Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread 1/25/20 [KT]

Hello, gardeners, putterers and dreamers. Anybody starting to get cabin fever? This thread is here to help. My cousin (not the one with the geraniums in her basement) writes:

My amaryllis are cheering us up on this cold,cold, cold day. The red one is on its second round. It has already had 24 blooms in December.

Note the herbs growing on the table in the first photo, too.

Gardens of The Horde:

19th Jan. First daffodil of the year. About two weeks early.
Northern Alabama Zone 7
Le Garde Vieux

Meanwhile, NaughtyPine has no daffodils, and writes:

What a difference a day makes! The black squirrel photo is first. You can see the frozen remainder of the flooding that prevented me from cleaning out the sedum pots. The second is Saturday morning. Puttering in the garden is suspended until further notice.

Thanks again for the Gardening Thread!

As for edible gardening, Shanks for the memory, writing from the Central Valley of California, had a late comment last week with good information and some questions for The Horde:

Our house has had the crud since a week after Thanksgiving. The doc is no use, rest, fluids, yada, yada e muy yada. We've consumed gallons of drinks made with elderberry syrup and all the bone broth in the freezer.

So I've had lots of snuggle-under-the-duvet-damn-the-hallway-dust-bunnies down time to peruse seed catalogs and sip Fire Cider. Johnny's, Baker's Creek and White Flower Farms are to me what the Sears catalog was to my great-Gran: dream books.

C'mon crookneck watermelon? Who can resist that? An amazing story: https://tinyurl.com/td4hvmq

We're still eating greens from the winter garden; bok choy, ripini, snap peas, Napa cabbages, carrots, beets, dragon kale & rainbow chard. We picked a slew of citrus; tangerines, ruby red grapefruit, limes and Meyer lemons too. Funny how the garden provides what your body need when you need it.

Monday is the official rose, grape and fruit tree pruning day. Since I'm still feeling puny, I hired an intern from the local ag JC to help.

A few daffodils are up, miner's lettuce and nettles too We've got fog, not the dense tule fog like it once was, but still no fun.

Oh-oh...before I forget...have youse guys tried Nadapenos? Jalapenos without heat but all the flavor. I tried them last year they make best poppers ever.

Brad Gates's of Wild Boar Farms breeds some amazing tomato varieties and Santa Rosa's climate is similar to the Central Valley so they do really well here. He sells seed through Baker's Creek and plants in select Northern CA nurseries.

What canning tomato, not paste, but for whole & diced tomatoes, are y'all planting this year? I planted an heirloom Bonny Best last year. Any suggestions?

PUTTERING: Photography, Travel and Night Skies

Via Hank Curmudgeon, be prepared for spring by getting a copy of Roadside Flowers at Full Speed. Maybe do a Powerpoint presentation for your friends and family:

If you're a fan of wildflowers, I'm sure you've noticed the same thing I have - all the field guides out there have one massive flaw. They're designed for people who are slowly ambling about in prairies and other natural areas with nothing better to do than stop and stare closely at the minute details of flowers.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with kneeling down and staring closely at wildflowers. I mean, we should all be so lucky to have the free time and - apparently - lack of responsibility to spend our days wandering around in fields of blossoms. I'm sure at least some people who do that are perfectly nice, and probably not at all dangerous.

But what about the silent majority who prefer to experience wildflowers the way General Motors intended - by whizzing past them in a fast, comfortable automobile? How are nature-loving-from-a-distance drivers supposed to learn the names and habits of the wildflowers as they speed blissfully past them at 65 (85?) miles per hour?

Might be able to work some painting into this kind of project, too. Something beyond impressionistic?

Dreaming about travel? How about taking a break to live on Swiss time? Interesting essay and nice photos.

About a woman who owns a creperie:

She doesn't have to work, she explained. Her husband runs sports camps that do very well, and her children are out of the house-- they've left their small Alpine village, never to return, just as she did long ago, though she somehow made her way back, and perhaps they will, too. All to say: The creperie business isn't here to make money.

"You have to understand that I'm here to put something good in people," she said. "You have to understand that I use good ingredients, that my eggs are fresh and my flour is good, and I measure it out so that it's good. Do you see that? I'm not here for money. I'm here to offer you something good into your body."

