tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626597408263347602024-03-13T14:52:56.630-07:00Growing SteadyUrban homesteader meets compulsive plant collector.Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-38021286876583235492018-06-21T14:57:00.003-07:002018-06-21T15:00:55.773-07:00The 7th Annual Normandy Park Garden Festival!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wz5228_VhWk/WywcmbF7fGI/AAAAAAAAGsU/wXHFSaRGhl0K6hUtCl0I8tLhUURQLu7qwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-21%2Bat%2B2.45.31%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wz5228_VhWk/WywcmbF7fGI/AAAAAAAAGsU/wXHFSaRGhl0K6hUtCl0I8tLhUURQLu7qwCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-21%2Bat%2B2.45.31%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The 7th annual Normandy Park Garden Festival & Plant Sale is fast approaching! Our special guest speaker this year is moss guru <a href="https://twitter.com/happenstantials" target="_blank">Chance Justbe</a>. He will be demoing how to create kokedamas, aka hanging moss planters. These beautiful and functional sphere-shaped containers will spice up any corner of the garden. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">As always, we'll be serving a free lunch at high noon and selling lots of amazing plants.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We'd once again like to thank <a href="https://fa.ml.com/washington/seattle/jhsgroup/" target="_blank">Teresa Savage,</a> CRPC, for sponsoring this event and being an all-around amazing person. If you have any questions pertaining to retirement, she will be there and will be happy to discuss them with you!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Date: Saturday, July 7th, 2018</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Schedule:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">11am - Plant sale & gardens open</span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">High noon - Lunch is served</span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">1pm - Chance Justbe's talk</span></span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">3pm - Plant sale ends</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Please park at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=marvista+park&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7-Y6r4OXbAhVWHTQIHbF1CisQ_AUICigB" target="_blank">Marvista Park </a>and follow the signs to the festival from there!</span></span></span><br />
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-30748114422605226692017-06-30T10:18:00.002-07:002017-06-30T10:23:06.897-07:00The 6th Annual Normandy Park Garden Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_Ds1m0083U/WVaIMGnet5I/AAAAAAAAGeM/J7l7MxE4naM7lQVtfaf2cu4Jg4mfiS3iACLcBGAs/s1600/Garden-Festival-Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="500" height="382" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_Ds1m0083U/WVaIMGnet5I/AAAAAAAAGeM/J7l7MxE4naM7lQVtfaf2cu4Jg4mfiS3iACLcBGAs/s640/Garden-Festival-Sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The barbecue is firing on all gas cylinders once again for the 6th annual Normandy Park Garden Festival on Saturday, July 8th, 2017! None other than world-renowned plantsman Sean Hogan will be our keynote speaker talking about his favorite plants to grow in our quasi-Mediterranean climate. Invite your friends and neighbors, bring the kids, and clear some space in your trunk for some of Sean's irresistible plant selections.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">It's 100% free - see ya'll there! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">BIG thank you to Teresa Savage, CRPC Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. for helping sponsor this event!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">Date: Saturday, July 8th, 2017</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">Schedule:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">11am - Plant sale & gardens open</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">High noon - Lunch is served</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">1pm - Sean Hogan's talk</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">3pm - Plant sale ends</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">Please park at Marvista Park and follow the signs to the festival from there!</span><br><br>Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com1Marvista Park, 19990 4th Ave SW, Normandy Park, WA 98166, USA47.423755 -122.3397638000000125.448524 -163.6483578 69.398986000000008 -81.031169800000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-88708050236566974882016-07-24T13:24:00.000-07:002017-07-27T23:22:16.330-07:00There is no tour on July 31st!!!The post about the garden tour was for LAST year - sorry for the confusion! The NHS Meet the Board tour this year is on Sunday, August 13th, 2017. <a href="http://www.northwesthort.org/membership/">Join NHS</a> for more info!Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-33385884088343024192016-07-06T10:50:00.002-07:002016-07-06T10:50:51.513-07:00The 5th Annual Normandy Park Garden Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBgLucYeSBY/V31ELehQtSI/AAAAAAAAGPs/OuChO6_AR-QEL00YxQu-MrQ_JJ_PupcYACLcB/s1600/13415429_10210142263858911_7042655368311618487_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBgLucYeSBY/V31ELehQtSI/AAAAAAAAGPs/OuChO6_AR-QEL00YxQu-MrQ_JJ_PupcYACLcB/s640/13415429_10210142263858911_7042655368311618487_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">It's happening! The 5th annual Normandy Park Garden Festival will be held on Saturday, July 9th from 11-3 in the Galicic garden. Stop by and tour the gardens & plant sale all while nibbling on a crowd-sourced lunch way better than what you would probably be eating otherwise. We scaled things down a bit this year with no garden talk, but everything else is firing on all cylindars! Free as always. Hope to see you there!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">Note: If you're going to be driving here, please park on the WEST side of the street (our friendly neighborhood officer loves to ticket law-breaking savages who park on the sidewalk). You can also park at Marvista Park and follow the ample signage to the festival from there.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.76px;">For questions, please contact Justin Galicic at <a href="mailto:jgalicic@gmail.com">jgalicic@gmail.com</a>. See you there!</span>Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-68021344446282626102016-01-03T12:28:00.003-08:002016-01-03T12:39:59.185-08:00Life in the AmazonWalking down to Pike Place Market a few weeks ago, I noticed they finally took the fencing down from the first building in the new Amazon mega campus. So I took a little stroll through. Their selection of plants had me salivating.<br />
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My first thought was someone who really likes Dan Hinkley designed the landscaping. I later found out that he was hired as a consultant for the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vYQWPfnZSg/VolvR79nqdI/AAAAAAAAGHM/sh2YDeqIo1w/s1600/IMG_5819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vYQWPfnZSg/VolvR79nqdI/AAAAAAAAGHM/sh2YDeqIo1w/s640/IMG_5819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like <i>Holboellia coriacea</i>, <i>Beesia deltophylla</i>, and <i>Adiantum venustum</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NOX9V01ID6A/Vol9qfgVJAI/AAAAAAAAGIk/dlt7JWrFFc8/s1600/IMG_5821%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NOX9V01ID6A/Vol9qfgVJAI/AAAAAAAAGIk/dlt7JWrFFc8/s640/IMG_5821%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Holboellia vine, located directly in front of a heat exhaust vent, was already strutting its fragrant flowers.</td></tr>
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There were lots of nooks and crannies filled with interesting plants. Because of the towering canopy of the skycrapers, all of the plants here are adapted for shade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUBDl6CWihI/Volw2ke5DlI/AAAAAAAAGHY/5xeHldbHC4w/s1600/IMG_5810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUBDl6CWihI/Volw2ke5DlI/AAAAAAAAGHY/5xeHldbHC4w/s640/IMG_5810.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks like Disporopsis, Disporum, and Beesia. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztSNe3lJQEE/Vol2wmKqinI/AAAAAAAAGHo/MEoob7Mq8rU/s1600/IMG_5812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztSNe3lJQEE/Vol2wmKqinI/AAAAAAAAGHo/MEoob7Mq8rU/s640/IMG_5812.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evergreen hydrangea relative <i>Dichroa febrifuga</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxpvnesoUQw/Vol-j98MrMI/AAAAAAAAGIw/8ixjlPTrxKE/s1600/IMG_5820%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxpvnesoUQw/Vol-j98MrMI/AAAAAAAAGIw/8ixjlPTrxKE/s640/IMG_5820%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Dichroa febrifuga's</i> metallic-purple berries</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4QlfuXgSU8/Vol7jHryEcI/AAAAAAAAGIY/_RveYtq2rSE/s1600/IMG_5807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4QlfuXgSU8/Vol7jHryEcI/AAAAAAAAGIY/_RveYtq2rSE/s640/IMG_5807.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Can't wait to see how these plants naturalize together</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a doggie toilet!</td></tr>
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I can't say it's all good. I want to like this plant's blackness but seeing it here finally made me realize it's just not black enough to qualify as a black plant. I guess it's still slightly better than an azalea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YTRbbqvJpk/Vol5JkXWBwI/AAAAAAAAGIA/S7e69C7uKZg/s1600/IMG_5636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5YTRbbqvJpk/Vol5JkXWBwI/AAAAAAAAGIA/S7e69C7uKZg/s640/IMG_5636.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coprosma</i> 'Black Cloud'</td></tr>
