replace it or just buy another one when I find one that I just swoon over. I've very picky about my wind chimes. I wanted one with a high tinkle or close to high but not one that hurts my ears. I wanted a simple design with no frogs birds bits and baubles on it or handing from it. I wanted a neutral earthy color like dark brown or light beige. Doesn't sound like too much right. Well it took many stores to find this one and I could do without the round Asian bit on top. I do like Asian themed things though but still I could do without it. I had looked at getting a bamboo wind chime because I like the sound of the bamboo it's a low hollow sound but it's not loud. I love the deer chaser fountains and can't wait to get a house just so I can get one.

The Vines Are Coming

2008-06-20T21:30:00.002-05:00

Corkscrew Vine

Above is the Corkscrew Vine on the trellis I bought for the Hyacinth Bean Vine. A couple of parts of the corkscrew floated their way to the trellis and had started to climb inbetween the siding on the wall. I twined it around the trellis at the top and not sure what to do with it after words. Maybe I can hook some fishing line upwards or over the sliding screen door. This Corkscrew Vine has been doing good. I have tried to get it to twine downward but every time I do that the piece will die back. It just doesn't like going down. The other corkscrew I think is about to get a growth spurt. It has been slow compared to this one.

Hyacinth Bean Vine

The Hyacinth Bean Vine has been slow it has just reached about maybe 6" tall now. I thought it would be large by now. I think I need to fix the potting soil since it looks like it might need more perlite and bark fines. The leaves are far lighter then they should be. I know it is getting enough light as my balcony gets much light all day long. I still need to find actual bark fines. Everytime I look and think I found bark fines, it is not the right size at all. Tomorrow I will go to Lowes and see if I can find it there were many people say they find it.

Winter Squash

Even though the Winter Squash got off to a bad leggy start it has really started to do well. It's starting to grow faster then most of my vines when they started out. I'm going to need to find somewhere to place it. The place I was going to put it in I temporarily put the Mt. Fuji Morning Glories there. I guess I need to buy another trellis for the morning glories and use my railing for the squash like I intended.

My Jasmine vine is doing well and it has grown a bit but has slowed down since it's initial growth spurt. I do hope it keeps on going.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-06-18T20:11:00.001-05:00

Corkscrew Vine

Petunia Sketch

2008-06-17T21:51:00.002-05:00

Petunia Sketch

I have been slacking off on my goal to do a sketch everyday. I did okay for a few days before going on vacation. All you mothers and full time house wives will laugh when I say this next sentence. I am having the hardest time trying to do what I need to do after working an 8 hour day. I have no energy to make food, clean, walk the dog or anything. When I get home I just want to vegetate and read about plants and tend to my little space. I feel horrible, not because of being tired but because I get home at 4pm and have 6 hours to do all the things I need to, yet I can't. Please tell me I'm not alone in having a problem balancing things. I'm sure a lot of women start out this way. Maybe I'm just lazy. Anyone with tips do share. And also anyone with tips on getting rid of headaches fast on those many days I come home with them do share also. I do have a husband but he is hard to motivate when I'm not motivated. He gets to sit behind a computer though, I get to work in the hot sun, but that was my own choice.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day: Daylily Overload

2008-06-15T10:23:00.003-05:00

Penta 'Graffiti White'

It's that time of the month again....No not that, but Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Every 15th Garden Bloggers all over the world post their wonderful blooms. Thank you to Carol from May Dreams Gardens for putting together such a wonderful event. Please do visit Carol and other wonderful garden bloggers to see their wonderful blooms.

Daylily

I have daylilies but I'm having a hard time finding out which is which. I badly labeled them and now my labels are all washed out. The only clue I have is the ones with labels I got from Gilbert H Wild. While the ones without labels are unknown ones I got for a dollar each on ebay. I think they are all beautiful regardless if they were a dollar and more than a dollar. So if you know maybe which one is which do say. I bought abstract art, cold harbor, eruption, lovely naomi, raindrop, ricky, ruffled valentine, sacred way, saucy sue, and windsor castle. I will put the name I think it is but it's just a guess since many pictures online vary in color.

Windsor Castle Daylily

Abstract Art Daylily

Daylily

Daylily

Bella Red Grapefruite Abutilon

Daylily

Daylily Eruption

Cocktail Vodka Begonia

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle

Torenia

Weeping Dwarf Crape Myrtle Sacramento

Vinca

Laura Bush Petunias

Purple Fountain Grass

Mexican Heather

Candytuft

Balloon Flower

2,000 Year Old Seed

2008-06-14T12:09:00.002-05:00

A 2000 year old Date Palm seed was sown in 2005. It is now 3 years old and 3 ft tall. Go read the article on the oldest seed grown so far. Read Here

Daylilies

2008-06-12T23:03:00.002-05:00

Daylily

My Daylilies have been doing well.I think some of them I won't get to see this year because of my vacation and the lack of water. They had buds then they dried out and the scapes have dried too. Will they come back this year or no? I've enjoyed them anyways. I have some unknown varieties that I think are pretty nice even thought they are common orange. I should have put my own labels on my daylilies. i kept the plastic lables they came with but with the water and sun the writing has disappeared, lesson learned.

Windsor Castle Daylily

Sorry I haven't been posting everyday like my usual self. I even missed wordless wednesday which is my favorite day of the week. My internship is going well but I am exhausted. I'm not used to the heat and to working full time. Also on top of that I'm not used to waking up at 5:30 am. I'm finding it really hard to stay happy when all I do is work all day and then come home and pass out. I find no time and no energy to do anything when I get home. Really if it were my choice I would never work full time because it makes me very depressed. When I work part time and have time to do the things I like to do at a not rushed pace when I am exhausted I am perfectly happy. I wish I could be like the rest of the working force who don't seem to have an issue working full time.

Daylily

Do please check on the right side for my twitters. I have an easier time updating them then my blog. It's far easier for me to just go online and drop two lines then to upload and edit pictures then upload them on photobucket then put them on blogger and write an entry. I never had a hard time before but I can't even stand being online for very long. Plus so far everyday but today I have come home with a migraine. I don't have prescription sunglasses so haven't worn them. I caved in today and said screw the glasses, I can see fine just things are a tad blurry far away. Now I need to gather cash to get some sunglasses so my vision won't decrease.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-06-04T17:22:00.001-05:00

Maple Tree at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens

Some come and go...

2008-06-03T22:46:00.004-05:00

I'm back from vacation. I would like to say it was a good vacation but I came back home to quite a few dead plants. Sadly my plant keeper/friend didn't go one day and that destroyed many plants and seedlings. Strangely the ones that went were the ones I had moved indoors. You think the plants on the balcony would have fried themselves but they were fine.

The Hibiscus I thought I had lost because it was so severely wilted. But it bounced back after a deep watering. A few things were near death like my crape myrtle and bougainvilleas and I'm sure many more plants. Most of those that were withered bounced back but there were casualties...many. Here is the list on those gone.

-Dimorphotheca aurantiaca 'African Moon'
So withered it just didn't make it. It was my favorite, all planted from seed sown in Feb I think. I have more seeds so I'll try again
-Armeria formosa
Got dried out and just didn't make it
-Petunias
They were past their season but were still looking good.
- Celosia
It hadn't grown for a while but it didn't make it.
-English Lavender Dwarf Hidcote
These were still seedlings. They have just gotten about 4" tall and smelled like lavender. They fried to a crisp
-Nemesia Mello Red and White
This was sad because they really had started to grow but they ended up dried
-Phlox
It didn't do well in the container and just wasn't growing good so I ripped it out. I'll try again with the remaining seeds. I do still have 2 seedlings that are looking good.
-Candytuft
This was the giant purple ones. They had lost all their leaves and I got seeds enough seeds from one plant. I still have the smaller ones that are making seeds. It was time for something new
-Venus Poppy
I was so heart broken. This was my second maybe even third time trying to grow poppies from seed. The Venus did well this time, but it got dried out an I thought I had saved it only to accidentally flip the container over and it didn't recover from the disturbance.
- Sweet Peas
They grew great for months then got yellow and just sad looking. I think they didn't like the heat and sun. I got one bloom out of 4 sweet pea plants. Maybe indoors they will do better.
-Godetia
It had lost most of it's leaves but it was doing well and still blooming and making some seed. Came back to twigs and some pods but didn't bother to save them
- Candle stick Plant
Sadly this guy had a hard life. it has some wilted branches and I thought it would make it but soon the whole stem browned.
-Aeonium Kiwi
I cam back to a black mushy thing. I don't know how my succulent died. My computer desk seems to have a curse that any plants I put there will die no matter what I do even when I move them away.

All those are gone now. I repotted the corkscrew vines into the rectangular pots that became free from the dead plants. They were in dire need of some more room to spread their roots. I was surprised they did not die while I was gone. One of them was attacked by something and half of the leaves are chewed. I split the mint in half and stuck it with the knot weed. The mint got really leggy from being in doors. I took out a snake plant from the knotweed pot and put it with the other snakeplants where it belongs. I tossed out the columbine because it had already put out seeds and it was time for something fresh and new. The campanula got hit hard but I think it will make it. When I was leaving the campanula had many buds and had just gotten a bloom. I put some better soil in the parsley and put one of the plants in it's own pot and I should do that with some of the others they are getting crowded. I put the laura bush petunia who also got hit hard by my leave with the corkscrew vine in the large green planter.

Today I went to the garden center and bought some plants to replace the dead ones. I'm not sure how they will do but we'll see. I tried again to find some fine bark chips since the soil conditioner has not been working well. The soil conditioner was shredded bark and I want some pieces. I needed something so I got this bark nuggets and I break them down a bit but it's still a lot of work. Anyways here are the newbies I bought all of them small probably all in 4inch pots. I'm a cheapy and low on doe, I have no problem starting out with small plants.

Just Purchased
Balloon Flower
Plumosa Fern
Torenia-purple pink color
Mexican Heather
Abutilon- a salmon peachy color
Penta- white
Polka Dot Plants- 2 of them one darker the other lighter but both with green and pink
Chenille Plant

I'll try to get pictures in soon and maybe do a memorial for those plants that were lost by my leave.I do hope my new plants will like their new home .I haven't potted them yet, but I will be putting them in spots I think they will be good in and see how they do before planting them in their pots.

By the way I start my internship tomorrow at the wholesale nursery. I think I am just doing paperwork to update my new position. My pay rate got knocked down sadly to I think minimum wage. The good news is that I get experience and the GM asked me if I planned to stay. I told him I would like to but I'm not sure how they would deal with me having a class that meets in the morning on two days of the week. He said they could easily work around that and I could chose to be part time or full time and not to worry about it. So I'm glad I won't be kicked out when I got to school in fall and have to find another job somewhere else.