And this I found staggering. I thought what a luxury this was, that you'd have time and money and you'd actually use them to consider how you'd spend your day and your career and your life, to see something as elemental as serving nutrition to someone as a thing of value, as its own reward. To act so deliberately and without desperation that you could live your life the way you thought it should be lived.

Switzerland does attract a lot of tourists.

Otherwise, how could you live by taking photos of the Andromeda Galaxy by night, and running a tattoo parlor by day, in a village of 900 people? Stunning photos at the link.

We have seen some wonderful photos of the night sky from The Horde lately. It will be interesting to see if things change if Betelgeuse explodes.

Back on earth, you may have notice the Swiss dog listening to President Trump, with cows on her collar (in the thread before this one). They really love cows in Switzerland. Even near housing.

And here is a Swiss horse.

The dog in this morning's photo is Gioia, who may be our future guide to Swiss gardening. Here she is as a puppy.

If you are planning a trip, don't forget to take some garden photos.

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you want to remain a lurker.

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at January 25, 2020 01:23 PM (ZCEU2)

2 Hi, Skip.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 01:26 PM (BVQ+1)

3 Poured down here all morning and just let up, so out giving to Gaia what she has gave me lots of little sticks everywhere.
Saw a little bunch of flowers sprouting up, I think are johnny jump ups my wife calls them. Next time out should look to see if Daffodils are coming up too.

Posted by: Skip at January 25, 2020 01:26 PM (ZCEU2)

4 Nice horse, painting miniatures of them now so will try to copy it

Posted by: Skip at January 25, 2020 01:29 PM (ZCEU2)

5 Hiya

Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 01:29 PM (arJlL)

6 And here is a Swiss horse.



I don't see any holes

Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 01:30 PM (arJlL)

7 Darn. I already read that Betelgeuse article. One publication claimed to have seen gravitational waves from that direction. So I hope that it already exploded and the light will be arriving soon. It will be visible by daylight but not enough radiation to fry us ...

Posted by: Enquiring Minds Want to Know at January 25, 2020 01:30 PM (XzVUd)

8 The dog in this morning's photo is Gioia, who may be our future guide to Swiss gardening. Here she is as a puppy.



Nice

Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 01:30 PM (arJlL)

9 My family cringes when I drive in the mountains as I watch for and ID the wildflowers we zip past.

Posted by: Hall Dall MD at January 25, 2020 01:31 PM (iXxg2)

10 "What canning tomato, not paste, but for whole & diced tomatoes, are y'all planting this year? I planted an heirloom Bonny Best last year. Any suggestions?"

Fell in love with Giant Oxheart last year (Toatally Tomato's seed source). It will be a garden staple for canning. Why blanch and peel 200 romas when you can blanch and peel 40 Giant Oxhearts!!

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid, at January 25, 2020 01:31 PM (Vy7tf)

11 My narcissus are starting to poke up out of the unmowed yard, and it is turning out to be a lovely day.

It was raining all day yesterday, and last night when I got up at 1am to let the cat out, there was a heavy overcast, a mild rain, heavy-heavy warm humidity, no wind, and there was a train going through, hooting its horn.

The tracks are about a mile and a bit away, in the next town, and it sounded like it was at the end of the block, it was that still.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 25, 2020 01:35 PM (6rS3m)

12 I wish to thank the puttering Horde for the insights they shared a few weeks ago about whether I should renovate or replace our house. (It needs a lot of work.)

Since that request for ideas, I did some investment-property shopping. (I missed the window for getting a bid in on the house I found, so right now my money is not workers very hard for me.) But what I discovered was that I would buy my current house in a heartbeat for an investment property, with all of its faults. This tells me I should probably not tear it down.

Anyway, I sincerely appreciate the knowledge and experience that the Horde is always so willing to share. Thank you so much!

Posted by: Emmie at January 25, 2020 01:36 PM (87gB3)

13 Cicero Kaboom! Kid, at January 25, 2020 01:31 PM
I am glad those oxhearts work for you. Do they taste better, too?

Shanks for the memory may have better luck in his climate with the New Zealand oxheart (smaller) or with Amish Paste, which someone sells as seedlings at farmer's markets in the Valley. It is actually an oxheart, rather than a paste.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 01:37 PM (BVQ+1)

14 12 I should add: my experience in house-shopping helped to align my heart with the wisdom of the Horde. So, y'all gave great advice and I now see the light.

