lol calvin...I'm with ya on the rock/pickaxe thing... I live near Helotes outside of 1604 and Braun ...and ya may as well rent a nuclear powered subterranean super rock o' blaster from the Home Depotmater then get thru to about 4 inches of ground. But alas, thats the price I pay to live here.... but it isn't so bad. Ok, well............its sort of bad... lol
lol Linda...I have to admit....I've driven around with a shovel a time or two myself....esp. out in the brush country. You definitely have to pick the right time of the year for such activities down that way ...either a hunter will rearrange your hairdo for you....or it'll be so crispy hot, that you'll hallucinate and think that your truck is a caliche boulder...lol I didn't do that, mind you.....just popped out of my head, lol. ;)
San Antonio area Plant Swap
Ok . . . before I start my 'official trade list' . . . I'd like to mention a few things I have readily available and see if anyone is interested / needing any of these before I pot them or take cuttings that no one will use.
To start with . . . for potting:
I have a huge ol' wash tub that's overgrown with Aloe Vera that I'm needing to do something with at least 5-6 of these. The larger ones have bloomed the last few years, so they're proven bloomers. They could be put into the gallon size containers. There are also lots of offshoots from these. (available for the 3" pots - for those not wanting large containers)
For cuttings . . .
I have a few Gold Star Esperanzas that I've already got cuttings from and will be potting 4-5 of these today into small containers. I could easily get more if needed.
I've already taken a few cuttings from my Mona Lavander and have them in dirt now . . . should have 5-6 of these ready to go.
I've got a few seedlings started from my Mexican Bird of Paradise and a couple of softwood cuttings that seem to be taking root just fine so far . . . should have 4-5 of these ready to go.
I also have those Mexican Petunias (purple flowers) that I posted on the ID section last week. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/625450/ Those are pretty much fool-proof and will start themselves by placing a cutting in dirt. I could bring some of those if anyone wants some?
Oh and the other one I put on the ID section . . . the Texas Chenille aka Cardinal's Feather. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/625292/ Those grow wild in my fields and I've been able to successfully transplant 3 into pots so far. I'm sure I could get more.
Lemme see . . . what else? ummm besides the bucket of rocks and sack of grass burrs I have for TxT . . . I also have that "owiie plant" http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/620044/ that I can get a starter piece of and some of that thorn-less prickly pear that's easy to start. I've got some Sweet Potato plants and a Butterfly Bush that I can take cuttings from also. Also have some African Blue Basil cuttings started . . . and I'm sure I have more stuff that can be rooted in plenty of time.
I just need to know if there are any interest in any of these before I take cuttings and start my Trade List I guess.
Let me know here or via D-Mail if you want any of the above.
GD, the Mexican Bird of Paradise you ar taking about, is it this one?
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2120/index.html
If not I would like to have one please, as well as the Cardinal's Feather.
I do have some of the Dessert Bird of Paradise like the one in the link that I can give you.
Josephine.
GD, ohh you have lots I don't have any of.
Would love one or two of the following
mexican petunia
gold star esperanzas
mexican bird paradise
cardinal feather
Mona Lavender
Now for me. I know I have the following.
Pecan trees (anywhere from 1ft to 8ft) (those long tailed fake rats have been giving me volunteers).
Maximilian Sunflower, Hellianthus maximiliani. ( just about as many as anyone wants) (When I cut them down last year we made sure all the seeds went to the ground and now I have a hege of them!)
fennel (both seed and plants)
chocolate mint
banana plant (2 babies so far)
lemon grass
zebra grass
oatgrass
white detura (grows wild at my place)
If someone can teach me how to take cuttings and get them to grow (none I have ever tried did anything) I can have
frostweed
turks cap
american beautyberry
rockrose
purple butterfly bush
lantana (yellow, purple, carnival)
pink primrose
stevia
lavender
rosemary
tyme
and probably a lot more.
