I will hope for a spring RU as well - this was so much fun! I'm glad to know there are so many others who are gardening friends from the forums and RU's past that I might get to know in the spring. The area around the pavilion might have some great new landscaping then thanks to our little additons and that will be fun as well.
Janet and Jessica - the Dr. Seuss is indeed massive - takes up lots of that bed that used to be empty (except for some weeds - and weeds don't like that shade!) I cut it back some more today, because there are two tomato plants growing on the outside edge of that bed and it was taking up their "space". The butterfly vine has little yellow flowers, so Janet - that's not the same vine. - but yours is really pretty! I'll hang on to the seed pods when they turn brown and crispy if anyone wants some.
Dave - I saved the seeds from the great tomato and red and yellow peppers. YUM! Heirloom seeds will be fun to try. Thanks so much for hosting us!
Nancy
Nov. 4th, 2006 College Station roundup pictures!
Dave,
I enjoyed your beautiful golden pepper in my salad tonight. I used Chinese Cabbage, Radishes, slivered carrots, mandarin oranges, and slivered almonds. The pepper added just the right zing to the salad!
I loved the size of it. I usually end up tossing half of a pepper because it doesn't all get used. Yours was PERFECT! I will plant the seeds and hope that mine are just as good. I've never grown any peppers before, though I use them quite a bit in my cooking.
Thank you so much for sharing your bounty with us.
Janet & Rick
Thanks Nancy. I might be interested in getting some of your seeds from your butterfly vine. But Nancy, didn't I hear you say that the butterflies DON'T like it? Or did I dream that? Inquiring minds want to know for sure! :-)
I showed the photo to Rick last night of your plant. He loved it! Can't wait for ours to get that big. :-)
Janet
Janet - that's right - I've never seen a butterfly on it. The name comes from the seedpods that truly look like a 3-D butterfly only in lime green! It's one of the few plants I keep that doesn't attract butterflies because it's so unique. Actually every year I almost forget about it until mid-summer when the little yellow flowers appear all over the place again. It's a bit invasive for the next few months, but then it dies to the ground again and I forget about it again! I'll save seeds for you if you want them for sure.
I'm glad you like the brugmansia! It took about a year for it to get established and then another 3 to get going to its full glory! I cut it back yesterday so my tomatoes would get some sun.
Dave, you were right - my tomatoes were just waiting for the right temperature and water conditions and now I have several marble sized tomatoes and the blossoms seem to be staying on as well. I'm hoping for some tomatoes in a month or so!
Nancy, that is truly an amazing brug, Congratulations!!! I suppose it does'nt die back in the winter in your zone.
Josephine.
I'd love it if you saved me some of the seeds. I'm always looking for unique and unusual plants. Sounds like the kind I like if you can forget them so easily.
I need to be thinking about downsizing the plants, at this stage, and figuring out where in the world I'm going to put them all for the winter. I don't dare bring anything into the house. I'd never remember to water it. I don't have a problem walking around with a water hose, but I've learned that me and indoor plants just don'r get along so well.
I brought home another 10 or so caterpillars from Connie's house tonight. There must be 80 or more in there right now. I should have just taken the cage to her house! HAHAHA
Janet
How are you managing to feed that many cats??
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
Ok....finally downloaded my pics from the roundup. Here I think Kay is saying 'No! No more cactus!'....lol.
UniqueTreasures sharing some of her plant bounty.
Here is Trois looking over some seeds...
I had no idea Kipper2 even knew I was taking this....lol.
Dave showing off his beautiful peppers!
Debate over who is getting the plant?
And here is the whole gang again....
Thanks for sharing your photos Kim! You can see in several just how close the parking is. So those of you who didn't come this year, take notice, it is a wonderful place to meet!!
Now beg Dave to have it again in the Spring next year! LOL!!
Great Kim!
Great pictures Kim! Thanks
Thank you Kim, you have solved a puzzle for me on picture #5. I had wondered where Ms Merae had gone and for the life of me could not picture her in mind, I know she came late and must have left early, because she wasn't there for the group picture or the prizes.
She is the girl between Dave and Floridian, if I am not mistaken.
Josephine.
Thanks for pointing that out Josephine. I have another puzzle. When we first arrived, I would have swannied that I saw several smaller children there. I worried about Penelope's edges and wanted to make sure she was hung hig enough that she wouldn't hurt the children. Yet, by the time we'd unloaded everything, I saw no children.