Posted by: Emmie at January 25, 2020 01:38 PM (87gB3)

15 I love daffodils! Such a sunny color and joyful flower form! Like a golden trumpet!

Posted by: Emmie at January 25, 2020 01:40 PM (87gB3)

16 3 yes they are, about a inch high. It was sunny and in the 50s here yesterday, probably in the 50s now but light rain.

Posted by: Skip at January 25, 2020 01:41 PM (ZCEU2)

17 Favorite tomatoes: Sungold cherry tomatoes and Black Krim, which have a very savory flavor.

Posted by: Emmie at January 25, 2020 01:41 PM (87gB3)

18 Oxhearts are meaty like Roma types, but the ones I have tried (except the yellow ones, which I think were crosses) were quite tender. Might not be the best for dicing.

You can also mix tomatoes for canning. Put in some you especially like for flavor. Some people like little Bloody Butcher or Stupice canned. They are both early, but I seem to recall that Stupice has staying power in heat.

For sweetness, Miracle Sweet (a hybrid) was very heat tolerant for me in the Valley.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 01:46 PM (BVQ+1)

19 I have a Christmas kalanchoe that's started blooming. That's the extent of my gardening at the moment.

Posted by: Bert G at January 25, 2020 01:46 PM (OMsf+)

20 I thought what a luxury this was, that you'd have time and money and you'd actually use them to consider how you'd spend your day and your career and your life, to see something as elemental as serving nutrition to someone as a thing of value, as its own reward.

Yes, it is a luxury. My job offers a sense of personal fulfillment because I serve the community, especially children. But the pay is terrible so I literally can't afford that luxury.

Posted by: kallisto at January 25, 2020 01:46 PM (DJFLF)

21 6 And here is a Swiss horse.



I don't see any holes
Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 01:30 PM (arJlL)

How did it go at rickl's memorial? (If you posted about it, I missed it.)

Posted by: kallisto at January 25, 2020 01:48 PM (DJFLF)

22 Adriane's First Rule of Astronomy: As soon as you want to view some astronomical something, something will happen to make sure you can't.

Case in point. Took the binoculars and tripod on a back & forth to LA. Usually, beautiful skies in the desert: no light pollution at all. This trip: completely overcast & low clouds for the entire trip.

Q.E.D.

Posted by: Adriane the Red Hat & Kniting Needles Critic ... at January 25, 2020 01:49 PM (LPnfS)

23 Bert G at January 25, 2020 01:46 PM
Kalanchoes are nice.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 01:49 PM (BVQ+1)

24 The pictures of the night sky are awe-inspiring. I remember one night when we were staying at the beach, I went out for a bike ride. The stars were so numerous and brilliant, I couldn't stop staring at the sky and almost ran into a telephone pole.

Posted by: kallisto at January 25, 2020 01:51 PM (DJFLF)

25 Outside: daffodils are up to about 2in tall. Pouring rain, windy and cold. Still haven't taken down Christmas lights.

Inside: poinsettia is in full bloom with bright red bracts.

The hoya gets enough light to stay green and grow (slowly!) but has not bloomed since moving here. I really cannot put it anywhere else in this house though I know it would prefer more light.

Nap sounds good...

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 01:52 PM (gP/Z3)

26 @22 ... global warming ...

Posted by: Enquiring Minds Want to Know at January 25, 2020 01:52 PM (XzVUd)

27 Well, it's a glorious day today, so it's time for me to do an outdoor project.

May you all have a relaxing and productive weekend!

Posted by: Emmie at January 25, 2020 01:52 PM (87gB3)

28 The hoya gets enough light to stay green and grow (slowly!) but has not bloomed since moving here. I really cannot put it anywhere else in this house though I know it would prefer more light.

I got a hoya when I was a teen and faithfully cared for it for about nine years, when all of a sudden, a flower formed. It was such a pleasant surprise, and almost miraculous after so much time.

