Another First Time Ever Bloom - Jamaican Cherry Tree - Muntingia calabura

First time flower buds in the leaf axis which, opens to a strawberry
like blossom, hence one of two common names. Finally moved it to
a larger pot due to it drying out to often. Had I not repotted this plant
I may not have noticed the flower buds. This specimen was purchased
from our downtown Farmer's market this past fall.

A common long legged green fly accompanies this sub tropical plant.
Also known as a Condylostylus patibulatus, in some circles. Looking 
quite stealth.

First Meal - Green Beans With A Twist

Fresh green beans from Wednesday's Twilight Farmer's Market. Can
of Italian seasoned Plum tomatoes. Key lime juice, toasted sesame
seeds, Ghee and some yellow mustard. Followed this with a tin of
smoked kippers (not shown). Yum!

First Blooms Of The Year

There have been several flowers in bloom by now, but there are
a few that catches my eye. Perhaps the novelty of these have not
warn off or perhaps they just might be my favorites.

This Bromeliad hasn't
put out a fluorescence,
that's Bromeliad speak
for bloom, in over four
years.

I must not have it in
it's ideal spot in the
yard yet.




This warrants a closeup shot of this beauty.

This flowering Hawthorne tree' bloom was the first one that caught my eye
and gave me thought to blog this show of first blooms.

This Hawthorne tree reminds me of the Ironwood trees that bloom
in the Florida Panhandle. The spring foliage on the Ironwood looks
brighter due to the Ironwood's jet black park. Quite the sight for those
that notice things like that. The Hawthorne tree shares similar
characteristics, such has being short in stature and has a 'Bonsai'
like architecture also. A great substitute for the Ironwood tree.

I've been waiting on theses Amyrillas to bloom, knowing they should
have been blooming in masses, two weeks ago. The first of two that
are in bloom and many more to go.


One more, the Pinwheel Jasmine bloom. This is another one of those
plant's architecture that caught my eye, although not shown off in
this picture.

March Comes “In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb”

March's Lion just left it's mark on my potted Tomato plants. I didn't think
much more of the wind and rain last night until I went to throw some water
on these thirsty beasts. Only to discover the bamboo cage I built last
year was lying on it's side, Tomato plants still intact. Nothing that impaling
three more bamboo sticks into this tangle of vines can't remedy, albeit
temporary. Only lost three tomatoes from last nights carnage. 

Trumpets Herald The Freakish Pinkish Blooms

This Devils Backbone Euphorbia has some unusual blooms that
caught my eye this late afternoon. I just found out another common
name, Redbird Cactus. How fitting.

Euphorbia tithymaloides

Top Dressing, Feed and Water The Vegtables

No different demands than us humans. I gave my three potted vegetables
a top dressing of soil, some new organic food in pallet form. Along with
a good drink of some collected rain water. These plants need to be watered
at a minimum of once a day and during a short hot spell last week, twice
a day.

I also tasted two cherry tomatoes the other day and they were really good.
Light years from how they tasted this past late summer. The tomato plant
in the back is from last year. The one's in the front are cuttings from last
year's tomato and already showing some blossoms. The cuttings aren't as
deep green as it's parent plant. The main difference that I contribute to
that is the soil, a compost not as complete as the original batch and also
a bit more sun. Will see how this new organic fertilizer does along with
the ramped up the watering schedule. I should consider a drip irrigation
to quench it's thirst.

Last Chill Time For Cacao Tree

Brought in my Cacao Tree for two nights now, the first being forty-four degrees and
the second night for being down to low fifties. Ok, I was just being a bit lazy but,
still cautious. The novelty of this tree still has my attention, obviously. I didn't take
into consideration when my Crape Myrtle tree had shed it's leaves that it no longer
shaded the Cacao Tree. Good thing it was the winter sun and the Vanilla Orchid
did show signs of being overexposed, pale green instead of a deep green leaves.
Time will tell in regards to the Vanilla Orchid. The Cacao Tree seems to have
survived this oversight, knowing that they preference to being in an understory
envirorment.

I mentioned earlier how this tree lost one of it's twin growing tips. Only upon
inspection that it shows a new side sprout. Time will tell just how viable this
new sprout becomes. I also gave this tree a nice dose of liquid organic food that
I just found. Not too fond of the scent they gave it to disguise it's origins. I
decided use it all up on what ever else I could so as not to be reminded of
it's off putting man made scent that reminds me of  fabric softeners.