Michelle...
Thanks so much for the info! When I was in China on a tour bus, they stopped at a well because it had been in the news just that week. Yet another little girl had been thrown into the well right after she was born. I was just heartbroken to hear it! It's so neat that y'all have decided to adopt, and I'm praying that everything will go more smoothly from now on, since you have had to deal with delays already! I'm tutoring a 9th grade Chinese girl this summer and her American name is Joy!
See you on the 10th!
Connie
June 8th Austin Nursery Tour Pics
Isn't that neat about the Empress Tree? Calvin didn't know how much he was blessing Michelle with that, but it really is so special, isn't it? Connie, I think Joy is a precious name for a girl. Watch out or Michelle is going to want to come help you tutor her and bribe her with her famous mint chocolate chip cookies. *snicker*
I am sorry I can't give you a confirmation about the 10th yet. It will be hard to tell until I come back from the holiday and see how hectic things are or are not at work.
No prob....just play it by ear! We will miss you if don't come, however!!!
Tomatoholic...what a cool story! I am part Chinese. In fact, my name is Chinese, it's meaning is in two parts..."mei" translates to "beautiful", and "yu" translates to "jade" and can also mean "pure". Daddy said he named me "pure beauty". However, I did recently find out there's like this tropical storm or something to do with bad weather, and it's called the Meiyu Front...it didn't sound like it was anything very pretty to me. My grandfather's last name was "Lin", and it translates, alone, to "Forest", and the kanji character looks like two trees. I am the youngest of the three women in my immediate family, the first being Mama, "Mei-Chen" (beautiful maiden), the second being my sister, "Mei-Ling" (eternally beautiful)...we go in alphabetical order, so they had to stop with me or name the next one "Mei-Zen" or something...haha.
I just planted an Empress Tree 3 weeks ago...hope none of my kids conceived a baby that day and I just don't know about it yet...heh...that would be a trip. Anyway, it's a good thing that they cut it down to make the furniture, because I've read that the Empress Tree only has a life-expectancy of about 20-25 years! Oh, and I'd just bought my Empress Tree right before meeting Calvin...you guys don't want to know what I paid for it!!! When Calvin told me about his seedlings, I thought I was going to die!!!
Oh, you all probably know this already, but they say not to plant it within at least 10 feet of your house cuz of the roots...apparently it's a good idea to keep it away from the plumbing too. My mom planted some Arizona Ash (horrible, ugly, messy tree that grows really fast but also has a short life-span) too close to her main plumbing line, and the plumber stuck a camera thingy in the pipes and showed me the tree roots that had busted through it. I think they make better piping nowadays, though...they say that tree roots won't break mine, but I still get worried about it.
Meiyu...what neat information! And how wonderful that you, being part Chinese, will perhaps someday get to see Merae's Chinese baby! I'm so excited about that!
No, no, not Merae's baby....Michelle's baby girl...... :-)
Meiyu,Thanks for sharing all that. I love the Chinese people ever since I went to China 4 years ago. I never met such gracious, kind, giving people in my life. So when DH and I couldn't have a baby, we both wanted to adopt from there.
I am so glad you told me to plant it at least 10' away. I didn't know that!! I'll tell DH!
Connie, are you already trying to give my daughter away to Merae? haha. LOL!
Michelle
OOPS!!! haha....just a little slip of the keys there...I knew it was going to be Michelle's baby!! Silly me...now I'll just get some rumors started like that!!!!!! ha
And...Michelle..I have a wonderful doll I bought when in China that I'll give you to start a doll collection when you get your baby!!! Actually, I bought about 5 of them....I collected them at the time.
Oh Connie! How extremely kind and gracious of you!! I have one Chinese barbie and a Chinese little people so far. How would you know that I would be collecting Chinese dolls? ;)
Just an idea...hehe...
One word of advice: Just don't go overboard. I probably invested about 3-4k in a doll collection when I had Brittany, and now my daughter does not want it! Modern girls just aren't into that...and I don't have the space to keep them out OR stored! But the Asian ones are so beautiful...if you just collect those the narrower selection will naturally keep your "habit" in check...or moreso!! :)
Oh, Connie...isn't it sad about the kids not wanting stuff like that? I only have four dolls, and they're Japanese dolls in glass cases...since I'm also part Japanese. Anyway, one is a doll that represents my mother's mother. The next three were purchased by my mother each time she went home after each grandchild...they're marvelous! But the kids don't care a bit about them. Hopefully, someday they will want them (and hopefully not because they can sell them on Ebay!), so I'm holding onto them, but there's only 3, so they don't take up much room.
