Thursday, August 31. 2006
Quote of the Day
Bush speech, carried live on TV:
meanwhile, on CNN, Live:
(via DailyKos)
"...Things are getting better in Iraq...."
meanwhile, on CNN, Live:
(via DailyKos)
Cactus on Cape Cod
A hobby turns into a business (now where have I heard that before?):
Passion for Succulents Grows into Business
The front yard of Bill Hayes house in Chatham is striking enough to stop traffic even before people realize why it's so different. There's not a blade of grass to be seen.
Instead, there is a blue sea of lavender and cat mint is set off by pools of lemon thyme, pink dianthus, and silver artimesia. Between the rocks and stepping stones there is also a variety of thrift, sedums, santalina and succulents. This is what is known as -- an alternative to the lawn....
His passion for these drought tolerant plants began innocently enough. "I started with Christmas cactus and Easter cactus and orchid cactus. Then I discovered there was more to succulents than indoor varieties. I started growing outdoor varieties...."
(more after the break...)The front yard of Bill Hayes house in Chatham is striking enough to stop traffic even before people realize why it's so different. There's not a blade of grass to be seen.
Instead, there is a blue sea of lavender and cat mint is set off by pools of lemon thyme, pink dianthus, and silver artimesia. Between the rocks and stepping stones there is also a variety of thrift, sedums, santalina and succulents. This is what is known as -- an alternative to the lawn....
His passion for these drought tolerant plants began innocently enough. "I started with Christmas cactus and Easter cactus and orchid cactus. Then I discovered there was more to succulents than indoor varieties. I started growing outdoor varieties...."
Continue reading "Cactus on Cape Cod"
We Get Questions
Q: Need to know the name of the cactus other than Night Blooming Cereus. It has red blooms and only blooms when the sun is out. Can you help me out with this? Thanks. Any info is appreciated.
Jeanne
A: Hello Jeanne,
Night blooming Cereus refers to several genus and species of night blooming cacti; most commonly it refers to Cereus peruvianus and also Epipyllums:
There are a huge number of Epipyllum species and hybrids that bloom red, some open at night, others during the day. Epipyllum are jungle cacti that grow up on tree branches with orchids and bromeliads. They have huge colorful blooms that are often nicely scented and very showy. There are also a number of other genus referred to as "Night Blooming Cereus" as well, most of them being other species of jungle cacti such as Hylocereus, Acanthocereus and Cryptocereus. However most of them have white to creamy yellow blooms though there a few red blooms in some species and hybrids.
Good luck,
Hap
Jeanne
A: Hello Jeanne,
Night blooming Cereus refers to several genus and species of night blooming cacti; most commonly it refers to Cereus peruvianus and also Epipyllums:
There are a huge number of Epipyllum species and hybrids that bloom red, some open at night, others during the day. Epipyllum are jungle cacti that grow up on tree branches with orchids and bromeliads. They have huge colorful blooms that are often nicely scented and very showy. There are also a number of other genus referred to as "Night Blooming Cereus" as well, most of them being other species of jungle cacti such as Hylocereus, Acanthocereus and Cryptocereus. However most of them have white to creamy yellow blooms though there a few red blooms in some species and hybrids.
Good luck,
Hap
Wednesday, August 30. 2006
They Get Questions
From the SF Chronicle:
Q: I have a small potted cactus (variety unknown) that for several years had four or five series of blooms. They were bright orange and lasted a day. Three years ago, I only got a flower or two; last year, just one flower, and this year, nothing. The cactus is a mounded type. It continues to grow, but no more flowers. Should it be repotted?
A: Assuming your cactus has been in the same location all this time, and hasn't been moved to a place without bright light, the problem could be that your plant doesn't get enough of a rest period after it has bloomed. It should be watered less often in the winter months, just enough to keep it firm and unshriveled, not enough to encourage it to grow at that time. This might be as rarely as every six weeks, though when you do water, you want to do so thoroughly enough that some water comes out the bottom of the pot.
I also wonder whether you have been fertilizing your cactus over the years. While cacti don't have high fertilizer needs, in a container watering will eventually leach out nutrients. Choose a fertilizer formulated for cactus and succulents....
Without seeing your cactus, it isn't possible to tell if it needs repotting, but it doesn't necessarily. If it does seem too large for a small container, and a rest and better fertilization don't help, consider repotting next year. Move it to a slightly larger pot, and use fresh cactus potting mix in the new pot. Don't put pebbles or pot shards in the bottom of the pot, as it has been proved that these materials impede drainage in containers. Instead, put a small piece of fiberglass window screen over the hole in the pot. (You can get it at a hardware store.) To avoid being stabbed by your spiny friend while you are transplanting it, fold a newspaper section to make a narrow band several layers thick, wrap it around the sides of the cactus, and hold it by the ends as you move the plant from pot to pot.
A: Assuming your cactus has been in the same location all this time, and hasn't been moved to a place without bright light, the problem could be that your plant doesn't get enough of a rest period after it has bloomed. It should be watered less often in the winter months, just enough to keep it firm and unshriveled, not enough to encourage it to grow at that time. This might be as rarely as every six weeks, though when you do water, you want to do so thoroughly enough that some water comes out the bottom of the pot.