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Just across the street, construction is well underway for the greenhouse that will house more tropical plants. I have been told that some plants that are outgrowing the conservatory at the Rhododendron Species Garden in Federal Way will move here. At the rate it's going I'd say they should be done with it by summer.<br />
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<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-87127077836523907172015-08-20T14:00:00.001-07:002015-08-20T14:04:18.966-07:00Apparently we can grow watermelons!<div>
If you live in Miami, Los Angeles, or Phoenix, you probably don't care that us Seattle folk just celebrated our <a href="https://twitter.com/summerminutes" target="_blank">13,232nd minute</a> of 80° (26.6°C) temps or higher this summer. Well it's a big deal to us and this being our hottest summer ever in the Pacific Northwest, I can finally say that I have successfully grown watermelons:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watermelon 'Sunshine'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4A_L6edWB5A/VdYy1D_8qBI/AAAAAAAAGA8/eCcCn7w1-iE/s1600/IMG_5141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4A_L6edWB5A/VdYy1D_8qBI/AAAAAAAAGA8/eCcCn7w1-iE/s640/IMG_5141.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The watermelon vines love basking up the heat stored in the rocks I made for them.</td></tr>
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And cantaloupes and eggplants too:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cantaloupe 'Sarah's Choice' & Eggplant "Little Fingers'</td></tr>
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This is a practically instant castor bean forest. There will be plenty of seeds to share!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ricinus communis</i> 'Carmencita'</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-QaGf4qSVo/VdYyy9zkznI/AAAAAAAAGAk/56PlumPuuZY/s1600/IMG_5139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-QaGf4qSVo/VdYyy9zkznI/AAAAAAAAGAk/56PlumPuuZY/s640/IMG_5139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was floored to see <i>Gloriosa rothschildiana</i> come back to life. It didn't pop up out of the ground until mid-June but it has been making up for lost time, completely devouring this magnolia tree.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gloriosa rothschildiana</i></td></tr>
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Another unlikely survivor is this Alocasia. It was planted in the ground last summer and left for dead when winter came. It obviously thought differently.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmuqdLCqedg/VdYy29czy4I/AAAAAAAAGBY/q7ZDGdIZFzM/s1600/IMG_5147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmuqdLCqedg/VdYy29czy4I/AAAAAAAAGBY/q7ZDGdIZFzM/s640/IMG_5147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alocasia (unknown species)</td></tr>
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Our peach tree has produced about 80 pounds of peaches - the most ever. This one is a cultivar named 'Frost' which doesn't have the most spectacular taste but makes up for it by being resistant to peach leaf curl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmSivLA-jJQ/VdYy3RCUIuI/AAAAAAAAGBo/z6gZ8E0X4ow/s1600/IMG_5152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dmSivLA-jJQ/VdYy3RCUIuI/AAAAAAAAGBo/z6gZ8E0X4ow/s640/IMG_5152.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach 'Frost'</td></tr>
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We're lucky to see crape myrtles bloom in September around here in a normal year but this year they're a month ahead of schedule. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRam0ipKIdI/VdYy4KRj2_I/AAAAAAAAGB0/WmsW3M1ITSU/s1600/IMG_5158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRam0ipKIdI/VdYy4KRj2_I/AAAAAAAAGB0/WmsW3M1ITSU/s640/IMG_5158.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown crape myrtle & Rose 'Just Joey'</td></tr>
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As are the grapes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8PaYipn7hQ/VdYy4mni_KI/AAAAAAAAGCE/RgNWNuamPUY/s1600/IMG_5160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8PaYipn7hQ/VdYy4mni_KI/AAAAAAAAGCE/RgNWNuamPUY/s640/IMG_5160.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Lakemont' seedless grape</td></tr>
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I guess it's a good sign if the fish are always begging for food.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcddfhEAo-k/VdYy7SkTkbI/AAAAAAAAGCc/x6lSTQ68ckk/s1600/IMG_5167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcddfhEAo-k/VdYy7SkTkbI/AAAAAAAAGCc/x6lSTQ68ckk/s640/IMG_5167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading! I'll do my best to not go more than three months before the next post.<br />
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-4997842402770823052015-05-04T23:38:00.000-07:002015-05-04T23:38:07.073-07:00Rock On!Real is pretty much always better than fake, but when it comes to rocks, there's just something about an artificial rock that I find fascinating. Armed with some mortar mix and a few how-to videos off YouTube, I set out to create a few of my own.<br />
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Here is the before shot:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrzgWkWunTg/VUhMOLGx6sI/AAAAAAAAF7E/jquYFdtJDEg/s1600/IMG_4073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrzgWkWunTg/VUhMOLGx6sI/AAAAAAAAF7E/jquYFdtJDEg/s640/IMG_4073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 1: I planned to create five rocks total, and wanted a nice balance of tall and short. So I bent 3/8" thick rebar with my foot into the shape I wanted and wrapped some 1/4" hardware cloth around the rebar skeleton. I secured the hardware cloth to the rebar with wire in as many places as I could to help rigidify the hardware cloth. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raeTlV9qz8k/VUhMVrgu2yI/AAAAAAAAF7c/ePQcJuBAJrg/s1600/IMG_4110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raeTlV9qz8k/VUhMVrgu2yI/AAAAAAAAF7c/ePQcJuBAJrg/s640/IMG_4110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 2: There are a few keys to getting a fake rock to look like the real thing. The first is the shape. Rocks are usually very angular. Maybe it broke off from a bigger piece of rock and has slowly eroded over time to round off its corners. Whatever its story might be, it has to look like it has been sitting around for at least a few thousand years.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NdeSRSbsIs/VUhMY94sKNI/AAAAAAAAF7o/xIsgZOvG7Ao/s1600/IMG_4112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NdeSRSbsIs/VUhMY94sKNI/AAAAAAAAF7o/xIsgZOvG7Ao/s640/IMG_4112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 3: I experimented with different mortar mixes. This mixture in the photo below is a 3:2 mix of Portland cement to Lane Mountain sand. It hardened into a very dense material that was completely smooth and rock-like.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YldxyUBMlMY/VUhMcxqIjxI/AAAAAAAAF74/JzgvnRNYuJw/s1600/IMG_4130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YldxyUBMlMY/VUhMcxqIjxI/AAAAAAAAF74/JzgvnRNYuJw/s640/IMG_4130.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Step 4: I wanted the rocks to be orange, brown, and grey in order to match the brick pathway surrounding them. I knew it was important to vary the color of each rock while maintaining a cohesive palate. In each batch of mortar mix I made, I put in different amounts of color so that no two batches would be exactly the same. This is still the first coat (aka "scratch coat") but some of it is going to show through.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nI6FZRcPA3Y/VUhMZFWAhLI/AAAAAAAAF7s/T7jqCnbBDUY/s1600/IMG_4116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nI6FZRcPA3Y/VUhMZFWAhLI/AAAAAAAAF7s/T7jqCnbBDUY/s640/IMG_4116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Step 5: Most of the rocks I made are hollow, but I found a great way to hide the scraps of paver stones left over from making the pathway. No one will ever know!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVO18qRj1EI/VUhMdbD62EI/AAAAAAAAF78/nYPDwXCo5cI/s1600/IMG_4123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVO18qRj1EI/VUhMdbD62EI/AAAAAAAAF78/nYPDwXCo5cI/s640/IMG_4123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 6: After allowing the scratch coat to dry, I applied the second and final coat. Then I took some crumpled up aluminum foil and pressed it against the surface of the rock to texturize it. I let it dry for a few hours until the cement had the consistency of packed sand, and then took a paintbrush and brushed over the entire rock. At this point the cement is at the perfect stage for making cracks, dents, and crevices and then eroding it away with the paintbrush. Basically it's just a matter of messing with it until it looks like a real rock.<br />
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Here is the final picture before I started getting carried away adding plants:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht_UKwtfsYE/VUhMggyNj2I/AAAAAAAAF8I/n2RKXGDL9jQ/s1600/IMG_4141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht_UKwtfsYE/VUhMggyNj2I/AAAAAAAAF8I/n2RKXGDL9jQ/s640/IMG_4141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now these heat-loving plants have a new little slice of paradise to call home.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjXtJmfq-54/VUhMg3tb-0I/AAAAAAAAF8M/WxhZWJWoh2Y/s1600/IMG_4157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjXtJmfq-54/VUhMg3tb-0I/AAAAAAAAF8M/WxhZWJWoh2Y/s640/IMG_4157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So now you want to create your own rock, right? Let me know how it goes! The total cost was around $200, or about $40 per rock. Definitely cheaper than buying a real rock - which would also include renting a backhoe to move it into position. The time it took was around 15 hours total or 3 hours per rock. I am sure if I were to do this again I could do it in 10 hours now that I know what I am doing.<br />