Did I dream that they were there? Have I lost my mind? Nevermind, don't answer that last question. I already know the answer to that one!
Janet
You are right Janet, there were children at the beginning, but I don't know who they belonged to.
Whew! Good thing I didn't dream that. :-)
Hey everyone. It is nice to see all of the pics that you all took. I had a very lovely time with all of you the short time I was there. Unfortunately, Sat morning I woke up with a stuffy head and runny nose. I went ahead and drove to CS, but by the time I got there I was pretty miserable. I stayed just about as long as I could take it and thought I better get back home and get my sick head in bed. So I did not stay long and was very disappointed that I was not feeling well.
I did bring home a lovely vitex and crinum lily from Dave and lots of great seeds and a walking hibiscus from trois. I still have the bell peppers from Dave because I am trying to wait until I have better tastebuds to actually taste them. I might have to eat them anyway before they go bad.
It was very nice to meet all of you and place faces with names. I look forward to the next RU where I can stay longer and get to know you all better. Very nice people you all are!
This message was edited Nov 8, 2006 7:19 AM
oops one more thing....bookworm, I have lots of heirloom tomato seeds that I just got in the mail right before the RU. I took them to the RU, but I don't think I was around long enough for people to know that I had stuff to trade. If you are interested I can mail you some for you to plant in the spring. :-)
Meeting everyone who came to the RU was a blast! We didn't come away w/much except some onions, lilies, walking onions, lilies and some seeds but I managed to give away my plumeria cuttings and some other cuttings. I still have some seeds but I guess I'll plant those that I can. From Dave we got two of my most
UNFAVORITE things that my DDH adores: eggplant and bell peppers which he shared w/one of our daughters and he says they are awesome. Thanks to all. We were blown away by the knowledge everyone else had on various subjects. Seems everyone had different interests and was an expert on that interest. We had a great time and even my non-gardening DDH wants to go to spring RU. A convert!!
Ann
The only small children I saw were not part of Dave's, just using the playground equipment nearby.
Thanks Trois for clearing that up.
Ann, like your husband, mine is also a convert. He really enjoyed himself and I'm sure he will be attending any future roundups with me. This is a MAJOR thing because ordinarily, if it doesn't have to do with hunting, he'd just as soon stay home. :-)
All of the cuttings and plants that we brought home are doing very well. I will plant all of the seeds as soon as I get some little containers for them. I'm already enjoying using Kipper's Bamboo poles. They look so much better than PVC pipe in my plants ! HAHA
Janet
At least PVC doesn't sprout and grow. We had a neighbor once who bought a little tiny maple tree. She went out and cut off a piece of bamboo from her plants and stuck it in the ground to tie her maple to. The maple died and the bamboo grew like mad. Of course, that won't happen w/you. I found some horse tail in my front flower bed; have no idea how it got there and it shouldn't have but I'm still pulling that stuff up. Like they say, plant if and stand back. :>))
Ann
Ann,
We've had several things show up in our yard that I know for a fact I didn't plant. I can't help but wonder if Hurricane Rita didn't drop things in the yard, and then they just took root.
Janet
Lots of folks around here ran from Rita but she was a no-show. The horse tail just appeared about a year ago and I understand it is a bog-type plant which my front bed is definitely not. I hear that y'all got some interesting flora and fauna there in Beaumont from Rita.
Ann
I can smack myself upside the head. Duh! have been feeling so bad, I am sorry I also forgot to mention that I received a very nice cherry laurel, datura and sunflower from Josephine and some great seeds from blue eyes as well. Thanks ladies, it was a pleasure to meet you.
Oh, don't worry about it, we understand you weren't feeling well, I hope the plants do well for you.
Josephine.
Plantladyhou,
Just a quick note to tell you that the picture of the "dead tree" - Hercules Club- that you have is also called Tickle Tongue or Prickly Ash. The native Indians used to call it Toothache Tree since the bark or leaves will leave a tingly sensation said to help numb a bad tooth. Can't say that I've tried it though.
We just purchased 12 acres in Corsicana (moving from Rockwall - 25 mi ea of Dallas), in fact our closing is next Tuesday; and we have about a 8 or 10 of these on the property. They are definitely something of an oddity - I'd never seen or heard of them before in the 20 years I've lived in Texas. I'm still learning so many things from this forum & realize I know very little after peeking into all the threads here from all you great gardeners. I hope to be able to attend the Spring RU and meet y'all. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Deb
Thanks, Photodeb. I was struck by the oddity of the bark. frostweed, who is an authority on Texas plants, is the one who told us about this tree. I am a native Houstonian and had never seen this tree. Right next to it was what she said was a younger and live tree where the bark at the bottom was becoming this strange configuration. She also took a leaf, crushed it and had us smell it. and told us of the anesthetic properties. A most interesting tree.
