Plant Propagation part XXXV based on my own ex

@ Dave and Evelyn - I have supplanted you (no pun) as the youngest.

I was finishing schoolwork for my master's degree program at NCSU which is how/why I disappeared for a few hours/days. You are a chatty bunch! I tried to read all the posts to the bottom of the page and got confused by the plainclothesmen at the door looking for packages from NV. Sharon????

Anyway. I am a lawyer. Retired. Recovering, actually. Like many of you up there who made reference to yours, I am medicated (well why not jump in with both feet). Lawyers have high rates of alcoholism, depression, mental illness. Why do you think I prefer plants?! :D

I have gone back to school for the master's degree - I am in the forestry department at NCSU. This is the end of my 4th semester and I will be doing research and writing for my thesis over the summer. I hope to be finished in the spring next year.

After I quit my fancy law job/corner office I went on hiatus for a few years - had a gig teaching at Tufts, a stint in plant records at a botanic garden in MA, a summer at a wetland plant nursery in St. Michaels, MD. Quit that job to sit with my mom in PA who died of cancer in 2008. Came back to NC and started the degree program in fall, 2009. If it helps you any to figure out my age, I graduated college in 1990, law school in 1993. :P

About plants - have spent a lifetime with them - I used to be in the master gardener program here, but it's actually very political and annoying. I took the test and passed and now am a "certified plant professional" through the NC Nursery and Landscaping Assoc. I have worked for Metrolina Greenhouses for 3 years now as a territory rep with their big box retail clients.

I garden for wildlife mainly. It suits me - so I have planted mostly natives. I did a monarch waystation last year and really enjoyed myself. School has kept me from starting enough seeds - I feel like I'm waaaay behind right now in the garden, but we've had so much rain and cool weather these last several weeks I'm not sure I'd be much farther ahead! I "usually" start seeds in milkjug greenhouses in February/March. I only started a couple of milkweed varieties so far. I'm mainly a flowerchild, though I am growing some jelly bean tomatoes and some large cherry peppers from seed right now. I am "cheating" by germinating seeds in clear plastic bags on wet papertowels to get ahead. Learned that trick at the nursery when they were testing their stored seed for germination rate(s). It works great if you catch them and get them into soil right away! :D

Um... I am not married but living with my BF for 9 or more years (?!). Mom gave him the ultimate compliment once (she was not free with compliments) and said, "I don't know how you found someone as crazy as YOU are." I thought that was some pretty high praise. We have a family of critters though we are dwindling at 1 dog, 3 cats, an iguana, a crow (do wildlife rescue too - this one has been shot/pellet in his wing), a tank of tropicals, and of course the birds outside. I feed 50 lbs of black oil sunflowers every other week or so, plus a 50 lb sack of cracked corn, a sack of wild bird feed mix, peanut hearts....

I also live pretty close to the downtown area which is why I was surprised to find a lady in the next block who has a goat in her yard (surely there is an ordinance against it!!!) but I go to visit the goat every night and take him pellets and forage and a jug of water.

So yeah, I'm a freak. Don't know if that's all you need to know or not. My best buddy Max, a blonde Lhasa Apso died at Christmas - she was 14. I started a memorial garden for her in the shady part of the yard and planting only white for her. It's very therapeutic in a way, but it also make me very sad, so I can't spend much time even digging weeds! :P

GAH! Hmm.

I joined DG in 2006 but only became a subscriber this year. I don't know why I waited for so long, but I am very very very glad to be here. The folks in the trading forums have been just delightful. The trading forums are the main reason I subscribed. As I get to know more and more about plants I am trying to learn more about propagation - which is how I ended up here.

I have my silly lawyer picture posted on my member page if you want to see what I look like. :D

The photo was taken at least 6 years ago, so don't worry - I look much older now.

Thanks for putting out the welcome mat. I will check in with you soon. :)

A.

Oh NO. another nut.

I have a Master's Degree in "The Mob", Amanda. Our mayor is a prior lawyer for the "Mob". Only in Las Vegas. I have been in Nevada since 1942 and Las Vegas since 1960. Older than dirt. But still mean and working hard.

Welcome. Sharon

Oh My Goodness Amanda, we have two things in common. Law and Pennsylvania.

My son is partner in a law firm in Lancaster, Pa. (my home town) He specializes in both Federal and Local Criminal Law. My DIL is a Judge in family court. My older step son is a retired Attorney, my husband of 20 years was also a criminal trial attorney as well as District Attorney. Now you know why I turned to flowers. Thank God my two girls went in other directions when choosing their professions.

Were you originally from Pennsylvania?