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Here are the materials I used:<br />
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Tools:<br />
- Wheelbarrow for mixing<br />
- Rubber gloves (wet cement is caustic)<br />
- Shovel for mixing<br />
- Small bucket to hold mortar mix when applying it<br />
- Triangular trowel to apply the mortar mix to the hardware fabric<br />
- Aluminum foil<br />
- Paint brushes with different sizes and thicknesses<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
- 4'x3/8" rebar poles<br />
- 1/4" hardware fabric<br />
- Mortar mix<br />
- Water<br />
- Cement color<br />
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Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-8694615804919982932015-02-26T00:00:00.001-08:002015-04-14T20:13:32.134-07:00The 2015 Northwest Flower & Garden Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The timing of the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in mid-February coincides perfectly with the capitulation of winter. The endless arrays of flowers are always a sight to see, but the richness of the show for me is in its fresh ideas.</div>
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West Seattle Nursery repurposed left over Christmas trees by slicing up their trunks and drilling holes to create mason bee huts.</div>
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If you look closely, just about everything was made from sliced up Christmas trees. This dwarf peach is awesome.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noTBm4Z854s/VO7APsMmZdI/AAAAAAAAF4E/YP0xFKH7wDg/s1600/IMG_3459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noTBm4Z854s/VO7APsMmZdI/AAAAAAAAF4E/YP0xFKH7wDg/s1600/IMG_3459.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have a thing for hardy palm trees, unfortunately these were a little out of my price range.</div>
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Riz Reye's display on the skybridge was probably the only display in the entire show that was completely practical. <br />
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Just add dressing!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9MGEC3TOVo/VO7ACkAjg7I/AAAAAAAAF3Q/bfMPG0Cyyp4/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9MGEC3TOVo/VO7ACkAjg7I/AAAAAAAAF3Q/bfMPG0Cyyp4/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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Most things were not so practical.</div>
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Wouldn't it be awesome if the moon was really that big?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeAudTBeqKs/VO7ASO09-_I/AAAAAAAAF4Q/KhlwBmWaE3o/s1600/IMG_3461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeAudTBeqKs/VO7ASO09-_I/AAAAAAAAF4Q/KhlwBmWaE3o/s1600/IMG_3461.jpg" height="640" width="362" /></a></div>
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This Chinese art dealer had some really interesting stuff at pretty reasonable prices.</div>
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I would have bought this if I didn't already have 4,000 other half-hardy cacti in pots that need to be brought in during the winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bccSKjLS6J4/VO7AVapvfvI/AAAAAAAAF4c/UmI85DhOrJc/s1600/IMG_3469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bccSKjLS6J4/VO7AVapvfvI/AAAAAAAAF4c/UmI85DhOrJc/s1600/IMG_3469.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Euphorbia grandicornis</i> </td></tr>
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Finally perhaps this is a bit of a rorschach test - what's the first thing you think of when you see these glass art figures? If you see sarracenias and podophyllums, you're probably a true plant geek.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yp6jL9zlWLU/VO7AKmwN_4I/AAAAAAAAF3s/t3mpVZTRYsc/s1600/IMG_3451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yp6jL9zlWLU/VO7AKmwN_4I/AAAAAAAAF3s/t3mpVZTRYsc/s1600/IMG_3451.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-88988009840591924512015-01-11T17:36:00.003-08:002015-02-04T20:23:41.509-08:00The Mad Propagationist, Part 1Before the discovery of heat mats, the gardening year for me would end in October and start up again in March. The only horticulturally stimulating thing that ever really happened during winter was venturing outside during the occasional arctic blast to wrap Christmas lights and blankets around some of the more subtropical plants (not fun).<br />
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Now that I'm armed with a greenhouse and a propagation station in the garage, the gardening year never ends.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8m78VMWsv0k/VKYV53i5ywI/AAAAAAAAF1w/6MM1gtuEoFc/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8m78VMWsv0k/VKYV53i5ywI/AAAAAAAAF1w/6MM1gtuEoFc/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The propagation station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To create my pocket-sized propagation paradise, I put a 48"x20.5" heat mat from <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-Seed-Propagating-Seedling-Heat-Mat-VSEEDMAT48/203357026" target="_blank">Home Depot</a> on the workbench in the garage and hung two fluorescent light fixtures 24" above the mat. Each fixture has four light tubes producing 2600 lumens of light for a grand total of 20,800 lumens. I have the lights on a timer so they are on for exactly 12 hours a day. I also have the heat mat plugged in to an ordinary lamp dimmer so I can adjust the temperature as needed. <br />
<br />
The great thing about having this station in the garage as opposed to a greenhouse is slugs & bugs can't find it. It is also very helpful in rooting cuttings and starting seedlings because the air temperature is in the 45-60 degree range while the root temperature is in the 60-75 degree range. Because the root temperature is about 10-20 degrees warmer than the air temperature, the plants focus on developing strong root systems and don't get too tall or floppy. Let's take a look at what I have growing here at the moment:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A3Ke525fhs/VKYbMWR5QRI/AAAAAAAAF2A/qXThh_5-shs/s1600/IMG_3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A3Ke525fhs/VKYbMWR5QRI/AAAAAAAAF2A/qXThh_5-shs/s1600/IMG_3175.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ensete ventricosum</i> 'Maurelii' pups resprouting from the base</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Al1UaKWQQk/VKYUbOMDk2I/AAAAAAAAF1M/7qK3UOb5K88/s1600/IMG_2982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Al1UaKWQQk/VKYUbOMDk2I/AAAAAAAAF1M/7qK3UOb5K88/s1600/IMG_2982.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooted leaf cutting of an unknown begonia (From Steve Hootman at the RSBG), rooted <i>Fuchsia</i> 'Hawkshead' cutting, and a <i>Beschorneria yuccoides </i>seedling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YWtJ5ZmofE/VKYUa2zwbWI/AAAAAAAAF1E/U7OVx_CPtZk/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YWtJ5ZmofE/VKYUa2zwbWI/AAAAAAAAF1E/U7OVx_CPtZk/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bulbules & roots forming on the leaf of <i>Eucomis</i> 'Rhode Island Red'</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Learning how to propagate plants is really all about failing upward. This sweet bay cutting was taken way back in September 2013<b> </b>(15 months ago) yet has still refused to root! Four out of the 30 or so cuttings that I originally took are still alive after going 15 months without having any roots whatsoever (most of the others rooted within a few months). This one even produced four new leaves in the meantime. Plants are amazing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuN6a_uWo94/VKYUcQbBTbI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/rN5VbIZKVQI/s1600/IMG_3123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FuN6a_uWo94/VKYUcQbBTbI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/rN5VbIZKVQI/s1600/IMG_3123.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stubborn<i> Laurus nobilis</i> cutting</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I have also taken some hardwood cuttings outside. Here, are <i>Deutzia</i> 'Pink-A-Boo' branches that are about to be mostly buried in a pot of peat moss, left and forgotten about for three months, and then hopefully rooted to become new clones of the original. I've also taken some hardwood cuttings from willow, grape, and fig branches.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6QS6O8u7fk/VKYUbIOgFxI/AAAAAAAAF1I/hzBd4b5gEsU/s1600/IMG_2951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6QS6O8u7fk/VKYUbIOgFxI/AAAAAAAAF1I/hzBd4b5gEsU/s1600/IMG_2951.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deutzia</i> 'Pink-A-Boo' branches</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Plant propagation takes a lot of patience and diligence but is at the same time endlessly rewarding even for the average gardener who isn't interested starting their own nursery. Stay tuned to see what else is being replicated in the greenhouse...</div>
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-90039153053677273982014-11-28T17:25:00.000-08:002014-11-28T17:25:05.568-08:00Awesome Plants from Northern VietnamTwo of the tallest mountains in Vietnam - Fansipan and Y Tý - host some of the most amazing plants capable of being grown in temperate zones. Plant explorers Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones from Crûg Farm Plants in Wales, U.K. regularly visit these two mountains in order to hunt for seed and introduce them into cultivation. The bad news is they cannot ship to the U.S. so some of these plants are several years away from being even remotely obtainable. <br />
<br />
During their visit to Seattle last month, they shared with us some of their seed collections. Each plant listed below is either linked to a post about it on their website or a Google search if no post exists. Many of their collections are new to science which means they aren't going to have much of an Internet presence, but that is all the more reason to find them and grow them!<br />
