I’m Back

Okay, so I got back from Kentucky early Sunday morning. Looking around the yard I was happy to see I didn’t lose all that much. My two Petunia baskets died despit being watered every other day, I expected it as they were all ready losing the battle to the heat and humidity before I left. Some of the plants have really grown like some of the Banana Trees and Hibiscus. The Sunflowers decided to open up while I was gone and look great.

One disappoint ment was the Catipillars have put holes all over my Castor Bean, Purple Ornamental Vine, Moonflower and Moon Vine. I also found soem bulbs that I had no idea what they were so I planted them and waterted them before I left. Well, when I got back Sunday I saw they had really grown, they are Caladiums, but what is odd is that  they are growing in full all day Sun and have only been getting watered on Wednesdays and Saturdays since I have been gone. My area has not seen much rain while I was gone. I thought they needed sun to grow, defintely in Florida.

My ‘Pandora’s Box’ Daylily has bloomed and is a little on the small size. I now it is stunted due to me moving it a lot since it arrived in the mail to me. I am thinking about starting a new bed with two fale Palm Trees that I bought in Kentucky. I have already planted a Rose fo Sharon, I got from my Aunt’s house in KY, to the right of the larger palm tree. I am wanting to plant some low growing unique plants at the base of the fake Palms so they do not get blocked, have any ideas?  

Caladiums

‘Pandora’s Box’

Sunflower

Sunflowers

Fake Palms

New Bed Overview

Thanks For Reading,

Jake

Welcome to Summer

I would like to welcome you to summer 2009. It has felt like summer in Florida since like April, but it officially begins today. I actually had this set up to post on the exact time summer began, 1:45am.

A Hibiscus for summer!

 

Jake

I AM STILL IN KENTUCKY, BUT STILL FEEL FREE TO COMMENT!

New Additions

I went to Home Depot yesterday and picked up some new plants. I wasn’t planning on getting any…or was I? I thought about not getting anything after I decided to ge three thing because of the heat and the lack of rain. I mean we hit 99F yesterday and have been in the mid to upper 90’s for awhile. I ended up getting and bringing home Areca Palm,  False Aralia and Firecracker Plant. While I was driving home I noticed it was getting dark towards the beaches direction and knew I need to get home. I wanted to get the plants in the ground before that sweet rainfall fell, these plants need a good natural before they have to go through the heat of today. I was able to get it all planted even with thunder and lightning all around me. I was able to split the Areca Palm in 5 differnt locations.

False Aralia

Main Areca Palm

Areca Palm

Areca Palm

Areca Palm

Frontyard Areca Palm

Main Firecracker Plant

Firecracker Plant

We ended up getting over about 2.50″ of rain after our afternoon storm and the storm after midnight today. I think the new plants have had plenty of natural water. I now will probably need to cover them today to shade them from the strong 90F sun. I will also need to water them so they have plenty of care before I leave Thursday morning for Kentucky.

Have A Great Day,

Jake

The Aussies and the Colocasia’s

I have two Australian plants in my yard that seem to like the 90F/32C  plus heat we have been having. The Silver Dollar Eucalyptus has grown a huge amout since when it was planted in April. The Foxtail Palm seems to be established now, it is opening up its new frond and looks happy in the heat.

April 18, 2009

June 16, 2009

Top View

 

Foxtail Palm

 

I also thought I would show you some of my Colocasia. I love the way the ‘Illustris’ is growing compared to pictures I have seen and another one I have. The ‘Big Dipper’ is finally pushing out large leaves that are holding water which is great. I then have another regular green Colocasia that has a leaf that is abut 1.5ft long and 6-9″ wide. The ‘Pink China’ which is the really hardy one has started to pick up size. It would have been nice had Michigan Bulb Co. sent a larger plant. I then have an unknown one that is located in six locations in my yard; I wish Iknew what exact kind they are.

Colocasia 'Illustris'

Colocasia 'Big Dipper'

Giant Leaf of Regular Green Colocasia

Colocasia 'Pink China'

Unknown Colocasia

 

I hope you are having a great growing season and have a great day!

Jake

2 days until I got to Kentucky!