Melody - Thank you so much. If possible, seeds would be better for me. I have gotten rooted cuttings, plants, etc. and they just don't make it in my yard unless they originated in Florida. I think it is the heat and the sandy soil we have here. Would it be possible to get some seeds instead. Whenever I get seeds, they do much better than plants. I think as seeds they adapt better than a plant would.
DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 7
Melody,
I also have an oregano but it looks different than yours. Is it just a run of the mill plant?
Adrienne
Mine's Greek Oregano. There's several different cultivars of the stuff for sure..it gets confusing.
I can send some dried seed heads this fall along with a small clump of roots...that way You'll be sure to get some going. This particular variety seems to do better as plants though.
I'll be more than happy to send whatever you need. It's pretty cast-iron.
Melody - Thanks! Of course I would take whatever you are willing to share in a trade. I just know that I have not had a lot of luck growing plants raised in other states. I stopped ordering mail order plants too for the same reason, except water garden plants. I can't tell ya how much money I've wasted buying plants online. :-/ I don't know if it is something I am doing wrong or the heat/climate here is such a shock to plants grown in a cooler region. I very much like the look of your Greek Oregano. Did you buy it as a plant or start it from seeds?
BTW - Glad your on high speed internet now and are joining us with all your great photos! Welcome! :-)
Becky, I got the plant at a garden center about 10 or 12 years ago as a 3" pot. I've done nothing but hack off a few clumps for trades, and mow around it to keep it reasonably contained. I used to use Roundup around the edges, but several years ago I decided to try and scale back my use of the stuff and only use it in 'emergency' situations.
It's about 8' long and 3' to 4' wide now. That's about as big as I can stand it where it is. I tilled the inside edge and planted zinnias there this spring just to keep it from creeping.
I'll be more than happy to share with you. Seeds as well as plants. I think the plants should be moved in Nov or Dec if they're going to FL. That may be part of the problem on keeping stuff alive. Let's try early winter. This stuff stays evergreen most of the winter here, so it won't be a big deal to dig a bit out then. It will be sort of dormant, but not completely. I'll collect seed heads as soon as some start to turn brown, and send them first.
It's in a rocky, clay soil that gets absolutely no care...'grow or die' is my motto for this bed. Whatever water that falls from the sky is what it gets. No mulch or fertilizer. Just dirt and rain.
Here's a shot I'm especially proud of. I worked all afternoon one day last year in 90+ heat sitting on a concrete sidewalk. I knew exactly how I wanted the shot to look...the bee just wouldn't co-operate. Honeybees love the stuff.
I'll divide off starts for anyone else that wishes to have some too...
Melody - Loved the awesome shot of the honey bee! I've been know to lay on the ground with my camera pointed up into a low tree or bush to get the shot I am wanting. My neighbors used to ask questions ..... they don't anymore! LOL! I also walk around at night with flashlight in hand in my PJs to see what's going on outside! We're talking 10 pm to 1:00 am in the morning on the weekends! LOL! I have no shame and lots of curiosity! Luckily, no one yet has called the police on me thinking I am a burglar. =:-O
You might be right about trying to grow received plants in the cooler winter months here. The heat just bakes them otherwise. The only plants I have been able to grow from DG members are plants from other folks in Florida and water plants. Though ..... I think an exception has been made with some Brug starts from DonnaB. They actually seem to be surviving and growing! I am so surprised! :-)
Yes! I would love some seeds whenever you are able to harvest some. D-mail me and I'll get the particulars from you and send you a SASBE or do a trade. However you want! Thank you so much!
My embarrassment threshold is very high...not much I won't do. Neighbors have come to expect it.
I do it for the amusement of my neighbors! There is always one "colorful" person in every neighborhood! Finally ...... "I" get to be THAT person! LOL! Now .... I have to maintain my reputation! LOL!
I know what you mean...my 'reputation' extends all over the county....I've been known to pull in a driveway of a perfect stranger and ask to take pictures of plants or trees growing in their yards.
County Deputies know that I will stop on the 4 lane and take pictures of stuff growing along the road...they know my car. They just honk, wave, and keep going.
ROTFLMBO, Melody! I can't say that the deputies here know me ...... yet! LOL!
Ahhh, 'Grasshoppah'...so many tings to teach you......
Wow! A lot has happened on this thread in 2 days! Becky- I want to thank you for the Julia info-- Maybe I need to get that book you mentioned. Anyway, I had 2 Julias in the yard today and I believe this may be a male. Please look at my zebra LW & BST photos (on their respective threads) also. They were all taken today.
This message was edited Jul 4, 2007 8:36 PM
Here are some more shots of the same one.
Nice pictures, snuzer. : )
Becky, I'm just the opposite with trading. If I get a plant from another state, it takes off.
