Japanese Aucuba Cutting, Transplanted

After months of growing in a round water-filled bottle, the Japanese aucuba cutting that I transplanted into its own container appears to be taking to its new home.
I’d let this cutting’s roots grow a bit longer so they were actually conforming to the shape of the bottle. But I’m confident that the long, strong roots will [...]

Fruit Tree Propagation: Update

After nearly two weeks, I’m sorry to report that my attempt to propagate a Nagami kumquat tree from a sapling’s sucker was unsuccessful. I’ve read how difficult it is to attempt this, but felt I had to try.
Undaunted, when either of my two kumquat trees is more mature and freely fruiting, I’ll try to propagate [...]

Nagami Kumquat Tree: Propagation

Opportunities abound! Each initial seeming gardening “disaster” is an opportunity for me to learn and potentially expand my gardening universe! I recently planted my 2 Nagami kumquat tree into the ground. Today was unexpectedly very windy, and a sucker or shoot growing from the side of one of these trees snapped off.
Normally, suckers are removed since they can [...]

Dragon Tree Cutting, Rooting!

This is one of my dragon tree cuttings, in a petite 5-gallon container. Click on the photo and look at the bottom, slightly left of center – you’ll notice a very healthy root! This cutting was taken nearly one year ago. The wait was definitely worth it. The only care I provide it is water it [...]

Japanese Aucuba: Cutting Has New Leaves!

In late September of last year, I took a cutting from my Japanese aucuba plant and placed it in a small bottle of tap water, hoping it would root (nothing else added but TLC). It’s been almost 7 months later and now is forming new leaves at the base. I’ve done nothing with it yet, but will be transferring it [...]

Christmas Kalanchoe: Trio of Loveliness!

In one container, I have three Christmas kalanchoe in bloom: white and red, in the typical four-petal form, and the multi-petaled lighter red one (the blurry ones on the right), with layers of petals. Regarding the multi-petalled ones, when I got them from the store, each of the flowers looked like they were very tightly closed [...]

Succulents: From Seed!

As mentioned in my previous post, I will be installing a succulent garden in my backyard. It’s in its embryonic stage, but during my course of investigating ways to create such a garden without chopping up all of my existing succulents and to do it on the cheap, I found a website, based in Canada, [...]

Succulent: Fan Aloe!

Also known as Aloe plicatilis, this stunning succulent native of South Africa was gifted to me a few years ago, purchased at a yard sale! Apparently, I’ve got to go on the yard sale circuit myself if beauties like this can be found! Click on the image to see the absolutely gorgeous details! I am [...]

Pink Breath of Heaven, Rescued!

A lovely shrub, native of South Africa, I rescued two of these plants from the clearance bin. It’s been nearly a year and they’re both still alive, with one thriving a bit better than the other. Click on the photo on the far right to get a better view of the very pretty small pink flowers! [...]

Fuchsia Revelation and Identification

My fuchsia flowers have made their debut, with more en route, I am happy to report! But now, I’m in the middle of a mystery: Just exactly which fuchsia is this? I’ve attached two photos. In the first is one of the flowers that has bloomed and looks clean and neat: white sepals with the faintest [...]