GMG Green Thumb Club

[Kalevala]

@Szykneij  How goes things with your tomatoes?

I worked outside a bit today, but too hot (already!) for me to get much done.  Note to self:  find some new (and cooler) gardening clothes...that and get outside early tomorrow.

This past weekend, a friend helped me in my yard; alas, he stepped on one of my rose bushes--eek!  To be fair to him, there were a lot of grasses around it and he also has large feet.  Well, today I decided to see if I could rescue some usable bits out of the trash barrel, found a pot, dipped one piece (probably too old and woody) in some rooting hormone and watered it.  Found a couple of other greener branches in same barrel and added them to the pot.  Worth a shot as (as far as I can tell) this variety is no longer sold in the US.  On a good note, I did see what looked to be a new shoot coming up from the base of the bush which is still in the ground....so, there's hope!  I weeded around it and then gave it some Rosetone and some water.  And put two half hoops around it so that I (or anyone else) would not accidentally step on it.

Happy Earth Day to all! 

K

[Mandryka]

@Szykneij  How goes things with your tomatoes?

I worked outside a bit today, but too hot (already!) for me to get much done.  Note to self:  find some new (and cooler) gardening clothes...that and get outside early tomorrow.

This past weekend, a friend helped me in my yard; alas, he stepped on one of my rose bushes--eek!  To be fair to him, there were a lot of grasses around it and he also has large feet.  Well, today I decided to see if I could rescue some usable bits out of the trash barrel, found a pot, dipped one piece (probably too old and woody) in some rooting hormone and watered it.  Found a couple of other greener branches in same barrel and added them to the pot.  Worth a shot as (as far as I can tell) this variety is no longer sold in the US.  On a good note, I did see what looked to be a new shoot coming up from the base of the bush which is still in the ground....so, there's hope!  I weeded around it and then gave it some Rosetone and some water.  And put two half hoops around it so that I (or anyone else) would not accidentally step on it.

Happy Earth Day to all! 

K

Your rose will be fine if he just stepped on it. don't forget gardeners hard prune them to encourage flowering.

I did a horrible job yesterday, I tidied up and weeded an area with a huge agave. These plants are so dangerous, you could easily lose an eye. I trust you know the story of Euripides's Bacchae, where Agave ripped her son Pentheus into shreds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bacchae

[Szykneij]

@Szykneij  How goes things with your tomatoes?

I have a good many tomatoes started indoors and have been able to take them out for a few hours the last couple of days to start the hardening off process.

Sorry to hear about your damaged rose bush. Luckily, as @Mandryka says, it should rejuvenate itself. I had the worst rabbit damage ever over this past winter, but much of what they destroyed should eventually come back. Unfotunately, they completely girdled a couple of apple trees that are goners.

[Kalevala]

Your rose will be fine if he just stepped on it. don't forget gardeners hard prune them to encourage flowering.

I did a horrible job yesterday, I tidied up and weeded an area with a huge agave. These plants are so dangerous, you could easily lose an eye. I trust you know the story of Euripides's Bacchae, where Agave ripped her son Pentheus into shreds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bacchae

Haven't ever worked with agave before.  Do you ever use it in cooking?

I have a good many tomatoes started indoors and have been able to take them out for a few hours the last couple of days to start the hardening off process.

Sorry to hear about your damaged rose bush. Luckily, as @Mandryka says, it should rejuvenate itself. I had the worst rabbit damage ever over this past winter, but much of what they destroyed should eventually come back. Unfotunately, they completely girdled a couple of apple trees that are goners.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I should have added that he broke off about 90% of the wooden stem (bud union?).  I'm hoping that this variety wasn't grafted onto a different variety.  I'll find out!  In the meantime, hopefully one or more of my cuttings will take.  If nothing else, we had a good 25-30 years together.

Sorry to hear about your apple trees...that's a bummer!  Do you ever put any sort of fencing/mesh/guard around the bottom of the trunks?

Off to cook some breakfast and then putting on my garden grubbies.

K

[Mandryka]

Haven't ever worked with agave before.  Do you ever use it in cooking?

I'd love to see a recipe for using this beast

[AnotherSpin]

I'd love to see a recipe for using this beast

In Mexico, agave is used to make tequila, mezcal, pulque, bacanora, and raicilla—each with its own flavor and personality, depending on the type of agave.

[Kalevala]

I'd love to see a recipe for using this beast

In Mexico, agave is used to make tequila, mezcal, pulque, bacanora, and raicilla—each with its own flavor and personality, depending on the type of agave.

I have some agave syrup (a sweetener) but haven't tried using it yet.  Also, the one that Mandryka has might be a strictly ornamental variety; however, looking at it's leaves and where he planted it, it might be a good deterrent to would-be burglars!   

Break time is over for me...back outside!

K

[Kalevala]

@Mandryka  Do you know what the particular variety your agave is?

More progress outside though it was getting too hot for me.  Might go out a bit later (if nothing else, I need to put my tools away).

K

[Mandryka]

@Mandryka  Do you know what the particular variety your agave is?

More progress outside though it was getting too hot for me.  Might go out a bit later (if nothing else, I need to put my tools away).

K

It's Agave americana variagata. The window cleaner hates it!

