Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Kaos's Iris is Blooming



A great day in Kaos's Garden.  The Iris Planted in Kaos honor bloomed for the first time and is stunning.  There are several buds coming but the first bloom took my breath away.  I am sure it means more to me than it ever would to her.  I am not sure how interested dogs are in flowers.  I know some they like to eat and some they smell, but mostly they like to pee on them.  This one is off limits for the boys.  Surprisingly they haven't run over it, sat on it or in any other way tried to damage it.  As faith will have it the first blossom opened on a special day.  Febuary 29th. 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Bulbs...

I couldn't resist anymore so I ended up ordering a few things.  I ordered from K.Van Bourgondien& Sons wholesale site.  I have figured out that ordering wholesale is usually much better when there's a big yard involved.
I ordered:
Peruvian Daffodil, KG 2009

 
10 GIANT CANNA AMBASSADOR-BLACK NIGHT
10 GIANT CANNA STADT FELLBACH
5 DWARF CANNA CRIMSON BEAUTY 1 5
25 ISMENE FESTALIS (PERUVIAN DAFFODIL)
5 HEDYCHIUM (YELLOW GINGER LILY)

Cannas are always great.  Practically indistructable, even though a little Colt wold like to try.  The spread and fill areas quickly.  I am in the process of making "tunnels" for the dog, and they will be great in front.  There is no use fighting with the dog about the yard.  I am trying to make it a fun place for him as well as a beautiful space for me.  With  some creativiy I think we can  make it work.  T
The peruvian daffodils I absolutely love.  I already have a few in the garden, but I don't think I could ever get enough of them.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Grapes are easy to propegate.

I just cut some pieces off the vine, and stuck them in a pot.  Now I have 3 more plants, now I just have to find a place to plant them.  Ideally a place where the squirrels can't get to them since they seem to like to eat them when they are ALMOST done. 
 
Actually most/a lot of plants are very easy to propagate.  Try it yourself, cut of a branch and stick it in the ground, you would be surprised how easy it it.  This also works well with sweet potato vine, tomato plants, some salvias.  Others are more foolproof if you layer them. 
Layering seems difficult but its easy.  Fill a put with potting soil, place it next to the plant you want to propagate, and bend a branch under the soil.  To keep it in place I usually just hold it down with a small rock.  This is a very easy way to make multiple Salvia Greggii's

Friday, February 17, 2012

QVC TSV from Robertas Garden

It was not planned, I just like to check QVC right after midnight to see what the TSV (Today's Special Value) will be.  On this faithful night it was Calla lilies.  15 giant calla bulbs to be exact.
As the presentation wore on I scuffed at the remarks from the Roberta's garden rep about how special the "big" ones were and how they were the only ones who had them.  Yeah right.  I bought some years ago from both HD and WM.  As I was about to change the channel the gentleman held up what he claimed to be an example of the bulb they shipped out.  It was big, it was huge...  He showed more and my interest level started to peak.  Most of his claims I took with a grain of salt, but the bulb size was impressive.  The size and quality he claimed would be shipped out was astounding.  Each bulb was the size of 3-5 big box bulbs.
I caved, and ordered two sets.  I have shopped with QVC for a few years and trust that what I saw is  what I will get.
Well that was last night, and today I am struggling with buyers remorse.  I can still cancel...but can't make up my mind. 
A quick search on garden watchdog showed very disappointing reviews.  As were the reviews on QVC.  Still I couldn't get over the size of bulbs shown and my trust in QVC.  Even my garden friends told me they had ordered from RG/QVC and been disappointed.  Told me don't do it, they would never do it again.  The lure of the bulbs had taken a hold.  These were Calla bulbs, and I already have and grow Callas.  So I know they will grow here.  They are perennial for me, no lifting needed.  Digging up bulbs to store/overwinter is something I just won't do.  I am sure that QVC quality control make sure that what you see is what you get.  So when they eventually ship out, I'll see what they are and how they do.  I still don't know why they make us wait so long for the bulbs.  The big box stores have had theirs out since new year, and by late March it's already borderline warm here.  To some probably HOT, anyway by mid March we usually hover around the mid 80's, decide yourself if that is hot or warm.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

February is here

as is the itch for bulbs.  Dahlias, freesias, Glads, Peruvian Daffs, lilies.... the list is never ending, and temptation is only a click away. 
On a separate disappointing note, it seems like Connell's Dahlias are out of business.  That's to bad since I wanted to place an order.  I have found some retailers online and I am debating on placing an order or two.
A coldfront swept in and highs has only been in the 50's today.  Another 1+inches of rain last night.  Seems like the weeds are growing with super speeds. Been pulling them for days, seems like it's a never ending cycle.  Lemon trees are starting to bloom, other citrus are budding up, and first blooms appeared on the back Plum tree.