I have been rethinking the case for planting spiny Opuntia at the new place. The spiny Prickly Pear still makes a delicious fruit, and it has the added benefit of keeping out people, deer, and anything else soft and fleshy.
There is a very nice overview here.
I must have at least 20 starts in the front yard ready for transplant. Exciting!
The January Garden
Lately, I have been patiently waiting the killing cold front that will inevitably hit my garden. The cold will take out or take down mostly everything aI have plabted, particularly the cannas, lemongrass, and the new sugarcane plants. I am prepared to bring the cannas inside, but the other plants will have to make do and stay put. I have a lot of hope for the health of the sugarcane. I have learned that sugarcane was grown here in west florida north of sugarmill woods, which is quite a bit north of me.
Here is the latest picture of my small permaculture garden. Not bad for the beginning of January, 2019.
Here is the latest picture of my small permaculture garden. Not bad for the beginning of January, 2019.
Purslane Cuttings, Day 4
Today I changed the water and repositioned the cuttings to repair the cat damage. There is still no signs of roots on either the native purple purslane or the bought rosey purslane, but all the cuttings do look healthy. None have turned into gelatinous goo so thats a good sign. The smaller purple purslanes have curled their stems a little, unexpected, but not deleteriously so.
Purslane Cuttings Day 3
Purslane, Portulaca sp.
Cuttings of Purslane
Today I was looking at the purslane that I bought from the garden club, and was struck with the thought that it is the end of December, and that this plant might pass away with the first freeze. Death is so final.
After a quick search of the internet, I have discovered that there are two methods to creating purslane cuttings - that is, rooting in water and rooting in clean soil. I have clipped some small shoots and removed the lower leaves. No rooting hormone applied; and placed into clean water.
Then I went outside and took some cuttings of the smaller native purslane, the one with the tiny purple flowers. It doesn't taste nearly as good as the bought purslane with the pink and yellow flowers, but it does grow well here.
Then I made some cuttings of Porkchop's begonia. It's not edible, but it is pretty, and grows well here in the shade with some watering.
Cuttings, day one.
Today I was looking at the purslane that I bought from the garden club, and was struck with the thought that it is the end of December, and that this plant might pass away with the first freeze. Death is so final.
After a quick search of the internet, I have discovered that there are two methods to creating purslane cuttings - that is, rooting in water and rooting in clean soil. I have clipped some small shoots and removed the lower leaves. No rooting hormone applied; and placed into clean water.
Then I went outside and took some cuttings of the smaller native purslane, the one with the tiny purple flowers. It doesn't taste nearly as good as the bought purslane with the pink and yellow flowers, but it does grow well here.
Then I made some cuttings of Porkchop's begonia. It's not edible, but it is pretty, and grows well here in the shade with some watering.
Cuttings, day one.
Some thoughts for spring 2018
I was brainstorming and researching what I might want to do for Spring 2018 in terms of growies.
I might make some hanging baskets to sell on craigslist or otherwise. The pots themselves are expensive but beautiful. I was able to locate plain green hanging planters on Amazon for $2.56 per basket. That's not too bad. And they look nice, nicer if the kids would paint them up.
As for growies:
Sweet potato (green)
Sweet potato (purple)
Portulaca desert rose
Nasturtium
Morning Glory
Tomatoes
Summer squash or loofah
Catnip
Ok, the last one is just because I can't seem to get my grow on without the neighborhood felines partying at my place. I guess that means the last basket is going to be just for me and my mom.
That seems like possibly too many choices.
What do you think?
I might make some hanging baskets to sell on craigslist or otherwise. The pots themselves are expensive but beautiful. I was able to locate plain green hanging planters on Amazon for $2.56 per basket. That's not too bad. And they look nice, nicer if the kids would paint them up.
As for growies:
Sweet potato (green)
Sweet potato (purple)
Portulaca desert rose
Nasturtium
Morning Glory
Tomatoes
Summer squash or loofah
Catnip
Ok, the last one is just because I can't seem to get my grow on without the neighborhood felines partying at my place. I guess that means the last basket is going to be just for me and my mom.
That seems like possibly too many choices.
What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)