My Life as Chuys

Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

2009-10-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

I was surprised about the health benefits of eating this ugly and extremely bitter melon when I saw it on The Dr. Oz Show. I said, "Wait a minute, I have that in my garden!" There are many reasons now to have this plant in your garden - this fruit has tons of anti-oxidant. It can also lower your cholesterol, it has anti-cancer components, and is good for diabetis. Read the article about this amazing fruit by clicking here.

How to Propagate Succulents

2009-10-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some of succulents that need some pruning. I might as well just propagate them.

It's very easy to take stem cuttings from succulents with your garden pruner.

Stem cuttings have to be at least an inch to an inch and a half in length.

Make a hole to your planting medium and plant about a fourth of the stem cutting.

Place it in a bright but shady location for a few days until it roots. Succulents don't need a lot of water so water sparingly.

How to Propagate Sago Palms from Seeds

2009-10-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a sago palm seed. Only the female sago palms produce seeds.

Soak the seeds in water for several days. Then remove the fleshy orange shell covering the actual seed. Make sure you use gloves to avoid getting your fingers stained.

Here is the actual sago palm seed without the shell.

Plant the seed sideways. Water and watch it grow.

How to Propagate String of Bananas

2009-10-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

It is best to take stem cuttings with growing roots. You will see your string of bananas grow some roots even though they're not in the soil. These cuttings are about a foot long.

I suggest you use cactus mix to plant them in. I'm using regular potting soil for my string of bananas.

Stick them in the pot (hanging pots) about half an inch deep.

Water well and place in partial shade. In a few weeks it will start to root and show signs of new growth.

Side Shoots on Papaya

2009-09-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Look at this single side shoot on the lower trunk of my papaya.

It even has bossoms.

The shoot is about a pencil thick.

A closer look at the side shoot.

Free Seeds at City of Hope's Health Fair

2009-09-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

The pink ribbon used to express support for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Aside from free seeds, I took home a couple of pens, notepads, and pins.

There were therapy dogs too! I didn't see George though-

After the health fair, I stopped by the Japanese Garden to look at the plants and the koi pond - one of the themed gardens at City of Hope in Duarte, California.

How to Propagate Bunny Ears Cactus

2009-09-13T14:26:00.000-07:00

These are cuttings from my bunny ear cactus (also known as Polka Dot Cactus, Angel's Wings, Cegador). When you take cuttings, make sure you use gloves to avoid being pricked by it's spines. Let the "wounds" on the cuttings dry for days before planting them.

I push the cutting about 1/4th to a half deep in a cactus mix. Make sure your cutting is the right way up. Place in partial shade. Lightly water it.

In a few weeks it will root and show new growth.

Flowering Mint Plant

2009-09-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

So what does it mean when your mint plant starts to flower? Well, it's going to produce seeds! Then the seeds get thrown on the ground and you get more mint plants! It is wise to plant mints in containers or contain them by sinking barriers about a foot in the ground because they are quite invasive. The top picture is a mint plant that I purchased in the garden store and it's sending some runners which will grow into another plant. The bottom picture is a mint that I started from seeds and it's about a couple of month's old. I just transferred them in pots . I'm not sure what kind of mints these are as there are a lot of kind of mints.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata)

2009-09-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

Ponytail palm is not a palm at all - it is considered part of the lily family. It is called by other names like "elephant's foot" because of it's distinct bulbous base, some call it bottle palm because of it's thin trunk and bulbous base. The head of the ponytail palm has leaves that are grass-like - weeping, pendulous, and smooth-edged.

A sandy-mix soil generally minimize the probability of root rot, especially compared to the peaty mixes normally used in most tropicals. Specifically, allow the soil to dry well between waterings, and if you have any doubt on whether or not to water the plant, skip it until the next week.

Light requirements for ponytails are pretty easy to remember if you think of where it is native to - the Mexico deserts. Provide bright indirect light to full sun.

Old World Succulent Garden 2

2009-09-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

More of the plants you will see at San Diego's Wild Animal Park.

Old World Succulent Garden

2009-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the succulents and cacti that you will see when you visit the "Old World Succulent Garden" in San Diego's Wild Animal Park. The setting was desert-like and it's summer so it was so hot going to the garden. Make sure you bring a water bottle, wear a hat, and don't forget to bring your camera. Some of the plants there I haven't seen yet and they look like they've been there for years as it is so big like this cactus at the very bottom.

Epiphyllums and Bonsai Garden

2009-08-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

Bonsai 1

Bonsai 2

Bonsai 3

Ephiphyllum 1

Took fruits from this tree but unfortunately lost them somewhere.

Cycad

Epiphyllums growing in hanging pots protected from the scorching heat by a mesh.