Today the sun is trying to come out but since the world is going to end Sunday, so they say, I think I will go into town and eat myself silly. Maybe get some take out too.

If there is a new week coming up, maybe just for the hell of it, we should all weigh in on Sunday and we do not have to tell out weights, but maybe as a group we could have more incentive to loose weight. We could share our misery. lol............I was half tempted to try WW again because I think this pill (Jen the one you take too , the beta blocker) makes me gain weight or retain water. I also take a diuretic but I do not think it works too well. Just a thought. I put on at least three pounds since I have started taking it.

I went for a walk again this morning and my legs (back of the leg muscle) got very tired and painful again. Chiropractor said he thinks the Crestor is doing it. Only started since they increased the dosage. I am having bloodwork in a few weeks and when i do they will do a CPK which will show if my muscles are being affected. I can not take statins and of course Crestor is a statin.

I eat too much Italian bread and bagels. I love bagels, they are like pizza to me, my comfort food and I need alot of comforting. :0

Time to get shoes on and head for the Chiropractor. Happy back cracking day. Also sinus opening (hurts like the devil but works), then I will come home and sew some birdie hut covers. That way I will leave the adjustment settle in. Tomorrow is mowing day again, so that should knock it all out again. Later my friends, JB

I somehow mislead you guys, I am not on WW. I actually made up my own diet, I really watch the sugars and carbs. I found this website called Spark People, and it has sooooooo much info. Plus it helps you track your food daily. It also has a suggested menu, however, I don't go by it. Probably would be easier. They have lots of receipies for weight loss. You just type in what you have eaten daily, and it automatically gives a breakdown by nutrients and callories and etc. If anyone wants to check it out, let me know and I will send you the web address.
It is really raining here, but I have been working in the yard anyway, without all the sugar, I won't melt ;0
Amanda, You will have to go back and read posts from about a week or so to understand the guards and plainclothesmen. Just me, giving Sharon a loving bad time.
ttyal Lee

welcoma amanda: do you have any pictures of the plantings or your critters.... we like pictures lol

well its was a ugly rainy early am but now the sun is pokeing out every now and then. so its time to get trays ready and stick more cuttings. today is silver mound and emerald gaity euonomus. I am about out of room in the nursery so i need to inventory the plants and get them listed so I can ship them out asap and gain some room.

well thats about it for me. except to say diet = die with a T
Dave

Good morning everyone,

I've had a painful couple of days. After hauling palm logs Monday I was so sore I couldn't sleep. Yesterday was rough due to little sleep; today all my muscles that did not get used while my foot was so bad are making themselves known.

I am so sore today I could just cry. However, when Tony finishes his breakfast we will do some work in the arroyo. I will at least keep moving, if only a little.

Have I told you that my favorite word is "permanent"? I get frustrated with the large number of failures but am pleased with the orchard's progress. As we work now we are finishing the arroyo section by section with rock-filled tire paths and amended soil in the beds between them. Each little bed that gets filled is "permanent." The work goes slowly but Tony and I are happy with how it's coming and my critical neighbors are gone for the summer.

Welcome, Amanda. My father was a lawyer and I worked with the legal system a lot as a Child Welfare Worker. I, too, am glad to be with plants and my friend Tony, who works for me but is much more a friend than an employee.

Time to struggle into some work clothes and get moving.

hugs, katie

Well then I feel right at home and don't have to explain much of anything - especially how I never fit in, or how I enjoyed sticking out. :D

I have been so far underground from school I have got to get out and do some errands before the rains come. Again.

Dave - lots of pictures of the plants, the critters!

Here's a link to Court's page - he doesn't post much there anymore but the gallery called "new house" is the house we are living in/renting now:

http://www.pbase.com/walkrpup

Here are pics of mine which are also old/infrequent:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandaesq/

and pictures of the Monarch Waystation from last year on FB which are open for the world to see:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.413198046433.199237.716796433&l=abb597ef16

Thanks for asking. Got to run, but can't wait to check back in later and hear more about the plainclothesmen. I see the gazillion threads on here, Dave, and I don't think I have time to possibly read them all. :D

Loveya.
A.

p.s. about diet and exercise/weight loss - a new forum in the "general interest" boards might be very well received!

My papaya is putting out new leaves. Yea!!

JB, papayas aren't really trees and usually don't live more than a few years. They are heat lovers and heavy feeders. Keep on the dry side, especially when it's not real hot. I've been trying to grow Solo-type papayas here (the small Hawiian type) without much success. I think our winters are too cold. I keep trying different types. They start fairly easily from seed and I'm trying to increase the number of food plants that are grown here. A small low-string, high-flavor papaya would be great.

kb

I give up. I have posted twice and my computer has dumped them both. Guess it is editing what I write. Will try again later.