I also wonder whether you have been fertilizing your cactus over the years. While cacti don't have high fertilizer needs, in a container watering will eventually leach out nutrients. Choose a fertilizer formulated for cactus and succulents....
Without seeing your cactus, it isn't possible to tell if it needs repotting, but it doesn't necessarily. If it does seem too large for a small container, and a rest and better fertilization don't help, consider repotting next year. Move it to a slightly larger pot, and use fresh cactus potting mix in the new pot. Don't put pebbles or pot shards in the bottom of the pot, as it has been proved that these materials impede drainage in containers. Instead, put a small piece of fiberglass window screen over the hole in the pot. (You can get it at a hardware store.) To avoid being stabbed by your spiny friend while you are transplanting it, fold a newspaper section to make a narrow band several layers thick, wrap it around the sides of the cactus, and hold it by the ends as you move the plant from pot to pot.
Saturday, August 26. 2006
A Cactus Blooms in Malta
From Malta, a tale of a garden.
So there you go. And they sell the plants too.
What had started off as a "playful hobby" for a seven-year-old boy, playing with cactus seeds in his father's fields 70 years ago, has now become the fourth largest collection of cacti in Europe....
It contains over 120 different species but what makes it unique is the large number of free-standing cacti ranging in size from six to nearly 10 metres and in age from 40 to 70 years old. Some 80 per cent of the cacti were grown from seed....
Hearing Mr Galea talk is like listening to a veritable walking encyclopaedia: "Nature is just fantastic. Some of the pods the seeds are in bear spines, which in the wild protect them from being eaten by animals. When the seeds are ripe enough, the pod sheds the spines and cracks. The seeds that fall from the pods on the ground just die. Those that are pecked by birds are actually cleaned of the mould in the process and the seeds passed in bird droppings are the ones that end up growing."
Standing behind impressive giant cacti known as Mother-in-law's Chair, Mr Galea says some are 70 years old and can still be seen growing each year....
Anyone wishing to visit the garden can call at the Derek Garden Centre. Those who want to see it virtually can log on to www.derekmalta.com.
It contains over 120 different species but what makes it unique is the large number of free-standing cacti ranging in size from six to nearly 10 metres and in age from 40 to 70 years old. Some 80 per cent of the cacti were grown from seed....
Hearing Mr Galea talk is like listening to a veritable walking encyclopaedia: "Nature is just fantastic. Some of the pods the seeds are in bear spines, which in the wild protect them from being eaten by animals. When the seeds are ripe enough, the pod sheds the spines and cracks. The seeds that fall from the pods on the ground just die. Those that are pecked by birds are actually cleaned of the mould in the process and the seeds passed in bird droppings are the ones that end up growing."
Standing behind impressive giant cacti known as Mother-in-law's Chair, Mr Galea says some are 70 years old and can still be seen growing each year....
Anyone wishing to visit the garden can call at the Derek Garden Centre. Those who want to see it virtually can log on to www.derekmalta.com.
So there you go. And they sell the plants too.
Thursday, August 24. 2006
Blooming Berkeley Aloe
Tulare Ave
Aloe striata v. karasbergensis
Quote of the Day
Howard Dean On George Felix Allen, Jr:
From Al Rodger's diary at Daily Kos.
I served with George Felix Allen when he was Governor. I don't think he belongs in public service. There are Republicans who are capable and smart - thoughtful people - and he's not one of them.
From Al Rodger's diary at Daily Kos.
Monday, August 21. 2006
We Get Questions From New York
Q: I am a landscape architect and am design a roof garden in Manhattan and am looking for recommendations of hardy cactus and succulants that can take the hot summer with not irrigatioin, but sometimes heavy rains and the winter temps.
-Joanna
A: Being in Berkeley, CA it is difficult for me to make many recommendations for outdoors in Manhattan... at least for sure fire rooftop plants. I think the alpine succulents are your best bet. You can use all of the Sempervivum's, Jovibarba, most Sedum's and Yucca whipplei, for bright blooms add any of the Lewisia's and Delosperma congestum should be able to handle both the heat and the cold.
As far as true cacti I think you would need to try Opuntia humifusa (an east coast native), Opuntia fragilis should also work, it is very cold hardy, though I am not sure about how well it would deal with the humidity in the summer. Some of the cholla's from Texas might also work, like Opuntia imbricata. Some of the cold hardy Agaves might also work but again I think humidity might cause fungus troubles....
You might be able to get a list of plants that will take Manhattan's weather from the New York Cactus and Succulent Society.
Good Luck,
Hap
-Joanna
A: Being in Berkeley, CA it is difficult for me to make many recommendations for outdoors in Manhattan... at least for sure fire rooftop plants. I think the alpine succulents are your best bet. You can use all of the Sempervivum's, Jovibarba, most Sedum's and Yucca whipplei, for bright blooms add any of the Lewisia's and Delosperma congestum should be able to handle both the heat and the cold.
