Texas Gardening: Nov. 4th, 2006 College Station roundup pictures!, 1 by UniQueTreasures

UniQueTreasures wrote:
I'm bringing home passion vine cuttings from Connie's just about every other day. I have a passion vine that has had no cats. I've just about whacked off all of mine to feed them. If I think about it, I bring some home from Connie's.... usually with another 10-15 cats. I keep small pots of soil in the cage to poke the cuttings into.

I had hoped that my passion vine was groweing over the fence as well. The fence is a 7 ft. privacy fence. This evening when I got home, I put the cats and cuttings into the cage. Then I grabbed my cutters and went next door to let them know I was going to start pruning the vine. Nothing but the old ugly hateful vine that I detest and that grows wild and strangles things was growing on the other side of the fence. At least, now I know that those boys haven't been enjoying my blooms, like I thought they were.

So I will continue to take the vine cuttings from Connie's as long as I need to. Her vines have travelled a good 30-40 feet, up the patio and over the deck of the apartment above her house. She doesn't mind and it's all good.

I've only released 4 since this "adventure" began a few weeks ago. The cats are all doing marvelously, with the exception on the only Monarch I had, that came from a nursery(as langnaipe [sp.?]) the last time I bought plants. His wings never did open properly, so he's staying in the cage as long as he needs to. The lizard population in my yard is unbelievable. I have to do all I can to give him a fighting chance. I've put some lantana cuttings into the cage also, just for him, and for anything else that might emerge/enclose while I'm not at home.

Each evening, when I go out to look, 2 or 3 will be on the outside of the cage. I've tried to explain that they are much safer in there. Do they listen? HAHAHAHA

For those that haven't seen it, this is my cage, that Connie and I built ourselves. It's 4' X 2' X 2'. We're really proud of the way it turned out. The lizard in the cage is the "sentry". This photo was taken before it was cleaned for the evening. A whisk broom and small dustpan do that job quickly and without disturbing anyone.

Janet