Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #30 visit with friends...

Good Morning!

...You have no idea how special you have made me feel today.
I am walking on air. I love all the pictures in fact getting ready to print them.
Thank you all for the Birthday greetings. You have made me smile the minute I woke up.... Big big smiles going on here.

Happy birthday to Gita's Girl too!

...Took this picture today, This Lil lady and I have shared this day for 21 years now.
Geeze, "she" is getting old....giggles. but i am older then Gita's girl, hahah, i am always in the middle of something.

anyway hope you are all having as much fun as I am...now I better get something done beside smile.

Love the photo Judy...You didn't give us her name..tell her "Happy Birthday" and also Gita, "Happy Birthday" to your daughter...

My son Greg will be 40 this New Years' Day..can't believe I"D have a child that old..lol..

Now I know I sent you a birthday card..oh well, just imagine what it would say..lol..not as computer literate as all my friends here...

I was reading and everyone was commenting on Jeannine's picture and I was thinking, how did I miss it and where is it? Now I remember, we cross posted yesterday and just as I sent my post off, our power went out due to very strong winds. It was out most of the afternoon. So, like any good person who can't use Internet or watch TV, I took a nap. Power was on when I woke up.

I now remember that I was trying to access the person I cross posted with when power went out. Sorry about the eye and garden damage Jeannine.

My turn to wish Judy a happy birthday. Will look through my pictures and find a pretty posey for a pretty posey. You folks have a good day.

Ruby, did you know my name is pauze (posey)???? pronounced same way...lol...

Gee, Betty----------------and I always thought the "pauze" part of your DG name had to do with "taking a break" (which you NEVER seem to do!)......like, a pauze......(except for the "z" instead of an "s")....But--then who knows how some things are spelled in Canada???

tee....heee.....Gita

Like this picture.......If you "pauze" long enough, it will open into a beautiful, double Purple/White Datura that you now have seeds of.

Like this one.........................:o)

And see how tall/big it will grow in just ONE season? See the yardstick?

You sure have a way with flowers Gita...love the white trimmed with purple...don't think I can grow them here??? will have to check..

Interesting on the 'name', never thought of "pause" lol - I'm incorrectly named then aren't I...

Not the only one, parents/grandparents, brothers, sister..all the same..go/go/go..

Yes..gorgeous blooms Gita..
Do you have some Gomphrena there at the base?...I want to get some this year..had some a few years ago..then saw a show on TV that featured it..and now I want some more.

Betty you can grow the purple Datura here.
Just try to get the seeds Gita sent you started early. I am sure Gita would be glad to tell you when to start them and how.

A friend of mine bought a plant last year at the garden centre..for $10.00 for a small one..she saved some seeds and she is going to start some for me when she does hers.

Nice to know the correct pronunciation of your name Betty. I always thought it was pronounced like "Pause" too.
Do a lot of people who don't know think it is pronounced "pause"?

This is a photo of a yellow double Datura I had in 2003....don't remember why I didn't save the seeds..

A short tutorial on growing Daturas, since several of you got seeds from me for these plants.

Sure you can, Betty! Start your seeds inside (remember, they are a bit slow to germinate) and when the seedlings have1 or 2 sets of real leaves, transplant them in a 4" pot and keep under lights or on a very sunny windowsill. Rotate now and then for even growth.

When the weather is warm and you can put plants out, first put the 4" pots somewhere with Very filtered light for about a week. Then move them to a brighter spot and finally in full sun. Allow the Datura plants to grow to at least 5-6" in the 4" pots. By then they will have a good root system already.

Have small holes dug where you want to plant them permanently. This is important! Daturas do not like their roots "messed with" when transplanting. So--just lift them out of the 4" pots and set them, gently, into the dug holes. Firm around and water in.

At first they will look like they are not growing, but when they start--LOOK OUT! You will see a difference in size every day!
You may want to put a stake for support near the plant early, as they can really lean one way or another towards the sun.

When blooms are done, allow them to drop off naturally. If you pull them off too early by hand, you may pull off the developing seed ovary.

When you see the pods starting to ripen (they look like mini-hand grenades) keep an eye out regularly to catch them when they start to split open. If you do not do this, they can, by themselves, just pop open and spew their seeds all over the bed--which will come up next year...
As soon as the pods split open, remove the pod (with scissors--DO NOT pull!) and take all the seeds out on a paper plate and let them dry. I put mine on top of the fridge.
Label your plants--as they look very alike. Also--label your seeds--they look alike too.

ALWAYS wash your hands when you have handled any parts of a Datura as they are toxic if ingested. Same goes for Morning Glories and Moon Vine. They all belong tot hrr Nightshade family of plants.

OK! Here's what the seed pods look like when growing. Te pods on the purple one are smooth. On the yellow one they have sharp, soft spikes all over.

