Saturday, October 1, 2022

Clematis

 Time to cut them back and get them 
ready for winter.  Try to start cuttings
and let them rest.  

Of the 28 we have, three are in the 
ground and the rest are in pots that
will have to go next to the foundation
where it's warmer.

What Started As A Nice Day!!

 Then the wind hit! So much for the 
clean yard after spending most of Friday
morning cleaning up the mess!  I took 
2 1/2  mulched off the east gravel area
and another  3 bags of evergreen off the
three north beds!  Yes, all from neighboring
trees, not ours.  I also mowed and picked 
up the leaves the had come down or night.

When I went out I found our huge Flowering
Maple  laying on it's side so after uprighting
it I moved it to the garage.  Besides the other
one that matches.  Then I cleaned off the 
driveway.  What a mess!!  When the wind 
stops it will be time to send the leaves back
to the other end of the road where they 
came from!!  Why is it folks with trees in 
this area don't pick up after their trees?  
Nope they allow them to blow all over the 
neighborhood, whom cares??   I sure don't
need them in my yard.  I clean up enough 
and it's starting to cause health issues.  Last
night I had a really bad asthma attack due
to the evergreens I had to clean up!!   Again
whom cares???

11/4/2022

Again high winds and rain.   For the past
couple days I have been trying to keep the 
yard free of leaves and evergreen junk.  I 
have taken 4 bags off the yard daily for the
past week.  Then I have taken 2 bags off
the gravel area. We will see what the wind
bring for today.  I know how I'll be spending
my Sat., more cleanup!

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Rain!!

 Finally!! 

A day of rest and getting caught
up here with what we have been
working on.  Yea!!

Putting Away The Collection

 That time of year to move the collection
to a safe area.  I first move the smaller 
ones as they take up the lower areas.
I remove the leaves and put them away.
This year we allowed several brugs to
just do the healing due to be put out 
in the spring and then we got the 
freezing temps.  

When is it time to bring them in?
I go by the fact that there is no 
pollen on the anthers.  I find that
the bees do visit but there is nothing
for them.  What to watch for, the 
temps drop into the 40s at night.
You want to do so between flushes
of blooms.  One needs to be careful
to not knock off the buds or seedpods
when stripping off the leaves.

When moving them in I cut the 
dead areas away.   I will evaluate 
come next spring if some can be 
saved or not.  Over the winter
they should grow new and I'll be 
able to get cuttings if need be.
I have been asked why strip off the leaves
and I'll say this, less mess is best when
you keep them like we do.  Leaves do
grow back so you will have to remove
monthly to keep them from just taking
over.














As you can see there is no room to walk around.
We utilize space the best we can and this year
we aren't going to be stacking pots.  The shelves
will hold the hanging pots and the over flow will
be placed on the floor under the shelves.  When
that area is full then we have the lower PVC pipe
to have them on.




















We have placed the two half barrel stands
to the south end of the Brug House where
we have put the smaller ones to contain
them so they can be watched instead of 
being tucked between larger pots and then
hoping for the best.

Years of watching for cooler spots in the
BH, I have learned which brug can take 
the cooler temps so they go into those 
areas.  The ones that can't get the areas
closer to the heater.  We do have cameras
in each Greenhouse to help monitor beside
the thermometer for warmth.  Plus each 
GH has it's own rainbarrel that helps keep
the heat in, in case of a power outage.

The last Brugmansia to go in is 
B. Shorty's Variegated which sat in 
the large cement planter out front by
the driveway and walkway.  This year
the mom plant was to large to go there 
so we put her daughter up there due to
her size.  Well she loved the spot and 
we watched her take off.  She our grew
her mom plant!!  Here is how she is 
removed.




















First we have to dig her out of the 
large cement pot.  You will see she
is in a 5 gallon pot sunk into a 5
gallon Pickler bucket for easier 
moving.  This year it took two of
us to puller her out.  In the large 
cement pot is also a 5 gallon pot 
turned  upside down so that the
pickle bucket will sit on that and
dirt filled in around it.



















As you can see she grew a lot and her 
spreading outward will make it a task
to get her in the greenhouse.  This year
we place some of the special ones in the 
GH not the BH.  

Next step is stripping off the leaves and
removing the green worms that have found
her desirable!  


















Now that the leaves and worms are gone
it's time to assess if she will fit in the GH.
Nope, so I took a flat of cuttings off her so
she will fit. I had to spend an hour in the 
GH to rearrange it.

Here is a photo the night before she was 
moved in.














More to come.

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Our Gardens Are Closed For The Season!!

 It's time to close for the season and getting
cuttings and start cutting back the yard.  We 
will be busy!!  

Thank you to those that have stopped by
and admired our gardens.  

9/24/2022---Today Was Brugmansia House Setup!!











After an hour of pushing and pulling the 
piece of roof plastic we got it up!  Next is 
making sure the door opening was in the 
right place.  The sides were even and the 
back was tucked in the right place. 








Next was adding the door extra cover to 
make sure there is no draft.











Then to tape the plastic in place, tucking
in the corners and taping them.  This will 
hold until we get the tarp over it to tie 
down.

Next was put in the new heavy duty 
electrical box to make sure all the 
lights, fan and heater will be supported 
with a surge protector.   Next is to add
the plants!  

A look into the Brug House before
they get put away.  Northeast corner








Northwest corner










South West Corner









South East Corner












A look into the Greenhouse after a couple
days of putting some of the plants in here 
for safe keeping.

Once they are full no one is allowed inside!!


 

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Perennial and Tropical Hibiscus Are Open!!

 











PH Lady Baltimore new 2022











PH Plum Crazy











PH Berry Awesome

Luna Collection


























PH Plum Crazy






















PH Luna Deep Red