Ephiphyllum 2

Epiphyllum 3

It's not just animals that you will see when you visit San Diego's Wild Animal Park. There are gardens like these - the Epiphyllum and the Bonsai Gardens (and the Old World Succulent Garden, which I will post pictures in my next post) for plants lovers too! I guess most of the people are just into the animals because there was nobody there when I visited these gardens. Well, if you wonder what epiphyllums are, they are epiphytic cacti with flattened leaf-like stems and large white flowers that open at night. You should see them yourself, they have a wild collection at this zoo!

Plants in San Diego's Wild Animal Park

2009-08-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

the epiphytic air plant staghorn fern

some huge aloes (?)

and huge agaves (or aloes?)

Can you help me I.D. this one?

spanish moss hanging by a tree branch

One of California's Invasive Trees

2009-08-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

I have these trees growing crazy all around my backyard and I got to get rid of these seedlings really fast. They grow so quick that some of them are about 6 feet tall now. They have to go before they eat up all the nutrients from the soil around my other precious trees. I can only use a shear to the big ones but it's best to pull them out of the ground. If I'm not mistaken this tree is called, "tree of heaven". More information about this tree by going to the Invasive Plants of America website or click here.

Animal Planters

2009-08-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Here are my animal planters - a hippopotamus (I hope I spelled that correctly) with an echeveria, an elephant which I planted some cuttings from my bunny ears cactus, and Mr. Froggy (a frog planter) with a wandering jew in the little pot.

List of Curcubits in My Garden

2009-08-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

pumpkin

honeydew melon

squash

more squash

And a tiny fruit from the giant pumpkin seed I've sown months ago.

Other cucurbits are zucchini, cucumber, gourds, watermelons (and any other melons), canteloupe, bitter melon, and all decorative little squashes.

Ginkgo Biloba

2009-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a single ginkgo biloba seedling that survived the heat (well after I moved it to a more shady location). I have planted a couple of seeds but germination was so poor. I actually had two seedlings emerge but one didn't make it. It got burned by this summer heat. Ginkgo is also called Maidenhair tree.

Grapes

2009-08-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

This is the second year this grapevine is bearing fruit. It looks almost like last year's crop and I'm not satisfied with it. The fruits are so tiny but it's sweet. What could be the problem- Any suggestions?

Giant Hydrangea Flower

2009-08-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

Have you seen a single hydrangea flower it's so big? Check this out - I started this hydrangea from cuttings and it's has this huge showy pink flower!

Seed Saving: Onion Seeds

2009-08-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

An onion flower in bloom

Fully bloomed onion flower

Seed pod on an onion stalk

Dried seed pods open to release the seeds

Shaking off the black onion seeds - they easily drop off from the open pods Make sure to keep them in paper bags, label and date it.

Scallion Seedlings

2009-07-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

I think I bought some onions (or scallion, I don't remember really-) seeds before but none of them grew. These are seedlings from seeds that I got from the scallion bulbs I got from the store last year. Probably dried seeds of about a month or so is best sown as I find it easy to germinate. Anyways, these are ready to be replanted too.

Coleus Seedlings

2009-07-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

These are the coleus that I started from seeds. They're now ready to be replanted. I carefully took them out from their small pot and since they are all clumped up I divided them carefully not breaking their stems because they are so tender. Plus I made sure not to break much of it's roots.

Guava Flower

2009-07-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

My guava tree growing in a 2 gallon pot has a couple of flower flowers and buds.

Male Sago Palm Flower

2009-07-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Every year my male sago sends this yellow, cone-like flower that grows about 12-24 inches.

Update: On Coleus Seedlings

2009-07-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

They are starting to show some color on their leaves. I think they need another week before I start dividing them and planting them in bigger pots.

Seed Saving: Succulent Seeds

2009-07-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of seeds that I collected from a succulent. These seed pods were on a long spike that I broke off from branches of the spikes. The pods were already open so I carefully did this because the seeds were dropping like crazy. Anyways, I was able to collect a couple of seeds for saving and sowing.

Update: On Seed Sowing

2009-07-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Cucumber seedlings - Spacemaster

Radish seedlings

Coleus seedlings from seeds!

Convolvulus Seedlings - Blue Enchantment

And a bird I saved - it's wing is bleedling. I hope it survives.

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

Burgers and sausages for today's celebration

Harvest of the day: tomatoes!

on the vine, green cherry tomatoes

red ripe cherry tomatoes

better boy tomatoes

Seed Sowing: Convolvulus - Blue Enchantment

2009-06-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

Bright blue, morning glory-type blooms with white and gold throats. Low-growing, bushy plants are ideal for hanging baskets or as a groundcover. Drought tolerant. Annual. Sow in average soil in full sun after danger of frost. Sow about 6" apart and cover with 1" of fine soil. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-21 days. Thin to stand 12-18" apart when seedlings are 1-2" high.