Things I would like to have
Western Ironweed, Vernonia baldwinii
West Texas Mist Flower (Eupatorium greggii)
any Cuphea's
any phlox's
Rangoon Creeper
any Detura except plain white (I have)
any salvia's
This message was edited Jul 18, 2006 2:58 PM
This is what I do.
I use a soil mix for rooting plants that I or my husband blend at home.
2 parts cheap regular potting soil
2 parts peat moss
1 part perlite
This makes a very loose but water retentive soil that works great for rooting cuttings.
Take the cuttings from not too soft a growth, they should have some substance, it it is too soft it might not root.
The cuttings should have two or three leaf nodes, remove the leaves from the lower leaf nodes and from the second if it has three. If the top leaves are large you might want to cut those in half, if not leave them as they are.
Be sure that your cutting will have at least one set of leaf nodes in the soil.
I use the small styrofoam cups because they are deeper and also take less soil than the square ones.
Fill the cups to 1/4 inch of the top and water well. Insert your cuttings and water well again making sure to wet the cuttings leaves.
Put them in total shade, and water every day, if windy and extremely hot twice a day, do not let them dry out.
In two or three weeks they shoud be rooted, depending on the plant.
Well I hope that helps, let me know how it works out.
Josephine.
Hey, my SA friends! I just perused this thread and am excited for you about the Plant Exchange in the fall!!
I'll be deep into my academic year of teaching when you have the meeting, but if the date/time correspond with my DH being out of town, I would love to attend--sans plants probably. If I have any, I would just bring to give away.
I'll continue to watch the thread to see what's going on, if that's okay with y'all.
Connie
Welcome Connie,
It should be on a weekend so hopefully you will be off to come. No one HAS to bring plants. Come and get to know the people and hopefully learn something new.
Hi Frostweed . . . In looking at the Desert Bird of Paradise, it appears to be a very close relative to the one I have called Mexican Bird of Paradise, Mexican Poinciana (Caesalpinia mexicana) - http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57631/index.html - have a look and see what you think. The main difference I see is the color of the blooms. On the ones I have they are more red and orange with bits of yellow, than mostly yellow.
However, there are a few photos on the page with mine that are also mostly yellow. And . . . my mom recently went to a local nursery and asked for the same - Mexican Bird of Paradise - and purchased two plants. She got them home and when I was helping her plant them, I noticed the little ribbon tag on them said "Pride of Barbados" http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2247/index.html . . . and they also look the same to me. So I'm not so sure they are not one in the same. Maybe there are slight differences but her "Pride of Barbados" blooms haven't opened yet, so I can't tell.
Either way, if you want some that bloom a red-orange color to go with your yellow ones, you're welcome to them :)
lol Renatelynne . . . would that be small pots or large ya want these in? :D lol@ tree rats :)) That's what a friend of mine always calls them.
Oh and I've got a few Salvia's also the red ones. Red Hot Sally's I think they're called. I'm guessing they should be easy to take cuttings from. Here's the link to the ones I have . . .
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59127/index.htm
For cuttings, I use about the same basic mix and process as Frostweed. About the only thing I do different is (and it may not be necessary but may speed the rooting process a little?) . . . I dip the cutting in a rooting hormone up to the first cut off nodes and I use one of those little starter trays with a clear (dome) lid to start them in. I keep it indoors the first few days, especially this time of year, and I use one of those cheap florescent lights like you get at HD. I keep in a few inches over them and on 24 hours a day. For the first week, I open the cover and mist them a few times a day, since they don't have roots yet. Most of the simpler types will have a few roots by then so they are taken out and the others left in until they take root. I check for roots by lightly tugging on them to see if they offer any resistance.
According to what I've read, the 24 hour light part makes the plant think it's "grow season" and so they send out new growth and roots faster under those conditions. Just how much faster? I'm not sure, but it works for me. :) Oh and I understand that the humidity inside the dome helps the cuttings "drink" better than being in open air.
Heya Connie . . . hope ya make it down . . . I may bring a painting or two to show ya (in person) if ya do, so let us know.
