Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, April 1

HAPPY APRIL!

From 40 Miles North:

KT, the irises are tall this year... and it looks like I might get some nectarines:

Great to see these blossoms! Spraying with copper against fungi?

Edible Gardening/Putting Things By

Grafting a petunia to a tomato plant

Gonna try it?

Science

From Nurse r

Adventure

Lurker "RS" here.
The longsuffering spouse and I recently returned from visiting friends in Alabama. During our stay, we had occasion to spend a day hiking at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley, Alabama. Attached is a photo of a carnivorous Pitcher Plant along the trail. These beauties attract insects to the "pitcher," which they then can't escape and wind up drowning in the digestive nectar.
I didn't see any with victims, but in fairness, we were hiking long after breakfast.
Keep up the good work.

It's not just the pitchers, the flowers are intriguing, too.

More Carnivorous Plants

After seeing the photos above, I thought we might check in with our own outdoor carnivorous plant expert in Florida, Tony Litwin. Here are some of the photos he sent:

These are ones that are open for business so to speak with many still closed due to late cold spells which sets them back a bit. I included mostly Pitcher Plants, a Butterwort( Pinguicula ) . . Sundew

and we'll have to see more later. I always like the sundews.

Quite a variety of Pitcher Plants. Which is your favorite?

Sarracenia flava ornata

S. 'Judith Hindle'

How many bugs find the entrance to the pitchers of S. minor?

S. minor

S. leucophylla

Butterwort with flowers that look like a primrose (as suggested by the name)

Pinguicula primulflora

Sundew. My favorite. Though the Butterwort is pretty nice right now.

Drosera capensis

Gardens of The Horde

Hi KT.
Here are a couple of pix of my Yoshino Cherry trees. After a hard frost a couple of weeks ago that nipped all the Magnolia Tulip trees I was afraid it got the buds on my cherry trees. As you can see, they escaped the killing frost.
olddog in mo

Spectacular!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden at g mail dot com

Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Week in Review

What has changed since last week's thread? Gardening, Puttering and Adventure Thread, March 25

Any thoughts or questions?

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 01:20 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good afternoon Greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 01:23 PM (xhxe8)

2 And hello kallisto

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 01:23 PM (xhxe8)

3 Well done Skip!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 01:24 PM (gGlAW)

4 My iris have not even thought to get started.
Daffodils and chives are up

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 01:25 PM (xhxe8)

5 hiya

Posted by: JT at April 01, 2023 01:30 PM (T4tVD)

6 Beautiful pics, olddog.
Why would someone graft a petunia on a tomato?

Posted by: MkY at April 01, 2023 01:31 PM (cPGH3)

7 Sun is out here JT, winds calmed down some

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 01:32 PM (xhxe8)

8 Great pictures!
The desert yellowing is in full display.
The ironwood trees haven't started their blossoming yet; but, I suspect we'll get some heat and they'll show soon.

My allergies are really on display.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 01:32 PM (gGlAW)

9 ...and I wanna know if carnivorous plants attract bees?

Posted by: MkY at April 01, 2023 01:32 PM (cPGH3)

10 AZ, what do you call ironwood? Here in MO, it's the hop hornbeam

Posted by: MkY at April 01, 2023 01:34 PM (cPGH3)

11 MkY at April 01, 2023 01:32 PM

I think so. And some of them are in flower there, away from the areas that capture insects.

Posted by: KT at April 01, 2023 01:34 PM (rrtZS)

12 The sun ain't out here !

Posted by: JT at April 01, 2023 01:35 PM (T4tVD)

13 AZ, Ostrya virginiana

Posted by: MkY at April 01, 2023 01:36 PM (cPGH3)

14 I have one of those tiny daffodils, that survived the move and the cold, and is bravely blooming. Looks like some irises made it but not sure about the raspberries. I need to get the new stuff planted now.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 01, 2023 01:36 PM (u7leW)

15 My early yellow plums are in bloom and all the other fruit trees but one sapling apple are trying to break bud, and green is showing through.

Yesterday I went out with my knife, and clippers and tape and tree seal and grafted on some wood onto one apple tree I don't much care for, and some plum seedlings in some of the garden beds.

I am waiting for a little better weather to graft on the other apple suckers I have coming up, I am not convinced they are all out of dormancy yet.

Other than that, it has been rainy and wet and I still can't get anything into the garden. I start fretting like this every year. I am impatient I guess.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 01, 2023 01:39 PM (xhaym)

16 It's been quite wet here, too. Grass is lovely green and needs to be cut but is soggy.

Leaf lettuce is up. Will have salad in a couple of weeks!

