Phaedra's 2023 Adventure

[Phaedra]

Bonsai from a home-propagated chrysanthemum

 

[flowerbug]

Bonsai from a home-propagated chrysanthemum
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are mums perennial enough to be bonsai? i don't ever bring them inside to know.

 

[Phaedra]

are mums perennial enough to be bonsai? i don't ever bring them inside to know.

I don't know yet, but this variety survived well in the cold greenhouse. I guess, it has a good chance to be perennialized.

No idea how well it can adapt to the Bonsai conditions, it's an amazing existence. Let's see.

 

[ducks4you]

OMG, I have two that I have kept going for several years. I REALLY need to get the window planter outside and take a picture.
ONLY freeze and frost will kill them. They can be over watered, underwatered, full sun, partial sun--they don't care.
I AM talking about the annual, Pelargonium, and not the hardy variety. Sorry, I like THESE flowers better!

 

[Phaedra]

The first harvest of mints and sages - they will become one major item I will sell in the small shop. Customers can choose the herbs they want and have a freshly-brew herbal tea.

The next targets to pick from our garden are Lilac flowers and nettles shoots.

The overwintered pansies and their young generations. I will certainly dig them out after another one or two weeks and treat them as wonderful volunteer plants of the year. Well, there are at least a dozen of them.

It's so nice to have many fresh greens to enjoy at this time of the year.

Purple pak choi seems happy about the current weather - warm and wet.

The very first bud of the rose I propagated later year from a cutting - as a common practice, I pinched it to preserve the energy from flowering. I am willing to wait for another year until she becomes a robust plant.

Finally, a Honey and Milk loaf with Ram-soaked raisins

Crispy outside and fluffy soft inside, so wonderful!

 

[Phaedra]

It's a lovely Sunday!

I aim to clean up this flower bed area and change the potted plants from Hyacinths to Dahlias today.

The Hyacinths looked pretty spent, and Dahlia tubers were ready. As there won't be frost from now on, it's the right time for transplanting Dahlias tubers that have develop quicker and better in the past few weeks.

To my surprise (huge surprise), there are so many earthworms in each pot. I went to the tool shed and brought a fancy birthday gift I have never used till now - an apartment for earthworms.

After all pots were done, I also 'harvested' at least 150 earthworms - totally good enough to start such an apartment for them.

I put the apartment in the hoop tunnel, so even if they escape, they just rejoin nature.

I also used these containers to create a temporary residence for Hyacinths to die back. It's great to find another purpose for those milk bottles.

The Rhododendron is ready to blossom soon, and Dahlias can well enjoy and prepare at this west-facing space.

 

[Phaedra]

Captain's Log, Stardate 76834.4.

This is to record my ongoing missions to explore the Bonsai Galaxy. I have traveled through the Rhododendron Nebula and finally reached a star system that is home to various beautiful Azaleas. We aim to free and transform four imprisoned Azalea plants into independent bonsai trees. The plants were being held in captivity on a remote planet, and I had to navigate through a series of obstacles and challenges to liberate them.

The Azaleas are now under my care after an overnight rescue.

Transforming them into beautiful bonsai trees will be a testament to their strength and resilience. However, this is not an easy task, as properly trimming their roots and giving them new shapes requires patience, great care, and skill. Nevertheless, I am committed to seeing this mission through to the end.

As I work on shaping these plants, I am reminded of the fragility of life in the universe. Unfortunately, two of the Azalea branches were broken during the rescue mission, and I feel a sense of regret for the loss. However, I will do my best to ensure that the remaining Azaleas are cared for with the utmost respect and attention to detail. The broken branches will be preserved for further propagation study.

Transforming these Azaleas into bonsai trees is not just a mission objective but also a chance for personal growth. The process requires patience, attention, and a steady hand. But the rewards of seeing these once-imprisoned plants thrive in their newfound freedom are immeasurable. Successfully creating four azalea bonsai samples for further study is a testament to our efforts, and this hands-on experience will be useful for future adventures. I look forward to sharing my findings with my colleagues. Captain out.

And yes, I am a Trekkie.

 

[baymule]

I love it!

 

[digitS']

Trekkie

"Basic human needs: that there is a tomorrow — it's not all going to be over with a big flash and a bomb; that the human race is improving; that we have things to be proud of as humans." ~ Gene Roddenberry

 

[Dahlia]

Another two weeks of cold weather are waiting, but there are so many lovely signals everywhere.

One of the normal garden geraniums I propagated last year - is ready to blossom.
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Bleeding hearts that I transplanted in the ground last year - I didn't expect to see them again after such a cold winter. But they are coming back.
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Echinacea/coneflowers that I grew from seeds are also coming back.
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Scallions - re-growing from the discounted ingredients we bought at the discounter.
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Overwintered Chili plants - they stayed indoors (unheated room) all the time. I moved them into the living room and let them stay with the seedlings. The side shoots grow again with the growing light and proper temperature (about 20~21 degrees C).
I guess I will do the same this year for other chili varieties I will grow.
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Peas for shoots - I pinched them and have them as salad greens in my sandwich.
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Annual rose pruning and using the cuttings for propagation - I love my bottle domes!
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I love your idea of putting the peas on your sandwich! Yummy! I adore vegetables!