Hi all, I am alive, but barely kicking. Shawn is better, but Burk and I have both been sick with a flu from hell! I went out this morning to see if any of my seedlings were still alive ( first time in 2 weeks that I have stepped outdoors) and to my amazement, there were only 4 little hibiscus in questionable condition. I will have to read a lot to catch up with everyone, I just wanted you to know I am still here.
Talk to ya soon, Linda

I am on my way to physical therapy. I just stopped in to see if Evelyn posted. Looks like she is getting either rain or snow big time.

Linda, so glad you are back with the living. Or should I say "Barely Living".

JB, I think the world is coming to an end at 6 pm your time on Saturday.

I will check back in later this afternoon. Sharon

Well, I wanted to plant the tomatoes and peppers in the hoophouse but it is just too hot in there. 96. I'm afraid they just wouldn't survive. I planted a couple late yesterday afternoon and they really looked good today. So, guess that is the trick. To plant late in the day, water, and then by the next day they are up and running.

When Bob put his hand down in the holes he jerked it out. Said it was so hot down there he couldn't leave his hand in there. So, I filled them with water from the hose and watered the rest of the bale so that must have cooled them off. I put my hand down in the holes today and they were warm, but not hot. The plants must love them.

I was using the weedeater when Bob called me to lunch. He was BBQing the rest of the oysters we had last night that my sister brought us from the coast. So good. Nothing like oysters and a beer.

Well, gotta get busy, ttyl

I cringe every time I think of that wet straw and heat. I remember so many times barns catching on fire due to hay and straw being too wet and smoldering into a blazing fire.
I lost a horse in one of those fires many years ago. Her name was Commander's Melody.

Really tired. Worked on computer all afternoon trying to find a place to purchase the items I used to purchase from my pharmacist who went missing. He is still gone and so I needed to do hours of research. I found the Q10 in Texas and the compound in North Jersey last week. Both are costing me much more than it had at my store but at least I have it. I am too tired to keep on searching for something cheaper. The CoEnzyme Q10 I take has Vit. A and Vit. E in it and most of them are just Q10. That is what the problem was.

Have a good evening guys and gals. Love and Hugs. JB

Golly Amanda, I feel like an under achiever! Did you supplant 51? hmmm? I think I'm going back to school for sure now!

Katiebear, I haven't planted any Papaya this year yet. I only have one tree left which I overwintered in the green house. Got to get more going soon.

Get better Linda!

JB, I know what you are talking about, but none of the strawbalers have had any of that happen that I know of. Where the bales are not stacked, but just out in a row, I don't see how or why they would catch fire. Hope not anyway. I will run it by the others and see if any of them have had or heard of a problem. One of them even did this on the roof of a building. Wonder if he burned it down, I don't think he made it past one year.

It does get real hot in the hoophouse. I open both ends and idt was still 97 this afternoon. I think the outside area might have gotten above 70. Not sure.

Hay fires are bad girl.

Welcome again Amanda, that is quite a resume.

The only law association I have is that my brother who does not speak to my sister and I is a detective for the Los Angeles County Sheriff Dept. and I used to do a lot of massage on Attorneys, judges and worked with and for many of them. My resume is not very impressive. I did massage for 16 years, never went to college. Worked at NASA for a year and a half as a dispatcher there and before that taught janitors with disabilities how to do their job at NASA. I work with the disabled again, now on work crews in the community.

My grandma was a gardener and I got the family gene for love of plants and gardens, which has been to my detrement, living in the desert in an old dry lake bed. It is coming along 8 years later though. Took about 3 years just fighting the weeds and soil, then another few fighting rabbits and gophers, then red ants attacking root balls. Fun in the wind and sun, hot and cold. There is my simple story. The end.

This has been a good day, due in part to my generous consumption of pain killers (less than the maximum allowed but more than usual).

Tony and I are still basking in having the hilltop to ourselves with Dana and Tom gone back to Washington State. Their cat Chocolate has started coming over for snacks and visits.

Scout the visiting dog seems to be really happy here. She's getting along with my four and is acting much happier than I have seen her to be in ages.

Seed pods are forming on the schotia tree. The flame tree next to it is starting to bloom and the brug which is under the flame tree has thirteen white blossoms fully open and more buds coming along.

Our weather is still nice, gradually getting warmer but still beautiful. I've been able to do two or three periods of working outside each day this week. Tony and I took time to walk around and admire our work and discuss plans. The apple tree has two apples on it and a branch that we should be able to layer in the fall. Not a big crop but they are very good and any apples in the subtropics are great. It is fun to see things start to really come together after seven years of prep work. I love that we can put down palm tree trunksand they will help keep flower seeds shaded and moist.

