Invasive Wisteria / Dragon Arum

Wisteria is very invasive. Not only are they vines that climb and choke trees, they have a complex underground root system that is a nightmare to end. At some point in this house's lifetime, someone planted wisteria and over the decades, Wisteria has taken over the woods and even across the street to other houses. I just know the starting point was somewhere on my property since the worst is here!

The only plus side - the smell of Wisteria. It's *incredibly* strong and attracts thousands of bees. Normally they don't bother you if you get too close... sometimes. hehe.

An attempt as a close-up of a bee in the midst of Wisteria blooms.

I am never happy with my pictures that I take of the dragon arum (dracunculus vulgaris). I keep taking more and more pictures but I finally settled on this one. I think because it's so "busy". The dragon arum is drowning in with all the other plants coming back - such as the Iris. This is the first time in years that it's growing like this. I guess I finally put it in a spot that it immensely enjoys! *rubs hands* Please show me some blooms this year, guys!

Upside Down Tomato Update!

Looks like my Better Boy tomato plant is refusing to take the whole 'upside down' thing. I already knew something like this was going to happen. Should one stake this tomato plant? If the plant keeps growing up like this as it gets bigger, I'm worried the weight of tomatoes will break the bend instead of helping the plant straighten out. Hmm!

Hanging Tomato - Eastern Prickly Pear

I dug up the two eastern prickly pear that I found in the bed. I did kind of regret tossing out the others but once the fire ants sunk them - it just felt like one big mess so I just tossed them. At least now I'm starting over. I just actually wonder if these two came from a fallen pad or if they grew from seed. Hmm...






After discussing it with several people who had experience with hanging tomato planters over several years - I was told that bags tend to fray after a month or two and it gets messy. The idea is to stick to something hard and plastic. This convinced me to re-open my Upsy Downsy tomato garden planter and give this baby a whirl!

Um... Why is the ground above me?

So we'll see if this thing takes off. My prediction - It'll be a very very very happy plant but it won't bother producing tomatoes in the slightest.

I plan to get a little flowerbox type planter and grow some Tiny Tim tomato plants. I still have some seeds left over from the last one.

They're selling like hotcakes, sir.

Has everyone seen those upside down tomato baskets? Of course you have! They're advertising it like nuts! Of course, I got a variation of it (Upsy Downsy: Hanging Tomato Garden) and after close inspection, I decided I didn't like this version. It came with seeds of its own but I thought I could stick a pre-grown tomato plant in it. I was wrong.

I set off to the local nursery and bought a "Better Boy" tomato plant.

Only one problem. Every store I hit for the upside down bag version - all sold like hotcakes. Quote unquote from a saleslady who laughed at how fast it went. Guess I'll have to wait a bit more for the next batch.

I am worried though. I wonder if Better Boy might be too big or heavy for the bag!

Easter Cactus budding

I noticed the buds on my Easter Cactus! Can't wait to see them flower.



I took all the plants out of the greenhouse yesterday when I heard there was going to be a storm passing through and there wouldn't be any freezing temperatures left. A good chunk of the plants didn't seem to be happy while suffering with cold temperatures and whatnot. It was a terrible winter.

Eastern Prickly Pear

I threw away my eastern prickly pear last year after the fire ants made a huge mess out of them. What happened was the fire ants just built up a huge mound in the pots and when it rained, the whole thing caved in. It was enough so they were tossed out.

I got to thinking about them, remembering their yellow blooms and thinking, "Maybe I should've saved a pad or two." Every winter, the two pots would be placed at the side of the house to protect them from cold winds. I decided to go check and see if there were any that just happened to fall into the bed.



Whaddyaknow?? There is a couple still around! I'm gonna pot these up when I know there'll be no frost coming. They're ugly suckers but the flowers are neat.

Dragon Arum

Imagine my surprise when I saw this today!




It's surprising to see that the dragon arum has grown this much in the midst of freezing temperatures. It looks like one got bit while the other two are doing fine. I hope they *finally* like a spot that I've put them in so that they'll *finally* show me a bloom!

Jotting down a possible disaster...

Oh my gosh, an actual update! :o

I found out that there was a miscommunication yesterday. The heater never got turned on in the greenhouse and it snowed this morning. When I went to check the plants, most of them appear to be fine.

This is the second time it has snowed here in a short period of time. I can't believe it. Maybe the bugs won't be so overbearing this summer - though a colony of fire ants did invade the house the first time it snowed but all of them had mysteriously died from something by the time they were discovered.

The banana plant has bit it though but I'm not too concerned. I'm sure it'll come back after I cut it down when spring comes.

I also found out that the fruit/pod (I really need to find an actual term!) of the Thanksgiving Cactus had fallen off. It feels a bit soft so I don't know if it got bit by the cold or if it finally was ready to come off. I put it aside so that I can get the seeds out of it to try this spring.

Thanksgiving Cactus - Fruit? Pod?

Thanksgiving Cactus - Fruit? Pod?
Originally uploaded by dragonslumber

I'm surprised this is still attached. When the yellow thanksgiving cactus had one, the pod fell off a few months down the road. However, this one is still attached after all these months. I expect there'll be good seeds to grow from this one.

Big Update - Lots of Images

I was asked to give my blog a brand new update since it's been awhile. It's just hard to do when it is way too hot outside and nothing is remotely pretty to look at.

But anyhow, hold onto your hats... Here comes a bunch of ugly.





Coleus


Bonsai - Ginseng Ficus


Sago Palm


Sago Palm - Close-Up. New Leaves?


Amaryllis Seedlings - Still Going Strong


Pumpkin Bed/Hyacinth Bean Vine


Various Squash/Gourds Mixed


Hyacinth Bean Vine


Don't Know - Purple Flowers


Thanksgiving Cacti and Christmas Cacti in Shade


Thanksgiving Cactus "Fruit"? "Pod"?


Pachira Tree (The only survivor from the Money Tree)


Stargazer Lily (Not very healthy)


Illustris Elephant Ears


Illustris Elephant Ears (Can't get rid of them from this spot!)


Blood Banana


That should cover a good chunk of stuff!