[Szykneij]

Haven't ever worked with agave before.  Do you ever use it in cooking?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I should have added that he broke off about 90% of the wooden stem (bud union?).  I'm hoping that this variety wasn't grafted onto a different variety.  I'll find out!  In the meantime, hopefully one or more of my cuttings will take.  If nothing else, we had a good 25-30 years together.

Sorry to hear about your apple trees...that's a bummer!  Do you ever put any sort of fencing/mesh/guard around the bottom of the trunks?

Off to cook some breakfast and then putting on my garden grubbies.

K

In the fall, I wrap the trees and shrubs the rabbits have bothered in the past, but this past winter was unusual. We had one storm where the ice and snow stayed around for a while and the critters resorted to attacking trees I thought were too mature and bushes they never bothered with before.
  Hopefully, your rose bush didn't break below the graft.If it did, you might end up with an interesting mystery variety.

[Kalevala]

In the fall, I wrap the trees and shrubs the rabbits have bothered in the past, but this past winter was unusual. We had one storm where the ice and snow stayed around for a while and the critters resorted to attacking trees I thought were too mature and bushes they never bothered with before.
  Hopefully, your rose bush didn't break below the graft.If it did, you might end up with an interesting mystery variety.

About how many apple/fruit trees and bushes do you have?

And, yes, that's what I'm worried about.  Note:  my cuttings that I plunked into a pot are still green--whether or not they root is a different matter; we will see.  I did go outside for a quick looksie whilst waiting for my tuna melt to melt and noticed another bit of new growth on what's left of the bush, so fingers crossed!

K

[Kalevala]

It's Agave americana variagata. The window cleaner hates it!

Gee, I wonder why? 

K

[Szykneij]

About how many apple/fruit trees and bushes do you have?

And, yes, that's what I'm worried about.  Note:  my cuttings that I plunked into a pot are still green--whether or not they root is a different matter; we will see.  I did go outside for a quick looksie whilst waiting for my tuna melt to melt and noticed another bit of new growth on what's left of the bush, so fingers crossed!

K

Not too many fruit trees, but lots of shrubs. I'm a big tree fan, so the several maples, catalpas, and elms I have produce a lot of shade that limits where garden plants and fruit trees can grow.

It will be great if your cuttings take root. Keep us posted on that. I try to save any volunteers that self-seed from larger plants, but have never tried producing new ones from cuttings. 

[Kalevala]

Not too many fruit trees, but lots of shrubs. I'm a big tree fan, so the several maples, catalpas, and elms I have produce a lot of shade that limits where garden plants and fruit trees can grow.

It will be great if your cuttings take root. Keep us posted on that. I try to save any volunteers that self-seed from larger plants, but have never tried producing new ones from cuttings.

It's funny, the older that I get how much I appreciate good shade. 

Off to put my garden grubbies on.  Want to finish clearing out the leaves in one area and then feed my roses and peonies there before it rains.  The work that we create for ourselves! lol

Please keep my little cuttings in your prayers.  This rose is no longer being propagated.   

K

[Irons]

I purchased a rose bush yesterday. My choice was based on the health and vigour of the plant my wife on the other hand was not too keen on the name "Remembrance".

[Kalevala]

I purchased a rose bush yesterday. My choice was based on the health and vigour of the plant my wife on the other hand was not too keen on the name "Remembrance".

This one?  https://www.peterbealesroses.com/remembrance-bush-rose-p1066

When I saw his name, I recalled that I have a book of his (on roses, of course). 

Gardening day cleanup went rather sideways.  The string trimmer line that my friend gave me to use with his trimmer was too wide a gauge.  I bought some narrower string (not perfect, but hopefully it will work).  Will go back outside in a bit after some lunch.

K

[Kalevala]

Well, cuttings are still green.  I'm watering the pot several times a day (if it's sunny and warm outside).  Roots (according to various things that I've read) can take a number of weeks (to months!) to start growing.  In the meantime, the bush in the ground is slowly forming some shoots.  I'm sure that it will be a number of months before any buds develop and I get to see if I still have my old buddy alive and well.

Off to make a quick breakfast and then hit the yard.

K

[André Le Nôtre]

I have owned a small East Indian Holly Fern that has been most decidedly unhappy for the past several years. Leaves always yellowing, only to produce a new one every few months. I have followed the instructions for this homosporous monilophypte--diffuse light, damp soil, etc. I add fertilizer every few weeks. It is still unhappy. I have been considering just planting it in the ground in a north-facing location away from direct sunlight. Any ideas???

OTOH, I DO have an African Violet and some "shamrocks" (Oxalis!) that are quite happy.

You win a few, you lose a few.

[Kalevala]

I have owned a small East Indian Holly Fern that has been most decidedly unhappy for the past several years. Leaves always yellowing, only to produce a new one every few months. I have followed the instructions for this homosporous monilophypte--diffuse light, damp soil, etc. I add fertilizer every few weeks. It is still unhappy. I have been considering just planting it in the ground in a north-facing location away from direct sunlight. Any ideas???

OTOH, I DO have an African Violet and some "shamrocks" (Oxalis!) that are quite happy.

You win a few, you lose a few.

Hi, good to hear from you! 

I'm wondering whether or not it might not getting enough light?  I read (a tiny bit) about it and what I read said "bright but diffuse light" [I was thinking of the yellowing that you had mentioned.]  The same article also said that it likes "Well-drained and acidic soil".  Perhaps repotting it and maybe moving it would help? 

K