Posted by: kallisto at January 25, 2020 01:57 PM (DJFLF)

29 "Roadside Flowers at Full Speed"?? OMG, husband and I used to say we should write "Identifying California Wildflowers at 60 mph". Looks like we weren't the only ones who thought of the concept!!

From Idaho's Treasure Valley: We cut down the last 4 clumps of Siberian Iris and bunchgrass leaves on the south side of the house. I pulled dead leaves off the rear daylily (large, red flowers, gold throat) - it's already got little green sprouts.

The hyacinth sprouts have expanded a little bit. I'm still wondering if our weather will give us a February curveball, but it's been a very mild winter overall. Seeing those hyacinths up, I decided to check on the crocus bulbs I rescued from the burrowing critters that damaged my cat's grave area, and left on a plate in my shed. Only 8 of them still left alive, and they're sprouting. So I planted them in a pretty blue glazed pot and watered them. We'll see if they survive all the adversity they've been through.

Some of the trees are even showing buds, so we hurried up and did some tree pruning on the linden, a Tatarian maple, and one of the Annoying Sycamores.

I did some leaf raking, since we won't have our new mower until March or so. Saw a hawk out front in a tree, being patient, waiting for me to go away - it did eventually give up and leave.

Husband set up the wires that will keep part of our red raspberry bed in bounds. Any roots that escape are fair game for digging up and giving away.

On Thursday, we bottled the last of the fall's hard cider - dry-hopped with Citra for 4 days, and lactose added - just right!

Happy Year of the Metal Rat, everyone!

Posted by: Pat* at January 25, 2020 01:58 PM (2pX/F)

30 Speaking of Christmas lights, please turn them off even if you don't want to take them down for 10 months until you put them up again.
Monday have a long commute through back roads and wouldn't surprise me to see a Christmas tree light yet.

Posted by: Skip at January 25, 2020 02:00 PM (ZCEU2)

31 Link to President Trump's attorneys' presentation today in the Senate:

https://youtu.be/Tz52gS2KkfY

Less than two hours long, completely destroys the DemonRats' three day bullshit parade.

Posted by: Sharkman at January 25, 2020 02:02 PM (lY6OQ)

32 Daffodils are starting to bloom at Che Blake.

Otherwise, all quiet on the gardening front.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing
at January 25, 2020 02:04 PM (WEBkv)

33 Pat* at January 25, 2020 01:58 PM
Year of the Metal Rat?

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:09 PM (BVQ+1)

34 On gloomy days like today, I am so glad that I planted empress encore azaleas. They line up against the windows in the family room and almost always have hot pink blooms on them that brighten my day.

Posted by: redridinghood at January 25, 2020 02:11 PM (wiXsO)

35 Skip at January 25, 2020 02:00 PM
Here in Fog Alley, Christmas lights may help keep people from running off the road. So maybe they can come down after fog season.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:11 PM (BVQ+1)

36 redridinghood at January 25, 2020 02:11 PM
Sounds wonderful. Never heard of them.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:12 PM (BVQ+1)

37 Short light houses

Posted by: Skip at January 25, 2020 02:13 PM (ZCEU2)

38 NaughtyPine's black squirrel looks like an athletic one.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:17 PM (BVQ+1)

39 24 blooms in December! wow, that's one productive amaryllis. Nice.


I got a blanket of that white stuff outside as well .. but my tray of snow peas emerged inside under the grow lights that give that red cast to the room. It doubles as light therapy to fight winter SAD. Just set up a second level and plan to start some lettuce ...


Keto diet has limited my enthusiasm for all my fruit trees and vines, but will try some broccoli and cabbage ... still need some fiber, and I hit "normal weight" according to BMI charts, so can "cheat" now and then. Plenty of ornamentals to grow, that won't add carbs or sugars ...


cheers to the gardeners ...

Posted by: illiniwek at January 25, 2020 02:19 PM (Cus5s)

40 illiniwek at January 25, 2020 02:19 PM
Gonna try some Dragon Kale for fall, like Shanks for the memory?

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:24 PM (BVQ+1)

41 Going to the nursery after lunch. Looking for daffodil bulbs and stuff the start mixing mulch and soli amendments. It's gonna be warm this week and we didn't get any snow in January.... so far

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at January 25, 2020 02:24 PM (KpEyG)

42 cabin fever?