What's Blooming Before Vacation?

2008-05-22T09:38:00.002-05:00

Abstract Art Daylily

Tomorrow I am going on vacation to visit family in Arkansas. This means this will be my last post for a week to week and a half. I thought a nice way to leave for vacation would be with lots of blooms and pretty pictures. I know I love pictures so I hope you all do too.
Today is a busy day with lots to do before we leave. Still got lots of cleaning, some laundry, lots and lots of folding and putting clothes away, last minute wiping and vacuuming, putting most of the plants inside, meeting my friend/plant caretaker, transferring money so I can pay for next semester, calling a past college to get a transcript, mailing out my scholarship app, packing, and hoping that everything will get done in time. Now I leave you with the pictures. Be back soon.

What I believe to be Abstract Art Daylily

Osteospermum aurantiaca 'African Moon'

Gaillrdia pulchella 'Razzle Dazzle Mix'

Laura Bush Petunias

Candytuft

Jovibarba hirta

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-21T14:39:00.001-05:00

Yellow Columbine taken at San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

Growing on and on

2008-05-20T22:28:00.002-05:00

Mt Fuji Morning Glories

The Mt Fuji Morning Glory had another bloom today. I didn't take a picture of it since today was cleaning day. But it was almost the size of the last one that I thought was a mutant. Previously the blooms were normal looking maybe like 2 inches in diameter. Now they are like 4 inches in diameter, double the size of what they used to be. The leave are growing and it looks like they are finally coming alive. The last one sowed earlier in the year hasn't shown much progress since it's initial first few leaves. I think I need to repot them into better soil.

Coleus and bug

Remember this guy. Probably not. This coleus used to be a cutting I acquired from the Botanical Gardens when I volunteered last year. I had kept it inside and was pinching back new grew to get side shoots going. Now it's got many side shoots and is looking great. It's outside and doing well even though it has some yellow on it now. But besides that it looks to be happy. This little bug was sitting on the leaves. The same bug had been hanging on my Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle buds for around 2 days. I would fling him off the buds only to find him back on later in the day. I guess he liked the Coleus better.

Curly Locks Ivy

These ivies came from the other ivies. I took cutting off of them and now look at it. It has actually taken a while for them to branch out at the bottoms and thicken up a bit. But they are good now that they can grow upwards and I can take more cuttings...and more...and more. Then I will have something to share. I love these ivies because of their curly type leaves. For me they reach upward unlike ivies that I have seen that like to reach down and trail if they have nothing to cling to. I'm holding myself back on staring an ivy collection. I have no idea why I have so much love for ivies.

Daylily Sketch

2008-05-18T14:21:00.004-05:00

Did another sketch to practice watercolors on. I haven't painted the previous lily sketch. I'm awaiting to see if I will win some new brushes on Ebay. The ones I have just aren't cutting it. Even if I do win the bid I won't be getting them in time before I go on my vacation. I can't believe I will be leaving here on Friday for over a week. It's so scary to leave my plants behind.

Transplanted Seedlings

2008-05-18T11:08:00.002-05:00

Transplanted seedlings

Last Thursday on the 15th I transplanted some seedlings. I really wanted to have these trailing plants to mix with other containers but everything else is full. For now they will be together until new homes open up for them. Soon there should be some free containers. These by the way are lobelia crystal palace and rock soapwort. There are still a few seedlings in the trays. I'm just waiting for them to get a tad bigger before I go on vacation on Friday.

Before transplanting:

Lobelia

Lobelia

Rock Soapwort

Rock Soapwort

Knotweed seedling

Like I mentioned above there are some containers about to free up. The snapdragons are looking drab and their leaves are a pale color. The Grape Hyacinths have stopped blooming, and if they haven't their blooms aren't looking good anymore. The pansies are still blooming but it's just looking scraggly and worn down. The one pot with heavenly angles mix peony poppy seedlings will be emptied since the seedlings are not making it. That's all. That frees up about 6 containers for me to put new things in. Most of the containers are 4" though but it's still more containers and more space to fill up.

Filling Out

2008-05-17T09:14:00.003-05:00

Container with Purple Fountain Grass and Sweet Potato Vines

Some of my containers have really started to fill out. The sweet potato vines are growing real well now and the fountain grass also. I love to see a full container.

White Christmas Caladium

While I thought I had purchased a Caladium whose name had two words and each word started with a W, I was wrong. Looks like I bought White Christmas. It was what I wanted anyways so it doesn't matter. Finally I have gotten some leaves that are actually white and green. I wonder why half of my leaves are only green. Is this common with this variety. I love it anyways and leave the green leaves. It's really starting to grow now with tons of new shoots coming up.

I am off to work soon. Not feeling too good after being sick yesterday. I'm hoping it won't take to long to get out the product that is coming. I need to tell my boss about vacation...I'm scared. I don't like having to ask anyone if I can do anything. I think it's a phobia I developed when I was younger after my parents saying no to me ever going anywhere or doing anything. Now I just don't like asking and just want to go and do it. I should have said something way earlier but I've been so chicken.I guess I really have held off on saying anything because I know the season is almost over. The rep I work with is leaving at the beginning of June and I should be starting my internship in June and they all know it.

Speaking of my internship. I called yesterday before leaving work. The hiring manager was not there today but the business manager was. I talked to her and she said she had to talk to Bob who the Manager of something and see what he says. She told me she knew someone was doing the internship but didn't hear who, when, or where they were from. Normally they get students that come down from college station for the summer. Supposedly I will here something by Monday or Tuesday if not sooner. I can't imagine what they have to talk about because I signed on about 3 months ago and this should have already been discussed. The hiring manager that was there before said I could start right after school ends. That would have been a few weeks ago but I wanted to start after my vacation. Anyways it looks like there shouldn't be a problem but I am preparing myself for the worst. If the worst does happen I won't be surprised at least

Lily Sketch

2008-05-15T20:40:00.002-05:00

Lily Sketch

I slacked off with my goal of doing a botanical watercolor everyday. Really I just forgot yesterday. But today I just did a sketch of a lily I took a picture of at the Botanical Gardens. I didn't get the name of it but that is okay. This time I scanned in the sketch before destroying it with watercolors. So this time if I mess up I can just print this out, trace it, and try again and again until I like it.

Thank you everyone for you kind words on my last watercolor. I'm just picky about what I do. I was just being tough on myself because I know I have done better. It's been a long while since I have touched watercolors. I'm used to acrylics and oils. This is why I am doing all this practice. I love the look of watercolor botanicals so I would like to be able to do the botanical drawings in watercolor and not other mediums. Practice makes perfect right? I'll be sure to keep my eye out for watercolor classes and books at Half Price Books.

GBBD: Flowers Galore

2008-05-15T11:33:00.003-05:00

Dimorphotheca aurantiaca 'African Moon' and Pansy

I know I've said it before but this month I have the most blooms out of all the months I have participated so far. There are tons and a few in bud. If all the daylilies were blooming I would have so much more.

Thank you to Carol from May Dreams Gardens for putting together Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Make sure to check out her page and all the wonderful garden bloggers that participated this month.

Dimorphotheca aurantiaca 'African Moon' about to open

Dianthus Pinocchio

Godetia half blew off from last night

The ever blooming Knotweed

Phlox 'Phlox of Sheep'

White Columbine

White Petunias

Mt Fuji Morning Glory. This just opened up today. It's a mutant it's so large. I have seen the blooms before and this is like a two in one. This is also the first bloom that hasn't torn when it has opened.

The only bijou mix sweet pea to bloom so far

Candytuft

Laura Bush Petunias

Madagascar Periwinkle

Celosia

Pink Snapdragons

Red Petunias

Barbara Karst Bougainvillea

Armeria formosa

The ever blooming Cocktail Vodka Begonia

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle Bud

Daylily Buds. Sadly the buds for what I think might be Abstract Art broke off from the winds the last two nights.

Hibiscus Rose Bud

Grape Hyacinths. These are very late and don't bloom all that well once they open.

Spanish Flag Watercolor

2008-05-14T12:28:00.002-05:00

Spanish Flag Vine Watercolor

I'm actually really embarassed to be putting this up. My watercolor painting skills are very rusty. It's the one painting medium I have a hard time with. I took a watercolor class in highschool but the teacher was hooked on painting snow scenes. All I know how to do is paint snow scenes. I'm planning to purchase some botanical painting books.

My scanner stinks so the backwash didn't come out looking good and the colors are a tad off. But I'll stop making excuses. I'm not looking for pity or compliments. I just wanted to be brave and it's part of something I am trying to start. I'm trying to get myself to paint a little botanical watercolor to get my skills up. I'm in need of new brushes and I have a set of pan watercolors coming tomorrow for me to try. I'm not sure why I have such an issue with watercolors. I used to do painting in ink and didn't have a problem. I guess I am just really rusty.

Wordless Wednesday: Better in 3's

2008-05-14T07:43:00.001-05:00

Dimorphotheca aurantiaca 'African Moon'

Seedlings Update

2008-05-13T11:55:00.002-05:00

I didn't sow you Knotweed!

The mystery has been solved of the unknown seedling. I had thought it might be a petunia or a gazania since those were previously sowed in the same cells. Nope no luck with that. Instead as it got bigger it became very clear it was a Knotweed seedling. I didn't sow knotweed. I do have knotweed but have never tried to sow it. That is okay. I like the plant enough. Maybe I can sell it to someone or be lucky enough to be able to go to a plant exchange.

Rock Soapwort seedlings getting bigger

Not to long ago these little ones were tiny. Now they are getting close to being transplanted. I did thin out some and tried to stick them in some empty spots. We'll see if they actual take or die. I just can't thin out and not do something with those seedlings. I waited until they were kind of big so that way they would have a fighting chance to live on. But also I find that if I thin out my seedlings when they are really small and young. The one I keep dies...always. So I usually don't thin out at all and just separate them when they are transplanted.

Lobelia seedlings

I'm in love with the lobelia seedlings. I just love the shape of their leaves. I thinned a few of these out also and transplanted the those that were plucked out. I can't wait to see these all grown up. I'm not sure why the seedling further back has a purplish tinge to it. I didn't look like that a few days ago.

More Lobelia seedlings

I have a few more seedlings to update on, but I'll save that for next post. I don't like to cram everything into one long post. I know my attention span when it comes to reading is zilch. By the way there has still been no call back about the internship. I am about to call right now and see what is going on. I don't like not know what is going on. I'm sure they are just busy or something...who knows.

So many seeds so little space...

2008-05-11T10:46:00.002-05:00

Candytuft going to seed

As you all should know by now, I love seeds. Sadly I'm starting to see that I have many many seeds and no space to use them all. I wish I could sell the seedlings but I don't even think I have space to grow them all and provide them with the right light. I never have been able to use a whole package of seeds. I only use not even a fourth sometimes.

