The Science Project

If your child is looking for a science project I would suggest this one on showing the process of transpiration. Transpiration is is the loss of water vapor from parts of plants, especially in leaves. First purchase a large (is there any other kind) elephant ears plant (disambiguation) and place it on a table indoors. Place a material that will not absorb water underneath it and wait overnight. In the morning there will be puddles of water on the surface below the leaves where the water has dripped from transpiration. Right now I am conducting this experiment daily on my good table by the front door.

New Habits

Instead of always focusing on breaking bad habits, I try to focus on developing good habits. This year I am trying to remember to cut flowers from my gardens to enjoy inside. I am pretty good about making bouquets for friends, but you will rarely see bouquets in the house, which is a shame because there are many days that we don't make it out to the garden to enjoy what is blooming. So I decided on Tuesdays to be the day of the week that I will pick and arrange flowers first thing in the morning. The first arrangement goes on my nightstand (so far that is the only one that gets done every week) and is on the small side. It literally takes me all of five minutes as I arrange the flowers in my hand as I pick them and then grab a vase from a shelf on the way to the kitchen so you can see I really have no excuse for not doing this. I hope to get at least a couple done for the rest of the house next week. No excuses!

China Doll Gone Wild

See that two story plant growing in the corner of the little planter that runs under the window? That is what is known as a 'China Doll' plant (Radermachera sinica) that is most well known as a small house plant. It was here when we bought the house and I have it cut down to about the height of the door once or twice a year. I do not fertilize it and it gets what little water there is from the automatic sprinkler in the planter. It just grows like crazy!

Bringing It Inside

I wish I could remember what these bulbs are called. I buy them at Roger's Gardens in bloom every winter and bring them inside to brighten the winter days. They are so pretty and bright and do a great job of greeting everyone when they walk in the front door. Lovely, lovely.

Wild Orchids

While poking around the garden in Laguna the other day I happened across this little orchid bloom poking out of a planter that had become a refuge for some abandoned potted plants when the lower deck was cleaned out last year. It is a zygopetalum and one of the most fragrant of orchids. It is easy to grow as proven here by existing and blooming on neglect!

Garden on a Tabletop

Last week we had a dinner party and for the centerpiece I took a trip to the nursery and the produce department.

Pumpkins, squash, gourds, corn and pomegranates complimented the flowers, fruits and vegetable plants in pots.

Pansies in fall shades tucked in with kale and lettuce filled metal urns. Strawberry plants spill out of clay pots.

Leaves and pods from the gardens and tea light candles in Mideastern tea glasses completed the display.
And the beauty of it all is this week most of it will be planted in the garden, eaten or composted.

Pony Tail Palm in Bloom

I have grown Pony Tail Palms before but always as much smaller house plants. This one was a fixture in this garden when we moved in a couple years ago and I kind of take it for granted because the lovely round base of the tree is hidden in a raised planter. Much to my surprise a few weeks ago I noticed that it was blooming. Who knew? I guess it is obvious it would bloom, but I guess I have never seen one mature enough to break into flower (so to speak). I wonder what will happen next?

Bouquets With Roots

I have a houseful of plants, but every once in a while I crave more color than is available in flowering house plants. As my friend Debby once said, if you bring a plant in the house, it's a houseplant! I recently put together a quick dinner party and my entry was looking a little bleak. A quick trip to the nursery and a few minutes stuffing these four inch color pots into some urns I had and I was quite happy! When they start to look a little tired (in about a month I'll guess) they will go out in the garden where they belong for an extended life!