CAVU skies, low 70's temp, low humidity, thanks to the mild offshore flow, and generally just another glorious winter day here in The Valley, like totally, fer sure.

the manzanitas are blooming, and the ceanothus (SP?) are about to...

Posted by: redc1c4 at January 25, 2020 02:25 PM (K6DB5)

43 Those amaryllis are gorgeous! I bought them in post-Christmas sales on the consecutive occasions and the second one was a dud; both died. I think only sales-priced Easter lilies are hardy enough to withstand months indoors and then a transfer outdoors.

Such a lovely photo of the sky! I miss that about my hometown. There's too much light pollution where I live to see very deep with the naked eye.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 25, 2020 02:30 PM (/+bwe)

44 Sounds wonderful. Never heard of them.
Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:12 PM (BVQ+1)
******************
https://tinyurl.com/sucm6eu

Posted by: redridinghood at January 25, 2020 02:30 PM (wiXsO)

45 My Christmas lights' wires are wrapped with garland, so they *must* be completely dry when I put them away. They'll stay out until they're good and dry AND I have the time to get 'er done. Will unplug at end of month if they're still out there. And who really cares? I'm at the end of a dead end street. Could say I'm making up for lost time because didn't get them up the day after Thanksgiving, lol!

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 02:35 PM (gP/Z3)

46 by: Skip at January 25, 2020 02:00 PM (ZCEU2)

31 Link to President Trump's attorneys' presentation today in the Senate:

https://youtu.be/Tz52gS2KkfY

Less than two hours long, completely destroys the DemonRats' three day bullshit parade.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 25, 2020 02:02 PM (lY6OQ)

Wow! Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 25, 2020 02:35 PM (/+bwe)

47 redridinghood at January 25, 2020 02:30 PM
Those are lovely. Thanks.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 02:36 PM (BVQ+1)

48 Stunning astrophotography!
Beautiful winter flowers!
Great job! Thanks

Posted by: LArro at January 25, 2020 02:40 PM (iEvgr)

49 Yes, it is a luxury. My job offers a sense of personal fulfillment because I serve the community, especially children. But the pay is terrible so I literally can't afford that luxury.
Posted by: kallisto at January 25, 2020 01:46 PM

I hear you. The only thing I "spend" is my free time, and after a gradual time-creep at work, I wish I could volunteer as I did before.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 25, 2020 02:41 PM (/+bwe)

50 Wifey put some Christmas cactus starts in some water to get roots and the darn things are getting buds.

Posted by: Ronster at January 25, 2020 02:41 PM (T1ygy)

51 Morning!

Sadly, I am again not at el farmo. Tonite the in-laws are coming over for WW's B-day extravaganza, I did get the Gun Thread all writ and my pile of stuff cleaned off the dining room table, so it's been a productive day so far.

Posted by: Weasel at January 25, 2020 02:42 PM (MVjcR)

52 Wifey put some Christmas cactus starts in some water to get roots and the darn things are getting buds.
Posted by: Ronster at January 25, 2020 02:41 PM (T1ygy)

That is kind of neat.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 25, 2020 02:43 PM (/+bwe)

53 The Nadapenos reminded me of a pepper I tried growing about 10 years back. The name has totally escaped me, but when I searched for it it turned up. So it's not a big mystery fruit.

I found it at the Santa Barbara farmer's market. It looks like a habanero, but is about half the size of a regular bell pepper. It's bright yellow, not thickwalled nor thinwalled, with charcoal black seeds. I could never get them to germinate though, probably the only pepper I've had issues with. Pretty sure it was an heirloom of some kind, so they might not have been ready from the peppers I had.


The awesome thing about it was it tasted like a habanero, but had none of the heat. It was the darnedest thing, because you'd take a bite and wince, expecting the pain that never came. Most everyone else had the same reaction. Kind of like somebody shooting you with a blank. You're all like "HEEYYY! NNnn..." Then, "hey, wut?"


Anybody know/remember the name of these?