<br />
Fansipan<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=off&q=Dendropanax+cf.+trifidus" target="_blank">Dendropanax cf. trifidus</a><br />
<a href="https://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/?pid=11178" target="_blank">Chirita speciosa 'Crûg Cornetto'</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Illicium+merrillianum&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb" target="_blank">Illicium merrillianum</a><br />
<a href="http://www.crug-farm.co.uk/daphniphyllum_aff_longeracemosum_bswj11788-142.aspx?showsignin=1" target="_blank">Daphniphyllum longeracemosum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=ltxKVPHcKISyyASpn4LoCg&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Schizophragma+cf.+integrifolia" target="_blank">Schizophragma cf. intergrifolia</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Magnolia+crassifolia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Magnolia crassifolia </a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Magnolia+sapaensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Magnolia sapaensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Arisaema+petelotii" target="_blank">Arisaema petelotii</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Aesculus+wangii" target="_blank">Aesculus wangii</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Zanthoxylum+planispinum&safe=off&hl=en&biw=1004&bih=1015&site=imghp&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=EhV5VJCTIs_loASi-4GYDA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&dpr=1" target="_blank">Zanthoxylum planispinum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Clematis+fasciculiflora" target="_blank">Clematis fasciculiflora</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Hedychium+aff.+tengchongense" target="_blank">Hedychium aff. tengchongense</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Hedychium+urophyllum" target="_blank">Hedychium urophyllum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Hedychium+forrestii" target="_blank">Hedychium forrestii</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Magnolia+insignis" target="_blank">Magnolia insignis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Exbucklandia+tonkinensis" target="_blank">Exbucklandia tonkinensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=MhV5VNebIcrpoATCroHgDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Edgeworthia+gardneri" target="_blank">Edgeworthia gardneri</a><br />
<a href="https://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/?pid=11722" target="_blank">Betula insignis subsp. fansipanensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lindera+angustifolia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Lindera angustifolia</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lindera+angustifolia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Hydrangea+davidii" target="_blank">Hydrangea davidii</a> (Hydrangea indochinensis)<br />
<a href="https://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/?pid=12481" target="_blank">Holboellia brachyandra</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Daphne+bholua&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Daphne+bholua" target="_blank">Daphne bholua</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Daphne+bholua&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Sarcococca+bleddynii" target="_blank">Sarcococca bleddynii</a><br />
<a href="https://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/?pid=12455" target="_blank">Stauntonia aff. libera</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Dichroa+versicolor&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Dichroa versicolor</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Dichroa+versicolor&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Disporum+trabeculatum" target="_blank">Disporum trabeculatum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Dichroa+versicolor&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Schefflera+brevipedicellata" target="_blank">Schefflera brevipedicellata</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Dichroa+versicolor&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Schefflera+macrophylla&spell=1" target="_blank">Schefflera macrophylla</a><br />
<a href="https://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/?pid=12134" target="_blank">Caulokaempferia petelotii</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Viburnum+fansipanense&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Viburnum fansipanense</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Viburnum+fansipanense&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Viburnum+hoanglienense" target="_blank">Viburnum hoanglienense</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Viburnum+fansipanense&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Polygonatum+mengtzense+f.+fonkinensis" target="_blank">Polygonatum mengtzense f. fonkinensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Ypsilandra yunnanensis var. fansipanensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Disporopsis+fansipanensis" target="_blank">Disporopsis fansipanensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Schefflera+aff.+pauciflora" target="_blank">Schefflera aff. pauciflora</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Schefflera+alpina" target="_blank">Schefflera alpina</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Rhodoleia+championii" target="_blank">Rhodoleia championii</a><br />
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Y Tý<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Acer+heptaphlebium" target="_blank">Acer heptaphlebium</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Daphniphyllum+aff.+chartaceum" target="_blank">Daphniphyllum aff. chartaceum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ypsilandra+yunnanensis+var.+fansipanensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#safe=off&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&q=Shortia+sinensis" target="_blank">Shortia sinensis</a><br />
Oreocharis atrocuneata (not on the Internet)<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=SRl5VL-HJcn7igLYqoGYDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Magnolia+foveolata" target="_blank">Magnolia foveolata</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=SRl5VL-HJcn7igLYqoGYDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Amomum+aromaticum" target="_blank">Amomum aromaticum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&ei=SRl5VL-HJcn7igLYqoGYDQ&ved=0CAcQ1S4#safe=off&q=Illicium+majus" target="_blank">Illicium majus</a><br />
<a href="https://mailorder.crug-farm.co.uk/?pid=8845" target="_blank">Rehderodendron indochinensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lindera+tonkinensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Lindera tonkinensis</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=ii&ei=VBp5VIXRMtG8iQK1q4CgBQ&ved=0CBkQ1S4#safe=off&hl=en&q=Rhododendron+aff.+sinofalconeri" target="_blank">Rhododendron aff. sinofalconeri</a><br />
Rhodoleia parcipetala (not on the Internet)<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=ii&ei=VBp5VIXRMtG8iQK1q4CgBQ&ved=0CBkQ1S4#safe=off&hl=en&q=Lilium+primulinum" target="_blank">Lilium primulinum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=ii&ei=VBp5VIXRMtG8iQK1q4CgBQ&ved=0CBkQ1S4#safe=off&hl=en&q=Lilium+eupetes" target="_blank">Lilium eupetes</a><br />
Uocoderodendron whartonii (not on the Internet)<br />
Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-90687341374621529342014-09-26T18:22:00.000-07:002014-10-07T17:46:15.150-07:00Far Reaches Farm...Finally!Last week I finally made it to <a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/" target="_blank">Far Reaches Farm</a> in Port Townsend, WA for the very first time. I was completely determined to go this year before they closed for the season. Their selection of plants is mind-boggling. Like Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina or Cistus Nursery in Oregon, this is a horticultural hotspot. And being the horticultural hotspot that it is, I did manage to pick up a few plants:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGtzsaOWH0A/VCX-P0gvtxI/AAAAAAAAFxY/WUhnoxDxuEM/s1600/IMG_2654.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGtzsaOWH0A/VCX-P0gvtxI/AAAAAAAAFxY/WUhnoxDxuEM/s1600/IMG_2654.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Top row (from left):<br />
<i>Eucryphia moorei</i> - It's only hardy to Zone 9 but that's why pots exist. I couldn't resist the pinnate evergreen foliage.<br />
<i>Iris japonica</i> CR038 - This iris gets tall and forms purple "trunks". Supposedly evergreen.<br />
<i>Sarcococca hookeriana</i> ex G-W&P# - Interested to see how this differs from<i> S. confusa</i>.<br />
<i>Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei</i> - A dwarf version of the big leaf magnolia.<br />
<br />
Middle row:<br />
<i>Eucomis</i> 'Rhode Island Red' - This gets huge and completely exudes the tropical look.<br />
<i>Woodwardia unigemmata</i> - Giant, evergeen fern with the new growth a brilliant coppery-bronze.<br />
<i>Ophiopogon planiscapus</i> 'Edge of Night' - Black mondo grass with a thin white strip along the edges.<br />
<i>Dryopteris championii</i> - It was simply an evergreen fern that I didn't have.<br />
<i>Asarum maximum</i> 'Shell Shocked' - Ridiculously huge leaves for a wild ginger.<br />
<br />
Front: <br />
<i>Ozothamnus</i> 'Sussex Silver' - Another silver plant to add to the collection.<br />
<i>Eucomis pole-evansii </i>'Purpurea' - I'm hoping it will be darker than 'Sparkling Burgundy'.<br />
<br />
Also:<br />
<i>Clematis finetiana</i> CDHM 14683 - Rare, evergreen, hardy clematis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOetK1i8b2s/VCX-RROVXBI/AAAAAAAAFxo/cyCpM8vqeok/s1600/IMG_2659.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOetK1i8b2s/VCX-RROVXBI/AAAAAAAAFxo/cyCpM8vqeok/s1600/IMG_2659.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clematis finetiana</i> CDHM 14683</td></tr>