Just wondering.....when do you have time to garden? You're all spending too much time e-mailing when your yards beckon......
I just returned from day trip with friends to Caldwell's in Rosenberg. Wow! 'Could have stayed there all day....but we got hot and hungry! We also ran out of room in the van. I sat in back with about 8" of foot space, every spot covered in plants.
Loved the Empress tree description.
You all have a great weekend. I hope it rains...just a little. Otherwise, I'm going to have to drive back into town just to water a bunch of pots. Sandi
hey everyone,
I've been real busy lately. and just got of work. figured I would check in and then realized the time. need to get home soon.
Tomato---- I knew about the story and am glad you discovered the meaning. Enjoy and blessing. I haven't checked your blog yet will have to try and get back online (home desktop not working) and check it out.
Everyone who I gave a tree to blessing to ya'll too. there is more to the giving than tomatoholics story. enjoy. and someday use the tree for something. :)
meiyu-- I ahve more seeds and would love to get some started for you if you want more. This offer goes to anyone reading. They won't stay fertile for to much llonger but more than willing to plant them.
WAITING, and waiting and waiting for the rain. I have had to pull almost all the veggies. jalapenos and romas and bannanna peppers are still producing, but man are they really stuggling in this heat. watering everyday just isn't cutting it. I am thinking about going into debt to get materials and built a pergola over them. I have some "lemon" cucmbers and two more varieties of tomatoes that are ready to go in the ground. the semi-shade of the pergola would really help the struggle for them in this heat. Otherwise, I lose them.
got to go wish I could keep up contact with ya'll better. take care everyone and meiyu I am really trying to find time to visit but right now it is dismal until end of july. Connie, i'm taking care of the canna for you, many of them are sprouting new growth. sorry, but getting them to you will also have to wait until late july.
take care everyone
calvin
Calvin,
Thanks for "babysitting"...see ya later
I hope everyone is having a fun and safe 4th of July Holiday weekend. America is a great place to live and I am very thankful for our independence and freedom. I pray for our nation this holiday and for those other nations that do not have the same freedoms that we have.
I wanted to share with everyone the moonvine bloom that I have today. It is overcast and has been raining off and on all day. The color is so pretty and the bloom is fantastic. Thank you so much Calvin! I am going to stake a trellis in this bed and have the moonvine creep up it.
Here is another one with more plants that are new to me this year. . The caladiums in this bed are my new favorite, they are Pink Cloud. The coleus in the shade is Festive Dance and it loves the shade.
It's so tiny and has already produced a flower... wow...think of what it will look like when much larger!
Lake trip was a "washout.'' Spending my time planting before rain hits here. Bought a vine at Caldwell's...Dalechampia....that is gorgeous. Had to look it up in Plant Files to see how much sun it needs.
Wanted to let you know that I've used Messenger on all my plants except the ferns. The yard has popped! The hibiscus' on the courtyard have huge leaves and new buds. All the plants in the back are fuller...lots of blooms and buds. I mentioned to DH that maybe it was the slight rain shower we had yesterday that greened up the beds....and then I remembered the Messenger application on the 29th. I thought it would take a couple of weeks to see results, but I'm sure it's already working. Good stuff...ordered it thru the co-op. Not recommending it...just my humble observation....
I'm curious...had the people who now use Messenger ever used Miracle Grow on their entire yard? (I buy the bottle that screw to a sprayer and hook it to my hose. It does the same for me...just makes everything grow like crazy. Hmmmm...I've ordered lots of Messenger, but am curious to see if it outperforms MG.
It isn't a substitute for fertilizer...you still have to do that on a regular basis.
Connie,
when Messenger is use, u are only suppose to barely mist the leaves, NOT dripping wet or soak, only mist. whereas MG is sprayed to point of total saturation... through dripping stage. Messenger is sparingly use... that is why it is recommended to apply only once every 2-3 mos. if i am not mistaken.
i used to use MG, but thorough research tells me MG is not organic. it has heavy accumulation of salt that will linger in ur yard for the longest time. i no longer use MG. observe ur plants, u will notice some salt build up specially on potted plants.