I love to collect seeds from my plants even if that means they won't flower again. I like picking the pod and opening it up to be surprised to what I see. I have endless amounts of armeria that I don't know what I will do with. It seems every week I find another plant whose seed pods are ready.

Yesterday I saw that some of the Columbine pods were ready. I got a great deal of seeds just from around 4 pods. I have about 10 or more still on the plant waiting for them to be ready to open. If only I wasn't going on vacation starting on the 23rd. On the 24th there is the Festival of Flowers here in San Antonio. I'm depressed because it's the it event to go if you are a gardener. They have a seed exchange and a plant exchange and so much much more. Sadly we will be driving up to Arkansas on the day before. What great timing right? Gah, this year I haven't been able to attend any gardening events, tours, etc because I'm always working at that time. For once I wouldn't be working but I won't even be here. Now what will I do with all these seeds? I have only been able to find a few bags a home but it's ever growing!

Looking For A Brighter Day

2008-05-10T07:48:00.002-05:00

Pink Candytuft

Thankfully finals are over. I should be relieved of my stress right? For some reason I'm not. I'm still stressed out even though I don't have anything to be stressed out about. I won't be back in school for another month so I should be relaxing and being happy for my little break.Maybe I'm partially stressed because I don't know what is going to happen with my internship. The Human Resources women quite that had hired me. I had only talked to her about starting the internship when school was over. There wasn't much after that because I thought it was something we would discuss when the date was closer. Now it's a month away from when I want to start. A new women is there, she used the be the secretary or helper whatever. She says she remember me being hired but didn't know what had been discussed and promised with me. So she needs to talk to the managers or something like that and that she would call me back. That was on Monday I believe. No call since then. I like to know what is going on in advanced. I'm not a fan of not being in the know when things are very close.

Now I'm just scarying myself for the worse. Even though I don't think anything can go wrong I'm still scared it might. And maybe I'm a still a bit upset about my Math Final. It was on Thursday or so I thought it was. The teacher had given all the student this piece of paper with the times we could take the final and the days. I chose I wanted to go on thursday. Well I went there and no one was anywhere. I think I might have missed her say something. Basically I didn't take my math final which means I got a 0 and that was 25% of my grade.So much for keeping my GPA good. Lets just hope that Brighter Days are ahead and I will get past these cloudy days.

Some Cold On A Hot Day

2008-05-09T12:47:00.004-05:00

Cold Harbor Daylily

My first Daylily bloom! How cute is it. I wish it had been one of the others I am waiting to see like Abstract Art and Windsor Castle. But I'm still glad it did. It's nice to see some nice bright yellow on the balcony. There are other daylily buds that will be blooming anytime soon. I'm not sure what they but I think that one might be windsor castle. I kept the plastic labels on them but the labels wore out with the sun and water.

Cold Harbor Bud

It looks like I'll have another cold harbor bloom coming up soon. Or it could be raindrop but raindrop is white with a yellow throat.

Just in case everyone hasn't notice I put Twitter on my side bar. Now you can see what I am doing and I can keep more up to date on what happens here. I don't always get photos for things and sometimes I just forget. Plus I usually post what really happened yesterday or even a few days before since I'm just behind and I like to always have something to say. It's really helpful for all those times I don't want to write a post about something like almost touching a locust. I'm very blunt and not a writer so I have a hard enough time as it is posting anything but pictures.

Greenthumbr is now open!

2008-05-08T08:05:00.002-05:00

For a few months now I have been beta testing a wonderful site. This site I think can be just as popular as Blotanical. It's called Greenthumbr and it gives you chance to grow, reflect, and connect. You can manage your garden and your seeds and anything else you possibly can. It's like a little journal of all your plants. You can post pictures of your plants and then look back at that certain plant and see what it looked like as a seedling and what it looks like now. It's a great way to have all the information about a certain plant in one section. I know everyone will say...well I do all this on my blog. Sure but don't you sometimes you want to post up things that you don't on you blog or you want all the information on one place and easier to find. Plus you can meet more great gardeners that don't have blogs and greenthumbr is all they have. Also when everyone starts adding more information to their plants you will be able to find more information on them.

I suggest fellow garden bloggers or just gardeners give it a try. See what you think. It has been helpful for me even though I have started to slack off over there. I have too many things to keep up with at the moment. I'm not good at organizing on my blog and putting good labels to my posts so it makes it easier to find everything later. Plus it has been great to see all my photos of one certain plant in one place and how it has progressed.

Wordless Wednesday: Windows to the Soul

2008-05-07T10:06:00.000-05:00

Kasha my little girl and her beautiful eye.

Growing Strong

2008-05-06T12:26:00.003-05:00

Purple Fountain Grass

Many things are growing on strong. The Purple Fountain Grass has filled out and is looking great in it's container.

Snake Plant

Just a few months ago I was talking about how my Snake Plant had a baby. Now look at the baby! It's as big as the others that have been there since last year. I have another baby growing in the back that has grown about 2 inches in a day. Maybe my Snake Plant will get as big as the one on the balcony across the way.

Caladium

The Caladium keeps on sprouting but still no white is showing up on the leaves. Am I missing something here or does it just take time?

I have my herbaceous plants final tonight. I haven't even studied. Right after I'm done typing this I will eat my tapioca pudding and get to study my flash cards. I actually think I have a harder time learning when I use flash cards. Lists make it easier for me because I just have one page to look at and then I can use my photo memory to remember where things were on the list. It's too late to make a list now of all the plants since I already make the flash cards. I'm sure I will do fine....right?

Garden Bloggers Swap

2008-05-05T13:36:00.002-05:00

I was thinking about this for about a week now. With my semester ending I'll have some more time to do the things I like to do. Even though I will be working full time and going to 2 classes in the summer I still know I will get to do more crafting and what not. This reminded me of last year when I did many crochet and knitting related swaps. I thought how fun it would be to have a garden bloggers swap. I know other bloggers make up great themes and events to post about.. I would love for the Garden Bloggers Swap to pick up as many people as other event and themes do.

For now I just want some input to see if you all out there would be interested in something like this. It would involve just signing up, making a wish list maybe filling out an about you survey and providing me with your address. Then I would mix up all the names and pair everyone up with someone and give them their partners wish list and mailing address. There would be a budget on how much can be spent. Of course there would be a deadline also. I thought this would be a great time with spring coming up in many areas and school slowing down for those of us still in it. It might not be a good time as everyone will probably have tons of gardening chores and whatever else.

Just giving out an idea. Drop by and say Yeah sure that sounds great and give me a suggestion for the budget that sounds good to you. If you know you can't do it for this month maybe something like this can happen every month so everyone will have a chance to do it when they get more money or things slow down. Or this could be a good winter event for when we are all bored out of our minds thinking about seeds, plants, and what not.

So, what do you think?

New Green Growth

2008-05-05T10:24:00.002-05:00

Desert Rose has new leaves

I moved the desert rose inside because I saw it lose some leaves. I though it would be best to put it on a windowsill to get it used to more intense light. Then maybe eventually move it and the basket plant/false bromeliad outside.

Morning Glory new leaves

I had been thinking about throwing out the morning glory seedlings I started months and months ago. They had become sticks and would grow tiny leaves then lose them. I thought for sure they were just not going to grow. Now they have all gotten these nice bigger leaves on them. Maybe they will make it after all. I'll give them some more time.

New Morning Glory with new leaf

Since the other Morning Glories weren't looking to well I sowed another seed to see if it would do better which was on 3-28-08. So far so good but the growth has slowed down a bit. It grew it's 2 true leaves then a new leaf and after that nothing.

Today is the day I have to cram in doing as much of my final as possible. I still have tons to do for my landscape design final project. So far I have the inventory and analysis page done and 3 bubble diagrams. Now I forget what I'm supposed to do next. I think now I will have to start planning out were the plants go and all that other stuff. I guess I don't have that much left to do for it but I will be doing watercolor for the final finished sheet. I have to desperately study for my Herbaceous plants class. I haven't even studied one thing at all and it's tomorrow night. I'm glad I don't have to take my math final tomorrow morning. I have to study for that too but I'll be taking it on Thursday instead. Those are all the finals I have but I just have a lot to do in a few days. I procrastinated really badly and now it's biting me in the butt. Thankfully work has greatly slowed down and they understand I have finals to do so are allowing me to chose if I want to work on tuesday or wednesday. I think I'll might skip the working since I have a feeling I will still have much to do.

Gathering Seeds and Having Transplants

2008-05-04T13:03:00.000-05:00

Candytuft going to seed

The giant Candytufts are going to seed and slowly ending their life. I like to gather seeds from my plants. I'm curious to see if the seeds from these will make giants like the parents or if they will be the size of the other Candytufts I have.

Armeria formosa seeds

My armeria has gone to seed. There are other blooms but they are so tiny compared the ones before. I'm going to try my luck on sowing some and seeing if they sprout. If so I want to try Armeria again since I did something wrong with my other one. I think I watered it too much or I waited to long to water and it was severely damaged. I did sow some seeds I think last week but nothing has germinated. It's been hard finding information on germinating the seeds. I keep reading that you should soak them...but look what they are. I'm really confused. If anyone out there knows about germinating Armeria formosa seeds do inform me.

Now it's transplant time:

The major transplant

In this container is the Hare'sTail Grass (the 2 in the middle), the nemesia mello red and white (the two in the back corners, and laurentia axillaris (the two in the front corners). This is right after I did the transplanting. I was scared that the Hare's Tails Grass would not make it since it has seriously what looked like no roots at all. Today just about a week after transplanting everything is doing great. I am super surprised. Everything is really starting to take off. The Hare's Tail has grown a bit and straightened it's self. The Nemesia has grown. Now I am really surprised about the Nemesia because in the cells it had what looked like some leaf burn. It's been in more sun then it was in the cells and there is no leaf burn. It actually looks way happier. The Laurentia is growing fast now and I'm happy it looks so cute.

Statice in it's new home for now

The statice seedling are in their new home. I made a mistake and did not put them in the larger pot I had bought for them in the first place. That is okay though for when they grow bigger they will go in there. Unless I use the pot for something else in the mean time. There hasn't really been any signs of grown from them in the week following the tranplant. I'm sure they are just taking a break. There are still 2 seedlings in the cell. One of them I don't think will make it because it's just so puney looking. I won't give up hopes on it.

Parsley in it's new home

These were the last 2 parsley in the cells. They have this little home. The don't seem to be showing they like it. I'm sure they will eventually like it there.