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And:<br />
<i>Cautleya spicata </i>'Robusta'<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMH6tPdaO_g/VCX-On8E2GI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/TfRTGdAuy9A/s1600/IMG_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMH6tPdaO_g/VCX-On8E2GI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/TfRTGdAuy9A/s1600/IMG_2649.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cautleya spicata</i> 'Robusta'</td></tr>
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Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-27934299451188806932014-09-26T18:15:00.000-07:002014-10-07T17:46:29.638-07:00This post exists solely to label plants that couldn't fit in <a href="http://www.growingsteady.com/2014/09/far-reaches-farmfinally.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-71580673414914137642014-09-22T17:16:00.002-07:002014-09-22T17:21:32.483-07:00Clone Me!I admit and accept that I am addicted to plants. No, not smoking them, just buying and growing them. In order to not go bankrupt, I have resorted to propagation. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme by any means (it's not even a get-rich-slow scheme) but I did manage to make a nice chunk of change this summer out of just a few plant sales. <br />
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There are many ways to propagate plants. One of the easiest and most rewarding methods is called air-layering. Air-layering is simply getting a branch to grow roots from some place on the branch. This is done by scraping off a section of the cambium layer (the green layer under the bark) all the way around the branch, brushing the exposed white sapwood with root tone, surrounding the entire scraped off part with a handful of moist peat moss (or other rooting medium) and then enclosing it in a waterproof barrier such as plastic wrap. The bad news is it's likely too late in the season to try this outside now. It will work on just about any woody houseplant any time of the year. <br />
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Here is a Lion's Head Maple (<i>Acer palmatum </i>'Shishigashira') which was successfully rooted using the air-layering method. I severed it from the mother plant and potted up into a one-gallon pot. The roots are still young so I'm keeping it in a cool, shady spot until it's more established.<br />
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Here is another awesome plant, <i>Crinodendron hookerianum</i>, aka Chilean Lantern Tree, which was more than ready to be potted up. Now the dilemma is to decide whether to sell it or to keep it and plant it somewhere else!<br />
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Finally, here is the first ever <i>Schefflera taiwaniana</i> that I've propagated.<br />
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Everything I needed to know about air-layering I learned online. Here are two videos I'd recommend watching if you're interested in trying this out for yourself:<br />
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/998825/tips-propagating-plants-dan-hinkley#998825" target="_blank">Dan Hinkley - Air Layering</a><br />
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<a href="http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2011/09/air-propagating/" target="_blank">Mikes Backyard - Air Layering</a><br />
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-76275312385609986442014-08-06T09:18:00.000-07:002014-08-06T09:18:43.705-07:00Flower PowerAs I was walking around the garden this week there were a few flowers that just struck me as ridiculously perfect. Notice the structural similarities of the first three which are all more or less lilies (this family is always changing).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2VYrHwXrY7U/U-BISJfCzAI/AAAAAAAAFl4/5L4bHB5-PYo/s1600/IMG_2273.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2VYrHwXrY7U/U-BISJfCzAI/AAAAAAAAFl4/5L4bHB5-PYo/s1600/IMG_2273.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hymenocallis</i> 'Tropical Giant Sister' aka Spider Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-YSxepORLM/U-BINh-Ln-I/AAAAAAAAFlU/18LLm_v027M/s1600/IMG_2203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-YSxepORLM/U-BINh-Ln-I/AAAAAAAAFlU/18LLm_v027M/s1600/IMG_2203.jpg" height="640" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lilium duchartrei</i></td></tr>
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Gloriosa vine is reportedly hard to grow here in Seattle because of its tropical origins, but for me it has been well worth the effort. The flowers on this climbing lily are green when they open up, then slowly evolve to red and yellow before flattening out and becoming a deeper, richer red as the grand finale. They are long-lasting and take about two weeks to complete their entire display. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp3VRpWIdsw/U-BIO4z7sLI/AAAAAAAAFlc/9Hin7Yc9LhQ/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp3VRpWIdsw/U-BIO4z7sLI/AAAAAAAAFlc/9Hin7Yc9LhQ/s1600/IMG_2252.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gloriosa rothschildiana</i></td></tr>
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I put some bromeliads & orchids from the clearance rack at Lowes in this hanging basket (No names unfortunately - I need to smack their garden supplier in the head and tell them "Assorted tropical foliage" is not good enough for me). They have literally been blooming all summer and are still going strong.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bromeliads & orchids in a basket</td></tr>
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<i>Abutilon</i> or flowering maple is not completely hardy but here's what I do to keep it alive: I buy one in the spring and plant it in the ground, let it grow and flower like crazy, then in September or October, I take cuttings (5 or 6 inches long from the growing tip) and stick them in a glass of water with a clear plastic bag loosely covering it to help retain moisture. They will be sprouting roots in no time, and then I can pot those up and place them next to a window for next year. If we're lucky and get a mild winter, the one in the ground will survive. 'Tiger Eye' is my favorite cultivar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IPxIm_BctI/U-BIPsoPXbI/AAAAAAAAFlk/PwhVIeONlDs/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IPxIm_BctI/U-BIPsoPXbI/AAAAAAAAFlk/PwhVIeONlDs/s1600/IMG_2266.JPG" height="486" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Abutilon</i> 'Tiger Eye'</td></tr>
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<i>Lobelia tupa</i> is right in the middle of its almost endless stretch of flowering.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlGJeRo-nEo/U-BIRVg7j6I/AAAAAAAAFlw/Opc53X7Sbtc/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlGJeRo-nEo/U-BIRVg7j6I/AAAAAAAAFlw/Opc53X7Sbtc/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lobelia tupa</i></td></tr>
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Another plant that slowly changes the color of its flower is this <i>Opuntia </i>which I'm 99% sure is <i>Opuntia engelmannii</i>. It starts out bright yellow, is orange by the next day, and then turns red on the third day. A flower that lasts for three days isn't bad for a cactus!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGZjsOkT0NU/U-BIT9igjpI/AAAAAAAAFmI/HQ2s0Xf5bcY/s1600/IMG_2342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGZjsOkT0NU/U-BIT9igjpI/AAAAAAAAFmI/HQ2s0Xf5bcY/s1600/IMG_2342.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opuntia engelmannii</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHL08ImsZ5A/U-BIUtzVq7I/AAAAAAAAFmM/l1OAqYcrUGc/s1600/IMG_2369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHL08ImsZ5A/U-BIUtzVq7I/AAAAAAAAFmM/l1OAqYcrUGc/s1600/IMG_2369.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same <i>Opuntia engelmannii </i>a day later<i><br /></i></td></tr>
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And finally, here's one of the Plumeria cuttings I "collected" from my trip to Hawaii this past winter. This is the only one out of the four I brought back that has flowered so far:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-803758Do4JM/U-BISqAGevI/AAAAAAAAFmA/HkyQvtNjsV4/s1600/IMG_2295.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-803758Do4JM/U-BISqAGevI/AAAAAAAAFmA/HkyQvtNjsV4/s1600/IMG_2295.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-10470552923786256442014-07-02T15:17:00.001-07:002014-07-02T15:20:40.260-07:00The Galloping Gourmet Is Only A Few Days Away!Graham Kerr a.k.a. The Galloping Gourmet is our speaker at this year's Normandy Park Garden Festival & Plant Sale. It will be held right here in the garden and will go from 11:00am-3:00pm on Saturday, July 12th. Everyone is welcome - not just Normandy Park residents. It's free (supported by donations & plant sales) and kid-friendly (we're bringing back the bouncy house).<br />
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Here's the schedule:<br />
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11:00am: Plant sale opens<br />
High Noon: Lunch is served (Scrumptious delicacies from Asia, Hawaii & the Mediterranean)<br />
1:30pm: Mr. Kerr speaks <i>and</i> does a cooking demo<br />
3:00pm: Plant sale sell off - After 3:00pm all plants will be marked down 50%. You'll find lots of good stuff!! We're selling tetrapanax, red castor bean plants, hardy prickly pears, brugmansias, canna musifolia (one of the best cannas for Seattle), hardy papyrus, kangaroo apples, fountain grass, lobelia tupa, elephant ears, fragrant lilies and much, much more!!<br />
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Please e-mail me at <a href="mailto:jgalicic@gmail.com">jgalicic@gmail.com</a> to RSVP if you'd like to attend. No tickets or anything - we just like to know how many people to expect. I'll send you our address when you e-mail me!