Seed Sowing: Lemon Balm, Purple Ruffles Basil, Radish

2009-06-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Lemon scented leaves and sprigs used for tea or for flavoring cool drinks. Nice addition to potpourris. Perennial, zones 4-10. Sow in average soil after danger of frost in spring. Sow seeds evenly and thinly and barely cover with fine soil. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 14-21 days. Thin to stand about 112" apart when seedlings are 1-2" high. Large, shiny purple, heavily ruffled leaves. Especially good for herb vinegar, and dramatic as a garnish. Also flavorful fresh or dried. Annual. Sow in average soil in full sun after danger of frost. Sow seeds about 6" apart and cover with 1/4" of fine soil. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days. Thin to stand about 12" apart when seedlings are 1-2" tall. Harvest when buds begin to form up until frost. Rosy pink roots are 7-8" long with rounded ends. Peppery roots are great in a salad or try young leaves in salads or stir-fries. Harvest in about 35 days. Sow in well-worked soil after danger of frost in early spring, again in late summer for fall crop. In frost free areas, sow in the fall. Sow thinly in rows about 6" apart. Cover with 1/2" of fine soil; firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 4-6 days. Thin to stand about 2" apart.

Seed Sowing: Lupine - Russell Hybrids Mix

2009-06-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Magnificent plants with well-rounded flower spikes that bloom during May and June in a superb color range including many bicolors. Perennial, zones 4-7. Sow seeds 1/4" deep in a shady area in early summer. Keep soil moist and protect from sun. Seedlings emerge in 14-28 days. In fall, transplant seedlings to a permanent sunny or partially shady location, spacing plants about 18" apart.

Seed Sowing: Cucumber - Spacemaster

2009-06-13T10:53:00.000-07:00

Slender, dark green fruits are 7 1/2" long. Mosaic-resistant vines are space saving and compact. Harvest in about 56 days. Sow in average, well-drained soil in full sun in spring after danger of frost. Sow 4-6 seeds about 3" apart in hills 36" apart. Cover with 1" of fine soil; firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days. Thin seedlings to 2-3 per hill when they are 2-3" high.

Bye Bye Snow Peas!

2009-06-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

Time to tidy up my vegetable garden again! It has significantly warmed up and now it's time I take down my dried out, yucky snow peas.

Bonus picture: A mammoth sunflower showing it's magnificent bloom.

Benefits of Eating Papaya

2009-06-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

To harvest the fruit, hold the papaya with one hand and twist it by it's stem. This is the easiest way to pick the fruits than by using shears. Wear gloves if you are sensitive with the white sap. The fruits that I picked weigh about 5-6 lbs which I all gave away to friends. Cut it open and you'll see this sweet reddish-orange fruit....oh, so yummy!

Did you know that....

Papaya has an enzyme called papain that is used as a meat tenderizer.

They make masks from papaya fruits that's supposed to soften the skin. And nutritionists promote papaya consumption to aid in digestion and as a superior source of vitamins A and C.

How to Propagate String of Bananas

2009-05-31T08:04:00.000-07:00

I have planted String of Bananas with some of my succulents. These plants that look like green bananas just grow really fast that most of them are touching the ground from hanging on top of my outdoor plant stand. A String of Banana is about 3 feet long! These are a couple of the "strings" that I cut to propagate. I usually pick the ones with roots. Use a garden shear to cut them - they are really easy to cut.

Can you see the root on this "string"?

Make sure you plant the rooted cutting with the root going in the planting medium. I'm using a regular potting soil.

I have two pots of string of bananas from just a couple of cuttings that I took - here is one. Keep watering the cuttings and these will root in about 2 weeks (unless the cutting has roots just like the ones I have).

Gladiolus in Bloom

2009-05-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Last year, I planted these gladiolus in smaller containers but didn't do well. This year I transplanted them in bigger containers and it's their first time to flower. These flowers are in tall spikes (about 2 1/2 feet) that some started to bend and break. I think it's wise to stake them. I have purple, yellow, and orange - I have more spikes coming out but still not sure what colors they are.

Cacti Blooms

2009-05-23T15:14:00.001-07:00

This one has a tiny yellow flower.

The flower bud on this cactus has not bloomed yet - it's a nice yellow flower when it opens.

Same as this one - tiny yellow flowers.

This one too hasn't bloomed out yet. This one has pinkish flowers.

Another yellow-flowering cactus.

And this one has pink flowers around it.

Seeds from New York Trip

2009-05-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

And I was able to bring home these seeds from a garden store in New York. I found these pumpkin seeds that claim they'd get big to up to 500 lbs! Packet says 7 seeds but I'm lucky to have nine. I'm also starting to collect all sorts of sunflowers so I'm trying this one called apricot twist and is pollenless.