Daffodils and hyacinth are blooming, hardy azalea as well

Posted by: JQ at April 01, 2023 01:45 PM (o0Fxd)

17 Tiny Daffodils came out a couple weeks ago before the big size. They seem to pop up all over

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 01:46 PM (xhxe8)

18 Still freezing here. Even my chives haven't turned yet.

Posted by: Infidel at April 01, 2023 01:46 PM (/0+YE)

19 AZ, what do you call ironwood? Here in MO, it's the hop hornbeam
Posted by: MkY

The desert ironwood (Olenya tesota) is native to the Sonoran Desert

An interesting factoid (to me) the wood is so dense it doesn't float.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 01:47 PM (gGlAW)

20 I have one area tilled from the dry period we had in February and March, I guess I can just cast lettuce and radish seed on it and cover it with a poly-tunnel until the rains stop.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 01, 2023 01:48 PM (xhaym)

21 I guess I can just cast lettuce and radish seed on it and cover it with a poly-tunnel until the rains stop.
Posted by: Kindltot

That'll give them a nice warm place to germinate.
(I have forgotten where you're located.)

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 01:54 PM (gGlAW)

22 AZ just read up on it. Interesting tree.

Posted by: MkY at April 01, 2023 01:56 PM (cPGH3)

23 In western Oregon. It is going to be a wet spring, and maybe a damp summer.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 01, 2023 01:58 PM (xhaym)

24 Yeah, the ironwoods are plentiful in the 1x5mile park south of house. They have very pale (almost white) to deep purple blossoms.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 01:59 PM (gGlAW)

25 In western Oregon.
Posted by: Kindltot

Nice area, I have a cousin that moved from Fresno to somewhere West of Eugene. I haven't been up to visit him since he moved.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 02:01 PM (gGlAW)

26 Last Sunday I started seeds for broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Wednesday I started the tomatoes. Today, almost all are up and have been moved to the basement under the grow lights.

Not trying to grow enough for canning or freezing, just enough for fresh eating. Don't have enough room (or energy) for that.

A couple more weeks and I'll start peppers, squash and cukes.

I do have 2 container jalapeno plants that we brought in last fall. They have survived and actually produced about 10 small peppers over the winter. Looking forward to seeing how they do when it warm enough to take them back outside. They have some new growth starting and it would be awesome to have a jumpstart on them this year.

Posted by: cfo mom at April 01, 2023 02:01 PM (Q8bDL)

27 Our Broadwing Hawks are back

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 02:10 PM (xhxe8)

28 The mint I cannot kill after 15 years of trying is back in full bloom in my garden box with some clover. After Easter, I'll be ripping everything out and planting, leaving the back of the box for the mint to grow again and take over. At that point, I'll be doing some mint recipes for the week, so that will be a fun food thread!

Not sure what I'll plant this year yet, but last year, I had a cherry tomato that grew so many tomatoes, it was like having 10 plants...so thinking that might be at least 1 good idea for the box (I normally plant 5-6 herb/veg, and then have the mint try to fight for dominance)...

Posted by: Nova Local at April 01, 2023 02:10 PM (exHjb)

29 Turned some dirt over yesterday . Woke up to 4 inches of wet sloppy snow . Heavy sigh

Posted by: Sock Monkey * Free Jacob Chansley at April 01, 2023 02:11 PM (IB/bA)

30 I have a pecan tree that survived both last year's drought and a couple hard freezes this year. It has a three good sprouts from the roots - two about 8" and one maybe 2" tall. Should I wait until they reach a particular height before trying to separate them?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at April 01, 2023 02:11 PM (llON8)

31 One of the pretty flowers that self-seed and put on great displays are African Daisies (Osteospermum). I've been wanting to get some seeds; but, at the HD we saw flowering plants of both the purple and yellow-orange.
One of each went in and I'm going harvest (if I can beat the birds, squirrels, mice) seeds.
We'd like to get a very large area going with them.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 02:13 PM (gGlAW)

32 Maybe it's just my weird imagination but those carnivorous plants look like something from a 1950s sci-fi paperback cover. That is so cool.

Posted by: JTB at April 01, 2023 02:15 PM (7EjX1)

33 It's been a good year for flowering cherry trees in our area. I love the look of sunshine on the delicate blossoms against the dark bark and spread out branches. The contrast makes the blossoms look even more ethereal.