The ivy in it's new home

Finally the ivy has a new home. I got this little piece of ivy from when I volunteered at the Botanical Gardens last year around November. Since then it's been in a 4" peat pot. I just keep on not having pots to transplant it in. Other things were always more important then it. i just didn't want ivy on it's own. I thought, well the weeping dwarf wannabe bonsai crape myrtle could use some nice trailing accent to it. So plop in the corner you go. I have thought about adding the sedum in there too..which is why i bought the sedum to begin with. But I don't want to crowd the roots of the tree to much. I think the sedum won't choke it out right. I mean if must have shallow roots being a succulent or am I wrong. I'm hoping the ivy won't hurt it but he ivy has been so slow of a grower.

That's it for the transplants. I do have more seeds I gathered but not from plants that I have. I got them from work when just working. I notice they had gone to seed and couldn't pass up grabbing some .I got a few Gerbera Daisy seeds and took a seed head of Scabiosa. I haven't tried to sow either of them but I got found two 4" pots that I forgot I had. I think I might wait until after I come back from my vacation.

My Balcony Update

2008-05-03T11:01:00.001-05:00

Creeping Ruellia

Last time I mentioned this plant I accidentally called it Mexican Petunia. I'm sorry for that. My teacher had said it was ruellia and had not specified. I had thought it looked mighty different from all the others. It's a creeping ruellia (Ruellia malacosperma). It has started to bloom out by the front door and is doing great. The Rex Begonia in the same pot is doing very well too. I believe it has started to get new leaves and it's red color has brightened up quite a bit.

The other pot I brought home a while back with purple fountain grass, and sweet potato vines is also doing wonderful. The fountain grass has really started to grow and make the container look better. The sweet potato vines have new leaves growing which means it's getting fuller.

Left side of my Balcony

Now here is what my balcony looks like with new plants and things rearranged. Always moving stuff around out there but I just can't help it. It's become harder to make room for all the plants I get for free, the seeds I buy, and the seeds I receive. It's really depressing because I feel so very limited. It's hard to not be able to buy all the seeds I plants I see and want because I no longer have the space. The days when space was readily available are greatly missed.

Right side of the Balcony

I've been very stressed out lately. Mainly because of school and finals coming up next week. I have been a procrastinator because I just don't want to do any more with these classes. Now I'm down to major crunch time. I'm not a happy person when I don't enough me time to do all that I want to do in the time I want to do it. I never used to be this way but after having a year that I didn't work it changed me. I realized how much time in a day there was to do art. From there I gained more hobbies and interests. I could spend the whole day on the computer, making crafts, taking photos, etc.. and still not get done all I wanted to.

The point of this..nothing really. But I'm also stressed about my plants. I'll be going on vacation soon for a week or two. I'm very worried about their survival. I'll be moving them all inside except for the vines. I'm thinking of doing a wicking system and getting the soil moist to help keep them going while I'm gone. I'll have to ask my friend who lives close by if she will come over maybe once or twice and make sure things are watered. I have wanted to plant more seeds but just can't because they will probably dry out way fast and die. I'm worried about the seeds I do have especially the poppies. They are so easy to kill and I would be sad to see my attempt fail again on them. I have though of getting a drip irrigation but I'm not sure how to hook that up. I don't have an outdoor faucet. Just a the water faucets inside. Does anyone know if they can connect to the water faucets? I wanted to buy a kit then just buy the extra pieces to be able to water all my plants. Anyone with suggests would be great. I know Anna has mentions the bottle method which I will probably do for my larger containers but most of my containers are small like 4" to 8"

More Surprises

2008-05-02T13:52:00.000-05:00

Unknown Seedling

It seems that surprises in the garden come all around the same time. This little seedling I have no idea what it is. I have rock soapwort in these cells and this is not it. I previously had sown seeds in these same cells that did not germinate. I do not remember what it was though as the tag has been reused. I'm guess and hoping it might be the Cascade Petunias. I'll have to look back in my posts to see if I mentioned what I had sown in these cells.

Candle Stick Plant new leaves

The Candle Stick Plant quickly got new leaves after coming home with me from school. They were tiny for a while then one day they just, bam, grew way bigger in no time. I like how the little leaves look. This plant has interesting foliage.

Boston and Maiden Fern

The ferns have been protected by the Hibiscus in their usual corner. I pulled them out to water them better and was surprised how nice and lush the container was. Previously when the Hibiscus was not there the ferns would easily burn and wouldn't ever get like this. I guess they just needed something to block the sun from reflecting off the wall. I'm glad they look great. Look at all the Maiden Fern babies just crowded in there. Last time I checked on the Maiden Fern there were 4 tiny babies now there are many and they are much bigger.

A Thank You and A New Purchase

2008-05-02T13:46:00.001-05:00

Salvia seeds from Wicked Gardener

Thank you to Wicked Gardener for sending me some Salvia seeds. Just received them yesterday and sowed the seeds right away. That knocks one thing off my list of plants that every San Antonian has but me.

Dragons Blood Sedum

I took another plant of my list that every San Anotonian has but me. Sedum, I swear everyone has at least one. I kept on seeing just the green ones that get HUGE. Then a shipment came in of the Dragon Blood and it was perfect. On Monday when I went to the the garden center they had quite a few Sedums but I was fighting the urge not to buy what I didn't come there for. I'm sure I'll go back and purchase some from there since they had some nice ones.

New Surprises

2008-05-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

New Bougainvillea I got for free!

I'm running late of my blog posts.I have meant to post this around 3 days ago. It's hard for me to post what happened on a particular day so I do it at night for the next day. Sometimes too many things happen and I don't want to smash them all in one post. Plus I like to be able to have things to post about so I try to spread things out. Anyways, work on Monday I got a free Bougainvillea hanging basket. My manager was going to take them home until they start to bloom again since the blooms got blown away from the crazy wind we had sunday. We had got a new shipment in that day and he asked if I wanted one. Of course I couldn't say no even though I already have a Bougainvillea.

Dimorphotheca aurantica 'African Moon'

It has bloomed! My patience has prevailed. I wanted to see this bloom so badly and it's beautiful. I didn't realize that the apricot on it would be so vibrant. The Dimorphotheca has 2 other buds getting ready also. It's so beautiful I just love it.

Caladium Sprouts

I was fearful that my Caladium was not going to sprout. Seeds are relatively easy for me to grow but bulbs I always seem to make them rot. I had thought I had made this one rot too but it made it. The time frame is 3-5 weeks I think for a Caladium bulb to sprout. It was just about 4 weeks take away 2 days that mine sprouted. I'm concerned because I had purchased these from one of those open bulb boxes. I'm thinking I got one that was not what I picked out. My choice was a caladium that had white leaves with green edging and maybe veins. I was thinking maybe White Wing or Aaron. So far the leaves are just green. Hopefully when it grows more the true colors will show.

New Growth on my Jacqueline Hillier Elm

My bonsai is alive. Just when I was about to toss it out too. I had looked at the roots last week and thought it was dead. Soon afterwards some leaves popped out by the base and a bud was about to open. I pinched off the bottom leaves as much as I hated to. It just don't look good bonsai or not. I love the little leaves of this tree so I'm glad it survived.

Snake Plant baby

The Snake Plant has a new baby! This is the second baby for this plant that has popped up. The first baby is large now and the size of the others that were already grown. Maybe I'll have a nice big Snake Plant sooner then I expected.

Daylily scape

Thankfully I will have some daylily blooms. I had been hoping some of them would bloom. When I purchased them I bought so many and crammed most of them in one big pot. I had read that when they are too close together they won't bloom. I was scared but I have about 3 scapes coming up from different daylilies. This one in the photo is Painters Palette Dayliy. It will be apricot with a gold throat.

Dracaena marginata 'Tricolor' has new growth

Lastly for now this great surprise. This is yet again another plant that I was waiting for it to grow back. It hadn't shown any life so I had just said I will rip it out. Then when I go to take it out bam there is new growth and it is clearly alive. It's hard to see in the photo past the devil's backbone but there are 2 little dracaena growth on each side of the base.

I do have a few more surprise but I'll save them for next time. Anyone else out there have any surprises from their garden lately?

Wordless Wednesday: Bumble Bee on Steroids

2008-04-30T12:03:00.000-05:00

I guess I'm not used to seeing bumble bees. This guys was HUGE in my book. About 2" long and 1" thick. He would land on the flowers and the stems would start to bend.

The Seedling Gang

2008-04-29T11:44:00.000-05:00

Statice Sinuata Blend seedlings in their tray before being transplanted.

I really wanted to post today about the great surprises I got over the past couple of days. Instead I'll update on the seedlings since some have been transplanted yesterday into bigger containers. I know if I don't post now about the seedlings then soon you will all see them grown up and wonder when did that happen and so will I in the future when I look back.

Statice was transplanted into it's own pot. I transplanted all but 2 which were smaller then the others. I thought I would give them some time to grow up and maybe they will get in a pot with some lobelia or rock soapwort once they are bigger. The Statice got big fast. It seemed everyday they were just growing and growing. I couldn't procrastinate any longer on transplanted them. They clearly needed a bigger space to grow better.

After work yesterday since I was close to my favorite nursery and bookstore I went shopping. First stop was half price books to see if they had anything I might want that was not too expensive. I found a wonderful book after much searching. It's called smallgarden: ideas for balconies, terraces & backyards by john brookes. Really it's just more about the small backyards then balconies and terraces. I loved all the pictures in the book that provides a lot of inspiration and ideas. I wish it had more on balconies though. It had two pages and the balconies were those bare ones with a few pots of 1 or 2 plants. Sure it looks good for like a hotel or something but not for a gardener.

Then I went to my nursery and looked around at plants. This has to be the first time I didn't buy any plants but just what I intended on getting in the first place. I didn't even buy seeds! I got some potting soil. They had a new brand from Austin that is organic and all that jazz. I purchased it to try it out because anything made locally is a good thing, right? Well so far it looks like good potting soil I'll have to see how the plants like it. And I got some perlite too since I ran out. I really need soil moist for when I go on vacation for about 2 weeks. I was about to get a hummingbird feeder since I have seen them around. Now I am wishing I had and not passed it by.

Bunny Tails Grass

Enough about that, back to the seedlings. The Bunny Tails Grass is starting to grow faster and get more blades going. I transplanted it into a rectangular pot with the nemesia and laurentia. I'm hoping it will do okay but it really had hardly any roots at all. I'm not even sure how it is standing in the soil right now.

Nemesia

The Nemesia has long been overdue for a transplant. I think where I put the pot that I transplanted it in is not a good location for it. The Nemesia is dry at the end of it's leaves and I assume maybe from the sun. I don't think it will make it in the container but at least I try.