And by the way, Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!

Plants from New York Trip

2009-05-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

So I was able to take home a couple of nice plants that passed security at the airport. Well, I wasn't carrying anything illegal but also I wasn't sure if bringing plants in the plane is not allowed - esp. as a carry on. Some of the plants here were from my cousin's yard (she has a huge yard!) and some from her neighbor's who were so into gardening like myself!

Seedlings of Hellebores

Maple tree seedling

A cutting from a rooted Forsythia (I love it's yellow flowers!)

A cutting from a rooted Lilac bush

We almost drove to Rochester, NY for the annual Lilac Festival. But I'm still happy I have my own lilac now. You won't believe how fragrant the flowers of this purple lilac. I am so excited to grow and can't wait to see my own fragrant lilac flowers!

Update: Snap Peas

2009-04-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Peas have reached the top of the netting and still growing.

Look at that pretty white flower!

And the freshest snow peas! Mmmm.... I'm thinking stir fry.

Different Colors of the Kalanchoe Flower

2009-04-19T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've been collecting all sorts of kalanchoes for years now. Most of my kalanchoes hanging by the fence is growing in "strawberry bags". And some in pots mixed with other color kalanchoes.

Pink

faded pink - light pink

Orange

White

Violet

Red

And this one a hybrid, with double petals - a yellow kalanchoe.

Adromischus Cristatus, Pachyveria, and a Graptoveria

2009-04-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Pitaya or Dragon Plant: New Shoots from Cuttings

2009-04-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

Guess what that is? Yes, it's a shoot coming from my pitaya (dragon fruit) cutting that I planted last November. So finally, I can say that I have been successful growing a pitaya from cuttings. These are three cuttings that I got from the Farmer's Market. But only one of the three cuttings have these growths - and currently there are four of these shoots!

And they are growing fast!

Those weed-looking plants growing in my pitaya pot are actually bird seeds that are growing. I had this pot under my bird's cage and that's how those plants got there. It's pitaya and bird seeds for my bird!

Haworthia Cymbiformis

2009-04-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is a haworthia cymbiformis. The tag says it's native to Cape Town, South Africa. It forms rosettes with translucent "windowed" leaf tips to allow for photosynthesis. It is a winter grower, dormant in summer months. Requires very porous soil with excellent drainage. Protect from frost. Provide filtered light. Hardy to 32 F. Water thoroughly when soil is dry.

It is growing with other succulents - it's a cocktail of succulents in pots.

This one has two flower stalks - all it's flowers hasn't bloomed yet.

The flowers look like this when they bloom. Can you see it? You can click the picture to enlarge it.

They look more green during the winter months. Now that it's starting to get warmer, I've noticed that it's losing some of it's green color and turning more yellowish.

Euphorbia flanaganii: Medusa Plant

2009-04-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

2009-04-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Sown a packet of zinnia "exquisite" today.

Sown a couple of cucumber seeds saved from last year's crop.

A few freesia bulbs.

And here is Bryant who went fishing with me last time at Fish Canyon Trail.

Graptosedums, Graptopeladums or Graptoverias

2009-03-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

Graptosedum "Alpenglow" Small rose purple rosettes

Graptopeladum "Darley Sunshine"

Vote Earth!

2009-03-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

THIS IS THE WORLD’S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION, BETWEEN EARTH AND GLOBAL WARMING.

On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour. Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.

The results of the election are being presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. We want one billion votes for Earth, to tell world leaders that we have to take action against global warming.

Click the picture to visit it's official website.

Spring is Here!

2009-03-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

I have decorated my front yard with pots of gerber daisies - one is pink and the other red. In case you don't know, spring official started last friday.

Obamas Plant Organic Kitchen Garden at White House

2009-03-21T22:54:00.000-07:00

Take a walk past the White House. The answer may be planted right in front of you.

First lady Michelle Obama helped break ground on a new White House organic "kitchen garden" Friday. It will be the first working garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a so-called "victory garden" at the height of World War II.

This time, however, the enemy is obesity. The first family is hoping to send a clear message to a fast food-driven nation that often seems to be losing the battle of the bulge.

"We're just hoping that a lot of families look at us and say this is something that they can do and talk to their own kids about and think a little bit critically about the food choices that they make," said Marian Robinson, the president's mother-in-law. The first lady told a group of Washington schoolchildren on hand for the occasion that first daughters Sasha and Malia Obama were usually more willing to try fresh fruits and vegetables because fresh produce generally tastes better.

"What I found with my kids [is that] if they were involved in planting it and picking it, they were much more curious about giving it a try," she added.

"I've been able to have my kids eat so many different things that they would have never touched if we had bought it at a store because they either met the farmers that grew it, or they saw how it was grown," she said.

"They were curious about it and ... usually they liked it."

