Saturday, June 28, 2008
The beautiful Parrot's Beak plant, also known as Heliconia ( Heliconia psittacorum ). This is a very tropical perennial plant. I was a the the Farmers Market and one of the vendors was packing up getting ready to leave but had so much stuff left. I was talking to him for a while and he told me to take the Heliconia plant home with me. I didn't argue with him at all. The Heliconia Plant ( Heliconia psittacorum ) does best in full to partial shade and requires a spacing of about 12-15 inches and grows to a height of about 2 feet tall. Here are some pictures of my Heliconia ( Heliconia psittacorum ).
Monday, June 23, 2008
We had a summertime surprise today here in Florida. It rained non-stop for over 3 hours. We need the rain pretty bad so it was a very good thing. What we weren't ready for was all of the hail that came down for the first 30 minutes of the downpour. The hail that was falling from the sky was the size of walnuts if not a little bigger. I thought my windshield was going to crack and I thought I was going to have to get body work done on the car it was hitting so hard. Good news is that everything was fine, no damage to the car.
I did manage to get some pretty good pictures of our little Florida Snow Shower. The rain water was so cold as it was falling from the sky. It was very strange since it was just 90 degrees outside before the storm. Then to have the balls of ice just laying on the ground piling up when they should have melted rather quickly. Only in Florida I guess, one thing we say here is that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Never thought this would happen though. It has hailed before but this is the first time I have watched the hail build up on the ground. Here are some pictures of our little tropical snowstorm.
I did manage to get some pretty good pictures of our little Florida Snow Shower. The rain water was so cold as it was falling from the sky. It was very strange since it was just 90 degrees outside before the storm. Then to have the balls of ice just laying on the ground piling up when they should have melted rather quickly. Only in Florida I guess, one thing we say here is that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Never thought this would happen though. It has hailed before but this is the first time I have watched the hail build up on the ground. Here are some pictures of our little tropical snowstorm.
Now it is time for an update on my Sago Palm. I am unsure what kind of Sago Palm it actually is but I am pretty sure it is one of either the Prince Sago (Cycas taitungensis) or the Sago Palm (Cycas riuminiana). Again I am unsure so if you have any ideas please feel free to let me know.
Although the name is Sago Palm this is actually not a Palm Tree at all. The Sago Palm is actually a part of the Cycad family. I like Cycads because of their Jurassic appearance. I think they are very tropical looking as well. The Sago Palm can be grown anywhere from full sun (which I think it does best) to shade. The Sago Palm has average water needs so take that into consideration when watering, you do not want to over water. You should space them apart about 4-6 feet when planting. The Sago Palm can grow up to heights of 20 feet depending on the conditions.
I was given this Sago Palm by my friend back in February. I thought it would never grow. My Sago Palm has looked baron for 4 months now. I wasn't going to give up hope though, and it paid off. Now I have 2 new growths coming out of my little Sago Palm. The new growth looks like something right out of a dinosaur movie. I also have planted some Butterfly Plant ( Christia obcordata )( click here for more on my Butterfly Plant ), an unknown succulent, and an unknown plant that was given to me as a clipping and it just took off. If you know the names of these unknowns please let me know.
For now here are the pictures of my Sago Palm. The first picture is of when I first planted the Sago Palm 4 months ago. Enjoy!
Although the name is Sago Palm this is actually not a Palm Tree at all. The Sago Palm is actually a part of the Cycad family. I like Cycads because of their Jurassic appearance. I think they are very tropical looking as well. The Sago Palm can be grown anywhere from full sun (which I think it does best) to shade. The Sago Palm has average water needs so take that into consideration when watering, you do not want to over water. You should space them apart about 4-6 feet when planting. The Sago Palm can grow up to heights of 20 feet depending on the conditions.
I was given this Sago Palm by my friend back in February. I thought it would never grow. My Sago Palm has looked baron for 4 months now. I wasn't going to give up hope though, and it paid off. Now I have 2 new growths coming out of my little Sago Palm. The new growth looks like something right out of a dinosaur movie. I also have planted some Butterfly Plant ( Christia obcordata )( click here for more on my Butterfly Plant ), an unknown succulent, and an unknown plant that was given to me as a clipping and it just took off. If you know the names of these unknowns please let me know.