Rock Soapwort

These did not get tranplanted. They are still small but are starting to grow more now. The Rock Soapwort was stalled for a bit. It takes a while for these seeds to germinate. I had sown more after the first time because I didn't get anything to sprout. Now I have about 6 of them and every once in awhile another one will germinate. I do have a surprise seed in one of the cells that is not a rocksoapwort and I'm not sure what it could be. It might have been something I previously had sown in those cells that did not germinate at all. I can't remember what I had in it's place, maybe cascade petunia or gazania kiss rose?

Lobelia Crystal Palace

I'm in love with these little Lobelia seedlings. Their little round leaves are just so cute. They were also slow to germinate but now I keep getting new little sprouts. Each cells has around 2 when before I only had 2 or 3 to begin with. These did not get transplanted either since they are still tiny.

Big Mountain Parsley

Here are the big boys. This parsley has really taken off in the month that it has been in it's new container. I swear everyday these look bigger and bigger. I tasted some and they are great but haven't used them to cook yet. I just don't have the heart to cut their growing when they are doing so good.

Get Up Close

2008-04-28T10:06:00.000-05:00

Black Sweet Potato VIne

I like getting up close to my plants. Seeing the mixed colors in the leaves and the texture is something special. Even though I'm not getting a degree in an art related field any more I still have an artistic eye. See my plants through the eyes of the camera really makes me see them better. I appreciate things that I normally wouldn't see. Macro are my favorite since every little detail is shown. I'm sure everyone has had those times that a bug shows up in your photo that you didn't even see was there.

Black Sweet Potato Vine

I like to try and get more abstract photos of my plants. Getting the abstract shots I see shapes and colors that I don't normally see just looking at the plant. When normally looking at the color of a plant you can name it's overall color like for blackie it's a dark purple near black. But once you get up close to it you see all the different colors mixed in like the red and the tinge of blue maybe even a tiny bit of orange in there. I personally have a hard time drawing and painting abstract. I like to do my artwork realistically. To make artwork of plants look realistic as possible you have to see all those underlying colors to get the full effect.

Variegated Sweet Potato Vine

As you can tell I'm having an art withdrawal. I haven't really painted or drawn anything for a very long time since school has been out. Art School was really draining for me that I took a year after I dropped out and just didn't draw but did crafts instead. I often everyday get those feelings when I see certain plants or take certain pictures that I want to pick up the paint and get going.

Purple Fountain Grass

It gets hard doing all the hobbies I like to do. Right now I'm devoting all my time to work, school, and learning more about plants. Really I procrastinate for most of my day with my face stuck to the computer screen. I need to learn to let go of the computer.

Anyone else out there have a bad addiction getting in the way of things they normally love to do?

For me? How Generous!

2008-04-27T12:03:00.001-05:00

Shade Container made at school.

Yet again I got more free plants from school. I just can't ever say no to getting these plants that I either grew from seed or in this case containers I made. It was a real struggle to find a place to put these guys. The shade container above was relatively easy since the only shade is my front door. My front door already has a container outside but it's not fairing well and I assume it's because the soil is too dense and things just die after sitting in there for a while.

My shade container has a Rex Begonia not sure the variety and some ruellia/mexican petunia. I hope it does well where I put it because I don't really have another place to put it. It looks nice out there for now. Lets see how long it will survive.

Really big container with Purple Fountain Grass and Sweet Potato Vines.

This container doesn't look too good now but I think it will look great once everything starts to grow. I got the slim pickings of the Sweet Potato vine since everyone wanted to use it. We didn't really have many choices but I like what I did. Even though someone copied me and I think they switched our tags because this one looks a bit meh (off centered etc.) and I don't remember mine looking that way at all. Plus I remember putting it next to my other container on the left side of the greenhouse and this one was on the right side far away from my other container. I'm telling you fowl play. The Sweet Potato Vine will still grow out the Fountain Grass come back to life. I might move this because I put it in the upper left corner of my balcony where it won't get blasted with sun right now. I know it can probably take full sun at least the fountain grass for sure.

Candlestick Plant (Cassia alata)

Our teacher said we could take the candlestick plants since they were left over from the plant sale. They are really beautiful plants once they get big with these great yellow blooms similar to a shrimp plant bloom. I took one even though I won't have space for it once it starts getting to larger proportions. Maybe by then I can swap it with someone locally or sell it to someone who wants a unique plant in their yard. I noticed yeseterday though they were infested with aphids. I'm not sure if they were like this at the greenhouse at school and that is why he wanted to get rid of them. Most likely it was just infested when it go to my balcony. I had noticed many ants around it and on the neighboring pansy. Ants on my plants means aphids are around. Not sure still if ants eat the aphids or eat the stuff that comes off of the aphids.First I cleaned off the leaves with a soap and water towel. Then I sprayed it with some soap and water and put it in the contamination corner/no blazing sun corner. I'll have to spray it again today and maybe for the next few days or weeks to make sure it's all gone.

By the way another seed offer for those that may want some. My pansies the yellow ones look like they will have seeds. The ants that got on them I think might have pollinated them or something because I see something that looks like a seed forming on two of them. If any of you want some pansy seeds of the yellow and purple kind just give me a holler and I'll gladly send some over.
Other seeds I have to give:
Red Yucca
Grape Hyacinth
Pink Snapdragon
White Columbine (was supposed to be blue and white)*coming soon still on the plant

I know these aren't unique but someone might want some.

My First Succulent Purchase

2008-04-26T13:59:00.002-05:00

Aeonium 'Kiwi'

I went to the Botanical Gardens today to let go of some stress and relax a bit. Also I needed to acquire some more photos for my blog because it's getting boring seeing the same few plants over and over.

I went into the San Antonio Garden Center for the first time today. I never have gone in there for whatever reason. Today there was a plant sale by The San Antonio Cactus and Xerophyte Society. I've been eying the succulents at work but just haven't got the guts to purchase them.

I walked in and there were all these plants everywhere mostly in 4 inch or smaller pots but also many in bigger pots too. They had some tables on the right of award winning plants that had been named yesterday. They were spectacular of course and I wish I had taken some photos of them.

I thought I would walk around and look at all the cool things for sale but of course not purchase anything. As you can see I did purchase. I went up to one table and started picking up cute succulents when that vendor started talking to me. I had to start asking questions stupid me. She then was recommending stuff I might like that would do good inside or on my balcony. Next thing I know I have 4 plants in a box that I am carrying around while she tries to sell me more.

The Aeonium 'Kiwi' is a cute variegated succulent that will get 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. It likes cool sun light shade so it is on my windowsill in the computer room.

Jovibarba hirts f/Belansky Tatra

These little fellows are awesome. I have them on the balcony in hopes what she said is right and they will live out there in the full sun. These were the first things I saw and picked up right away with intent on buying them if they were just right for my conditions. They make little babies (like the one in the upper left corner) that will grow and roll off then grow some more. After picking these up she could tell I was a newbie but one that would fall in love with succulents and strange plants. She then proceeded to show me things similar to these guys. That was when I picked up the Aeonium Kiwi with it's nice variegation and pinkness to the tips.

Adenium Obesum/Desert Rose

She started to show me different succulents in her few books that she had. She would point out plants and watch my reaction to them and then go from there. She showed me this Desert Rose and said she would cut the price in half since it needed a good home and she thought I would do well with it. Desert Roses are supposed to be easy to begin with. I think she was having a hard time selling it because everyone wanted the much larger ones and I clearly likes to buy things in smaller form but didn't mind them getting larger. She grew this Desert Rose from seed which is good. This means it will have a nice trunk that will enlarge with the plant and possibly make more branches for more flowers.

Callisia fragrans/ Basket Plant

She showed me the Dutchman's Pipe and I wasn't too keen on it. She some how bribed me into taking it. I'm a sucker for when people push me to buy plants especially when I am on the fence about them. If I don't like them well then I don't. If I do then I really do. But if I'm not sure what you say can nudge me to buy it or quickly make me not want it. I thought I knew what this looked like but when I went home to search I was wrong. I thought it was the Dutchman's Pipe Vine but it can't be since it looks nothing like that. The only thing that goes by Dutchman's Pipe is the Dutchman's Pipe Cactus also called Night Blooming Cereus or many other names. I had cuttings before of that plant and the leaves look nothing like this. I know that there is a confusing with the Night Blooming Cereus since another plant has same blooms that bloom at night too but it's leaves are not as fleshy and whatever else. I thought it would be the cactus but my leaves don't look anything like the plant when it is grown. I couldn't find any photos of when the plant is small or grown from seed so I have no idea. I am about to email her in a few days if someone does not ID it. I just want to know for sure what I have.

I posed on Gardenweb and a kind member told me it looked like Callisia fragrans which is related to the Wandering Jew. When she said that I knew for sure that must be it because I remember the women saying it was related to the Wandering Jew. Looked at some pictures and that is what I have. It has some nice little blooms and makes trailing babies.

So 4 plants came home with me. 3 of them I am very happy with and the 4th it depends on what it really is to make me really like it or regret it. I think I got a new addiction now to succulents. It would be easy to sell them and not all that much space to do all the propagation.

Phlox of Sheep and Another Herd

2008-04-25T11:01:00.000-05:00

Phlox of Sheep Blooming in Pink and White

My Phlox of Sheep has started to bloom. There is a herd of blooms over here it's crazy. I never thought I would have so many things flowering at all. I'm in love with the Phlox and their cute little blooms. When I saw them open yesterday I just wanted to plant tons of it in the new pots I purchased. I'm sure I will make one of the pots into just Phlox.

Columbine

My Columbine has been blooming non stop. It looks like I have around 3 seed pods that will eventually ripen. Then I'll have some Columbine seeds. If anyone wants any when they have ripened just say so. All these seeds I can't even plants except for a few. I'm sure I'll have many seeds that I won't know what to do with.

Yellow Pansy Blooms and Buds

The Pansy is about to bust out in a ton of yellow blooms. There were about 4-5 buds yesterday and they have started to partially open today. These were planted from seed last year in fall and have been making a great show.

Laura Bush Petunia

Just a couple days ago the Laura Bush Petunia had it's first bloom. Now there are 4 blooms out. It's really liking it's new home. Yet another plant I planted from seed in January. The Laura Bush had all the extravagant seed care with heating mats in a green house with lights and special products applied to it. It had a pampered life at the school greenhouse. Now it's roughing it out with the rest of the plants on my balcony and doing great.

Candytuft

The monstrous Candytuft is blooming great. I'm wondering if these are just normal and my other ones are just shrimpy. I should put a side by side photo to compare these two. The other candytuft grown from the seeds of the other candytuft that bloomed last year are getting buds to bloom soon. They are around 8" tall or less while the monster was last time I checked 16" tall. It looks great below my balcony to see the candytuft blooms floating .

A New Bloom and Some Oldies

2008-04-24T10:05:00.003-05:00

Say Hello to the Laura Bush Petunia.

