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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Plants Tend To Grow

The spring migration began a bit earlier this year in hopes of avoiding the sunscorch that damaged some of the agaves last year.  Now I'm hoping that the daily rain won't cause rot.  So, the larger agaves and aloes have made it out but there are still another half of the Danger Gardenette plants  inside and all but one of the bromeliads are still in warmer digs.  We'll see what happens.  There's still space to squeeze in some plants, the empty pots and remnants of the winter incarnation of this area will be cleared away or filled.  The plants have all grown considerably in the last three years and it's clear that there won't be room for all of them in this location anymore.  Yikes!  There may need to be a Danger Gardenette Deux.


It all started innocently enough a few years ago with a small Strobilanthes gossypinus.  Who wouldn't fall for that great foliage?   It spent one summer outside but then didn't make it out of the greenhouse last year.

I decided to move it from it's space in the greenhouse and was surprised by how much light it had been blocking.  I'll take cuttings this summer and see if they'll root and then maybe let the big plant go.  Do you have experience rooting this plant? 

The wind storm that happened shortly after it was moved wasn't kind to this fellow but nothing broke so perhaps it'll perk up when warmer weather arrives.

The puppy was small when I brought it home.

11 comments:

  1. Hopefully they’ll perk up, would make a fab big display if they do!

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  2. I'm impressed you're so far ahead. I'm thinking next weekend will be the shade pavilion greenhouse tear-down so I better get moving!!!

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  3. Wouldn't it be nice if we could tell plants when to stop growing?! I was thrilled with my "dwarf" Echium webbii last year but it's not looking like a dwarf anymore. Best wishes in propagating the Strobilanthes. It looks as though cuttings would work.

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  4. You are far ahead of me! Moving plants out to their summer homes is usually one of the last things I do before packing in the activity for the summer. I'm still moving things around out in the garden.

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  5. Doesn't matter how much we know things will grow, it is always a shock when they are suddenly too big for their locations.

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  6. Plants grow, they reproduce, the thrive or they die. Plants are an adventure. I always enjoy watching your plant adventure.

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  7. I have never even heard of this plant so I can't help you. This is one reason why I like to read your blog. You introduce me to plants I have never heard of or will grow. I would if I had a green house. I love seeing plants from everywhere. Good luck with your propagation efforts.

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  8. I think I did root a Strobilanthes once quite a long time back, and it was very easy (would have to be, if I had success).

    Your Agave collection is most excellent.

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  9. Makes me think how the only thing we can be sure of is things don't stay the same.

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  10. The nights have been too chilly up in the hills for me to move too much out just yet. I haven't propagated that Strobilanthes before, but it doesn't seem like it would be difficult. You could probably even root it in a vase!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.