Cacao Tree Has To Come Indoors

41degrees for a low last night. When I read those numbers
off my Phone's App mid afternoon, I didn't have to hesitate
what to do. Not having it's novelty ware off helps to, going
three years now. Looking at it now to, I notice that it's
growing it's characteristic side branches now, so it's right
on schedule to set bloom in the coming year if all goes well.
Big if, but we can always be hopeful.

Here in silhouette, just in time for Halloween.


Now that I have it under closer observation and now the center of attention
besides my piano. I could take my pruners and thin out and sculpt some
to bring it in line with it's new environs.

Not only am I a constant gardener but also a constant pruner. Form over
function is my motto and my guide

Three clips later with some Clorox dipped and sharpened pruners.

Now, it commands the room and gives me something to inspire to while
I sit down at the piano, perhaps.

Whether I play or not is not the question, but how that moment plays me.

Gardenia taitensis - Tahitian Gardenia (Update) & Gardenia jasminoides Radicans

I've had this a year and almost tossed it out due to it's
thirsty requirements. Having been potted in a lite soil
knowing that it is prone to root rot made this a high
maintenance specimen.

I tucked this into some other plants to protect it from
our scorching hot sunshine here in central Florida.
Having a moist October helps to, as I type this we
are still getting some light rain.

There are three stages of blooms captured in shot and
they are quite fragrant to. If I can only find a place to
put this in a the ground. I should say, I will make a place
to put this in the ground.

It's distant cousin to the back and left of this picture is a
Gardenia jasminoides Radicans distinguished by it's
long thin leaves.  That one needs a bit more light. I was
happy to get it this far. It's been nearly a year for each
gardenia specimens.  

Spinach Plantlet From A Bag

Always up for a challenge. This is not the first time I get an
opportunity to try to root some spinach.

Last time I didn't remember to change out the water enough.

So let's not make repeat that same excuse.

Whisk Fern - Psilotum nudum (Update)

This must be it's third season with me since I rescued this specimen
from an Aldi's post modern landscaping. I mention it being post
modern knowing that this specimen is a throw back to a select
few plants that are extremely primitive in nature.

Lush and sporting spores, but I have yet spotted any volunteer plant
outside it's tiny little pot.

 

An Owl Sighting and Observations

Couple days ago from my back porch stoop observed what I believe
to be an owl, possibly a Barred owl, that swooped down low and flew
across the length of the yard, belonging to the neighbor behind me
and in broad day light to.

A neighbor the other day had commented that we have three owls
in our neighborhood. I will have to ask her to elaborate on what she
knows about our owl population. It's not unusual to hear them hooting
in the night over these past several years.

I even had one nesting in a hole of an oak tree in the front yard, years
ago. I would not have seen this had the owl not moved back into it's
hole, for it's face was gray and mottled like the bark of this tree.
Very small owl considering the size of the hole in the tree.

On Last Tadpole

I had scooped up some Tadpoles that had taken advantage of some
standing water, twice this month. Yesterday, I witness perhaps the
one and remaining Tadpole in captivity. I freshen up this water with
some collected rain water along with an occasional feeding of some
guppy food, where in the past I've seen these Tadpoles gobble up.

Today I was able to capture this lone taddy.

 

My Tadpolarium as I like to call it is a compromised setup. Circulating

water provided by a aquarium filter prevents mosquitoes from  

breeding, not knowing if Tadpoles feed on them. Tadpoles may not

like the steady water flow that the filtering process provides, hense

the trade off, but they do get their exercise. They can rest on the bottom

where they can also scavenge for an occasional feeding of guppy food.

In the past, I've had them develop into toads, where as by then their

lungs have been well developed and they will then cling onto the

side walls before they fledge from their watery beginnings or are

prayed upon by who knows what. Other frogs, Anoles and perhaps

a bird or two.

Cuban Tree Frog - Osteopilus septentrionalis (Two Easter Eggs)

Two separate sightings and little over a week apart.

 Ok, it knows that it's been discovered and maybe it thinks that if I stay still...

As unnatural this environment may look. I find it's parent inside one of these
gray trash barrels quite often. I quess this might be it's first attempt in scaling
this day time sanctuary.

This one was sighted today shortly after brushing away some fallen leaves. Tried
to catch another shot but it had options and chose to take a leap.

This week's self made wallpaper for my phone. Inspired by life's events as
most artist can attest to.

It's been months since I've been mesmerized by a good book.

Another Gift From Irma - Pencil Cactus - Euphorbia tirucalli

 I've been coveting this specimen suspecting that this eight foot specimen was
no match for Irma's fury. My heart sunk having not seen it in it's original spot
while on a drive by on my way to the market, thinking I was too late to get a
sample. Only to scan the curbside and to my surprise and delight to have spotted
this evergreen survivor amongst the brown and twisted remnants of nature's way
of trimming out the weak and challenging those that stand strong.
I was planning my way of rescuing some samples and adding them to my shopping
list.

Cutting end had dried long before I had acquired this so putting in the ground
soon after was not an issue. Cloudy weather all this week precludes me having
to place a shade cloth over it.

This one I will have to keep an eye out due to it being close to a downpour
of water off the roof. Being that our so called soil is mostly sand it may
not be an issue. Time will tell as the old adage goes.

Care in handling this specimen that weeps white sap will and can issues
with skin if sensitive and care not to get any in your eyes. A good washing
of hands is definitely called for.

 Nearly a week later and getting a blast of the western Autumn sun. They fit right
in with the rest.

To our left, Macadamia nut, Pencil, Taiwanese Ornamental Cherry, Pencil
and next to the newest addition to this menagerie is a Cinnamon Tree,still braced
from the likes of Irma. 

Chaya Tree Cuttings Followup

No surprises here. The middle plant cutting still retained it's blossoms. Since
captured it has blooms that had opened. The one on the far left shows really well
it's first leaves coming on in spite of it's emaciated looking stems.

This specimen is a one of those real survivors and one for those that
have a brown thumb and the rewards!

Some Garden Variety Chiropractic Services Rendered

One of several souvenirs of Irma's hurricane strength winds
left two of my Italian Cypress's with a noticeable bend, not
becoming of this classic specimen. I even as much gave this
shot a Tuscan glow to emphasize how much a curved specimen
may look in need of straightening.

Knowing that the windward side of the plant's tissue got stressed
from some perhaps in excess of ninety mile winds. I applied enough
stress to the opposite side of the plant to break up the tissue and
bring these two specimens back to balance. Naturally, being careful
to not snap the plant in two.

A slight over correction, perhaps. Practice, practice, practice.

A New Landscape For This Constant Gardener

Summer spent and exhausted with a few others thrown in for
looks and balance make up this rag tag bunch.

Top dressed with half baked compost will get this batch of
hopefuls with promise off to an honest start of life and vigor.

This gives me, selfishly a new landscape to focus on.