Posted by: JTB at April 01, 2023 02:19 PM (7EjX1)

34 Good afternoon!

My damson plum is budding up! I put it in the ground dormant about 5 weeks ago and it made it. The currants and gooseberries from last year are also doing well.

Tonight I watch Monty Don to learn more about growing onions from seed. Yes, my grandmother used to do it, but I want recent pointers. I hope he has more vegetable growing segments, too.

Posted by: CN at April 01, 2023 02:23 PM (Zzbjj)

35 Thank you for closing the gruesome Newsom post.

Posted by: Holy Crap at April 01, 2023 02:24 PM (989Xl)

36 And better get collected leaves again that I missed in Fall

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 02:24 PM (xhxe8)

37 Update on the Yoshino Cherry trees. Last nights storms and todays wind have knocked half the flowers off the trees. Looks like it's snowing.

Posted by: olddog in mo at April 01, 2023 02:25 PM (ju2Fy)

38 The redbud in our front yard is exposed to the coldest winds but it is now starting to show the blooms. About a week before they are full. It's interesting. It will look dead in winter, then the blooms develop quickly. Once they start, you can almost see them develop while watching. Even a few hours can make a noticeable difference.

Posted by: JTB at April 01, 2023 02:26 PM (7EjX1)

39 Hello, AZ!

The lovely, longsuffering spouse and I are contmplating a trip to Tuscon, for purposes of hiking Saguaro N.P. and maybe a reprise of an earlier trip to Chiricahua N.M. and the Dragoons. Any recommendations? I've reached the age where winters in MO are getting tedious.

Posted by: RS at April 01, 2023 02:27 PM (1XDfN)

40 I love the pitcher plant. Those are really cool.

It's still too cold to plant the early girl tomato I bought. I have it in the container it came in and I put it in the laundry room at night. I've still had frost in the am.

I'm ready for it to warm up. I can't complain about the rain but I've had almost 40 inches this year so far. I think it's a record. We are behind on everything from the storms making such a mess.

Posted by: CaliGirl at April 01, 2023 02:39 PM (uWjn6)

41 Thursday I tilled the garden plot a second time to mix in some soil amendments and make sure a row was prepared for the first planting of potatoes. If we get them in soon we'll likely get two batches before November.

My wife dehydrated some of them last year, we rehydrated a jar of them the other night and they weren't too bad.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 01, 2023 02:41 PM (Q4IgG)

42 Mother Nature gave us a big old April Fool's (or middle finger if you prefer) with 8 inches of heavy snow overnight.

Posted by: No One Of Consequence at April 01, 2023 02:43 PM (uPgE/)

43 Weeds in mini green house are growing

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 02:46 PM (xhxe8)

44 Posted by: RS

Both sides (East and West) of the Saguaro N.P. are pretty.
The East side has creeks and falls it's very pretty. The hike isn't terrible; but, in AZ you need to carry water no matter what...

Chiricahua's in AZ (East of Dragoons) is very pretty.

Bisbee Breakfast Club if you make Bisbee. There is also a mine that you can tour that is supposed to be neat.

I would include Kartchner Caverns State Park, the cave system is supposed to be one of the top 10 in the world. We've been there many times with visitors and family.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 02:47 PM (gGlAW)

45 If you see those pitcher plants out in a swampy part of a cow pasture, it's also a good place to find shrooms. So I've been told.

Posted by: fd at April 01, 2023 02:47 PM (iayUP)

46 Weeds in mini green house are growing
Posted by: Skip

lol! Weeds on entire property are riotously in bloom!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 02:48 PM (gGlAW)

47 Does Drosera capensis like those Asian Stink Bugs? I might plant some around the house.

Posted by: fd at April 01, 2023 02:52 PM (iayUP)

48 ❗❗Notice, 1 Apr:

By order of the FDA, all pesticides are now banned in commercial and private farms and gardens, to protect the insect food supply.

Posted by: Federal Bureau of Regulatory Regulagation at April 01, 2023 02:52 PM (E90oM)

49 the 8" to 10" of snow that fell last Sunday-Monday is mostly gone, but the forecast is calling for another storm Monday overnight. So, no serious yardwork, other than some cleanup of a patio.

Sunny and 60 right now, though.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Lookin' for me wooden leg at April 01, 2023 02:52 PM (UQUAY)

50 Speaking of gardening ( old trick Muldoon taught me), where Eagles Dare is playing right now on the Movie channel. I want one of those infinity ammo SMG that Eastwood uses.

