It turns out there were three buds with flowers descending on the pruned yellow trumpet flower branches I brought in and the first two opened fully Wednesday night and their lovely lemony scent filled the room. And then Friday morning I woke to find that two more buds had flowers descending and it looks as if at least one stalk in the water is starting to send out little root buds. The third flower opened last night.
Earlier in the week I moved the bigger plants in pots that I brought in just for this cold spell back outside and uncovered everything I had covered and while all the foliage is brown and ugly everything seems to still be green at (and below) ground level, even the tender porterweed. The one exception is the ponytail palm which I think at this point will stay green! The foliage looks good, maybe only a little damage, but as near as I can tell, all the 'necks' are firm.
Our son came out to visit Wednesday, our first time to see each other in the flesh since covid hit. Good to see him and hug him. He hadn't seen the remodeling of the house after the flood and then we went over and visited with Pam who is back from Albuquerque. Later I started cutting back all the dead plant life, so far just the ginger and firespike and all the mushy goo from bulbs of all kinds. Our crazy weather, after 5 days of arctic freeze we're now having a week of high temps in the 70˚s. Big Mama has survived once again and she was out on her sunning spot.
Nothing much going on around here, I always consider the time between Christmas and New Year's to be a lost week where no one does anything and nothing gets done, the recuperative week after several weeks of festive activity. Not that we engage in festive activities but the rest of the world that does.
I spent the day yesterday cutting back dead growth leaving piles of debris for later retrieval as I move around this half acre and that's my plan for today as well. Might even torch the burn pile. It'll take several more days to get it all. I'll leave the banana trees for last as they will be a days effort all by themselves and that's not even counting the ones over in the shop yard.
Well, I'd best get out there and get to it.
My goal for today is to deal with our bananas. They are a big mess and I am going to cut them down. The stalks are so heavy though that I have to cut them in chunks to haul them. I will think of you...
ReplyDeleteGlad your son came to see you. I know that was good for your soul.
You make me feel lazy!! Big Mama looks happy in the sun. Dora loves her lamp, she sits on a rock and dozes wen she is not looking around for someone to offer her some food. the weather is nice here, but The Patient is taking up all my time. He still refuses to eat more than a bite or two and complains of "severe" stomach pain. I find it odd that he can sleep so much with "severe" pain. He is out of pain meds and won't walk like he is supposed to. If tomorrow is like today has been he is gong to the ER. I think he needs to eat and get up and walk around. He would feel better. I am feeling trapped in this tiny house!
ReplyDeleteI'd have already killed him.
DeleteI am sure that a visit from your son after such a long absence was the best holiday gift of all. Happy New Year, Ellen.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see Big mama! I was pleased to hear about your plants, too. I found a couple of dandelions blooming in a friend's pasture today, and the pansies planted everywhere around here, although clearly singed, have buds coming out and a few in full bloom. Despite the damage, it looks as though we might have escaped a real mess. It's great that you had a chance to visit with your son. I do miss my folks around the holidays, but I have some of the best memories ever.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful that you got to see your son, and that Big Mama survived the freeze and found some wonderful sunlight to rest in. Love seeing those blooming flowers there too. So beautiful. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had a couple of trumpet plants--I never could get excited about them but they are pretty.
ReplyDeleteYour yard will have a 24k sparkle soon. Will you polish Big Mama?
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see Big Mama sunning herself. She's such a cool turtle.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Ellen. The flowers are looking good. When on the farm I hardly had any time off at Christmas so since leaving there and becoming gardener to the big house I've always indulged myself in lots of time off over Christmas and new year - sort of making up for lost time I guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging, Ellen! I always enjoy seeing your posts. Wishing you a healthy, happy, busy but fun 2023!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to visit with your son! This year I worked between Christmas & New Year's and I was thinking that I might try to take next year off. Depends on what's going on - there's data entry that has to happen during that time & right now I'm it. But it was pretty quiet otherwise, so nice to get paid & only do a bit of work. Ha!
ReplyDeleteSeeing and holding your boy! That's a big deal. A good way to ring in the new year.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just commented on your subsequent post about possibly rooting the trumpetflower cuttings, and now I see that's (maybe) happening! Glad to see Big Mama made it through the deep freeze OK. She really is amazingly resilient.
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