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<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-9989933971255743542014-05-19T22:39:00.001-07:002014-05-19T22:48:49.050-07:00Why One Podophyllum Delavayi Just Isn't Enough<i>Podophyllum delavayi </i>had been close to the top on my plant wish list for many years until I finally scored one from Dan Hinkley last summer. Isn't it beautiful?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc7rMTPYY4M/U3rm71CrQqI/AAAAAAAAFes/DCnpAlOHM8w/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc7rMTPYY4M/U3rm71CrQqI/AAAAAAAAFes/DCnpAlOHM8w/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Podophyllum delavayi </i>from Dan Hinkley</td></tr>
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So you would think that when Far Reaches Farm sent out an e-mail a few months ago saying they had <i>Podophyllum delavayi</i> in stock, I wouldn't need to order one because I already had one. You would be wrong. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2fMvCE1Iuw/U3rm8RlS6UI/AAAAAAAAFew/_2h038Yw_Ek/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2fMvCE1Iuw/U3rm8RlS6UI/AAAAAAAAFew/_2h038Yw_Ek/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Podophyllum delavayi</i> from Far Reaches Farm</td></tr>
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I was enamoured by the variation between the two - even though they are the same species. Then, I saw another one at the Hortlandia plant sale last month in Portland. Suddenly, I'm a <i>Podophyllum delavayi</i> connoisseur.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rXVcDEyS_0/U3rm76wlwWI/AAAAAAAAFeo/x5-94kD09Yo/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rXVcDEyS_0/U3rm76wlwWI/AAAAAAAAFeo/x5-94kD09Yo/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Podophyllum delavayi </i>from Woodland Way/Hortlandia 2014</td></tr>
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On a different note, this hummingbird was being extremely cooperative with me as I photographed his beautiful plumage.<br />
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<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-89865297096214785882014-04-09T16:33:00.001-07:002014-04-09T16:48:07.938-07:00April 2014 Garden Walkthrough<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/m7HYb7JBFnQ" width="480"></iframe>Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-69519365780417197532014-04-08T11:03:00.001-07:002014-04-08T11:15:20.756-07:00Doing It Island Style, Part 4: A Taste of the TropicsIt was my mission to try as many edible plants as possible during our trip. The house we stayed at had a mango tree:<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4JfaRlkoTk/U0QtAv0RCLI/AAAAAAAAFak/0g2_ti3myS0/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </div>
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A banana plant with frustratingly green bananas:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7j_fqiKbtDU/U0QtQ2-CHrI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/51Vhj2lh7Fs/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7j_fqiKbtDU/U0QtQ2-CHrI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/51Vhj2lh7Fs/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bananas</td></tr>
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A super sweet and delicious orange tree:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGcrJQF5ZVs/U0Q1z0_8LPI/AAAAAAAAFbs/3j5M4Ur8c5Y/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGcrJQF5ZVs/U0Q1z0_8LPI/AAAAAAAAFbs/3j5M4Ur8c5Y/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oranges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A pomelo tree, which is sort of like a large grapefruit:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hEqTTUUp_w/U0Q1zc7qP7I/AAAAAAAAFbo/RwYGmN7HTtA/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hEqTTUUp_w/U0Q1zc7qP7I/AAAAAAAAFbo/RwYGmN7HTtA/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomelos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And a breadfruit tree. Breadfruit is starchy like a potato and doesn't have a lot of flavor. Hawaiian tradition is to plant a breadfruit tree in the backyard when you buy a house because it can sustain your family through a time of famine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp4oTXqIRhw/U0Qs-nDPctI/AAAAAAAAFaM/-iU-lztYOsQ/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp4oTXqIRhw/U0Qs-nDPctI/AAAAAAAAFaM/-iU-lztYOsQ/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><i>Artocarpus altilis </i>aka Breadfruit tree </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Like potatoes, breadfruit can be eaten at any time during its development and the longer it stays on the tree, the bigger it gets. Eventually, if left unpicked, the fruit will become sweeter as the starches convert to sugars. </div>
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One breadfruit is the equivalent of about eight medium potatoes. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJvCoMjx-JY/U0QtDiCi5xI/AAAAAAAAFa0/dtq_0q0ZVJE/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJvCoMjx-JY/U0QtDiCi5xI/AAAAAAAAFa0/dtq_0q0ZVJE/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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After cutting three breadfruit off the tree, I noticed a white sap started gushing out all over the place. I looked up on YouTube how to prepare breadfruit and opted to try frying them in coconut oil. I peeled and sliced the fruit up into strips like fries and soaked them in cold salt water.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fz8hK229xsg/U0QtE1ghtsI/AAAAAAAAFa8/IjvQXB-rfSA/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fz8hK229xsg/U0QtE1ghtsI/AAAAAAAAFa8/IjvQXB-rfSA/s1600/IMG_1261.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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Once all sliced, they were dropped into the heated coconut oil.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPzKoc_wb5w/U0QtFiZ9sdI/AAAAAAAAFbE/QmZNnrVE6OM/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPzKoc_wb5w/U0QtFiZ9sdI/AAAAAAAAFbE/QmZNnrVE6OM/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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After sprinkling on a little sea salt we had authentically tropical breadfruit fries:<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0-iEBbtfmk/U0QtGmEeceI/AAAAAAAAFbM/tLJsalNpmTg/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0-iEBbtfmk/U0QtGmEeceI/AAAAAAAAFbM/tLJsalNpmTg/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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They were pretty good and picked up the taste of coconut. You don't see breadfruit in the grocery store here because it has about much flavor as tofu (don't ask me why we see tofu in the grocery store).<br />
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We also stopped by a fruit stand and picked up sugar cane and fresh coconut.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMOGI1rMNb8/U0Qs-7UXDCI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/KHqY8HO2pUc/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMOGI1rMNb8/U0Qs-7UXDCI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/KHqY8HO2pUc/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a> <br />
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I cut the sugar cane into strips which can be chewed on.<br />
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Getting the coconut water out of the coconut was a bit more labor-intensive and turned into an hour-long project (I only had a paring knife). Eventually found success...<br />
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The coconut meat was very soft. It was like eating coconut-flavored jello. <br />
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Alas, my series on Hawaii has come to an end. If you've never been to Hawaii, I hope you will be able to visit some day. There is no place quite like it. Mahalo!<br />
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Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-2741758170751756962014-04-02T23:02:00.002-07:002015-01-11T16:46:28.993-08:00Doing It Island Style, Part 3: The Nā Pali CoastThe Nā Pali Coast is well known for its sheer cliffs rising high above the vast ocean below. Incessant rain, wind, and pounding waves have sculpted the land into a ruggedly idealized tropical paradise. The only way to explore it is on foot. At the trailhead, we were warned of falling rocks, steep muddy cliffs, and flash floods. At least there were no jaguars to worry about.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNt_mDc0PHs/UzzmUptFx-I/AAAAAAAAFX4/LZGnW81HpxI/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNt_mDc0PHs/UzzmUptFx-I/AAAAAAAAFX4/LZGnW81HpxI/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a> <br />
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I was hoping to make it to Hanakapi`ai Falls but we ended up just going to Hanakapi`ai beach. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_7rkqJvWxM/UzzoWGsgrWI/AAAAAAAAFZs/6Q38BbAq9vQ/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_7rkqJvWxM/UzzoWGsgrWI/AAAAAAAAFZs/6Q38BbAq9vQ/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" height="340" width="640" /></a> <br />
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The mountains are very steep, yet still completely covered in vegetation. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zddxRtT1Cm0/UzzoTq7zDcI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/suiHLpnuIgs/s1600/IMG_1134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zddxRtT1Cm0/UzzoTq7zDcI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/suiHLpnuIgs/s1600/IMG_1134.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The water was pristine blue.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtgYGRaEkRc/UzzoTBBy1pI/AAAAAAAAFZI/jgwOazyURms/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtgYGRaEkRc/UzzoTBBy1pI/AAAAAAAAFZI/jgwOazyURms/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></a></div>
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Hey, look! A rainbow! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvXrZRPF9b4/UzzoURQfjrI/AAAAAAAAFZY/4Nq5CIREiYc/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvXrZRPF9b4/UzzoURQfjrI/AAAAAAAAFZY/4Nq5CIREiYc/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a> </div>
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Some plants (such as the screw pines) were absolutely everywhere, and then there would be lone specimens - this was the only <i>Furcraea foetida</i> (Agave relative) I saw on the trail. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tpypeQlFU8/UzzoUMaDP1I/AAAAAAAAFZM/gfvnQxCIpRY/s1600/IMG_1140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tpypeQlFU8/UzzoUMaDP1I/AAAAAAAAFZM/gfvnQxCIpRY/s1600/IMG_1140.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a> </div>
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This is one of a small colony of orchids. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFkNUmvDOI0/UzzoU4vZl4I/AAAAAAAAFZg/octEXgs4SdA/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFkNUmvDOI0/UzzoU4vZl4I/AAAAAAAAFZg/octEXgs4SdA/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Colocasias. <br />
