Sea Shells

Last week I got the idea that eventually either here in Florida, but more than likely in Kentucky since I possibly may move back, that I want to build an artificial “Beach Scene” in my landscape. That leads me to last Saturday when I went to the beach and collected a ton of sea shells.  I have family that live in Hiton Head, SC and they told us two years ago that you get the best and most prettiest shells during the winter months. I now can confirm this; I found some of the biggest shells I have ever seen. I even found the awesome twisty shells that you normally only see in beach gift shops that aren’t normally even real shells. Once I got home I cleaned them out with water and let them dry overnight. So, here is my 14 pounds of shells, yed I did weigh them!

Shells Drying 1

Shells Drying 2

Shells Drying 3

Shells Drying 4

Shells Drying 5

It looks like we will have cooler weather move instarting tomorrow, thank God! I can take last week anyday, but what it has been since Sunday, hot and humid, it is hard for me to take. Looking on the radar just  a minute ago it looks like we will be getting some rain here in the nextr few hours. I think the rain is suppose to stick around through tomorrow night. Thursday nigh through Friday they are predicting more rain for us here on the First Coast, not as much as this system right now. We also are expecting a huge storm with very heavy rain  and possibly severe winter here in Florida I think begining Monday.

Today I started the fowllowing seeds: Moonflower, Red Texas Star Hibiscus, White Texas Star Hibiscus, Hyacinth Vine, Castor Bean, Asparagus Fern, Blue Fescue Grass, and Hibiscus cannabinus ‘Purple’. Wish me luck on those seeds!

Have a great day,

Jake

16 days until Valentine’s Day!

Elephant Ears

Earlier this week I saw Wal-mart finally put out thier bulbs for sale. I say finally because I am usually impatient for stores to put these out. In Kentucky they come out in February right before Valentine’s Day. Anyway, I have been missing my Elephant Ear’s that I left in Kentucky. I decided to buy a pack of three bulbs for $5.00. I planted it in an area where I also planted three of my small Split-leaf Philodendron’s and a Black Stem Alocasia that was in to much sun. It is a small area, but I may be moving to a new house, so they will be moved either way. Two of the three bulbs were already growing. Not all three bulbs Elephant Ear are in the new area. I put one in the spot of the Alocasia, it was getting to much sun in that spot and the Elephant Ear can take a lttle more exposure.  

New Elephant Ear Area

Elephant Ear Area

Elephant Ear Area

Elephnat Ear’s are quite hardy! Mine in Lexington, KY saw three degrees three times Winter 07-08 and were coming back in Spring 2008. I also had a Sago Palm that was left outside that was still alive, it just hadn;t flushed a new set of fronds before I left. This year cold-hardy palms were going to be added. But then I moved, you can find pictures of my Kentucky house landscape.

April 2007- Februar 2008, May 2008(The day before I moved) : (

 

Jake

19 days until Valentine’s Day!

Freezeing Already

Yep, at 8:40pm it is already 32 degrees, I actually believe tonight will be cold, as was last night. Now this is winter, lol!

Jake

26 Degrees

So, lastnight we hit 26 degree’s, just two degrees short of what they had forecasted. The wind was bad and some of my bags blew off resulting in the upper half of my Cavendish Banana to turn dark green and mushy. My Castor Bean looks bad, but the newer leaves are not damaged. I am assumeing it will grow new leaves with the warmer weather next week. The Hibiscus leves are completely burned and mushy and will fall off through the next week. Tonight is suppose to be colder, low of 23, we will see.

Castor Bean in Morning

Castor Bean

Mexican Petunia

Castor Bean

Castor Bean

Canna in Morning

Musa Basjoo

Chinese Yellow Banana

Cavendish Banana

Cavendish Banana

Baby Cavendish

Unknown Hibiscus and Mexican Petunia

Pineapple Sage fine in the Morning

Ice on the hose

Close-up of Ice

Purple Ornamental Potato Vine fine in Morning

Unknown Bush

Castor Bean in Afternoon

Purple Ornamental Vine-Afternoon

Windmill Palm

Castor Bean-Afternoon

Top of Castor Bean

Queen Palm

Hibiscus Burned

Close-up of burned leaves

Cactus Fell Over

Double Hibiscus

Pineapple Sage burned in the Sun

Burned Pineapple Sage

Beach Sunflower burned

Yellow Banana-Afternoon

Musa Basjoo-Afternoon

Coconut Palm

Cavendish-Afternoon

Cavendish-Afternoon

Unknown Hibiscus-Afternoon

Texas Palmetto-Not Protected

Filabusta-Not Protected

Spindle Palm-Protected

Castor Bean

Mexican Petunia-Afternoon

Cordyline ‘Red Sensation’ in pot, unprotected

Hope tonight is better,

Jake

24 days until Valentine’s Day