The Laura Bush Petunia is blooming. My little seed has become a big plant already with great blooms. I love this color it's so rich. It's one of those colors that are hard to capture but I think I did a good job.

Godetia

My Godetia has been blooming well. I love the blooms but have learned that it probably doesn't do well here which is why the lower leaves are all gone. This has to be my first bad experience with a plant that does not do well here. So far I have been lucky in selecting plants that fair well in the hot sun and heat.

Armeria

This is the Armeria blooming again. I think this does not do well here either or I did something to kill it. It has become limp instead of the foliage standing straight. The same for the old blooms. I'm not sure if that just happens and then new foliage comes up. Could it be root rot or maybe it got too dried out. It's in a pot with the Columbine and not blooming Campanula. The Columbine I believe has spider mites but it's been blooming anyways. All these are in a terra cotta pot which dries has to be watered every other day or everyday. Darn those pots.

Sweet William Pinocchio Mix

Why when I purchases mixes they have a habit of not being mixed. The sweet william has started to bloom again while the old blooms die off. Not sure if I will get seed from this. If I do I will surely keep it and see if the seeds are true.

Off to get ready to go to school. I think I have the day off today from work (I hope). I have many things to do today and I really want to go to the Botanical Gardens. But I have to really clean up the place and mail out some things and whatever else. I think I can take some time to go to the Botanical Gardens right after class but I'm hoping I don't get caught up and stay there too long and then miss out on mailing my packages again.

Wordless Wednesday: Seedlings

2008-04-23T11:52:00.000-05:00

Phlox seedlings growing slowly in the forest of grape hyacinth foliage.

Growing and Blooming

2008-04-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

White Petunias

As tired as I am of Petunias I still love taking pictures of my white ones. They are just bursting with blooms and I hardly find any old ones to pick off. At work we get in tons of petunias. We have a whole table filled with wave petunias. Half of our six pack table is petunias. Our Petunias just don't do well at the stores because they either don't get watered enough don't get enough sun or get fried. Finally yesterday I could throw out some of those ugly Petunias. We had gotten a load of six packs in with no where to put them. The Petunias just weren't selling any more. My boss just said throw out the uglies and the ones no longer flowering. Now that the Petunias are gone I don't feel so much hate towards them any more. Now my new found hate is Celosia. We have tons of six pack Celosia. I put around 12 flats under the six pack table and then converted half of the 4 inch table for some more flats of six packs. Why did we get so many, no one really likes them here because everyone just complains how leggy and gross they look later on?

Hyacinth Bean Vine New Leaves

My Hyacinth Bean Vines have got some nice new leaves growing. I'm patiently waiting for them to get taller so I can pot them in a bigger planter and start their way on the trellis. I need to figure a way to keep the trellis up. I'm sure I'll figure something out but any ideas are welcome. I have it up against the siding of the building so I'm not sure I can stick anything to the wall really. I'll deal with that at another time. I gave my boss the rest of my hyacinth bean seeds because he moved into a new house and lost his other ones. There would be no way I could have any more vines on my balcony. I have 2 corkscrew vines, a clematis, jasmine, and maybe the bougainvillea if I want it that way. I'm pushing my vine limit. The clematis has kind of halted for the past month and hasn't gotten any bigger or any new leaves. I'm wondering if it will stay this way or if it's just warming up.

Myrtle Spurge

I love to look at the Myrtle Spurge seedlings. Their new leaves make them look like they are screaming. I'm surprised I like them so far since I really didn't want to plant them at all. I've been searching for some sedum because I feel like the only gardener that does not have one. There are some at work but not that I like. I just might have to resort to an internet purchase if I don't find anything at the local nurseries. They must have some because they carry a lot of wonderful unique plants.

More Plants From School

2008-04-21T19:07:00.001-05:00

Catharanthus roseus (Thanks to Annie)

The school plant sale went by and many of the seeds and plugs we planted for the sale sold. Surprisingly there were many Laura Bush Petunias left but not many normal petunias. I personally like the Laura Bush Petunias more but that could be because I don't see them everyday at work. Last week for class the teacher let us take whatever left over plants were left that we grew. Well most of everything I had or would not do well on my balcony. Being the sucker I am for free stuff I grabbed a Catharanthus roseus. In my head I kept running threw the fact that Vinca does not like full sun. I thought, well there has to be a place where it will be okay maybe it does okay with part sun. I brought it home anyways knowing that it has a great chance of not surviving. I put it in the shade of the Cocktail Vodka Begonias. So far so good I can only hope it will like that spot because it's the only semi shaded spot there is. Then the wonderful Annie from the Transplantable Rose who lives in Austin kindly pointed out that it was not a vinca I had at all but instead a Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle) which likes full sun. Possibly my instincts knew that it would like full sun and that is why I took it home anyways. Well this makes me feel bad since at work I've been telling customers these do not do well in full sun but do great in shade. Shame on me.

Livewire Grass

I have been eying this little grass for a while. It gets about 8 to 10 inches tall and has this nice cascade to it. There was quite a bit left over but I just got myself one little 4" pot of it. At first I didn't like this grass but it's unique look has grown on me. I didn't take anything else because it was things I had and stuff that wouldn't survive with my conditions.

Collecting my seeds!

2008-04-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

Grape Hyacinth seeds 40 of them.

Going from a sad post to a happy post. I got some seeds collected. Another wonderful thing that makes me happy besides growing seeds is collecting seeds. Well, they weren't collected from plants I grew from seed. Even though the plants I didn't grow from seed I still get the great feeling of collecting them. To see the pods form and find that you will have seeds. Seeing pictures online of what the seeds and pod will look like still never prepares me for what I find. I love opening the pods and having seeds fall out.

My Grape Hyacinths long stopped blooming. Their pods finally dried up and I got 40 seeds from them. Now what will I do with 40 seeds that will take a while to make 40 bulbs? So if anyone out there wants some grape hyacinth seeds to sprinkle somewhere and be surprised a few years down the line when they grow drop me a line. I'm all for sharing and trading. Of course being a newbie myself I was thankful for the many that gave me extra seeds when my first attempts failed . Or when I was just looking for any plants to grow just to get my hands dirty and my balcony full.

Snapdragon seeds from just one pod.

Back a few months ago I had a snapdragon stalk snap off with some intense wind. There was one seed pod on it and I was very sad. I thought for sure the seed pod was doomed and I would get no seeds from it. Like many of my other plant ventures patience paid off. I kept that pod anyways and let it dry. Just a last week it was ready to crack open. Now if I had known the seeds were so tiny I wouldn't have opened it where I did. This was just one pod! So many tiny little seeds. I have 12 more pods drying up that I just took from a stalk a few days ago. The snapdragons are pink and they smell like candy. I love to sit outside by them and smell their fragrance and admire the white columbine at the same time. Yet again if anyone wants some snapdragon seeds drop me a line!!!

Also if any Austin gardeners or other southern gardeners want some red yucca seed I have many many of those too. I plucked some pods off the one plant in our apartment complex. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the plant or not so I have been avoiding planting a seed. They are great for xeriscape gardens, tolerate heat, is a texas native, get 3 ft by 3ft, likes full to part sun, has coral flowers, blooms spring through summer, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, is deer resistant and not effected by wind. So if you just want to try some seeds give me a holler, don't be shy.

No New House and No Yard

2008-04-18T20:19:00.003-05:00

So being a balcony gardener isn't bad. I'm just like everyone else that wants more space in their home. Also like every gardener I want a yard to dig in and plant many things in. Yesteray my husband and I were talking about if we had a home it would be so nice. Our dog has chewed some 4 small 2"holes in the carpet. More like she picks out the carpet fibers and just for no reason. I would like to have my own home were I could get different carpet, paint the walls, etc. All the things that home owners like to do to make the place their own. Plus we would like another room since we are cramped for space. More like I want another room because my art and crafting takes up space. It's frustrating to want to draw paint do whatever in an area that is shared with your husband and computers with not much desk space.

Okay now to the backyard. I would love one being a gardener. I want to dig gosh darnit! I want to be able to get shrubs and trees and do it up my way. Its okay container gardening but I can't get many plants I wish I could. Plus all my plants have to be full sun lovers or they will die. Also again with my dog. She would probably be better if she could have a yard to run in and be outside when she wants to instead of locked up with us. She is a ball of energy and a dog that needs constant stimulation. It's hard to play with her when people live downstairs and her mother and father are computer addicts.

Where is all of this leading to? Well, my husband is in the military. We can get base housing were it's pretty much free to get a house and they pay for it. You get a yard and can do pretty much anything to your home except with some rules. When we moved to San Antonio last year we put ourselves on the housing list. Our lease expired a month or two ago. We called them and they said nothing would be open for awhile. Because of this we renewed our lease for 13 months. Today my husband got a call that guess what, it's our turn to pick a house. Well thank you but now we can't get out of our lease. The only way to get out is to find someone that will want to live here and we can just switch the lease over to them. I don't think that will happen.

Sadly now for another year I will remain a balcony gardener. I'll have to deal with the stress of babysitting my dog 24/7 so she doesn't chew at the carpet. I'll have to take her for walks all the time even when I don't want to. I'll have to deal with walls I can't clean, paint, hang stuff on, etc. I'll have to deal with the small space and no room for all my crafty and arty needs. Now I'm just depressed because I want a home and a yard. I'm sure I'll get over it sooner or later.

It's Alive: Juanita Hatten Bougainvillea

2008-04-18T11:44:00.000-05:00

Juanita Hatten Bougainvillea alive and kicking.

Just not too long ago I was thinking of throwing out the stump of the Bougainvillea and potting something else in it's place. It had died back and was showing no sign of life. Now look at it! It's a whopping 11" tall.

The Bougainvillea on March 31st.

At the end of March a sign of life arrived. I wasn't getting my hopes up in case something went wrong. There were actually two of these little guys growing at the base of the old wood. One of them fell off when I watered one day. Goes to show yet again that patience pays off. I'm always surprised how tough plants are. The moment I think that today is the day I will throw them away they awaken. Really I'm lucky because they don't normally come back here. Not sure what I did to make it live the very short winter. Others I spoke to lost theirs. I'm happy it's back, it makes a great show. If my Corkscrew Vines and Jasmine Vine reach where I want them to it will look stunning in this corner of the balcony. The bougainvillea will really stand out against the vine blooms.

White Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

2008-04-17T11:31:00.000-05:00

White Lined Sphinx Moth Caterpillar

I have been thinking of adding some plants that attract butterflies. Little did I know I had a host already for the white lines sphinx moth. Yes this little bugger ate half of my Evening Primrose! Really I'm not upset it's a weed/wildflower here but my husband plucked it for me so it means something. There wasn't only one but two of these little guys on my Primrose. I took one off a few days ago. Then another one appeared yesterday.