Posted by: clutch cargo at January 25, 2020 02:43 PM (Z1ykJ)

54 Weasel, are you baking a cake?

Posted by: Ronster at January 25, 2020 02:44 PM (T1ygy)

55 OT before I run out and pick up stuff up from the store: they learn so young!

https://tinyurl.com/vm5nh84

Posted by: Bert G at January 25, 2020 02:51 PM (OMsf+)

56 54 Weasel, are you baking a cake?
Posted by: Ronster at January 25, 2020 02:44 PM (T1ygy)
------
No, but I'll spring for WW's share of the pizza we'll probably order!

Posted by: Weasel at January 25, 2020 02:51 PM (MVjcR)

57 I hope you enjoy the shindig, Weasel.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 25, 2020 02:52 PM (/+bwe)

58 57 I hope you enjoy the shindig, Weasel.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 25, 2020 02:52 PM (/+bwe)
------
Thank you!

Posted by: Weasel at January 25, 2020 02:53 PM (MVjcR)

59 I have the same iron stand that is pictured above with the squirrel on it. I had a hummingbird feeder hanging from the upper hook. One morning I walked out, and the iron pole was bent horizontal down on the ground.
Bear got the feeder.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 25, 2020 02:54 PM (LxqES)

60 I don't see any holes
Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 01:30 PM (arJlL)

Snort!

Posted by: Mrs. Leggy at January 25, 2020 02:55 PM (Vf4Y7)

61 I gave up canning whole or diced tomatoes. Mom always canned whole tomatoes on the theory that if she wanted juice she could whomp them up later, and t saved on time for canning.
My canned tomatoes always turned out poor, so I stew them down and run the m through the food mill, and can them as juice.
I mostly use them for soups and stews and for roasts.

I figure that if I really wanted canned tomatoes I would take the time to learn how to do them.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 25, 2020 02:56 PM (6rS3m)

62 *putters*

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at January 25, 2020 02:56 PM (NWiLs)

63 Kallisto, my hoya was a gift also! Just a cutting, actually.

Took six months to get it rooted and growing well.

Took another 5 years for it to bloom. (does best right next to a large, east window with a tree or building outside it) It got huge and healthy, was a real pain to move it!

At the next house, it bloomed about as often as not and had as many as 14 blooms at once. Then moved again & broke it in a few places, even though I was careful. Couldn't get those pieces to take root.

Plant now lives in a corner between south and west windows with no direct sun-- keeps the leaves from scorching. I don't have a nice, eastern exposure for it to enjoy!

Have had it since 1993.

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 02:57 PM (gP/Z3)

64 The awesome thing about it was it tasted like a habanero, but had none of the heat. It was the darnedest thing, because you'd take a bite and wince, expecting the pain that never came. Most everyone else had the same reaction. Kind of like somebody shooting you with a blank. You're all like "HEEYYY! NNnn..." Then, "hey, wut?"


Anybody know/remember the name of these?
Posted by: clutch cargo at January 25, 2020 02:43 PM (Z1ykJ)

Manzano. 'Apple pepper'. I have experience these with PLENTY heat. The black seeds are indicative of this being a Rocato type (C. Pubescens) I suspect they are lacking a proper pollinator so the seed is sterile?

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid, at January 25, 2020 02:57 PM (Vy7tf)

65 That black squirrel is so pretty compared to our blah grey ones.

I just realized the plant I have in the bow window upstairs is almost 31 years old.

Posted by: Gem at January 25, 2020 02:58 PM (65i3Q)

66 Mom loved amaryllis and would grow them indoors every winter.

Beautiful pics, thank you.

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 03:04 PM (gP/Z3)

67 Nood pets.

Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at January 25, 2020 03:04 PM (Dhht7)

68 And I have to start taking down the Christmas Village this weekend. Do not want.

Posted by: Gem at January 25, 2020 03:05 PM (65i3Q)

69 I envy Shanks for the memories most for the ruby red grapefruit right off the tree.

Posted by: kallisto at January 25, 2020 03:13 PM (d4mMH)

70 clutch cargo at January 25, 2020 02:43
There is also a heatless Habanero called "Habanada". Same size, color and shape as some Habaneros.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 03:40 PM (BVQ+1)

71 Ronster at January 25, 2020 02:41 PM
Are you sure they are not Easter cacti?

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 03:42 PM (BVQ+1)

72 JQ at January 25, 2020 02:57 PM
Hoyas have a reputation for hating to be moved.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 03:43 PM (BVQ+1)

73 Hoyas have a reputation for hating to be moved.

Heh. I don't blame them!