Oh and one more thing . . . the plants I have for "trade" don't have to be a trade thing. I'm not sure I have room for much else around here - maybe a few things, but most of my shadey spots are taken . . . lol
So what ever I have and can manage to bring along . . . ya'll are welcome to. I just need to get a basic idea of who wants what so I make sure and bring enough to go around.
Here's a pic of the last batch I took . . . several Esperanzas, a couple of Basils, an Impatient, a Mexican Bush Sage and a few others. That was over a week ago and all are doing fine. Some have been removed and the others are about ready to come out.
Oh . . .is anyone growing any of those pretty "Blue Mirror" Delphiniums? I could find a spot for a couple of those. If not, no biggie . . . I lost mine earlier this year and was thinking of ordering a few more online.
I'd love to come if the date works out. I'm in the middle of the state and am used to traveling a couple of hours to go anywhere. I'm planning to make the Dallas RU and swap on Sunday, Oct. 8, and Dave's RU in College Station on Sat.,Nov. 4.
I am so ready for fall as it feels as if we had had summer for months already. I know it's just getting started!
GD, thanks. I love your salvia, I would love the smaller the better... I am in the hill country of rocks here!
Anyone is welcome to my plants too, especially the pecans, any oaks and sunflowers. I have PLENTY in the right places and a huge amount in the wrong places. Eventually all the ones in the wrong places will be dug up or cut down.
oh and I forgot to mention. if you don't wanna type renatelynne just use my nick name "nada" Hey! I know what it means here in Texas... I can't help my Mom wanted a different name and the name she chose was Renate (german name) and the nick name for that is Nata but it has been shorted to nada (and my Mom now calls me nana) which is real fun when shopping with her when she yells my name! *giggle Now that you know more than you ever wanted to know about my name!! *giggle progress.......
lol arite Nada it is . . . ok I'll see about starting a couple of those lil red rascals for ya this week. Looks like things are start'n to come together nicely . . . I'll start make'n my official list in a few days and post it for "requests/reserves" when I get it done.
GD you are very generous. could you save/hold onto a bird of paradise for me.? There are others I would like but am really trying to come up with plants that I can share too, so I only ask for the bird.
calvin
Nada...okay! Well, could you possibly save a chocolate mint and a lemon grass for me? Don't know exactly what I'll bring. Right now, I know have a couple of little Hop Trees, a White Mistflower, a Fendler's Bladderpod, Redbuds, Flame Acanthus, Mountain Mint, one Gayfeather and a Big Red Sage. I do have some Eupatorium greggi growing and could try to pot one up and see if it does okay. And I have a Damianita that I potted up not long ago...so far it's doing okay. Not the easiest plant to move, but sometimes it works out okay.
Ok . . . I got ya down for a Mexican BoP nivlac. I guess I'll start putting name tags on the pots so I can keep them straight . . . lol
GD can you put me down for a Mexican BOP too? and would you like one of the
Dessret BOP ?
Sure thing Frostweed . . . Thanks and I'll add the BOP to the pair of Cardinal Feathers I have for ya. btw - they're still look'n just fine, so I think they are going to be ok in pots.
Well goodness....here I work all day and ya'll are busy as all get out...lol
Hmm...I'll take an inventory of what I have as well and let ya'll know. I have alot of different salvias...since it is one of my favorites. My Texas Bird of Paradise has quite a few seed pods on it...I'll try to see if I can get some started.
lol, now GD and I have had this conversation before about whether a Texas Bird of Paradise is the same as a Mexican Bird of Paradise. And is a Mexican Bird of Paradise actually a Pride of Barbados?? My TBOP has the full yellow blooms...with red stamens...no orange at all.