The idea of a presidential kitchen garden, used year-round with different seasonal crops, has been strongly promoted by advocates for organic and locally grown food. They argue that the White House garden may help set a positive example for families short on time and money, who are often tempted by cheaper, highly processed food.

The presidential garden will be used, among other things, for growing such staples as butterhead and red leaf lettuce, spinach, broccoli, onions, carrots and peas.

It will also include a range of herbs, including sage, oregano and rosemary. The garden is one of several additions to the White House South Lawn. A swing set for the first daughters was recently installed near the Oval Office.

Are these Shamrock Plants?

2009-03-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

Some weeds, or shamrock plants, not sure what they are, but I usually just pull them off the ground and throw them in my compost pit. These ones are growing with my scallions. They have these pretty yellow flowers and it's leaves has this bluish spots on them. This has pinkish-white flowers but with the same exact leaves as the ones on top. It is growing in my potted succulents. Again, I've been treating these as weeds until lately when I saw some in the store for sale this St. Patrick's Day. But are these the "shamrock plants"?

Christmas Tree Shaped Rosemaries

2009-03-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

Rosemary herbs pruned into mini christmas trees that were used a christmas decors are also going outside and will be replanted in bigger pots. I had two of these a couple of years ago but they both died when I took them out right after christmas. The cold weather must have killed them. Now it's time I bring them out to harden - the weather is just perfect and spring is just around the corner.

Stone Pines

2009-03-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

Time to put these stone pines outside that were used as an indoor christmas decor to harden them up. Eventually, they will be replanted in bigger pots so they can grow even bigger. And hopefully, I can use them again - as a christmas tree.

More of Fish Canyon Falls

2009-03-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Alright guys, I found more information on the internet about Fish Canyon Trail/Fish Canyon Falls on this website - click here.

How to Grow Ginger

2009-02-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

About one-third of a two-inch ginger root must be suspended in water-filled container. In a few weeks, shoots and roots will appear.

The rhizome is ready to be planted directly in the soil when the roots reach an inch or two in length. Plant just below the surface of the soil with the shoots sticking out in a sunny location. Water but don't let the soil get too saturated.

Ginkgo Biloba

2009-02-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

I have collected enough ginkgo seeds from the park where I walk my dogs. Most of the ginkgos there are females - the ones that produce the seeds. The male trees do not seed but they produce small pollen cones.

Right at this time of the year, you wont see any of their fan-shaped leaves as they lose it. This is also the right time to collect the seeds that have fallen on the ground (esp. after those hard rains we had last week) but be careful - its fleshy yellow-brown soft outer layer contains butanoic acid which smells like rancid butter or feces. Ewwww! Never pick them with your bare hands.

I've looked at most blogs and they've been talking about ginkgo bonsai. So I might try growing these seeds this summer. After I fleshed the seeds (again, use gloves) and washed them in water and dried under the sun, they are now in paper bags in the refrigerator. The seeds need sometime in there a process called stratification for 60 days.

Stratification improves germination, but is not required.

Hiking at Fish Canyon Trail in Azusa, CA

2009-02-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

These succulents growing on rocks just captured my attention - although I was particularly looking for a specific succulent called dudleya densiflora (you can see a picture of this succulent at the very top picture). It is an endangered plant. More information about this succulent can be seen on this website. And for more information on Fish Canyon Trail, visit Dan's Hiking Experiences by visiting his website here.

By the way, does anybody know the name of these succulents?

Huge Seed Pod of a Pink Flame Tree

2009-02-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

I was so amazed the first time I've seen a pink flame tree. It just captured my attention with it's nice showy pink flowers and stout, tapering trunk. This is a deciduous tree which makes it even look more interesting when you only see its beautiful flowers on it's bare branches. I was able to take this huge pod with the seeds. It was on the ground split open like that. I was lucky to have it before the squirrels take it.

Kalanchoe Beharensis "Fang"

2009-02-14T20:22:00.000-08:00

Kalanchoe beharensis 'Fang' is a cultivar of the "Felt Plant" from Madagascar.

This form differs as it has large, fuzzy serrated leaves with dentate protuberances on the undersides of the leaves that resemble "fangs".

Great patio plant. Prefers bright light to full sun for best color.

Kalanchoe Beharensis "Fang"

Echeveria: Elegans

2009-02-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

Echeveria elegans, native to Mexico, is a clustering rosette with spoon-shaped leaves of pruinose aqua with a silvery patina. This succulent is drought tolerant, but does best with occasional deep watering in a well drained soil.

Echeveria Elegans is also known as Hens-and-Chicks, Mexican Ghost Plant or Mexican Snowball.

