My husband and I have a 'highrise greenhouse' going in our apartment on Haro Street.
My plant 'midwifery' began a few years ago when I successfully grew a lotus plant from one of those marble-sized, impervious seeds. It was enchanting [mind-blowing, really] to be able to observe the emergence of this green lifeform throughout the course of a DAY. The plant really took off--short of flowering, however--courtesy of one of my felines--which is just as well since this is the plant [Nelumbo nucifera] whose leaves can reach nearly 2-ft across---need I say more?
If I ever have a house with a real garden and a small body of water, I'll grow the Sacred Lotus again. In the meantime, as a consequence of that experience, I've purchased seed from online vendors all over the planet and have a massive number of seeds that might not see the light of day until either I give/trade them away or am able to build my dream greenhouse. The seeds are mainly, although not entirely, for rare, exotic, flowering perennials.
If any of you are neighbors who are even vaguely interested in adopting some 'treelets': various citrus, apple [organic granny smith), one litchi tree, and misc other things that I'm bringing to 'late-childhood/early-adolescence', please drop me a note.
any downtown vancouver residents here? close-by?
Gosh, blue_cherry, I wish I was a neighbour.... sounds facinating!
Sandy
I live across from Nelson Park and have a little garden. You might want to get on the list for the community gardens and get a plot. I have about 30 lbs of locally harvested palm seed if ya want some of that - also many seedlings in the yard. Do you have a porch/balcony? Somewhere I remember lotus seed in Egyptian tombs that germinated after being in there for a very long time.
Hi Blue Cherry . You are the third Cdn. in two days that I've not met before. What bliss, to live in Vancouver, although I prefer Victoria actually. Vancouver is too big for me. YYJ is just about the right size, as is Winnipeg YWG.
A lotus. That really is exciting. Sad that your kitty got it. Only thing I've ever really grown like that is a mango.
inanda
Hi Blue Cherry,
I don't live in Vancouver, but I get there from time to time as my daughter lives in the Commercial Drive area. I'll see if she's interested in treelets. Hope you have success with a lotus in the future.
Ann
Can I say hello here, I lived near Vancouver for almost 30 years ,seemed like yeasterday I left but actually 6 years ago ,so I popped in for a taste of home, is that Ok,I am new to the site and feel very lost right now it is so big.
XX Jeannine
Hello Jeannine,
and WELCOME! I'm also somewhat new to this online community, but I jumped right in. I'm interested in so many different types of plants, and since I do a lot of research--particularly on the plants I intend to grow from seed--I've encountered a number of contradictory accounts of:
the characteristics of certain plants--the amount of light they need--hardiness, etc.---so, when push comes to shove, I experiment quite a bit with the seeds I plant--have many flourish--lose some--and learn a tremendous amount altogether from hands-on experience. I love the forums, which comprise discussion groups on specific plants as well as more generalized stuff. I've had many questions answered by community members, and I've learned some things valuable enough to incorporate into my everyday work with plants.
I also love the Garden Watchdog; I've found new locations for purchasing specific plants and seeds--more great information sources---and a heightened awareness of which online vendors to avoid.
On another topic, since you left Vancouver, have you been back to visit? and, do you have any favourite plants?
Regards,
April
Hi Jeannine, and welcome to our small corner of this wonderful online community! The best way to get going here is to just, as April did, jump right in. The people at Dave's Garden are a friendly bunch who welcome newcomers with ease, and are more than willing to help you navigate the site when you don't know where to find what you need. All you gotta do is ask :-)
--Ginny
Hi, thank you for the welcome, it is a bit homey now.
No I haven't been back yet, I think I would stay!!
We lived in Burnaby, just before we left,but at times in Coquitlam and Mapleridge.
Always had a trailer at Birch Bay, so I miss the clamming.
Favourite plants, well it has to be veggies, I am not much good with flowers, and faves among them has to be squash and tomatoes, closely followed by beans.
I have a very unhealthy addiction to seeds!!!!
I still have most sent from Canada or the US. I sure miss Mary at Territorial..
Love Commercial Drive, we used to shop for all out Italian stuff there,.
Our garden here is very tiny, like a postage stamp, unbelievably small actually so we have about 1/4 acre or so in community gardens, we do just fine.
Gosh it is good to talk about Vancouver etc.
We left in September of 2000, always wanted to retire here, my husband took early retirement and so we did it, big mistake, we have never settled, we keep saying we will come back but it is getting less likely all the time now, it is a heck of a move.
Are you flower growers?
Your balcony sound wonderful, but I am afraid it would not have done so well with me. It is funny really, perhaps I am more of a farmer than a gardener!!!
Thank you for the chat, lovely to meet you all.
XX Jeannine
Here's a sunset in English Bay, Vancouver for ya.
Thank you, you are so sweet. XX Jeannine
Please note, I have changed my name from Maisiefairfield to JeannineAnne, still me though
XX Jeannine
Hello and Welcome: If you ever get a chance to see Glen Patterson's garden at the foot (Coal Harbour foot) of Jervis, do! He moved it from his West Vancouver property to a rooftop! Wonderful story.