Posted by: polynikes at April 01, 2023 02:56 PM (pBEqG)

51 I want one of those infinity ammo SMG that Eastwood uses.
Posted by: polynikes

Agree! WW2, westerns, and Wick movies have them as well.
I haven't seen one on sale though.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 02:58 PM (gGlAW)

52 The mild winter means lots of weeds, some even with flowers here at Martini's Farm. And I already mowed the property once. And probably will be at it again late next week.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at April 01, 2023 03:05 PM (Q4IgG)

53 AZ, Thanks!

We did Chiricahua and Cochise Stronghold, as well as Cave Creek near Paradise, AZ. (We're big hikers, if you haven't guessed. We've loved all our trips to AZ. )

Saguaro is still on our bucket list.

Posted by: RS at April 01, 2023 03:15 PM (1XDfN)

54 Happy little flowers

Posted by: Bob Ross at April 01, 2023 03:18 PM (II3Gr)

55 We're big hikers
Posted by: RS

Some pretty trails in the Superstitions: Flat Iron, Peralta.
Sedona has great hikes; but, it's crowded.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 03:18 PM (gGlAW)

56 Nice area, I have a cousin that moved from Fresno to somewhere West of Eugene. I haven't been up to visit him since he moved.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 02:01 PM (gGlAW)

It is a nice area out that way, stay out of downtown Eugene, since it is ugly. There is a nice reservoir out that way.
Last time we drove to Eugene we saw flocks of some sort of migrating wild swan and bald eagles. Late spring and early summer is when it is at its best. It is also about an hour or two to the Coast.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 01, 2023 03:21 PM (xhaym)

57 Martini Farmer you forgot bugs

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 03:21 PM (xhxe8)

58 PET NOOD

Posted by: Skip at April 01, 2023 03:24 PM (xhxe8)

59 Nova Local, I pick lemon balm mint that grows like a weed in my yard, and I dry it and use it for a tea. It is supposed to help me sleep, no idea if it works or not. It does give me something hot to drink when I can't drink more coffee.

I also harvest other mints. Instead of just ripping yours out, dry some to see if it would work as a decent tea.
You can just boil some green to see if you like the flavor.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 01, 2023 03:25 PM (xhaym)

60 Also, spent a morning wandering around Bisbee. Very funky, cool town. Love the courthouse!

Posted by: RS at April 01, 2023 03:27 PM (1XDfN)

61 Also, spent a morning wandering around Bisbee. Very funky, cool town. Love the courthouse!
Posted by: RS

Contact if you get to the Superstition area!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 03:29 PM (gGlAW)

62 The flowers on those pitcher plants in the wild look sort of like orchids. Maybe that's not too surprising.

Posted by: KT at April 01, 2023 03:34 PM (rrtZS)

63 The throat on that S. leucophylla is also really dramatic. It's remarkable that people actually breed new varieties of pitcher plants, too.

Posted by: KT at April 01, 2023 03:37 PM (rrtZS)

64 Kindltot at April 01, 2023 01:48 PM

I just bought some seeds for microgreens. They can be grown indoors in a pinch.

Posted by: KT at April 01, 2023 03:38 PM (rrtZS)

65 Never thought about growing microgreens. Please let us know how they do, whether you like them, and which ones you tried!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at April 01, 2023 03:53 PM (FUBfX)

66 sign in

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at April 01, 2023 07:11 PM (Vwz3I)

67 From Boise area: Posting late due to taking a class today. Lows 23-39 F, highs 43-52. This coming week is our Unlimited Trash Week, so I raked up 8 big 30 gal. trash bags of them (will try to do more on Mon./Tues.), plus I filled the trash can last week and this week. At last, the end of "leaves filling the drainage ditches" is within sight! Just 2 piles to go - then comes picking up all the fallen branches.

I loosened soil in 2 beds and Husband added more to top them up. Husband sprayed the peach tree; and is experimenting with a new type of branch spreader.

It's supposed to start warming up by the end of next week. Crocus are already in close to full bloom, and first hyacinths just opened today. Tallest tulip leaves pushing 6 inches.

If it would just quit raining, I could start planting early crops outdoors. Indoor starts are nearly ready for bigger pots - have to get those washed and sanitized soon.

Posted by: Pat* at April 01, 2023 09:24 PM (VsoW4)

68 This encouraged reward may be used from the consumer to play games on that site and acquire familiar
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canon, able to starting having a huge range of hands from several positions.

Posted by: Rickey at April 03, 2023 07:48 PM (NXIFi)

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