Air Layering

Last May I posted Mega-Schefflera when I air-layered my 10' tall schefflera.  Today it started snowing so It's time to see what happened.

I whacked the branches off below the sphagnum moss ball and opened the balls.  All appeared to be moist. Where the moss got some light, it was green.  I didn't open the balls to see if they had roots.  Instead, I used the ball to protect the new roots, if any, when I pushed the pups down into the new pots.  Needed two pots for the four new plants because the foliage was so heavy.  They look great and they are indoors for the season.  I'll keep an eye on the moisture content of the soil.

The mother plant remains outdoors, covered with a sheet, snuggled up against the south wall of the deck. I watered all the plants remaining outside. Forecast tonight is for clearing and a low of 23 degrees.

This will be the earliest snow on record, if it sticks. Forecast is for light snow here, 30 miles north of Bush Intercontinental. Houston and points closer to the Gulf could get several inches. Must be global cooling!

Free fish

One of the advantages of living near a lake is that now and then, you get a free fish. Sortof.

The neightbor across the street said she saw a hawk drop it.  Looks like a fresh catfish. I'll give the vultures a chance to find it before I bother to get the leaves off the roof.

Hibiscus

The neighborhood is awash with hibiscus.   I planted mine from seed this Spring and they are just today in bloom. I don't recall the variety but it's a hardy hibiscus and stands about eight feet tall.  I would like to say it's Fireball, but it's a much darker red, maybe a dark burgundy, unless it's illuminated from the rear, as it is in this photo.

Hot weather is good for some things

My potted orchid ("Webmaster") did well outdoors this Summer in partial shade. It would probably have more flowers if I watered it more often.

Agapanthus - Mysterious Disappearance

I bought four Agapanthus plants last Fall and planted them on the east side of the house. They thrived and two of them put out long flower spikes late last month. They started to open last week, so I checked on them today. Disaster! Nipped off cleanly!

You can see the barren spike behind and to the right of the Canna bloom and one lonesome Agapanthus flower on the Canna leaf.

Here's a closer shot of the Agapanthus spike.

Something similar happened to a fresh new Bouganvilla that I planted in the ground near a trellis. The thorns on it had not yet developed; one morning it was trimmed off at the ground.

Damned deer! Nibbled on a few Zinnea flowers, too, but didn't seem to like them.

Crepe Myrtles

Crepe Mrytles are abundant in Texas in June. They love the hot weather, but it's a rare gardener who gives them enough water. These are well cared for.

Ash Trash

There's an ash tree in my yard that makes a horrendous mess in late May, early June. Seeds, seeds, seeds, all over the world. They stick to your feet and track into the house. Hey! Enough! Nobody needs that many seeds, not even the squirrels pay attention.


The tree appears to be a Mexican Ash, aka Berlandier Ash. Latin name Fraxinus berlandierana.