For now here are the pictures of my Sago Palm. The first picture is of when I first planted the Sago Palm 4 months ago. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
I started the Stag Horn Fern Project back in February. My Stag Horns ( Platycerium bifurcatum ) haven't shown any new growth since I started them 4 months ago . I haven't seen much death either though, they pretty much seemed like they were in hibernation. I wasn't sure what to think, just keep watering. Finally new growth! The Stag Horn Project is doing good. If you want to see the other pictures from my previous posts on the Stag Horn Project then click here. For now here are some pictures of the new growth.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Finally my climbing cactus known as Hooker's Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri) is blooming. Hooker's Orchid Cactus blooms are amazing looking with a very sweet fragrant smell. I placed my climbing cactus up in a Sabal Palm Tree about 2 months ago. If you want to see my first pictures of the climbing tree cactus project click here. When I first picked this Orchid Cactus up I had no idea what it was, I just recently identified it. Here are the pictures of my first bloom on my Hooker's Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri).
Finally my climbing cactus known as Hooker's Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri) is blooming. Hooker's Orchid Cactus blooms are amazing looking with a very sweet fragrant smell. I placed my climbing cactus up in a Sabal Palm Tree about 2 months ago. If you want to see my first pictures of the climbing tree cactus project click here. When I first picked this Orchid Cactus up I had no idea what it was, I just recently identified it. Here are the pictures of my first bloom on my Hooker's Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri).
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
This Chenille Plant ( Acalypha hispida ) was given to me as a very small piece pulled out of the ground. I brought it home and planted it into a pot. The Chenille Plant ( Acalypha hispida ) did not look like it was going to make it for a long time. Finally my Chenille Plant is doing great. The Chenille Plant is also referred to as the Red-Hot Cattail because it's blooms resemble red cattails.The Red-Hot Cattail blooms constantly making it a great accent. The Chenille Plant is a very interesting ground cover that I can't wait to add to my little jungle. I am going to wait a little longer for my Chenille Plant to become a little more established before I transplant it into the ground. The Chenille Plant doesn't have any enemies in the bug world so no worries there. I will plant my Chenille Plant in partial shade for best results. As for dangers, all of the Chenille Plant is poisonous if ingested. Stay tuned for updates as the Chenille Plant will only look better. Here are some pictures of my Chenille Plant or Red-Hot Cattail ( Acalypha hispida ).
Friday, June 13, 2008
I would like to take a moment to thank A Patient Gardener from The Patient Gardeners Weblog for tagging me the other day, Thanks. I have been extremely busy so I haven't had the time to respond. The tag game is fun because it allows you to get to know your fellow gardeners a little bit better than you did before.
These are the rules:
- Link to the person who tagged you
- Post the rules on your blog
- write six random things about yourself
- tag six people at the end of your post linking to their blog
- let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
- let the tagger know when your entry is up.
So six random things about me:
- I have been skateboarding for 20 years. I wouldn't trade it for the world, it is one of the funnest things to do.
- I broke my arm skateboarding when I was 5 years old, but that didn't stop me.
- I love to go diving in the ocean, it is that time again too! YEAHHHHHH!!!!!
- I love all types of music, you shouldnt close your mind. There is lots of good stuff out there, different music for different activities.
- I have just had my first son 4 months ago, he is my world now!
- My first will be the awesome Neza from The Rock and Roll Gardener for bringing new light into the garden, this blog is fully loaded!
- Stacey from Florida Backyard because her blog is fascinating and she is so very nice at the same time.
- Katie from Garden Punks who also has a fascinating blog and is a wonderful person, I highly recommend reading this one.
- Must not forget Brandan from Another Yard In Fort Pierce for his exotic blog, packed with great pictures of exotic plants and Orchids.
- Jodi from Bloomingwriter for her very interesting blog that is loaded with fantastic pictures. I can't stop reading this one!
- Danielle from Danielle's Garden Blog because we just have so much in common. I love this blog!
That pretty much wraps it up for now, Have a great day! I am on my way to let A Patient Gardener know that I have tagged back.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Today was an extremely busy day. When I finally came home and made my way out side I noticed a snake off in the distance. I went inside and grabbed my camera to get some shots. Here are the shots of the Black Racer Snake that was in my yard today. That is my cat Cheech in the last picture, he did not harm the snake. Cheech only watched the snake slither through the yard.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
I went on my annual trip to Lake Placid Florida over the weekend. We had lots of fun hanging out by the lake, in the lake and around the pool. It was a very relaxing weekend. The weather was perfect, sunny with a good breeze. I played soccer, baseball and water gun fights with the kids all weekend.
The bad news is that all of my pictures were destroyed. I had some really great pictures to show you but when I was transferring them to my computer something happened. My computer guy is in New York right now so I can't have him come over to see if he can retrieve them until Thurs. But for now I took some pictures of a Coconut Palm Tree that I won at the annual auction for $8.00. The pot it came in I think would be worth $8.00 so I think it was a very good deal. Here are the pictures of the Coconut Palm Tree until I can get the rest of them.