Oh, I have some seeds from a white orchid tree too...Phew, I'll have to go snoopin' around in my rock gardens and make a list. :)
lol @ my rocks and grass burrs. Well, I reckon I can round up some skunk weed and mistletoe for ya, GD...lol...AND I have a beyooootiful china berry tree that has your name right on it...lol :D
This is just lookin' to be a fun and interesting time for all... :D
Wow.. those yellow with red centers are COOL... I want one of those please? Will have to keep it on the deck so the deer don't eat it... I don't think it is on the deer respect it list
lol @ china berry trees . . . now TxT . . . ya know full well I've got more of those than the wind can blow down already . . . I guess I can find a place on the wood pile for another one :D lol
Yeah I'm still corn'fuzzled at the whole BOP/Barbados thang . . . I think they're a bunch of inbreds . . . prolly from Arkansas if the truth be known :D
GD, Think I could get a couple of esperanzas?
Shore wood preciateit!
I've got a lot of stuff growing right now. I'll go out tomorrow and write down all that I've started....'course by the weekend I could have more. Its a sickness, I tell you. Is there a Plants Anonymous?
lol dogmansis, its REAL addictive..I feel like I definitely need an intervention... "Hello, my name is TxT...and I grow flowers." lol... ;)
Now all of these possible cuttings and seeds, etc is lookin' mighty exciting...the sad thing is, I don't have the room...lol... Sooo...I'm either going to have to start my bed expansion REAL early before Spring, or..............well....start eyeballing a neighbors garden..lol.. What is a gardener to do? ---->--->---@
I'll see if I can get some seed pods dried out and planted...renatelynne...I'm sort of new to this idea of growing things from seeds...always a "cutting" sort of person...but we'll see. Folks here seem to have some sure fire methods of getting things going. :) And there definitely seems to be alot of interest in the BOP.
I'm definitely going to try the little styrofoam cup thingy that frostweed suggested. :)
I have a feeling TxT is going to be rearranging her back fence to include a chunk of that crispy cow pasture pretty soon :D lol
Heya Frostweed, I was just wondering about your Texas Stars, they are so pretty. If you think they'd be ok down here in this heat and if they are easy enough to take cuttings from, I'd rather give one or two of them a try than the Desert BoP, if it's all the same to you?
No problem Dogmansis . . . I'll put your name on a couple of Esperanzas.
Anyone else wanna get in a request early?
Yes of course, I will have some for you, I also have seed, if anyone needs it.
We are talking about Texas Star hibiscus, Hibiscus coccineus, in case people are wondering.
My hibiscus died last year :( it didn't like me...
My Tx Star tried to grow last year but the dad-gum rabbits wouldn't let it get going. Thought for sure that was the last I'd seen of it....but this spring, it grew again! Sorry,nada, I guess mine liked me afterall!
Ok great . . . thanks Frostweed :)
You may have to give me some expert grow'n instructions for those ya know ;)
lolol GD...I didn't tell ya...but beyond the crispy cow pasture is a small wildlife sanctuary that harbors abused and neglected wildlife like wolves, large cats, etc. Tho we've lived out here for a year and a half...I'd never heard a peep out of it...since its about 2 miles away. Well...as I was perusing my now-crispy back yard...I started hearing a male lion bellowing his head off...lol...Never even heard my faithful pack of coyotes tonight..lol
But umm...back to plants and such.. :) GD, would ya mind setting an esperanza aside for me if ya have a few more that need spoken for? Ohh....and a chenille plant tambien.. :D Annnd if ya have any left...would ya be able to let a butterfly bush cutting go? That deep purple (royal red?) is beautiful.. (I feel like I'm goin' down my grocery list, lol)
I'll see if I can get a few fairy dusters growing from seed as well...if anyone wants one... :) My mother plant is shooting seeds out right and left.. lol I'm off of work for the next 2 days and plan on doing LOTS of yard work...I'll get a better idea then...
Please, please, raising my hand for a Prairie Duster, I need that very much.
Josephine.
txt... I know that sanctuary... I necked one night in their parking lot *giggle
TxT:
Interesting that you mentioned the sancturary! I saw a place in SA like that on the AnimalPlanet's Houston Animal Cops show. They had to send some wild cats there. I'd never even heard about it until rencently! How neat!