Messenger is use to alert the immune system of the plant to be on 'guard' from preditors that may harm ur plant. it is not a fertilizer at all! similar to people, if out immune system is weak, we easily get sick.
i am no expert but the above info is what i understand of the products. hope that help.
ma vie
Wow...guess I'll have to do more research on both products! Wonder why MG would add too much salt..or so much so that there's a buidup?
Hey there everyone...just getting online real quick cuz mama's real sick. She's been having horrible digestive problems and we had to set up the nursery monitor by her bed to be sure she won't suffocate on her own vomit during the night. I have been getting up and running downstairs every time I hear her cough or gag to suction her mucus out, so I'm sleep-deprived and exhausted, not to mention freaked out over this possibly being part of her end-stage.
So, Connie, I cannot make it on Monday...sorry for the short notice, but I don't think I'll be able to leave mama or take her anywhere anytime soon.
Calvin, yes, I would so love a couple seedlings of the empress tree if you have them. If you just have seeds, I can start them myself, you don't have to do that for me...I'm getting better at not killing things. Everything's still on the front patio, and doing fine. The canna I told you was Princess Di is actually Tropical Sunrise...sorry, I'm so bad at names and have been meaning to tell you.
MaVie, great to see you! I saw that you've been emailing, but I didn't have time to read them yet. I had to go in my mailbox to get some important emails about school loans, and was just in and out...Conor was accepted to Otis College of Fine Arts and Graphic Design, and leaving for LA next month, and Katie is starting her college freshman year, and it's been kind of stressful financially.
I was looking forward to meeting you ladies in Austin next week, and am sorry to miss it. I'm gonna have to have everyone over for lunch one day...easier for me to stick to plans that don't require leaving home or finding a qualified (and affordable) sitter.
Connie, I also wanted to let you know that unfortunately I will not be able to make it either. I was hoping that I would be able to, but work is hectic right now and it would be best for me to decline your offer. Thank you for the invitation and I hope you all have a great time....I know you will! I really am going to miss out on your key lime pie....maybe you can share your recipe with me. As you know, I love it and do not have a good recipe.
Meiyu, I am sorry to hear about your mothers declining health. I know this was something you were looking forward to and I just want you to know that I think it is very thoughtful of you to put your mother first. You are very gracious and I know that she has to appreciate you and everything you do for her.
Bigbubbles, I have to interject here to ask you: what did you say you used as mosquito control? I didn't write it down and my house is pretty miserable right now.
I use Mosquito-B-Gone (?) or Cutter's Bug Free Backyard...both have 2.5% Pyrethrium...won't harm plants, lasts about 3-4 wks. I buy which ever is cheaper at HD or Lowe's...usually about $8. for a bottle that attaches to hose....can get 2-3 sprayings out of one bottle. I aim low on the shrubs and under 'em where the mulch is. We are relatively mosquito free for 3 wks....doesn't harm butterflies, etc. Don't spray near pond. Been using it for 3 summers now. May have to apply again after a hard rain. Helps if your neighbors are doing the same.
Are you sure you don't need any cannas?????
Wow...good to hear that about the mosquito spray for the entire yard...didn't know a 'home application' product was available!
Last time I checked (that was yesterday) Red Barn still had "everything that has roots" at 50% off and pots at 25% off.
Sandi, Ampy and Michelle...do y'all still want to meet there on Monday? Have I missed anyone? Chime in if you're coming and I missed ya! I'm so sorry Meiyu, Merae, and Patrob can't come! Really was looking forward to meeting M&M! :)
A friend of mine (who is a Master Gardener in Dallas) came in and we went to Marbridge, It's About Thyme, and Pots and Plants today. I got some great portulaca at Mar. for 59cents each (!!) and 2 other plants. All their "FREE table" stuff was already gone for the day. Also got 2 Gazinias at Thyme -- they had some brown leaves so they gave them to me for one dollar each! Nothing at P&P...everything too expensive!
I'll call this weekend and see if Red B. still will have their sale on. I think so, as their inventory is running low, so can't see them going back to reg. prices anytime soon. Maybe lower???!!
Connie
I think of Ampy every time I see Cannas. LOL!
We have MAJOR mosquitos in our backyard. I spray my legs and arms with cutter's when I go outside. Little blood suckers.
I'm still on with y'all for Monday. What time? Meet at Red Barn at 9:00?