There isn't much seaweed on the shore yet as we haven't had much wind. Once we get a few windy days there will be piles of it on the beaches. Now that we have the trailer we should be able to collect lots.

I'm in on the weight loss contest. I agree to weigh myself Sunday but not say what it is. I know I'd be much more mobile if I dropped some of the extra weight I'm carrying.

Tony has washed dishes twice this week. My friends agree it's better to have a Tony than a husband.

I need to read up on arhat plants and start planning where to plant mine. I have about ten of them so I may plant them in several areas. I have also started more goldenberry seeds. All of the first batch died while I was in Ca. I think, like the arhats, they may do better being started outside now that it's warmer. I got 5 grams of seeds from JLHudso so I'd better get at least a few plants.

We have lots of little plants, like the pomegranate seedlings. My blueberry plants and the Hovey papaya from Logees are all doing well.

After almost a year of being lame from problems with my right foot I am really happy to be able to be moving around better and getting some of the outside work done.

Lots of plumarias are blooming. Beautiful and fragrant.

hugs, katie

I need to get me a new Tony. The one I have now doesn't wash the dishes. Hope the LL gets the machine fixed soon!!!

HellnZ - You have a wonderful resume. Mine is surely the resume of someone who still doesn't know what to do with themselves! Also someone severely in debt. I have had lots of very interesting experiences. But I am happiest/most content alone in my garden, listening to the chimes, the cedar waxwings in the mulberry tree right now, and being away from it all.

Dave just made me stand up and turn around and let everybody take a good look. :P

By the way - I have not supplanted even 45 and have some ways to go before that happens.

I enjoy your posts and getting to know everyone a little better. If I have any questions I will chime in. Till then I'll lurk and/or make self-deprecating and/or sarcastic comments throughout. :D

Goodnight all! And have a pleasant tomorrow.

A.

Well Dawn, I graduated from high school. That was the total sum of my education but I did end up with a Master' Degree in Mortgage Banking from on the job training after being one for 35+years. When I started doing mortgages, there were two. FHA and VA 30 year fixed. Then they would add a new type of loan annually. That went on close to 10 years. It did not get crazy until the late 90s and I started in the early 70s.

I stated for years we needed a loan where you did not need to verify income because so many individuals in Las Vegas lived on tip income that was not reported or only reported per IRS guidelines. I was so naive. I just did not think that they would all lie. They did not bring those buyers to me because I could and still spot a flake a mile off.

I think the weight thing would be good but I think another thread under propagation would be good. How about Propagating less waist line or something like that. I personally think we need to stick to propagating and our normal chit chat on this thread but this thread is a democracy. You all decide. I will follow.

Windy and cloudy so did not gardening today. Just did errands. Sharon.

LOL, Sharon, I cannot believe you didn't think income should be verified. You know who you sound like? Greenspan. He said, "I didn't think they would do that". Boy, you talk about naive!!

Here this guy is suppose to be so smart!!

Well, it is getting late. Found a documentary on Will Rogers where his son is playing him. Pretty good.

Nite. Jeanette

OMG, please do not do the weight thing. I was not serious. I know I may have sounded like that, but I am the world's worst with diets and I do not think I could stand another failure in my life. LOL
Cleaning lady just finished and now I am going out and deadhead the small pink lilac. It is to storm this PM and there is a lot to do between rain.
Later Lovies, JB

No diet. Let's just see if we can inspire each other to get healthier.

I just finished two hours of work in the arroyo. I am so glad to be feeling better. I have seven or eight tires ready to be planted with flowers and vegetables. I have put chunks of dry palm trunks on top of the soil in the tires to provide shade and moisture. I'm putting aloes in the spaces between the tires. Even without a lot of plants it's looking good. Tony and I spent a lot of time admiring our work. As I'm working I'm tweeking a lot of the plan and taking my time as I do not want to have to redo any more.

WWe moved a lot of the dirt that Tom had put on his property. We're like a couple of kids with a big sand pile. We're also rolling the palm logs down to where they can be used to buildup the planting beds. They are like sponges when they dry out. I cannot understand why more people don't use them for moisture conservation. I hate it when I see them burning at the dump. Some of those we've collected have been partially burned so our clothes are getting really dirty. The progress we are making is worth it.

hugs, katie

Sure do wish you would send us pictures Katie. It sounds wonderful and would like to see all the work you are doing. LIke before and afters. I always love them.

LOL JB, you sound exactly like me. I hate diets, I hate any food product that says diet on it, and I hate the connotation of diets. I will not buy stuff that says reduced, thin, etc.