It is in the news every time it floods around here... the poor cats don't like swimming in a lake!
lol frostweed...one fairy duster comin' up...I'll keep my fingers crossed that I get some seeds going.. :) Its one of my favorite additions to the rock garden. Just a quiet unassuming little thorny bush with those wonderful pink pom poms... :)
lolol @ parking lot nekkin'.... :o Now that's interesting...lol
Hmmm, Tir_, it must be the same place...its a wee place...but a pretty important destination for these rescued animals...
TxT . . . ok I added a Royal Red and a Gold Star to your list of rocks and grass burrs :D
And . . . no ya didn't tell me about that wildlife place :P guess you were skert I'd bring my camera out there and make ya pose with the lions and tigers and bears - oh my! lol ;)
Am I the only one that didn't know it was even out there? And here I just volunteered to do a painting of a Cheetah for a fund raiser that a wildlife sanctuary up in Nevada is have'n next month. I may have to looking to doing something to help out the local one as well? I know how expensive it can be to feed large animals and of course vet / medical bills add up even faster! Do they have a web site that you know of? I'll have to contact them and see if they are doing any fund raisers any time soon.
lol Nada . . . hmmmmm . . . I'm not even gonna ask :))
GD, good idea...here are the 2 wild animal shelters that I'm aware of in the general area. I added the horse shelter also, although not necessarily wild animals there. Not many people know about it, but it's not too far from where I live, out in the boonies here. All these do amazing work and can use all the help they can get...they can probably use volunteers or money...especially money.
http://www.wildanimalorphanage.org/
http://www.wildlife-rescue.org/
http://www.horsegazette.com/bdhr.html
Thanks for the link to the Wild Animal Orphanage, Linda. I drive by there every now and then, since its a back way to 1604...and seems to be quite an unassuming place from the front. I definitely didn't know that they have 112 acres...but again, you only get to see the front. Its probably even closer to me then 2 miles...so all of that bellowin' that I THOUGHT was the old bull in the crispy cow pasture, was probably the lion that I heard the other night, lol. It just went on and on...and I'm sure that my roosting red tail hawks probably had a surprised look on their faces, lol. I know I did! :o
lol @ grass burrs and rocks. And here you've gone and hurt my feelings because you don't want any of my mistletoe and skunk weed, lol. How about crab grass? Or those weird little sticky weeds that stick to your big brother's shirt when he isn't lookin'...lol :D
Because it looks like the Cibolo Nature Center isn't having anything special going on during the times we have narrowed down for the swap... I'm giving out two choices... We can either go to the Nature Center and just look around or we can go to one or both of the nurseries here in town.
Boerne Barkley Nursery 32450 Ih 10 W, and Hill Country African Violets and Nursery just about opposite side of street
Please let me know which you would be more interested in.
Also DATE for our swap/RU I agree that July Aug is just too hot and waiting until sept/oct will give some of us that are just now learning, time to get cuttings and seedlings going. Plus a LOT of the flowers will have set seed by that time and people can bring just the seed to trade.
I've narrowed it down to two weekends.. (still need to know if sat or sunday btw)...
Sept 23-24 or
Oct 14-15
also let me know which of these is better for you so we can finalize the date..
thanks all
nada
Oh and in case it has gotten lost in all the posts... The swap/RU will be at my house on my deck. There we can leave all the pots if we decide to go shopping (with a station wagon and a truck at my place we can carry anything) and go in mass and then come back if we need.
nada,
Well then, I'll go first ..lol.. I'll raise my hand for the Oct. 14th-15th date myself..
lol..since I'm sitting here thinking about lunch...I was wondering...would we all go to a big ole restaraunt or bring a lunch, etc? Or would time even allow for a meal? Since GD was thoughtful enough to invite about a hundred and fifty people over to his place for bbq'd hog and a load of free rocks....lol...I was wonderin' if maybe a trip to Rudy's would be a possible idea? And another thing, I think I'm going to wear a "Hello, my name is....." tag. lol... :D