The White Lined Sphinx Moth is one of those hummingbird moths that can hover. They have a proboscis that they eat drink whatever nectar from. Their underwing is bright pink. The White Lined Sphinx Moth or Hawkmoth can be found in most of the USA. For pictures of the moth visit Butterflies and Moths of North America.

I might have to rethink this butterfly garden thing until I have a garden where the chewed up plants won't be as noticeable. Or avoid the hosts for the caterpillars.

Wordless Wednesday: Puppy Time

2008-04-16T09:16:00.002-05:00

Kasha the pup

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day: Blooming in the Hot South

2008-04-15T16:04:00.003-05:00

Evening Primrose

It's that time again! Another month has flown by. I think the months go by fast when you have blooms to post for BLOOM DAY!!! Yeah! Thank you to Carol from May Dreams Gardens for putting this wonderful event together. Make sure to visit her post and all the others that have blooms to share on April 15th.

I've been busy and wish I had been able to post earlier. You know homework and all that jazz that goes on in life. Anyways enjoy my blooms. So far it's been the month with the most blooms. I'll be seeing if maybe I can top this month some other time.

Hibiscus Rose. Really doesn't look like this right now but there are 3-4 buds starting to open up. I just couldn't leave it out because of that.

The Red Petunias in the hanging basket and blooming full blast.

My White Columbine that was supposed to be blue and white is profusely blooming also. I wonder if I'll be getting seeds from them.

Armeria Joystick Mix is about to get another burst of color. There are around 5 new buds coming up. I'm awaiting for the old blooms to dry out so I can collect the seeds. It's hard to tell with these when they are fully ready.

Knotweed still blooming since last year. It's leaves have gotten a bit ragged and worn. It has many new leaves popping up to make it look better again.

My husbands Pansies are doing well. So far they had blue blooms and now yellow and purple blooms. There are some new buds for more blue blooms.

Like the red Petunias the white Petunias are just blooming away. They are really enjoy their time. I have been deadheading them since saving seeds isn't really worth it. Petunias are available in such an abundance it's cheap to get a six pack in any color imaginable.

The Cockscomb Celosia has a little bloom on it. It has finally started to grow some more and should be getting bigger soon.

Candytuft all in purples are starting to bloom. Soon there will be a great show of purple on their side of the balcony.

Always going strong is the Cocktail Vodka Begonia. I still love them and they have given non stop blooms for months now. Once they start who knows when they will stop.

Finally I got to see the Godetia. The buds have been there for what seems like forever. They are so pretty! I wish I could get more of my seeds to grow so I could see more of these beauties. The lower leaves are still dieing but I'm not sure why. It's time to do some research and see if I can find out what is going on.

Sweet William Pinocchio Mix making a wonderful show. They pink color has started to fade as the blooms are past their prime. No worries there are more buds soon to show up.

Last but not least the Snapdragon. 2 nice spikes of flowers are a bloom in their pretty pink. Another spike looks a bit funky since it bloomed and went to seed then rebloomed above the seeds. Just today the seed pod that was on the spike that broke off months ago is dry. I popped it up and tons of little specks of seeds came out. Not only that but I plucked off the seed pods that were still hanging on outside. Now I have around 10 pods drying. I'll be swimming in Snapdragon seeds.

Seedling Update Continued

2008-04-14T14:31:00.003-05:00

Lt Blue Mt Fuji Morning Glory

The thing I love most about vines is that they get big fast. There is nothing more gratifying then getting a big seedling in half the normal time. I'm hoping this Mt Fuji Morning Glory will do better then the other 5 seeds I sowed in winter that just aren't doing well. The other 5 I thought would maybe revive themselves but they are stunted at the size of this one. I got a bloom a few days ago but it's just not growing at all. Ipomoea x imperialis Mt. Fuji is an annual vine that gets around 8ft tall. It tolerates drought, likes full sun, and blooms mid summer to late fall. Sown 3-28-08 Sprouted 4-1-08.

Heavenly Angels Mix Peony Poppies

Previous I had tried to grow these peony poppies. I sowed them last fall and they grew to 2-3" tall. Then probably from dropping the tiny peat pot several times they just didn't make it. They are so easy to mess up in my experience. I'm trying again to grow the poppy seeds. Papaver Paeoniflorum Mix are annuals that get around 2-3' tall. Blooms in summer, likes full sun, and reseeds it's self. Sown 3-28-08 sprouted 4-2-08. Venus Poppy sown 3-28-08 sprouted 4-2-08.

Laurentia Blue Star Creeper

The very slow growing Laurentia seedlings. There are still only two that I got to sprout. I didn't try to plant more seeds because it grows painfully slow. I'm just hoping these two make it and something doesn't go wrong. Laurentia axillaris gets about 6" tall, like sun to part shade, and blooms in summer. It's a half hardy annual that is good for containers, borders, baskets, and more.

Statice Sinuata Blend

I'm got many seedlings of Statice going strong, about 6 of them. Limonium sinuatum is an annual that gets 2' tall. It likes full sun, is drought tolerant, and heat tolerant. Sown 3-28-08 Sprouted 3-30-08.

Others that I have sown

Hare's Tail Grass- Sown 3-28-08 Sprouted 4-3-08. Sown 4-6-08 Sprouted.....
Lobelia Crystal Palace- Sown 3-28-08 Sprouted 4-6-08
Hyacinth Bean Vine- Sown 3-27-08 Sprouted 4-2-08. Sown 4-2-08 Sprouted 4-7-08
Phlox of Sheep-Sown 4-2-08 Sprouted....
Delphinium Summer Blues- Sown 4-2-08 Sprouted....

Seedling Update: Green Thumb Sunday

2008-04-13T17:18:00.004-05:00

Dimorphotheca African Moon all grown up.

I'm going to start with the big guys. This post is mainly for myself so I can have the dates down for my seeds in one place. Plus I'll give some information because I tend to forget after a while. The seedlings that were once small are now huge. The Dimorphotheca African Moon first seedling is huge. The others that were transplanted are getting there but not as big yet. Dimorphotheca aurantiaca African Moon likes dry areas and good for containers. It's an annual and attracts bees and butterflies. Also it self sows it's self and will flower in late spring/summer. Dimorphotheca aurantica likes full sun and will get around 12" tall.

Gaillardia Razzle Dazzle Mix all grown up.

The Gaillardia's are large now. They are the same size as the Dimorphotheca. The 2 or 3 pots are looking good but one is pot the Gaillardias are larger. They seems to like their section in the partial shadow of some pots. Gaillardia pulchellsa gets around 20" tall, likes full sun and hot areas, is good for containers and cut flowers.

Myrtle Spurge

My Myrtle Spurge is starting to get new leaves. I'm surprised I got the turn out I did from them. I wasn't expecting many or any seeds to sprout. For some reason I just thought that. Now I have around 7 seedlings. Euphorbia myrsinites likes full sun, likes it dry, gets around 12" tall or shorter, self seeds, blooms march - april, is a perennial, and is considered invasive in some areas. Planted in bonsai pots on 3-26-08 and sprouted on 3-30-08.

Rock Soapwort.

I purchased the Rock Soapwort because I wanted some trailing plants. I seemed to always pick the plants that are fillers and not thrillers or spillers. It took a while for the seeds to germinate but now there are 3 sprouts and probably more on the way. Saponaria ocymoides is a perennial that normally blooms in it's second year, it likes full sun to part shade. Good for rock gardens, hillsides, ground cover, containers, and hanging baskets. Saponaria ocymoides gets around 12" high or shorter, can withstand dry periods, likes light well drained soil, and reseeds. planted in flat on 3-28-08 and sprouted 4-7-08. Planted more on 4-6-08 has not yet sprouted.

I'll leave the rest for next time. This has taken me longer then I thought it would. Happy GTS!

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Blooming Up A Storm

2008-04-12T07:12:00.003-05:00

Columbine

Most of my plants are just blooming their heads off. It's nice to see all these great flowers that I have patiently been waiting for. My favorites are the ones I've sown from seed. When I see a grown plant with wonderful blooms that I sowed it's a feeling like no other. I don't get the same feeling about flower blooms on plants I already bought full grown. I didn't see them grow up. Also most likely I saw other plants at the nursery in bloom but bought the one with buds. Things are really starting to get lush and fill in over here. I'll show everyone some pictures soon of my hopefully soon to be jungle balcony.

You were supposed to be Sweet William not a Candytuft.

Can we say confused?!?! This whole time I thought my 3 super large plants were sweet william. This looks like a candytuft. But these suckers are around 16-18" tall! The candytuft that was sown in the same container never got this tall. There is still one in there and it's only around 6 inches with not so thick of a stem. I'm confused really I am. I like the plants but I like to know what they are. This shows me never to sow a mix of seeds.

Grape Hyacinth Seeds

2008-04-11T20:59:00.002-05:00

Grape Hyacinth seeds and opened seed pod.

My Grape Hyacinths made seed pods a few weeks ago. Since then I have been waiting for them to dry. I noticed some today were ready. I got 10 seeds so far and still some pods to pick when they are dried some more. I need to research a bit to see how long it will take to get anything from the seeds. Maybe I'll trade or give them to someone who can put them in their yard and be surprised one day when they show up.

All 10 Grape Hyacinth seeds.

The Excellence Award

2008-04-10T13:54:00.003-05:00

I want to thank Katarina from Roses and Stuff and Pam from Costa de la Luz Gardening for both giving me the Excellence award. It means so much to have blogs I like to read give me an award for blogging. Really I am very grateful to have wonderful fellow garden bloggers who come by and leave comments or just read. Now to pass along the good gesture I will also chose 10 bloggers to give the award to. It's going to be tough since I know many that I would give the award to already have it. Forgive me if you have it already.

Danielle's Garden Blog - Danielle lives in the wonderful to garden in state of Florida. She's one of those bloggers we all envy for having lush plants practically all year long. I love her short sweet posts with great photos. It's nice to see her unique plants and learn some interesting things along the way.

Digital Flower Pictures - Love love love this blog. This was one of the first garden blogs I discovered. It combines many of the things I look for in a wonderful blog. There is a post every single day. Wonderful pictures every single day. Last but not least wonderful information on the plants pictured every single day. Not only all of that the wonderfully talented photographer lives very close to were I was born in Connecticut. I know someone else has nominated him..but I will do it again. He deserves it because he is beyond talented!

Garden Hopping- Zoe is a wonderful blogger over in the UK who is a mother and is studying Horticulture. She takes these wonderful trips to all the fantastic gardens in her country. It's a blast to look at her photos and the places she goes to that I wish I could go to also.