Poor hoya--it has hated *this* home (third house) for the last 10 years.

It didn't even flinch moving from first to second house, but I did it very quickly and gave it almost identical-- perhaps slightly better-- enviro at second house.

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 04:02 PM (gP/Z3)

74 Other plants that *hate* moving, in my experience:

Christmas cactus -- flowers/buds drop. Has happened to me every single time, so I don't buy them anymore.

Ficus (shut up!) benjamina -- leaf drop. Sometimes total defoliation, but will grow back in a month or so. This house is too small and dark for one of those.

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 04:17 PM (gP/Z3)

75 Are you sure they are not Easter cacti?


Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 03:42 PM (BVQ+1)

Could be. I don't know how to tell the difference.

Posted by: Ronster at January 25, 2020 04:23 PM (T1ygy)

76 Great post. Magnificent photos.

Posted by: Mrs. JTB at January 25, 2020 04:33 PM (7EjX1)

77 KT, I know hoya likes to be slightly 'cramped' but what about soil?

This one has been in the same pot & soil for about 15 years. I don't see roots creeping over the pot edge. The leaves look deep green and healthy; it hasn't had any major die-back since a winter power outage several years ago... got to 45* indoors.

I give it a weak fertilizer about twice a year, when I see new growth. If the leaves begin to fade, I'll give it the water from rinsing milk from a glass (works well on begonia, too)

Wonder if fresh soil would help? Should I risk it? I really believe lack of blooms is mostly a lighting issue, though.

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 04:33 PM (gP/Z3)

78 Ronster at January 25, 2020 04:23 PM
Do they bloom in the spring instead of at Christmas?

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 04:38 PM (BVQ+1)

79 How did it go at rickl's memorial? (If you posted about it, I missed it.)
Posted by: kallisto

This morning's EMT !

Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 04:42 PM (arJlL)

80 JQ at January 25, 2020 04:33 PM
My piano teacher had a hoya on a shelf above a window for decades. It fell once and I think she put it in a slightly larger, oblong pot but did not change the soil or loosen the roots.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 04:42 PM (BVQ+1)

81 I don't see any holes
Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 01:30 PM (arJlL)

Snort!
Posted by: Mrs. Leggy

Hiya Mrs. Leggy !

Posted by: JT at January 25, 2020 04:43 PM (arJlL)

82 Tomato name correction: The New Zealand oxheart tomato that does well in the Central Valley's high heat is New Zealand Pear. Reputed to be very productive. There seem to be several strains of this tomato, some larger than others. One is called New Zealand Pink Pear.

Pick a strain noted for heat tolerance if that is what you need. Some oxheart tomatoes are famous for luscious flavor rather than productivity. I have had some great ones. There may be something of an inverse relationship between "best flavor" and "most productive".

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 04:48 PM (BVQ+1)

83 I am wondering if Shanks for the memory eats that annual nettle that is everywhere in the Valley about now.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 04:50 PM (BVQ+1)

84 At last!
God's promise to me that the crappy weather is coming to an end. My crocus have emerged!

Posted by: Diogenes at January 25, 2020 04:53 PM (26aeI)

85 Ronster at January 25, 2020 04:23 PM
Do they bloom in the spring instead of at Christmas?


Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 04:38 PM (BVQ+1)

I don't know where the wife got the starter pieces from. Guess we will wait and see what happens if she doesn't kill them first.

Posted by: Ronster at January 25, 2020 04:59 PM (T1ygy)

86 Thanks, KT. I figured disturbing the roots would be a bad move. Maybe will just leave it alone for now & work harder on supplemental lighting, see if that makes a difference.

Posted by: JQ at January 25, 2020 05:31 PM (gP/Z3)

87 "Gonna try some Dragon Kale for fall, like Shanks for the memory?" Posted by: KT

quick search, I didn't see any Dragon kale seed ... saw some dinosaur kale. Went to Menards a bit ago, they already put out their gardening stuff, or most of it. I have a 1/4 pound bag of Simpson Lettuce seed, tested in 2014 ... will try it till I get some more in the mail.