Peas

2009-02-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

Peas are about 2 weeks old since I've sown them a month ago. The snow pea seeds that I have saved from last year's crop were not sown this year as I'm trying this one called "melting sugar". I have about 20 seedlings here and I just added a netting for the peas to climb on. I would love to grow more but with limited space I'm stuck to just growing a few. When they get to about a foot long, I will pinch off the terminal ends to encourage it to grow more branches.

Echeveria: Shaviana

2009-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

Echeveria: Doris Taylor "Wolly Rose"

2009-01-31T13:59:00.000-08:00

Echeveria Doris Taylor "Wolly Rose" is an excellent hybrid with densely hairy leaves arranged in a rosette, and spikes of large orange bell-shaped flowers. (This one has no flowers yet.)

Considered to be a hybrid between Echeveria setosa and Echeveria pulvinata. Known as the "Woolly Rose", and considered to be of garden origin.

Echeveria Doris Taylor - "Wolly Rose"

Echeveria: Agavoides

2009-01-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

Echeveria agavoides is a stemless satiny translucent light green star-shaped rosette which somewhat resembles the form of an Agave.

Echeveria agavoides is a variable plant - some forms have reddish tips and some forms have slightly red to very red margins. One cultivar 'Ebony' has very dark red margins, almost burgundy.

Echeveria agavoides also has a cristate form, with fans of frosty green spikes tipped in red. The flowers appear on the top of stalks that grow from between the leaves. I think mine is soon to flower.

Echeveria Agavoides

Echeveria: Black Prince

2009-01-24T13:31:00.000-08:00

This echeveria is labeled "Black Prince" but it's not showing it's intense color at the moment. It's star-shaped rosette leaves should get nearly black in color in the summer I guess.

As all echeverias, it is placed in a bright area to prevent "stretching" and planted in heavy soil with excellent drainage. Porous cactus mediums are perfect to use to prevent water from staying long in it's roots. When they are watered over the top, the water collects in drops and spots the leaves when it dries. These spots are especially noticeable when the water is high in minerals. Drench and let dry. Water from below.

Echeverias come from higher altitudes so give them dry air, cool night temperatures and good air circulation. Atanasio Echeverria, the Mexican botanical artist, drew thousands of illustrations of Mexican plants collected by Martin Sesse and Jose Mocino in the last years of the eighteenth century. The original drawings are now lost, but in 1820, the botanist Alphonse De Candolle was so impressed with them that he hired 120 draftsmen to work ten days straight to make tracings. In 1837, De Candolle honored Echeverria by naming the Echeveria after him.

My First Garden Project of 2009: Plant Succulents in Wooden Barrel Planter

2009-01-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a huge wooden barrel planter that I laid upside down on the floor. It has a small drainage hole at the center.

Drilled holes for the casters

After I installed four caster wheels. This will make it easier to move the planter wherever I want it.

This is the liner that I used. The ones made of rubber sell for more than 10 bucks a foot. This was recommended to me by the garden expert at my local garden store.

Liner goes in and around the planter. I also poked a hole on the liner to make sure water drains out.

Now it's time to collect plants that will go in my new planter. I'm thinking succulens!

Filling the planter with top soil.

I've filled it all the way up the brim.

Tada! A mixture of succulents newly planted in my wooden barrel planter.

A closer view of the plants.

Mission accomplished!

How to Propagate: Shrimp Plant

2008-12-28T22:15:00.000-08:00

Also known as shrimp bush or false hop. Propagation is best done in the spring.

Stem cuttings are about 3 to 4 inches long

Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone. This will aid the cuttings in rooting.

Make a hole in your potting medium and stick the cuttings. Mist the cuttings until the medium gets wet. Put it in bright area away from direct sunlight. In a few weeks, it'll take root.

Poinsettias

2008-12-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

The poinsettia flowers are actually sets of leaves known as bracts or modified leaves.

The flowers are the small, yellow, bud-like centers called the cyathia.

The various colors, shapes and forms of the bracts are what make each poinsettia cultivar unique.

Bromeliad and It's Pup

2008-12-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is a huge store-bought bromeliad that has been growing in it's small pot decorated with moss. The flower is actually a colorful bract or modified leaves. This flowering phenomenon also means that I have a year or two to enjoy my bromeliad before it dies.

But can you see that little pup (baby bromeliad)? Woohoo! Send me more pups my bromeliad!

Magnificent Dragon Tree

2008-12-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

I just love this tree! It still has a few berries which has the seeds - some greenish and some fully riped orange.

I.D. This Plant

2008-12-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

the leaves

has flowers

and fruits that look like berries. I believe this plant is a shrub.

Towering Flower of Agave

2008-12-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

The towering flower stalk of an agave that is about 20 feet high and some dried flowers on the ground.