Here's a close up of a seed pod. This is almost "ripe". This is the yellow one--see the spikes?

OK..now yesterday when I was reading my new backyard magazine I believe their was an article showing that you take wet paper towels, lay them on a cookie sheet or similar, lay your seeds on the sheet, cover with saran leaving a little breathing opening, put in sunlight or heating light and leave them until they've germinated, then very carefully take each germinated seed and put into soil packet..what do you thing???

I will do as you say Gita with yours..I'm just wondering though, because I'll not be able to plant them much before mid May, would I start them this soon???

And here are the gathered, split open seed pods. As end of Fall gets closer, they really start popping open. One pod can have 100 some seeds in it. Plenty to share!!!

DO NOT pick seed pods if they have not split. The seeds may not be ripe and germination next year might be spotty.

I hope this has helped those of you that will be growing some Daturas for the first time.

Gita

Thanks Gita..let me know the answer to my question..if planting in May is it too early to start germination now?

Betty,

If you go to the Propagation Thread there is a lot of discussion on starting seeds by the wet paper towels/coffee filters method. I have never done it, but it seems to work very well and fas--rather than waiting for them to germinate in seed starting soil. Will try it this year to expedite things. Always learning something new!

I am not clear on what you mean by--"then very carefully take each germinated seed and put into

Interesting how your name is pronouned Betty. I would have never known that. I might have to start calling you posey. ha-ha

Gita,; such beautiful flowers. Do you have more seeds that you would like to share? Ir wouldn't mind trying them this year.

I am getting really tired and feel a nap coming on. Take care all.

Ruby

...ooops! Somehow the end of my last message got cut off. I know I wrote a lot more.....

anyway----"put into seed packets?..What do you mean by that? Do you mean germinate then and then put them in seed packets to mail out? NO!

Gosh! So much got cut off from my last post.

Starzz--Yes! Tose are Gomphrenas. I grow those and Straw Flowers just for my Pot Pourie. And the other blue ones are the tall, Blue Ageratum that self-seed like crazy. They are pretty, but a pain as they seed all over and come back with a vengeance. Last Spring I tried putting "Preen" on the bed, but it did not help.

If you want some seed, I have plenty.

Betty! If you are going to germinate them in the wet paper towels, I would wait a bit to start. Maybe end of February!

Gotta run! Gita

Sleep well Ruby...Gita, it looked like tweezers or mini scoop..they simply took one at a time and place it in a container for growing purposes..will have to get the write up out tonight and see if I've missed anything..

Wish I COULD stay home today. But I've been at work since 7 this morning. It's still a fine freezing rain out there now. I think I may leave a little early so I can be sure to get home before dark.
Stay safe everyone

Be careful Cat..nothing worse than freezing rain!

Carol, forgot in haste to say how much I loved your snowbank candle holder...

happy birthday!

not much to report here, the flowers you all posted are gorgeous..

gosh your all so busy and such.. i feel a bit stuck in the 'grind' so to speak..
must shake myself out of it!

have a good day

x

Laura, shake yourself good..lol..summer in your part of the world..do something nice for yourself..go walking on the beach, sing a song, write a song..come on gal..you can do it..we miss you..know you are not well when you are not posting daily so up and at it..tell AuntieB and friends your concerns..we're all here for you...

Parcel is a coming.....that should cheer you up!!!

Hello everyone!!

Wow, what a day I am having. LOL Between reading all the posts and d-mails and e-mails and oh my gosh...went for a short break...came back and cards on my desk...
building 86 bags, 1 big mailing I am going to be sleeping like a newborn tonight. Not to mention eating coffee cake and getting hugs...Holy cow, the tears already welling up for my ride home...so much to think on and be thankful for. Hahah, the family won't get a word in at the dinner discussion.

You all are such wonderful friends.

I have so enjoyed my day with you. All the lovely flowers...the great conversation and see how beautiful my friends are...Here that Liz, don't know what your so worried about! You are beautiful.

Ves, bummer about the puppy, well better to find out before any harm to anyone is done.

Betty, I thought your name was Pause tooo, how interesting and fun.
LOL, makes me think of a little jingle...When we visit your garden we have to play Ring around the rosey pocket full of posies ashes ashes we all fall down...Now there a picture to be had! haha, couldn't help I am just a bit giddy at the moment.

Ruby have a wonderful Nap.

Gita, Lots of great planting info.

Carol, How cool, great to see the snow candles.

Shar, OMG you really don't go to sleep, LOL our night flower!

Cat...You be careful Home. We are freezing too, it's only a wopping 7.

Dawn and Tropi...Thank you for the Birthday greeting via d-mail...was really cool.