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Parts of the trail were of stone laid back in the 1800s.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjJKJ1mqBm8/UzzmUHHkMXI/AAAAAAAAFX0/8FzmoJguzDo/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjJKJ1mqBm8/UzzmUHHkMXI/AAAAAAAAFX0/8FzmoJguzDo/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" height="622" width="640" /></a><br />
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At Hanakapi`ai beach, I had a rock stacking contest with my brother-in-law's dad. I'll let you decide who won. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVrdVHeT2l0/UzzmZLe9yJI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/nXikfIJG57M/s1600/IMG_1168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVrdVHeT2l0/UzzmZLe9yJI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/nXikfIJG57M/s1600/IMG_1168.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine ↑ His ↑ </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What started out as a beautiful day...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qf6OixTCpY/UzzobONIjyI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/ygZ7bjb9i88/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qf6OixTCpY/UzzobONIjyI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/ygZ7bjb9i88/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" height="508" width="640" /></a> <br />
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...turned stormier and stormier <br />
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So we headed back and dried off after getting a good soaking. By the time we got back to the trailhead, it was sunny once again.<br />
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On another day we drove to Waimea Canyon which is only a couple miles away distance-wise from the Nā Pali Coast trail but the only way to get there is to drive all the way around to the other side of the island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fb4_tyVKd8/Uzzmb1OkDXI/AAAAAAAAFYo/atGu-UgDm4k/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fb4_tyVKd8/Uzzmb1OkDXI/AAAAAAAAFYo/atGu-UgDm4k/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waimea Canyon</td></tr>
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The road kept going along a high ridge which eventually let to Hanakoa Valley.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lG4-y_CKJbY/UzzmdT-7GKI/AAAAAAAAFYw/LKCQPBqQBVQ/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lG4-y_CKJbY/UzzmdT-7GKI/AAAAAAAAFYw/LKCQPBqQBVQ/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" height="284" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanakoa Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-41933253134088840662014-03-24T22:26:00.001-07:002014-03-24T22:37:43.686-07:00Doing It Island Style, Part 2: Na 'Āina Ka Botanical GardensAbout five hours before boarding the plane back to Seattle, we made an impromptu decision to tour the gardens of <span style="font-weight: normal;">Na 'Āina Kai. This huge botanical garden and hardwood tree farm, formerly a private estate, spans 240 acres on the northeast coast of Kauai. </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKQTLuf1-gI/Uy5juXydpfI/AAAAAAAAFTs/TewrJa86MeY/s1600/IMG_1456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKQTLuf1-gI/Uy5juXydpfI/AAAAAAAAFTs/TewrJa86MeY/s1600/IMG_1456.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">To begin our tour, we loaded onto a golf cart and drove to a meadow flanked by various species of acacia, albezia and eucalyptus trees<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lboANXfoD3M/Uy5vMQ9RiFI/AAAAAAAAFVo/qRK9HYPxIhI/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lboANXfoD3M/Uy5vMQ9RiFI/AAAAAAAAFVo/qRK9HYPxIhI/s1600/IMG_1401.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albezia (aka mimosa)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I noticed a popular way to grow orchids in Hawaii is to tie one to the trunk of a tree with green horticultural tape until it anchors its roots around the tree.<span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span>In this area however, both orchids and staghorn ferns grow naturally on the trees and rocks. In the picture below, you can see a group of small orchid seedlings just starting to grow.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LvD5kCoOLs/Uy56uULxySI/AAAAAAAAFWE/HQTyrl9oS5g/s1600/IMG_1400+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LvD5kCoOLs/Uy56uULxySI/AAAAAAAAFWE/HQTyrl9oS5g/s1600/IMG_1400+2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVV1Lqb3Ui4/Uy5jkIWU_JI/AAAAAAAAFS4/lp0SuF0JIxw/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Here is a single naturalized staghorn fern growing on the side of a tree. <br />
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A growing family of staghorn fern sporelings growing on the side of a rock completely on their own ambition. No green horticultural tape in sight. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHP7q86XvQI/Uy5jlpQ-wwI/AAAAAAAAFTE/tSln-KVGJKc/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHP7q86XvQI/Uy5jlpQ-wwI/AAAAAAAAFTE/tSln-KVGJKc/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Ficus benjamina</i>, one of the most common houseplants in the US, grows into an enormous tree in the tropics.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22o5JYZWb0o/Uy5jneA4ekI/AAAAAAAAFTM/yddClwqQzUs/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22o5JYZWb0o/Uy5jneA4ekI/AAAAAAAAFTM/yddClwqQzUs/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
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Numerous bronze statues blend into the surroundings around the garden, adding an imaginative touch to the garden.<br />
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A very rare sight in Hawaii: deciduosity.<br />
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A lone starfruit waiting to be eaten.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_o1bn2gG4M/Uy5j8nKL3CI/AAAAAAAAFU8/S7aHP8fYSsk/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_o1bn2gG4M/Uy5j8nKL3CI/AAAAAAAAFU8/S7aHP8fYSsk/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Averrhoa carambola</i></td></tr>
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This next plant had me drooling. Our entire tour group walked right past it without giving it a second glance. I had to stop the tour and ask our guide what it was. He called it a Hale Koa plant. I took note, figuring that would be enough to go on to find its real name when I got back home. After days and days of fruitless internet searches, I had an a-ha moment: I'll just e-mail them and ask what it is! As it turns out, it's not a Hale Koa plant at all. I don't even think there is such a thing.<br />
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Does this look familiar all you hardy schefflera connoisseurs out there?<br />
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Yes, it's indeed some kind of schefflera. The folks at the garden replied back and said they grew it from seed, but they aren't quite sure what it is either. It might be a cross between <i>Schefflera taiwaniana</i> (I can definitely see that) and <i>Plerandra elegantissima</i> (formerly <i>Schefflera elegantissima)</i>. If that is the case, it would likely have some hardiness to it since <i>S. taiwaniana</i> can handle subfreezing temperatures. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.<br />
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Considering the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Waialeale" target="_blank">wettest place on earth</a> is only about 10 miles away, they had an impressive desert area.<br />
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The mansion.<br />
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This was pretty funny. Here is the front entrance to the house. They must have had some gripe against tall people because this vine (<i>Mucuna bennettii </i>aka Red Jade Vine<i>) </i>is trimmed to about four feet off the ground. Either that or Willy Wonka lived here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;">There were only a few blooms when we were there but apparently this vine can become almost completely covered in flowers when it's at it's peak.</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mucuna bennettii</i></td></tr>
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We weren't allowed to go swimming. <br />
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If I were to live in Hawaii and build a swimming pool, it would look something like this.<br />
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That does if for Part 2. I'll be doing a few more posts on Hawaii - there's just so much to cover!!<br />
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<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-47641285564611181052014-03-19T22:27:00.003-07:002014-03-24T22:37:29.483-07:00Doing it Island Style, Part 1: Princeville Botanical GardensThe wonders of modern technology. In five short hours you can leave the cold, wet, dark, miserable Seattle winter weather and go somewhere completely superior. That's exactly what I did last month - the superior place being Hawaii. We stayed on the island of Kauai, also known as the garden island since it is geologically the oldest and therefore the most ecologically diverse. Apparently they don't take security too seriously either judging from the lack of windows in the airport corridor:<br />
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During our week in paradise, we visited two botanical gardens. The first one was just outside of Hanalei (no relation to Puff the Magic Dragon by the way) named Princeville Botanical Gardens. It was planted fairly recently in 2001 but easily looks like it has been there twice as long.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like any respectable botanical garden, a river runs through it.</td></tr>
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Throughout the three-hour guided tour, samples were placed in bags next to selected fruit trees for us to try. Below, our tour guide is opening one of the bags. Inside were things like apple bananas, orange slices, cocoa nibs, longan (dragon eye fruit), and other odd tropical fruit.<br />
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Hawaiian horticulture is slightly confusing. There are three names for every plant: the common name, the botanical name, and the Hawaiian name. The screw pine (<i>Pandanus tectorius</i>), for example, in the picture above is known by the Hawaiians as a Hala tree. Plants that were originally introduced by the Polynesians hundreds of years ago are called canoe plants (since they came over in canoes) but these are often considered Hawaiian natives which they really are not (<i>Cordyline fruticosa</i> or Ti plant is an example). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXecVt1cPsw/Uyeu-yC1vUI/AAAAAAAAFI4/lXwR1najBe4/s1600/Euphorbia+punicea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXecVt1cPsw/Uyeu-yC1vUI/AAAAAAAAFI4/lXwR1najBe4/s1600/Euphorbia+punicea.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Euphorbia punicea </i>(Flame of Jamaica)</td></tr>