The bad news is that all of my pictures were destroyed. I had some really great pictures to show you but when I was transferring them to my computer something happened. My computer guy is in New York right now so I can't have him come over to see if he can retrieve them until Thurs. But for now I took some pictures of a Coconut Palm Tree that I won at the annual auction for $8.00. The pot it came in I think would be worth $8.00 so I think it was a very good deal. Here are the pictures of the Coconut Palm Tree until I can get the rest of them.
Friday, June 6, 2008
I was in the house when I heard a sound like Santa Clause landing on my roof. I ran to the back door to look outside and it was 4 Peacocks. I was amazed, I have never seen Peacocks around here before. I grabbed my camera and snuck outside to snap some shots. Here are the pictures of my new garden Peacocks. I hope they are still around when I return from Lake Placid. Enjoy!
I am leaving this afternoon to head over to Lake Placid Florida for the weekend. Every year our family rents out all of the cabins for a weekend right on the lake. This makes for a very fun weekend. We get to enjoy fishing, boating, cook outs, fun in the pool or the lake. There is a big shuffleboard contest at the end for a prize. I will take pictures and tell you how it went over the weekend. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Well it has been about 2 months since my last post on my Bismarck Palm Tree ( Bismarckia nobilis ) that I scored at the Farmers Market. Click Here to see the first set of pictures for comparison, it was pretty bad. I figured it was time for an update.
Since my last post I have re-potted my Bismarck Palm Tree into a decorative pot that I scored from Wal-Mart for $10.00 that is made from 100% recycled material. I mulched the top and placed it near my table area. The man I bought the Bismarck Palm from had a well sprinkler system which turned the fronds a copper color from deposits in the water. Now there is new growth and you can see the beautiful blue color in the frond. This is the attractive color I have been waiting for. Soon all of the fronds will be this color and it will look amazing.
While you are looking, in the first picture you can see my Silver Dollar Gum Tree ( Eucalyptus cinerea). It is also doing very well. I hope you enjoy the pictures!
Since my last post I have re-potted my Bismarck Palm Tree into a decorative pot that I scored from Wal-Mart for $10.00 that is made from 100% recycled material. I mulched the top and placed it near my table area. The man I bought the Bismarck Palm from had a well sprinkler system which turned the fronds a copper color from deposits in the water. Now there is new growth and you can see the beautiful blue color in the frond. This is the attractive color I have been waiting for. Soon all of the fronds will be this color and it will look amazing.
While you are looking, in the first picture you can see my Silver Dollar Gum Tree ( Eucalyptus cinerea). It is also doing very well. I hope you enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Today we did not have as much time to dedicate to volunteering at Heathecote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce Florida as we usually do. My son had a doctor appointment and Brandan is on his way out of town. We did still go and get something done. Today we went around the whole place and documented all of the Palm Tree's in the entire place, except for the Palm Walk. We ran out of time to do the Palm Walk but we did get a list of Palm Tree's that are in propagation that are ready to be planted. This is exciting because we get to suggest where to plant these Palm Tree's.
So for next Wed. Brandan will still be out of town but I will show up to get some stuff done. I am not sure what I will be doing next week but I will let you know. So long until next time!
So for next Wed. Brandan will still be out of town but I will show up to get some stuff done. I am not sure what I will be doing next week but I will let you know. So long until next time!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Have you ever heard of a Metallic Palm? Well I have one in my garden and I think it adds a certain boost to my tropical look. This Metallic Palm ( Chamaedorea metallica ) or Miniature Fishtail Palm is amazing in the fact that it needs almost no light at all to survive. The Miniature Fishtail Palm grows up from 6 to 8 feet tall. I have it placed in my most shaded area where I am sure it will do great. You want to keep the soil wet around the Metallic Palm. The blooms of the Miniature Fishtail Palm are a bright orange color, almost fluorescent.
The damage on the leaves was due to bad placement. Before I knew the Metallic Palm was a shade plant it was out in the sun. You can see the new growth coming in looking pretty good. Soon all of the damaged leaves will be gone and my Miniature Fishtail Palm will be in tip top shape. Here are some pictures of my Miniature Fishtail Palm or Metallic Palm ( Chamaedorea metallica ). Enjoy!
The damage on the leaves was due to bad placement. Before I knew the Metallic Palm was a shade plant it was out in the sun. You can see the new growth coming in looking pretty good. Soon all of the damaged leaves will be gone and my Miniature Fishtail Palm will be in tip top shape. Here are some pictures of my Miniature Fishtail Palm or Metallic Palm ( Chamaedorea metallica ). Enjoy!
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