Update on Chayote

2008-12-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

The chayote that I started from seeds (the fruit is the seed) was replanted in the ground weeks ago and is doing just fine. Make sure to provide your plant with something to climb on. I have stuck a few bamboo sticks close but not to the point of poking the seed (or the fruit). I hope it survives the cold season. I have two more just in case my chayote plant dies. I just left these chayote fruits outside and look it successfully sprouted without special care. It's not even planted in soil. So that's another technique you can do on how to grow chayotes.

Updates

2008-12-06T22:13:00.000-08:00

Slowly the bulbs are showing some leaves and root growth.

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit

2008-11-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

A trip to friday's Farmer's Market made me discover this wonderful plant. It was my first time to see a pitaya in real life. Weeks before, I almost bought seeds of this exotic plant on the internet. It was a dream come true for me to see it. Here are pitayas for sale in pots with fruits. They sell for $25.00 each.

Seed Saving: Cherimoya (Annona cherimola)

2008-11-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

The cherimoya fruit is oval, slightly oblique with a smooth or slightly tuberculated skin.

The fruit flesh is white, and has numerous seeds embedded in it.

Make sure to remove the flesh around the seeds and wash them in water. Let it dry under the sun for a day. The black seeds turn to brown when dry. Store the seeds in paper package and label it.

How to Grow Chestnuts from Seeds

2008-11-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

I've never grown chestnuts from seeds so this is more of an experiment to me. I've picked the best chestnut that I have available which is the biggest of all. I prepared the seed by carefully removing it's outer shell. After that, I inserted the seed in potting soil and sparingly covered it with soil. Lastly, I covered it with mesh to protect it from animals that might steal my chestnut. All I have to do is water and watch it patiently grow.

Agave & Agave Seeds

2008-11-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

There are a couple of wildly growing agaves where I walk my dogs and today I took a couple of it's seeds home. I'm not sure the name of this agave so it needs to be identified. I think all agaves reach the end of it's life when you see them showing their beautiful blooms and seeding. But again I'm not sure about this. The agave which I took these seeds was already dead. Just this long stalk that holds the seed pods standing up as high as eight feet. I have to break the stalk down to the ground and collect them. I was able to collect hundreds of these flat, circular, black seeds in their seed pods. I'll try to grow these seeds and I'll let you know if I'm successful with it.

Growing Pine Trees From Seeds

2008-11-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pine tree seeds I've collected last week. Some have the "wings" (which is the tree's way of dispersing it's seeds) and some don't have them. You can test the viability of the seeds by putting them in a glass of water. The ones that sink are the good ones and the ones that float are the bad ones.

Prepare your pot with potting soil and water it. Then poke a hole for the seeds to go into. Place the seed vertically into the soil with the pointer end first. Then cover the seed barely with soil. I have to put some sort of protection on the pot to prevent birds from eating my seeds. I've used this mesh they use to store onions. Put the pot in a sunny location and water occasionally. Too much water will rot the seed. Be patient and you will have a pine tree seedling in a few months.

Seed Saving: Dracaena Drago or Dragon Tree

2008-11-15T13:23:00.000-08:00

These are the berry-like fruits and seeds of the dragon tree. The ripe berries are orange in color and are the best ones to pick when harvesting for seeds. Remove the fleshy coating and wash seeds in water. Let it dry under the sun for a day. Store it in envelops and label it.

Parade Rose

2008-11-09T14:19:00.000-08:00

It claims to be the queen of miniature roses. This will need some pruning (by 1/3rd as it says on the label) before I bring it indoors ready for the cool season.

Planting Snap Peas

2008-11-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

These are snap peas that I started from seeds in six-pack plastic pots. The roots are starting to grow out of the pots and so it's time I sow them in the ground. I've readied the area where I'm going to plant them by loosening the soil. After planting, I have to put chicken wire around as birds love their tender leaves. I will remove the wire when they're well established. This is one of the veggies I'm growing this fall.

Seed Saving: How to Save Sweet Fennel Seeds

2008-11-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

Allow the sweet fennel seeds to dry on the plant.

Hold part of the stem that has the seeds and carefully cut it with a pruner. I have a tray closeby that I can throw in all these stems.

Harvest the seeds on the tray and discard the stems. Save the seeds in paper envelops and make sure to label and date the seeds.

How to Propagate Agave Plant

2008-11-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

Carefully remove shoots (called suckers or pups) around the base of the parent plant making sure it has it's own roots. Wear gloves when handling the agave plant to protect you from it's wicked spines at the tip and along the edges of the leaves.

Fill up a container with potting soil or a cactus/succulent medium.

Make a shallow hole and set the pup on the center.

Add more soil.

Water and place it in bright location away from direct sunlight for a couple of days to avoid shock. These are extremely heat resistant and loves full sun. Add (decorative) rocks to accent the plant.

How to Grow Hyacinths Indoors

2008-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Basically the same procedure as growing narcissus. Check out yesterday's post.

