This blog is for gardeners above, beyond, and below the surface. For those interested in botanical names, inventories, collection and else.

Not recommended for gardeners depending only on nurseries for the practice.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

THE BOUGANVILLEA POST

These are probably the most attractive climbers in my collection and/or  the tropics.  I prefer those in the violet/pink spectrum, the darker the better.  Beside its beauty, when planted in the right context, with correct pruning, Bouganvilleas will provide privacy, shade, inexpensive and efficient security.

Do not plant close by pedestrian traffic, it is foolish, and you will spend the rest of your life in futile attempts to keep them from poking someone eyes or getting hurt with the nasty thorns.  If you like are into the  hedges fad,  good luck!  You will get lots of foliage with little flowering  left available after  every trim.

If you live in them template areas, you could keep them inside, but, the possibilities are that every imaginable disease may drop by.  If  I am mistaken, be kind, let me know.

that is that 

If I ever make my top twenty list in 
the collection, Bouganvilleas will be 
among the top ten.

They are not easy to propagate, even with rooting hormones, my record is not so hot.  Mine have demonstrated resistance to heat/drought and pests.The first Boganvillea planted in the corner of the west/south garden was a present from Suncha, it is 3 years old.  Thanks to careful pruning, the branches in the front of the house have  them weeping branches while those the back (south garden)
are almost flat resting on wires.


Now a few facts for the record 

Bouganvillea comprises 14 to18 tropical American shrubby, climbing
species, many cultivated for their inflorescences.  The genus is named after the French navigator and explorer Loius-Antoine de Bouganville,
1729-1811, who discovered the plants in Brazil during one of his voyages. There  is much hybridization in the genus, making the identification of some of the species and cultivars difficult.

W. Arthur Whistler
TROPICAL ORNAMENTALS
page 87

Sunday, February 19, 2012

PLUMERIA POLYSCIA RELOCATION POST

THERE are hundreds  of gardening blogs.  However, about ball and burlap, not much is written, is not even mentioned.  You may find what it is all about, in youtube.  What has to be understood, is the principle,  since in our case, neither one is present.  The tools are in the photo.  The hole around the trunk has to be deep and wide enough to reach most roots without any hacking, that is why you need hand pruners. Broken ones need to be clean cut, as any branch. Be patient and take your time.

The relocated  yellow Plumeria was kept straight, with a wire for 2 years. It kept twisting looking for light as the shade culprit kept expanding its branches towards the victim.  I had two options,  pruning the responsible for the shade, a Bouganvillea, the rest of my life, or relocation. The Polyscia was removed to create more space for our hero.

The small root  system, neither wide, nor deep of each, made the task more simple than expected. The sandy soil was also helpful.
It took me less than one hour to do all the activity presented in the in the photos.

If you are curious ask...I would not try to relocate valuable vegetation, unless you have been exposed to some training, experience and the propler tools.  Thanks to me darling for helping with  the  planting of patient one in his new home.

If you do what you have to, without hurting the patient, success will be yours.  Happy relocations.  

Friday, February 3, 2012

BEHOLDERS BOTANICALS AND BEAUTY

TWO hours after Terrorist with a Trimmer, http://youtu.be/MTKfeW-_xK0, saw the light in feisbuk, out of the blue, a municipal policeman on a bike, appeared to take pictures and inquire about the abandoned,  house/garden featured.

It seems that pig headed Nuno, or whom ever was offended, wanted to ruffle me feathers. The officer stated that someone presented a complaint.  When I inquired regarding what, the vegetation on the photos is the culprit.

I have spent plenty of time pruning, trimming, cleaning on the premises during the last 44 months, them public servants assumed it was my property. When I informed the biked policeman the high yellows in laws of  Leo, are the owners, his smile disappeared and left.  


In Puerto Rico, almost everyjuan perceive any vegetation in general or vines as a hindrance, in particular those growing wild, spread by wind, birds or water.  This beholder declares vines are particularly attractive growing in any abandoned space
making difficult  the entering and exit to bums, providing
security If I may. 


In any fence, cyclone fences for example, vines hide the metal, dull ugliness, providing housing and nectar for birds and insects.  They reduce noise, heat with the added aesthetics of their flowers.  


I decided to post on these issues since vegetation is perceived as garbage, like any other garbage you could think of.  All this will be destroyed soon or later. I will keep you posted.  Meanwhile here is the inventory.


VINES
Vitis vinifera
Cannavalia maritima
Merremia aegyptiae
Passflora foetida/edulis
Clerodendrum thompsonae

Edibles
Cajanus Cajan

Trees
Acacia
Spathodea campanulata
Melicoccus bijugatus

Bushes
Tecoma stans
Gossypium herbaceum
Alternathera brasiliana
Ruellia britonniana

Ground covers
Syngonium
Pothos

The inventory does not include the vegetation shown  in the first photo.  However, some of the above, also hang out in this space..The last picture, is my favorite for the contrasts in light/shade, angles, textures and so on. If you want to 
check them with a better resolution, drop by flickr.

Words of wisdom

Beauty may be in the eyes of the
beholder, only if he/she
is not a blind, deaf, mute
hog, without any concept
of what beauty is or should be
in the urban context.
The concrete/asphalted one
surrounding, asphyxiating
your humble servant.

that is that