Hana's Garden Catastrophe- Hana is another Austin blogger. Why are there so many Austin bloggers and not really many San Antonio bloggers? Hana is a very new blogger and a new gardener too. I like to read her blog and learn from her mistakes. Since Austin is so very close to San Antonio the gardening conditions are very similar.

Hayefield- Nancy is a very talented blogger and photographer. She has such a beautiful yard and a wonderful way of combing plants. She also has published many wonderful gardening books. They are all on my wish list for when I get extra money to purchase them. Her posts are wonderful and informative with great pictures. She gives tons of tips on combining plants and creating a great garden.

Element's Backyard Garden- Element is a fellow Texas Garden blogger. I do love to read those Texas blogs. It's always wonderful to see what other Texans are planting. Element lives further up so the conditions are a bit different. He used to garden on a balcony like me! Now he has his own yard and is learning how to garden that way. He's a wonderful blogger. Drop by and look at his wonderful roses!

I'm a rule breaker when it comes to these online things. I'll not nominate 10 because I swear everyone else has the award! Congrats to you all and I'll be by to drop a line just to make sure you see you have an award. Thank you again to Katarina and Pam who nominated me!

Wordless Wednesday Surprise Columbine

2008-04-09T14:16:00.002-05:00

This is my Blue Star Columbine. Notice I said blue star. I was surprised to see the outer petals are also white. I wonder what happened?

When Roots Invade

2008-04-08T14:12:00.000-05:00

Roots from my Hyacinth Bulb.

A few days ago I decided it was time to do some root trimming. Some of my pots had become rather root bound so i just though I would trim off the bottoms and maybe some of the side to give them some more room. Surprisingly the pots I thought would be the most root bound were not at all. There were a few that were just all roots and it made me wonder were did all that dirt go? My snapdragon was just a ball of roots. Seriously I don't know if root cutting is right or wrong but I'm experimenting. So far no signs of shock so all is good. The mint got cut in half since it became a beast. It's roots were also trimmed because it gets root bound in no time.

I didn't have any luck with my Woodstock Hyacinth Bulbs. The flowers would come out then dry up in a day. Or the flowers would come up already dried out. I'm not sure what happened. Possibly it was too hot for them. I wanted to take the hyacinths and throw them out. I started with the pot that had 2 hyacinths, some candytufts and godetia. I was amazed at what I saw when I pulled everything out of the pot. The whole bottom half of the container was roots. They were healthy roots though. There was so much all coiled up. It looked like some thin rope or thick fishing line. When I unwrapped the roots they were the length of my forearm. This was another pot that somehow the soil just disappeared from the bottom. Out in the trash those hyacinths went. The godetia and candytuft hardly had any roots at all. I have another Hyacinth bulb but I have seedling growing in the same container. If I was to take to that bulb I would end up ripping up seedlings too. I'm assuming the other hycainth has just as many roots or more since it is in a much larger container.

San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden Plants and More

2008-04-08T12:27:00.001-05:00

Some fruiting small tree or shrub.

Generally when I go anywhere I take lots of photos. I'm trying to break that habit by being really picky with my photos. Having a digital camera makes it so easy to take 200 or more and not want to delete any. I did okay with the Tea Gardens but I'm aiming for better photos and less of them.

The first thing I took a picture of was this fruiting tree or shrub. It's one that I think is fairly common and I'm certain I've seen before. I'm still trying to learn about trees and shrubs but I'm having a hard time learning. I'm a fan of fruiting shrubs and their little flowers.

Bougainvillea trailing by the pond.

I'll always have love for Bougainvilleas. They are super popular here but I still like them. I'm not one to not like a plant because everyone likes it. This one looked so nice up against the yellow/seafoam green of the pond. The light was really harsh as we got there at around 5pm. It was a struggle to get any photos that weren't washed out. I'm used to the northeastern light at 5pm when it really wasn't harsh. Also back when I lived there I took black and white photos. Maybe if I as taking black an white photos I would have faired better since I really like contrast in them.

Castor Bean plant.

Another plant that is really popular here. At the Botanical Gardens many people who travel to visit take some seeds with them. They are used to the green ones and are amazed by this purple/red variety we have down here. The Botanical Garden is willing to give seeds to those who ask just don't take them without asking. Also don't take an abundance of every seed you see. It has happened before. Anyways, back to the Castor Bean. I would love one of these if only my dog wasn't such a plant nipper. So far she hasn't eaten anything she nips besides the herbs. I just have a feeling she would get to it. My husband asked me if that was a marijuana plant.....I'll say no more.

Mexican Bush Sage.

Next is this great plant. I think it is Mexican Bush Sage. My first thought was that it was a mealy cup sage. A nice fellow garden blogger kindly pointed out it was not. I love the sages and lavenders. To me they look very whimsical with their purple blooms floating about the foliage.

Calibrachoa.

These Calibrachoa were everywhere in the center. I love their vibrant colors and how well their flowers hold their shape. I do believe these are Calibrachoa..if not do correct me. I like these more then the normal large flower petunias there were also around. The large Petunias just get so floppy and wilty looking.

Orchid Tree

Another plant that I think I know what it is. This is what my research led me to believe to be an Orchid Tree. My husband had asked me what it was and I had no idea. I had never seen this tree before. It has some lovely flowers on it.

Ivy on the rock cliffs.

When going towards the waterfall I couldn't help but notice the ivy. I love ivy, trailing, and climbing plants. I would have taken a better picture if I wasn't on a thin bridge with a kid pushing me and his father running in my direction. No the father wasn't mad I guess was just play chasing after his son. I wish that bridge was a bit wider, it's just so cramped for more then one person.

Unknown

This is an unknown plant. I have no idea what it is or what to start looking under. Is it a bush? No idea but I feel like I have seen it before. This plant was by the waterfall on the edge of the pond. I like to see blooms on bare branches.

Some kind of Palm.

Palms are always so interesting to see. I'm still not used to seeing so many palms. My entire life I rarely ever saw one. Now they are everywhere. I'm not sure what kind this is but I love how the leaves are all scatter around. I don't know the terminology for palms either.

Koi in the Pond

Who doesn't like Koi. They are elegant and lovely in their patterns. There were many small ones but not many big ones. I'm not sure if they were just hiding. I had read that they had released a hundred or so Koi. Maybe many of them didn't make it.

Mountain Laurel.

I've been waiting to take a picture of the Mountain Laurel. Every time I go out and see some I never have my camera. The sun was really harsh and it was hard to get a photo I liked. I still didn't get one I really like so I'll have to try at another time. The smell of Mountain Laurel is wonderful. This was on the path leading away from the Tea Gardens to no where really. There was some lantana blooming also but I couldn't get the photo not to be washed out.

Super Large Agave.

These are Agaves (Thank you fellow garden blogger for the id). These plants were HUGE. They were around 10 ft or maybe even more. I was so shocked to see these. They must have been growing here for quite a while.
What was next to these large plants was a shock too.

Cat in a box drinking water.

There was a cat. In this cabinet that was made into a water hole. All around this in the surrounding plants were these boxes/mini houses with hay in them. They were chained to the surrounding plants. There were tons of little black plastic dishes with cat food in them. I was truly surprised. I guess a lot of stray cats are over in this area and someone feeds them and build houses for them. It was just a shock to see this scene.

San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden

2008-04-06T10:39:00.002-05:00

Looking down at the Japanese Tea Gardens.

I'll be separating this into two posts. This post will be photos of the Japanese Tea Garden. The next post will be about the plants and whatever else was spotted at the Japanese Tea Garden. The photo above is a a portion of what you see when you enter the Tea Gardens and look downward at the paths and ponds. When entering the Tea Garden you go through up some stairs and arrive in this rock build structure. You have a few 2 path choices to go down to the gardens.

Looking up at the Stone Structure where we the entrance is.

This is the view when you are down at the pond in the gardens looking back at the stone structure. You can see the path to the left that most everyone walks down. The Japanese Tea Gardens reopened on March 8th 2008. Before that they were close because the gardens had been so vandalized and not taken care of. Thank goodness for all the volunteers and community members that did not want the gardens to never be seen again. Many volunteer hours and many dollars were put into reopening the tea gardens. I do hope that it does not return to it's old state where people vandalize and do not appreciate the gardens. Going to the Japanese Tea Gardens is free which is why it's so easy for it to be ruined. I believe that many gardens that are free to go to have this issue where they can easily be neglected and vandalized.

Going towards the ivy covered bridge.

I'm a lover of ivy. I'm in love with the ivy covered bridge. You go over this bridge and into the center of the gardens were there is a winding path through trees and flowers that leads you towards the edge of the gardens and out.

Another bridge leading to the center of the Japanese Tea Gardens.

This bridge made me worried. Not for myself of course but for families with children. I think their should be a railing or some thing so that kids don't fall in. The pond I don't think is deep there but I know some kid will eventually slip in there or fall. You could take this bridge back out of the center of the garden if you didn't want to go around the edge of the pond.

Looking at the cliffs and the outside edge of the pond.

This is the view when you are walking away from the center of the tea gardens and out of the pond. You go over a stone bridge and against the ivy and plant covered side of the cliff. It's a nice view don't you think? You can see a path on the bottom I think. I didn't go that way so I didn't get to personally go that way. Then on top of the cliff there is a path that you can see all the gardens from. I went the path on top of the cliff.

Waterfall at the Tea Gardens and my husband.

After crossing the bridge and going through this little path that only fits one you end up a water fall. It's not a large waterfall but still a great one non the less. There is my husband looking at it. It's a pain to get pictures of him. He's like me and makes faces or shield his face when I point the camera at him. The only time I get any photos is if we are taking one of us together, when he's walking in front of me, or silhouette.

All of the Japanese Tea Gardens from the path on the cliff.

On top of the cliff you can see all of the Tea Gardens. To the right is the stone bridge that takes you to the waterfall. The Tea Garden paths in the center are obscured by the wonderful full trees. I'm still amazed how just a month ago I was wondering why all the trees still looked so bare. I had remember getting to San Antonio last year the the end of March and everything being so green. Then one day I realized everything was green and so full again. When did that happen?

Looking down at the Tea Gardens.

This is just the same view but looking more towards the right.

Pathway leading back in to the Tea Gardens.

After getting off the path on the cliff there was one path on the left leading to who knows where. The path on the right just lead back out of the Tea Gardens. Well I'm a person that likes to take paths through the woods even when I don't know where they will lead. So down the path me and my husband went. The whole ways down he was saying there was nothing down here. The whole way down I was saying I know there is nothing down here but I just want to walk. Plus going down this path I got to see more texas natives. There was mountain laurel, lantana, purple trailing lantana, and some extra large cacti/succulents. I'm sure there were more but I'm still trying to learn trees and shrubs.

I'll show pictures next post of what plants I saw in the garden and on the path.