How to Grow Narcissus Indoors

2008-10-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have two packages of narcissus bulbs, three of each - jetfire and salome.

You need some rocks for the bulbs to anchor their roots once they're start growing. These are some of the leftover river rocks that I have in the garden and some rocks I usually use on my cactus plants. Make sure they're clean by washing them in water.

Look for a nice vase or any container you would like to use for your bulbs to grow into. I picked this large clear vase to hold 6 bulbs of narcissus.

Start by laying the rocks at the bottom of the vase. Aside from rocks, you can use other planting mediums such as pebbles, marble chips, or dirt.

Carefully place the bulbs on top of the rocks. You need lots of bulbs to create a nice bouquet of narcissus flowers.

Put enough water until it reaches just at the base of the bulbs. Use bottled water - do not use tap water as it has chlorine. Place it in a dark room during the root formation and move it to a well-lighted area during budding and flowering.

At the Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Lots and lots of pumpkins - all sorts - and some weird-looking gourds.

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)

2008-10-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

You can see all sorts of coral plants in this aquarium.

How to Make Birdhouse Gourds

2008-10-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

These are the gourds that I harvested from my vine. They were first washed with soap and water, towel dried, and placed under the sun for a couple of days.

Trace the circular opening for your gourd birdhouse. I used the cap of my vitamin bottle. Bigger holes are good for big birds. Smaller holes for small birds. I first used a drill to make the hole(s) for my jigsaw. The drill holes were along the circular pattern that I traced.

I used the soft wood cutting blade on my jigsaw.

Carefully cut along the trace and make the opening. Use a mask to avoid inhaling the dust.

Use a spoon to scrape out all the seeds and residues in the gourd.

A little sanding around the opening to polish it.

Again, grab your drill and make holes for the hooks so you can hang them. You can use wire as hooks.

These are all the seeds I've collected from two gourds. The other group is from another kind of gourd (not shown in the pictures).

Huge Moth!

2008-10-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

Never seen one like this!

Castor Bean Plant

2008-10-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

I've discovered some castor bean plant growing wild along some deserted area close to where I live. The seeds contain oil and is among the most deadly seeds - reason I can not have this on my yard.

Rotting Produce

2008-10-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

These are some of the vegetables I left to mature for seed saving. They've been left outside for weeks now and they're starting to rot.

Chilis and chilis peppers!

2008-09-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

I started all these chilis from seeds. Although they've been planted on the wrong location of the garden (I found out that chilis love full sun) - I've been getting a good decent harvest.

On the left are "fiery" Asian chilis and on the right are cayenne peppers.

Jalapenos and a bell pepper.

I'm saving all their seeds for next year.

How to Propagate Sago Palms

2008-09-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

I used a trowel and hammered it carefully around the offsets to remove it from the main trunk of the palm. It is not easy to remove the offsets with just a trowel especially with huge offsets like these. But with small offsets, a trowel is all you need.

Here is one of the offsets removed.

Let the wound of the offsets dry and heal for a couple of days. I usually dust off with powered rooting hormone to also act as a fungicide.

I was able to take as much as 15 offsets on my sago palm.

These small ones have roots!

Plant in special palm mixtures or in regular garden soil and water well. Place them in a location away from direct sunlight for a few days. Now watch as your sagos grow.

Young feather-like leaf of the sago

Lily of the Valley

2008-09-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

My lily of the valley in a pot is ready to bloom.

Update: On Growing Chayote

2008-09-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

Finally the chayote I planted a month ago has sprouted! I planted some tamarind seeds in the pot and they sprouted as well.

How to Propagate Mangoes Through Seeds

2008-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Remove as much of the fleshly mango on the seed by washing it in water. Let it dry under the sun for a few days.

Cut around the edge of the fibrous shell carefully not injuring the seed inside. Separate the shells and remove the bean-shaped seed. Seeds are covered in paper-like package.

Plant directly in potting soil and place it in a warm location. In a few days, you'll see it sprout. This one can't wait any longer.

With leaves and roots.

I remember eating two small mangoes and a big one. They were so delicious!

My mango seedlings going on it's second growing year.

Hyacinths

2008-09-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Seed Saving: White Sapote

2008-09-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

On our way home from our trip to Temecula, we have to stop by the fruit stalls and I found this unfamiliar fruit called sapote.

This one got too ripe - it was mushy. It has a pear-like taste. By the way, you don't eat the skin of this fruit.

A fruit has five of these seeds. This one has been dried under the sun for a couple of days.

It isn't hard to remove the fibrous shell with garden shears. These are ready to be sown.

Christmas Tree

2008-09-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

There's this tree that captured my attention - it looks like a silk floss tree but without the thorny trunks, has a few of these pinkish flowers, and has these huge seed pods. Any clue as to what this tree is?