The Little Snow Pea Purple Hybrid was "sell by Dec 2018" and I had it from back then, but probably 85% germinated. Got it from Vermont Bean Seed Company, which of course is in Wisconsin.

Posted by: illiniwek at January 25, 2020 06:34 PM (Cus5s)

88 Diogenes at January 25, 2020 04:53 PM
Yay for crocus!

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 06:54 PM (BVQ+1)

89 illiniwek at January 25, 2020 06:34 PM
I think that "dinosaur kale" is a generic name. One variety may be "dragon's tongue". I think these are a type that taste best when harvested in cool fall weather.

The Red Russian or Ragged Jack type may be better for spring.

Posted by: KT at January 25, 2020 06:58 PM (BVQ+1)

90 re: Shanksforthememory. Some viruses are cytokine sensitive and elderberry just exasperates the symptoms and healing time. I read you could try chamomile (don't know about the tea) and to put it under your tongue like a nitro pill and that should help. Went through the same crud, took elderberry then read about the cytokine involvement too late. After 4 weeks I still have a cough. Might read up about it as I am only stating what I have read.

Posted by: S.Lynn at January 25, 2020 09:24 PM (z74tu)

91 KT, most people know about the 12 animal signs of the Chinese horoscopes, and today Jan. 25th, second New Moon after the Winter Solstice, starts the Year of the Rat, the first of the 12 animals of the cycle.

Most people don't know that there's an overlay of 5 Elements on the 12-Animal cycle. Starting this year, there will be 2 Metal years (next year is Metal Ox), then 2 Water Years, 2 Wood Years, 2 Fire years, and 2 Earth Years. This means that the *exact* year of your birth will not repeat for 60 years. Also, if you know both the animal and element of someone's birth, you'll know how old they are. (A Metal Rat this year will either be zero, 60, or 120 years old, and you ought to be able to tell those apart!)

I wrote the names of these 60 years out on a sheet of paper for easy reference, from 1900 to 1959, then from 1960 to 2019. I'm having to add the years starting in 2020 now!

The main challenge for the Chinese system is that those born in January and February should always check a website for which of the 2 years they were born in - the one that covered most of the previous year, or the new year. In 2020, the Chinese New Year starts unusually early.

(As an side note, I learned how to say "I was born in the Year of the Rooster" in Japanese, since one's Chinese birth year is one of many suggested useful phrases in my Japanese phrase book.)

Posted by: Pat* at January 26, 2020 01:13 AM (2pX/F)

92 @Cicero Kaboom! Kid, & KT...thanks, I'll try an oxheart. Amish paste didn't set very well last year, but the late season start made tomatoes a challenge. I ordered Cuore Di Bue from TomatoFest that looks interesting.

My fav slicers are Paul Robeson, Cherokee Chocolate, Dr. Wyches Yellow and Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye. I had a couple of 20 oz Cherokee Chocolate last year.

@S.Lynn Hmmm... that's interesting. I did not know that! I switched over to black current which is quite nice too. Brit mums swear by black current syrup for their tots. I make ginger bug so I've been drinking fizzy ginger lemonade. Got lemons; make lemonade.

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at January 26, 2020 01:58 AM (TdCQk)

93 @illiniwek Oops, it is Dinosaur kale. The one I have is dark blue/green with pointy leaves. We had a kale, bacon and egg scramblet this morning.

@KT Yes, we pick nettles, the young tops, for tea and soup. Here's a good recipe and some info:

https://tinyurl.com/qqythfs

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at January 26, 2020 02:20 AM (TdCQk)

94 Shanks for the memory at January 26, 2020 02:20 AM
Thanks for the recipe. I knew stinging nettle was edible, but I wasn't sure about the annual winter weed around here.

More on the 'maters later. I love Cherokee Chocolate, too.

Posted by: KT at January 26, 2020 12:22 PM (BVQ+1)

95 As an side note, I learned how to say "I was born in the Year of the Rooster" in Japanese, since one's Chinese birth year is one of many suggested useful phrases in my Japanese phrase book.)
Posted by: Pat* at January 26, 2020 01:13 AM

I am an Earth Monkey, but I never learned to say it.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 26, 2020 12:46 PM (/+bwe)

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