Ann
Ann and Deb, first of all I must say that I am by no means an authority on Texas native plants, I am just a person who loves to learn about them, and tries grow as many as possible. I think it is a lot of fun.
Since we are talking about the Hercules Club tree, I thought you might find this interesting.
There are four trees of the genus Zanthoxylum that are native to Texas.
http://www.wildflower2.org/NPIN/Plants/Detail.asp?Symbol=ZAHI2 This tree is endemic to Texas, and could be the one Deb is tlaking about, although I think they all have that numbing property.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ZAPA2 This one is a little smaller, but also endemic.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62606 This one is native and most likely the one we saw.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ZAFA this last one also a ntive.
They are all larval host to the Giant Swallowtail butterfly, and very much sought after by people who love to see those gorgeous creatures.
Josephine.
That 3rd one surely looks like it , Josephine. As for your not being an expert - you are the closest to being one that I know. To be able to tell at a glance what something might be is close enough for me and I can go from there. You have studied them and you are a MN so as far as I am concerned you are an expert and we appreciate you. :>))
Ann
yes! What Ann said.. ;)
Melanie ---->---@
The Texas Toothache Tree, Zanthoxylum hirsutum, grows in my general area. More of a shrub, usually, lots of thorns, but not on the main trunk like that larger one that grows east of San Antonio. Nice pics, hope to be at the spring RU, if possible.
So many great pictures and info posted since I last logged on! My 1 1/2 year old sheltie had surgery on a torn ligament on Thursday, and it's like watching a hurt toddler to keep him calm and quiet so it will heal - he feels too good for his own good! He's asleep now so I can get back to this thread!
I'm so glad to learn more about those trees we saw - Josephine do I remember you saying the hercules club was a host plant for a butterfly? I learned so much that day, I went away with swirling info in my head! I'm fascinated with native plants, and appreciate so much from those at the RU and others posting to this.
Also - I got a small pot of seedlings that I now remember to be devil's trumpets - were those from Janet? That's my only "ufo" - I wrote everything else down, but that. Help my overflowing memory, please anyone!
Merae - I'd love some heirloom tomato seeds! My celebrity tomato (not an heriloom) that did nothing from mid-July on is now bearing its first little 1" tomatoes. Wish them to hurry before it gets too cold! This schizy hot/cold weather may do it in...
Nancy
Hi Nancy!
I'm sorry to hear about your furbaby's torn ligament. I hope your Sheltie is back up to snuff extremely fast.
Dogs have so much energy. At least both of mine do. I have a rat terrier, Tink that is such a wuss over the least little thing. No matter how much she is limping for sympathy, or for real, as soon as I open the back door, she's outta there like a lightning bolt. Grace, on the other hand, is a big lab and she gracefully trots, for the most part. Very rarely do I ever see either of them moseying along.
Yes, those little devil's trumpets came from my sister, Connie aka maidentheshade (via me). I had planted a bunch of seeds in several pots thinking to thin them out when the time was right (meaning I'd figured out where to put them). I grabbed one of the started pots thinking someone else might enjoy those. The plants at Connie's are fabulous! The same plant will have both single and double ruffles. (picture below)
I still haven't figured out the perfect spot for Dr. Seuss yet, but I'm keeping a close eye on him as I re-work my front yard in my mind. He still looks great! We've had the same dull and boring shrubs out there for years. They were here when we moved in here 16 years ago. I'm so ready for a change! I've got a spot figured out for the Dr. but will have to get some things maneuvered first. I've just been waiting for it to cool off some before we begin to dig up the shrubs. Once the Dr is in place, I'll most likely surround it with those devil's trumpets, leaving plenty of space for Doc to grow. I've seen several of these around town in the past few weeks, in places I never noticed them before.
I'm not sure who had the vermiculite because Rick snagged a bag from someone while I was elsewhere occupied. I used it in the pond full of dirt that I planted my butterfly garden in. It sure came in handy! Thank you, whoever brought it. I never remember to buy it when I'm out and about. I've always loved the way my plants grow whenever I've used it in the past.
Janet
edited for spelling error I spotted just as I hit send
This message was edited Nov 14, 2006 11:00 PM