Ok so guess who is almost done with her day...expecting snow any minute so will be leaving shortly. You are all on my mind. Smooch and big hugs to all of you.

Judy..so glad your day was special..you are a special person...

Storm here at the moment, Paul's in a meeting and probably hasn't seen the weather..just check and they have a weather warning issued for our area..so fun ride home tonight..I sound like a broken record don't I but lordy when will it stop..

Mom called awhile ago from Florida, of course had to rub in the 78 degree weather..she's not moving the best..took a fall down the church steps..then Sharon called she has a flight on Thurs. for Cuba..has pneumonia - didn't take out cancellation insurance so wonder what tonight will bring...

I truly want to go home and sleep until spring..yep spring...

Well, guess who has ice about an inch thick on her car...yep...frozen solid.

Good thing I can do with out tonight.....cause I sure am going nowhere. I did walk down to pick up my paper just a little while ago, and there is some ice on the driveway but it is mostly slush...but my car is solid!

I did say a few choice words.....but that didn't help at all.

So...JUDY, Birthday girl....have fun and be safe driving home....Cat, too...it is probably worse for you all than for me.

Just got home...

Glad all are safe!

Hard to access, so I'll just move us over...

Hey everyone I got a pkg today! A bag of Belgian chocolates and they are delicious! Thanks so much whoever my secret pal is. Another one without a postmark!!! I want to know how you guys DO that!!!! :-)

I got mine too!!! Wooo---Hooo-----Same here--FOUR stamps across--untouched by the PO stampers! Bummer! Now I have to guess like all the rest of you. But--I have 4 stamps I can soak off and use again. Yep! I DO THAT! Come and arrest me!!!!!

Well- My Secret pal sent me a lovely. small garden flag covered with beautiful birds of all kinds and a small, ceramic thingy to hang in my window or door. It had a biunch of grapes and some green leaves on it. Hmmmmmmmmm.....On the back it said: Emerson Creek Pottery, Bedford, VA 2006.

Does that mean my SP lives in VA????? Maybe???? Maybe NOT????
I shall hang both where I can look at them every day....

Thank you, Gita

Judy HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN. I hope it has been a nice one.

That dog destruction is a killer because it takes a lot to garden here anyway without the help of man's best friend to boot.

Betty my plate is too full to start the crafts at this time, and I need to take a class or real a lot about how to do it. I'd be more likely to do the paint stained glass at Michaels, at present.

Finally caught up on the thread. Jeannine I love your quilt hanging and Betty your butterflies and heron are gorgeous! Gita your daturas are amazing! Liz so glad to finally put a face with a name, you are beautiful my friend.

Sleep well my friends. Love, Rachel

P.S. Sorry Betty it wasn't morning sickness :0( I ate coleslaw which I know better than, raw cabbage and I don't get along. So I payed for it all weekend, fortunately I have a wonderful husband who takes very good care of me :0)

Judy,
Happy Birthday my friend! Here is to a wonderful year!

Gorgeous picture Rachel. Well, I just hooked up a new keyboard. I will have to get used to this one now. The one that I had been using for several months was a bit strange and took a while to get comfortable with. Hopefully this one will not be like that. Ahhhh.....seems to be coming back to me. Yippie!!!

The nap was wonderful. I slept through the evening and now am up for the night. Oh well, I feel rested, so that is all that matters. Helln, I totally understand the craft dilemma and the time that it takes. Seems that by the time I finish my household chores around here, all I want to do is sit down and rest and watch TV. Many years ago I used to latch hook rugs while watching TV or just sitting around chatting. I haven't done that for a long time.

I spoke of reupholstering the desk chair that I use every day and it is over a week later and I still haven't had the time to begin doing it. This is cleaning lady day, so maybe while she is here I can get this done. I did take the picture of it last week and will post here now. The material when new a couple of years ago was really pretty and bright. It has taken a lot of abuse over the years because this chair is a very popular place. haha

Hi Sharran, I figure that you are probably still awake. Hello to all others too. As always, I enjoy reading about your days. Gita, you are a great plant educator. You grow some beautiful things. I am glad owner of a few things that I either got at last years Mid Atlantic Gardeners Swap or what you mailed me last fall. I potted up the miniature bamboo that I got at swap and have it sitting in our dining room where it gets afternoon sun through our double french doors. It has not grown a lot, but looks to be quite healthy still.

The Angel Wing Begonia slips that you sent in the fall are doing very well and looking very healthy. It is at home in front of a solid glass door off of our living room along with lots of other plants that need a winter home. So thank you for adding to my collection.

Well ladies, gonna go and check out some other places. Take care.

Ruby

Guess yesterday with being tired after long day of fighting the weather I forgot to post the hyperlink..sorry everyone..
we're here

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/812799/