As far as true cacti I think you would need to try Opuntia humifusa (an east coast native), Opuntia fragilis should also work, it is very cold hardy, though I am not sure about how well it would deal with the humidity in the summer. Some of the cholla's from Texas might also work, like Opuntia imbricata. Some of the cold hardy Agaves might also work but again I think humidity might cause fungus troubles....
You might be able to get a list of plants that will take Manhattan's weather from the New York Cactus and Succulent Society.
Good Luck,
Hap
Sunday, August 20. 2006
We Get Questions
Q: I've had a prickly pear cactus growing in a whiskey barrel for many years. It's gotten huge and the barrel is rotten so I'd like to plant it in the ground.
I live outside Houston, the soil is 6-10" sandy loam with gumbo clay below that.
What kind of soil prep should I do before planting? What about a raised bed?
remarkm05
A: Your idea of a raised bed sounds like the best way to go if you have heavy clay soil. Here in Berkeley, we have adobe clay and all of our cactus beds are raised on top of it so we don't have to dig out the sticky mess and deal with improving drainage. You could do either a rock or block retaining bed, fill with fast draining, gravely soil and plant your big Opuntia. If it is difficult to move and you have the room you could even build it around the rotted whiskey barrel and then just pull off the wood stays. Fill soil in around it and let grow there. Stay away from using sand in your soil mix as it will actually hold water. Use pumice or lava if you can , mixed 50/50 with a quality potting soil.
Good Luck,
Hap
I live outside Houston, the soil is 6-10" sandy loam with gumbo clay below that.
What kind of soil prep should I do before planting? What about a raised bed?
remarkm05
A: Your idea of a raised bed sounds like the best way to go if you have heavy clay soil. Here in Berkeley, we have adobe clay and all of our cactus beds are raised on top of it so we don't have to dig out the sticky mess and deal with improving drainage. You could do either a rock or block retaining bed, fill with fast draining, gravely soil and plant your big Opuntia. If it is difficult to move and you have the room you could even build it around the rotted whiskey barrel and then just pull off the wood stays. Fill soil in around it and let grow there. Stay away from using sand in your soil mix as it will actually hold water. Use pumice or lava if you can , mixed 50/50 with a quality potting soil.
Good Luck,
Hap
Saturday, August 19. 2006
Palmer Park in Colorado Springs
Seems like a nifty place for a hike if you're in the area.
And there's this yucca photo, by Bill Wheeler.
Here's the original.
Are you looking for a wonderful horticulture hike in the heart of Colorado Springs? Palmer Park is one of the cities most prominent landmarks. It is located right in the heart of the city and provides a wonderful variety of hiking and biking opportunities. The area was donated by General Palmer for the enjoyment of all the citizens way back in the early 1900s. While the entire park is a nice place to visit, all of us cactus lovers will really appreciate the upper plateau. This area was originally used as a horse training area and later as a series of picnic areas that overlook the city. About ten years ago, the local Colorado Forestry and Horticulture Society arranged to have the entire top of the park closed to traffic so that people would have an area to go enjoy the native plants. The Ute Crest Yucca Area hike takes you on an easy 2.3 mile loop along the edge of the bluffs with an outstanding view of Pikes Peak and downtown Colorado Springs.
And there's this yucca photo, by Bill Wheeler.
Here's the original.
South Carolina Cactus
They grow 'em big in Myrtle Beach.
Agnes Little's German Johnson tomato plant measured in at nearly 9 feet tall... "I picked one and it weighed 2 pounds," Little said....
Al Smith of Little River was a little skeptical he could grow a pineapple in his home. But after planting the top off a pineapple in a pot two years ago, his skepticism turned to amazement this spring...
Another large plant is Lynn Mongardi's Angel Wing begonia, which is taking over her kitchen in her Socastee home....
Martha White's... Monkey Tail cactus has delivered the most fun performance, growing from 8 inches to about 6 feet long and drawing onlookers mesmerized by its cascading, lanky limbs....
Surfside Beach resident Joe Sauls said his 40-foot wide fig tree he planted 25 years ago in his backyard is an awesome performer.
Woohoo.
Gardeners display prized performers
Happy Huskey has grown vegetables in his days, but never has he nurtured a tomato plant to a healthy, robust 8 feet tall....Agnes Little's German Johnson tomato plant measured in at nearly 9 feet tall... "I picked one and it weighed 2 pounds," Little said....
Al Smith of Little River was a little skeptical he could grow a pineapple in his home. But after planting the top off a pineapple in a pot two years ago, his skepticism turned to amazement this spring...
Another large plant is Lynn Mongardi's Angel Wing begonia, which is taking over her kitchen in her Socastee home....
Martha White's... Monkey Tail cactus has delivered the most fun performance, growing from 8 inches to about 6 feet long and drawing onlookers mesmerized by its cascading, lanky limbs....
Surfside Beach resident Joe Sauls said his 40-foot wide fig tree he planted 25 years ago in his backyard is an awesome performer.
Woohoo.
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