I have been planting all the annuals I started from seed into containers for the deck. Boy those things take a lot of potting mix. Then I found a partial bag of chicken manure and used it too. It has been a long time since I made my own mix for containers. I used to and my plants always looked beautiful. And yes, manures, steer, chicken were always in the mix. What I really love was rabbit manure. I would kill for some of that. Maybe if I get in a place that I really like, I will get one or two rabbits.

Well, enough rambling, ttyl,

and just when I thought I joined a thread where I was the young one! lol

And??? Who specifically aced you out rj? LOL

The new young achiever Amandaesq!

Well, my neighbor with her two garden helpers delivered the Black Bamboo. So I will get it boxes and mailed, along with the cannas and rain lily bulbs.

I buried some long stems of petunias, still attached to the plant, to see if it will root. My Queen of Sheba is shooting up sprouts. Also dead headed some violas and buried those to see if they take. I transplanted about 10 violas the other day because they were where I was planting the coleus. The coleus have doubled in size in one week. I am going to plant Blue Lobelia at the feet of the coleus for protection from the heat and a pop of blue.

I was out in the landscape today pruning spent blooms off the roses, spurs on the palm trees and trying to keep ahead of the gardeners. They showed up early. The team leader asked if I ever get tired. Told him no. I told him, I am afraid to stop, because if I do, I will probably drop dead. I asked him if he got tired. He said, Yes. I told him you quit when you are done, not when you are tired. He is bringing me some seed tomorrow from a plant his mother has that is inside her home, about 7 feet tall and in full bloom. One long stalk. But he did say he was going to charge me fifty dolares. I always tease him that I am going to charge them 50 dolares whenever they want or need something.

It was cold and windy again today. Tomorrow will be 83 and that will be beautiful.

I am going to down load some photos. Then I will be back. Sharon.

Sharon, Have you seen the new black petunia? It's gorgeous! Maybe it's not new - just new to me.

A.

I tried the bi-color petunia this year even tho I was sure I wouldn't like it and am even more sure when I see one of them opening. Have not seen the black. Just in pictures.

I have seen it but I am a very sunny type of person. Black is not my thing in flowers. I love Blue. But everyone on here knows that.

I saw the one that was pink with a green outline on the outside of the bloom. I did not like it and I really did not like the price.

The first photo is a Louisiana Iris Black Gamecock. I had one and now I have close to 25. Anyone want a bulb. They are in one of the 42" x 36" pots and they stay very moist. They need moist.

This is a photo of the container with the Irises..

This is a Peace Rose. About 7 years old.

This is one of my new "Red" cactus that was a gift. I have it in a very dry area just by the driveway.

This little bird was on my Koi pond waterfall.

Last one. A finch that is in the back landscape, below the bird feeder.

Funny I asked everyone about the black and black and yellow striped new petunias too. they are way cool. So different. One day I will infuse black plants strategically in an area. I have a red house, so it would be cool with black and yellow against the red or black and white, black lavender and white. My hollyhocks are like a jungle, I must eradicate some this week. I love them but enough is enough. They are easier to kill this time of year, before the stalks get hard. Has anyone ever tried to transplant Hyacynth bean vines? I have some in odd places that I obviously did not remember what I had planted and they are in front of roses. Not a good plan. They did not go dormant all winter or die. I hate to kill them now.

Thanks, Amanda, if you thought I was younger than Sharon....heh, heh...

I have a "Dark Side Garden", but would not be happy with all "black" flowers. In fact, there are many colors in there, as some have dark leaves, and some with dark flowers. If there is no contrast, nothing will show up. I do not have any black flowers, however. The Chocolate Cosmos is my favorite, but they do not bloom a long time. They come up in late summer. The "black clover", which is not really black, but a maroon lined with lime green edges is showing their leaves now.

Tell you more later as it is late now.

Sleep well everyone...

Sharon, I would love to have a bulb of the black iris if you have extra. I am collecting Iris and hoping to live long enough to see them all bloom.

Of course with the end of the world coming tomorrow I may not be able to accomplish my lastest goals.

Do you remember last year or maybe the year before I was looking for a sweet shrub that my grandma used to send me out to cut and bring back for her to put into her pocket to smell when it got warm? Well, I thought I found it, and I bought two, one white which I had never seen before, and the rust/burgandy one which is what I was looking for. This year it bloomed and I was so excited, except, it has NO fragrance, warm or cold, and I never saw them bloom into the flowers they bloom into. As buds they look exactly what I am looking for. But, it is obviously not. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. All this time I waited for it to grow and bloom. The second picture is what I was looking for and thought I purchased.