If I get seeds from somebody, they usually don't do good. I think I stare at them to much. lol : )
~Lucy
Wonderful photos, Sue! Looks like you've had a lot of visitors lately! Lucky you! :-) It looks like you are correct that your Julia is a male by his markings on the wings! Good call! I highly recommend the "Florida Butterfly Gardening" book by Marc and Maria Minno. It's an excellent reference guide for Florida butterflies. It's my favorite book! :-)
Lucy - Seeds DO take a LOT longer to grow than plants! LOL! Staring at them doesn't make them grow faster. ..... LOL! I tried that, but it didn't work for me either! LOL!
I put plants on my patio (shaded) or plant after they've been gradually introduced to the sun and area I am putting them. In about a week or two .... they are dead. I've tried everything. I really think it's the shock of the intense heat here. The temps here in my yard are high. I can't even garden but for a short while during the day because I'm afraid I'll get heat stroke. It's really that bad!
Recently, I have gotten better with my germination. I've been using a damp coffee filter in a baggie. A couple of times I left them a day or so too long, and had to plant part of the filter with the seed. Worked tho. LOL : )
I'm going to have to try that method sometime. Everyone has used it at one time or another except me. I don't know why I haven't. I've heard it is great for germinating seeds! Thanks for reminding me to try it, Lucy! :-)
Just make sure you put the baggies where you will see them everyday, or you will be like me.... & forget them. : )
ROFL! I guess it's kinda like having toliet paper hanging out of your plants/seedlings! LOL!
Wow Melody!
I am very impressed with your butterfly pics, and very glad to see you here sharing them with all of us... Seems like you have a good handle on IDing them too. That is a significant work your doing particularly with the Skippers. I agree, so hard to ID. They still present quite a challenge to me. Bless you on that endeavor!!! Keep us posted on your discoveries!
:-D
LOL Lily~ You're in good company.. We are found in our gardens all times day and night doing something weird..
Snuzer! I love your Julia....
I had loads of Pearl Crescents on the A. tuberosa blooms yesterday.
Had a female Tiger ST in the yard for hours yesterday... And guess what, she missed the male visit earlier in the day. She was only interested in nectaring, and not ovipositing. Hopefully when she returns, (and she will), she might lay some eggs.
Here on Vitex>
She was really digging on the A. incarnata too..
And Hyssop........ (Agastache rugosa)
Still having computer probs, can only stay on a short time If I want to shut it down properly. I am loving all you guy's pics and everything. Will post when I can! LOL Becky funny you mention toilet paper... that works well for germinating in the baggies too, it doesn't get too tangled with the seedlings because it dissolves better.
:-Deb
I am soooo jealous! Y'all are seeing and capturing in photos some WONDERFUL butterflies! Just beautiful!!! Nothing much here at all. Except lots of birds, squirrels, and mice. LOL! Few butterflies. (sigh)
Deb - So sorry to hear of your computer woes! I hope it's not spyware or a virus clogging your computer! Been there ...... NO FUN to fix! Grrrrrrr.....
Thank you Becky,
I knew you'd understand..:-). I got your card Tuesday..What a thoughtful thing to do!!! I still can't wipe the smile you gave me off my face.. (((Beckaroo)))
If this thread gets over a hundred posts and I'm not here, you are welcome to start a new page? I think it does help people whose pages take more time to load. Hey~ in fall and winter WE are the ones who will be jealous of YOU sistah!...LOL
:-Deb
Becky, it's too hot for us and the butterflies. I just got home and walked around my yard to check on things. I had to look at something after staring at spreadsheets all day. I did manage to find a couple of duskywings enjoying the blanket flowers. They really seem to prefer those the most.
Here's the other duskywing. The pic came out blurry, but I think this one was a little darker than the other guy.
And one of my little hairstreak friends. I think their eyes look like the "Gray" aliens. I love watching them sit and rub their wings. I saw another bf today; I think it was a type of swallowtail. I've got one that keeps flying the same general path between my yard, the neighbor behind me, and the neighbor next to me. I've ran after it a few times, but it's too hot for that.
I think that the Hairstreak is a Red-Banded Hairstreak...Calycopis cecrops. Not 100% but it sure does look alot like it.
Wow! Those eyes!
My one this morning...
Snowberry Clearwing Moth
I just had this gorgeous GF eclose yesterday, the colors were so deep and strong I think she was amazing.
Here she is;
Another shot, she just sat there and i couldn't resist.
those pictures are absolutely gorgeous!!
Thank you Lily, aren't they all beautiful?
Those are the MOST BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF A GF I'VE SEEN!
TS
I don't know the name of this one. I need to get a book.
One more I don't know