Today's RB ad in the paper still says everything 50% off.
Michelle
Yes, Michelle. Let's meet at 9:00!
Ampy, are you still coming?
Sandi?
Anyone else?
I can come....looking forward to it! Will meet you at 9 am at Red Barn.
Just got in from lake...going to neighbor's pool party tonight. Hope it sprinkles so I don't have to embarass myself in a swimsuit!
Quick question...Connie...did you plant the Cape Honeysuckle where the deer could get to them? I still haven't planted mine because I'm afraid the deer will mow them down.
Sandi
They could, as there's a little path that hasn't been fenced yet, but the deer haven't eaten it yet. It's just now blooming again and is the most vibrant orange! And Sandi...do you plan to plant it in your front or side yards? Or at the lake??
Also...I went to a pool party on the 5th of July...and of about 15 ladies there, only 2 got in the pool. One just had balloons inserted and probably wanted to show them off (and I DO mean balloons...they're HUGE!! LOL) and the other was skinny but--poor babe--had a swag curtain of fat hanging from her skinny little rear down onto each leg; looked just like a fabric drape, I swear!! It was the strangest thing I've ever seen! Ever since about the age of 30 I've only swum at NIGHT when with friends! OR, I just say I forgot my swim suit but will jump in with clothes on (and I wear something that won't ruin!! ) Everyone then dares me to jump in and or course, I oblige! Works every time! LOL
I didn't realize that Portulaca has to have FULL SUN to open the blooms! I planted it on a wall and it's in the shadow of the wall for most of the day, so I'll have to relocate, I guess! It's just open for about 2 hours, and the other times looks shriveled! And I just bought another flat of it yesterday at Marbridge bc it was a little over 50 cents a 4 inch pot!!
Planted the six Cape honeysuckle this morning along the wall on the side yard in front. Going to spray them tonight with Liquid Fence and hope the deer leave them alone....for a while. Bruce said to just leave one out as a "sacrifice" so they'd ignore the rest. Just what I need ...a comedian.
Your swimsuit story is a hoot! I have a couple of suits with "shorts" attached. We have Sea-Doos, and those shorts seem to keep the other boaters from screaming, "beached whale!!!" at me.
Will be at RB around 9. Traffic will be heavy on 360....just start shopping without me if I'm not there right at 9!
Sandi
See y 'all at 9. I guess I better get in the shower and stop fussing with my plants!!
Michelle
how di it go ladies.???????
share the prize stories.
calvin
Ohhhhh....ahhhh...we had fun! Morning started at RB. I wasn't impressed with sale prices on most stuff. Connie and I got there early to "scout." When Amy and Michelle joined us, we went into hyper mode. Guess the most 'fun' purchase was the Pride of Barbados. Poor guys had marked them wrong price. We descended like vultures. At half of marked price, the plants were too good to pass up. The four of us spent 2 1/2 hrs. shopping/buying. Then we caravaned to Connie's gorgeous home in Lakeway! Wow!!! Now I know why she buys 15 of everything! Has huge planter areas all around the gardens. Just beautiful.
On way out to Zilker to water the fern bed! Will have to add more later! It was a fun day, tho. Sorry you missed it....
Sandi....quick message on the way out the door for Lubbock....hilarious account of the RB trip!...'descended like vultures'....so true!!! And I guarded my cart like a vulture too....considering 3 people tried to 'lift' things!!
More later...
calvin, you and your dw missed out. we had so much fun. connie is a most gracious host. her house is beautiful! I had a wonderful lunch from her left overs she sent us home with. YUM.
I love my Pride of Barbados. I have not told Bryan that I bought it yet. With all the wonderful plants that Connie gave us from her "holding area", I'm going to share with Merae tonight. She was bummed to miss out!
Ampy is the only one that took a picture. We should have taken more. we were having too much fun to think of pictures. haha. lol!
Michelle
Been watching the "Yard of the Month" threads...and I thought you'd appreciate photo of our yard. Each December, for some reason, the garden club out here would plant that sign in our yard.... Who's garden looks good in Dec? Bruce reasoned it was because in Dec. no one in the club wanted the sign in their yard! I'd wind up moving it to the edge of the yard after about a week. Anyway, I think I'm off their list now.....we had a hard freeze shortly after they planted last sign. After that, everything was fried.....