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It would sure be nice to live in a place that never drops below 50 degrees. No hardiness zones to worry about. The bottlebrushes grow into trees and bloom in the middle of winter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeping bottlebrush (<i>Callistemon viminalis</i>)</td></tr>
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The fluorescent orange rhododendrons were pretty amazing too.<br />
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Speaking of orange, look at this orange tree! I should have asked what they used to fertilize it.<br />
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<i>Hoffmannia arborescens</i> was new to me. I thought it might be a type of fig but it's actually in the coffee/gardenia family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoffmannia arborescens (relative of the Taffeta plant)</td></tr>
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Fossilized pathways.<br />
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Aerial palm tree roots.<br />
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This area is going to become part the garden in the future. They are currently in the process of clearing out all the invasive vegetation. <br />
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This fishtail palm (<i>Caryota gigas</i>) blew my mind. It's hard to grasp the size of it from the picture. The dead frond that is falling off was about 20 feet wide by 40 feet long! Oh, and it's only eight years old.<br />
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<i>Solandra maxima</i> or Cup of Gold looks like a lily but is actually in the nightshade (tomato) family. It has a similar smell to Angel's trumpet (<i>Brugmansia</i>).<br />
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A small Baobab tree. It will put on a bit more bulk when it reaches maturity in 2,000 years.<br />
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Heliconias were everywhere. <br />
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Another one that looked like a herd of giant caterpillars. <br />
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This is what a poinsettia looks like when it's not in the process of dying on the mantle in the living room during Christmas.<br />
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Halfway through the tour, they had a chocolate tasting. They make their own chocolate from the trees growing in the garden. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICsX4IQY9xs/UyevaENFqLI/AAAAAAAAFLc/x130WcsmLOg/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICsX4IQY9xs/UyevaENFqLI/AAAAAAAAFLc/x130WcsmLOg/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Here is one of their chocolate trees.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0dCp9o1a2M/UyevfObnlZI/AAAAAAAAFL0/aENLmNMDdcg/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0dCp9o1a2M/UyevfObnlZI/AAAAAAAAFL0/aENLmNMDdcg/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Theobroma cacao </i>aka chocolate tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A vanilla orchid unfortunately not in bloom. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ8w5nYr72A/UyevdWiR4OI/AAAAAAAAFLs/Hn2Sl4ZbgdY/s1600/IMG_1056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ8w5nYr72A/UyevdWiR4OI/AAAAAAAAFLs/Hn2Sl4ZbgdY/s1600/IMG_1056.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Vanilla planifolia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A nutmeg tree unfortunately not in nut.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iabT6PESeZs/UyevgUO4QFI/AAAAAAAAFL8/rqf2j5lpkVY/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iabT6PESeZs/UyevgUO4QFI/AAAAAAAAFL8/rqf2j5lpkVY/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monodora myristica</i> aka African nutmeg </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pride of Burma - the floral equivelant of a chandelier. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMWmxIYiK74/Uyp3td8esmI/AAAAAAAAFOU/-Khalpm2nlg/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMWmxIYiK74/Uyp3td8esmI/AAAAAAAAFOU/-Khalpm2nlg/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pride of Burma (<i>Amherstia nobilis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bromeliads growing happily in a rockery. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IoIhAa3jTY/Uyevqu8kC4I/AAAAAAAAFMk/T1BuIFSZ610/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IoIhAa3jTY/Uyevqu8kC4I/AAAAAAAAFMk/T1BuIFSZ610/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="r">
I could go on but I have to end at some point so that does it for Part 1. Stay tuned for Part 2 where we will travel to the gardens of <span style="font-weight: normal;">Na 'Āina Kai.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6J2tAu6d-Qs/UyevsNMP7mI/AAAAAAAAFMo/1u6d_vuY36U/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6J2tAu6d-Qs/UyevsNMP7mI/AAAAAAAAFMo/1u6d_vuY36U/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A desert rose (Adenium obesum) and giant aloe just out of bloom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-87341008747572739802014-02-21T10:13:00.002-08:002014-02-21T10:13:47.839-08:00New Plants!Far Reaches Farm is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with. After getting their e-mailed newsletter a few weeks ago stating they had added some new plants to their online store, I spent the next hour going through their new inventory whittling down my wish list to get to an acceptable number of plants to buy. I spent more on plants than on food in 2013 so this year I'm shooting to go revenue-neutral meaning I'm going to try to sell as many plants as I buy. Of course the less plants I buy the easier this will be but I'm looking at it the other way around: the more plants I sell, the more I get to buy :) <br />
<br />
After a four-day wait, the box of plants finally arrived. Here is what was inside:<br />
<span id="goog_794841287"></span><span id="goog_794841288"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Nr1p2oT2qU/Ut9tPcVEGRI/AAAAAAAAFFM/kz2MTQ5DVS0/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Nr1p2oT2qU/Ut9tPcVEGRI/AAAAAAAAFFM/kz2MTQ5DVS0/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Michelia-sp-CDHM-14653-p/p3258.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name"><i>Michelia sp.</i> CDHM 14653</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KOJtSAi2_8/Ut9tPlAfrHI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/lmFw4irNn-g/s1600/IMG_0611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KOJtSAi2_8/Ut9tPlAfrHI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/lmFw4irNn-g/s1600/IMG_0611.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Pseudopanax-laetevirens-p/p3064-5g.htm" target="_blank"><i>Raukaua laetevirens</i> (syn. <i>Pseudopanax</i>)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlbwTc6ZWpA/Ut9tQPiKSqI/AAAAAAAAFFY/rXtp3kOqcR0/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlbwTc6ZWpA/Ut9tQPiKSqI/AAAAAAAAFFY/rXtp3kOqcR0/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Hydrangea-angustipetala-DJHV-7004-p/p3217.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name"><i>Hydrangea angustipetala</i> DJHV 7004</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ditvLwpGZQ/Ut9tQbE2uuI/AAAAAAAAFFg/FqGzpSUF9rc/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ditvLwpGZQ/Ut9tQbE2uuI/AAAAAAAAFFg/FqGzpSUF9rc/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Cardiandra-amamioshimensis-p/p3026.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Cardiandra amamioshimensis</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkvIlEOeRYc/Ut9tQ2LbGbI/AAAAAAAAFFs/K6NoxPvVANs/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkvIlEOeRYc/Ut9tQ2LbGbI/AAAAAAAAFFs/K6NoxPvVANs/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Iris-henryi-Clone-2-p/p2463.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name"><i>Iris henryi </i>- Clone #2</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m07-AyS9iH0/Ut9tRamhJpI/AAAAAAAAFF0/CUuzpBfE9XM/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m07-AyS9iH0/Ut9tRamhJpI/AAAAAAAAFF0/CUuzpBfE9XM/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Aciphylla-aurea-p/p1801.htm" target="_blank"><i>Aciphylla aurea</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Contined below....Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-13290830386916705612014-02-21T10:13:00.001-08:002014-02-21T10:19:24.627-08:00New Plants! (continued)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8MQ9fVyy_N0/Ut9tR1wrVzI/AAAAAAAAFF4/DQr-4L1eHY0/s1600/IMG_0616.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8MQ9fVyy_N0/Ut9tR1wrVzI/AAAAAAAAFF4/DQr-4L1eHY0/s1600/IMG_0616.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Iris-foetidissima-Nant-Gwilw-p/p2170.htm" target="_blank">Iris foetidissima 'Nant Gwilw'</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPdv1x_gRIM/Ut9tSFZ0CCI/AAAAAAAAFGA/8Pqws15VGD8/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPdv1x_gRIM/Ut9tSFZ0CCI/AAAAAAAAFGA/8Pqws15VGD8/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Veronica-thessalica-p/p3215.htm" target="_blank"><i>Veronica thessalica</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5zSj3nEgRY/Ut9tSvfsNZI/AAAAAAAAFGI/lxo-BBkPfqo/s1600/IMG_0618.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5zSj3nEgRY/Ut9tSvfsNZI/AAAAAAAAFGI/lxo-BBkPfqo/s1600/IMG_0618.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Schisandra-sp-CDHM14525-p/p3529.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Schisandra sp. CDHM14525</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stPd5gKN18U/Ut9tTY2uxtI/AAAAAAAAFGU/2_UgJrfEMoE/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stPd5gKN18U/Ut9tTY2uxtI/AAAAAAAAFGU/2_UgJrfEMoE/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Melianthus-major-Purple-Haze-p/p1272.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name"><i>Melianthus major</i> 'Purple Haze'</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OSRYGlaxD0/Ut9tTRUP-9I/AAAAAAAAFGY/z00GyXmlQCA/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OSRYGlaxD0/Ut9tTRUP-9I/AAAAAAAAFGY/z00GyXmlQCA/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Kadsura-heteroclita-FMWJ-13385-p/p2972.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name"><i>Kadsura heteroclita</i> FMWJ 13385</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VHZVEV3Hbr0/Ut9tUGRh5DI/AAAAAAAAFGk/QuWEYIaQv_c/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VHZVEV3Hbr0/Ut9tUGRh5DI/AAAAAAAAFGk/QuWEYIaQv_c/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Tropaeolum-tuberosum-Ken-Aslet-p/p0845.htm" target="_blank"><i>Tropaeolum tuberosum</i> 'Ken Aslet'</a> & <a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Sinopodophyllum-Podophyllum-hexandrum-MD97150-p/p0178.htm" target="_blank">Sinopodophyllum hexandrum var. chinense ex MD97150</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-45837888817763999852014-02-13T21:46:00.001-08:002014-02-13T21:47:08.899-08:00The Big Garden Show<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHKo_UL2Fm8/Uv2ZWDlL6TI/AAAAAAAAFH4/ymetQz01Wbo/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHKo_UL2Fm8/Uv2ZWDlL6TI/AAAAAAAAFH4/ymetQz01Wbo/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHKo_UL2Fm8/Uv2ZWDlL6TI/AAAAAAAAFH4/ymetQz01Wbo/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
The Northwest Flower & Garden Show this past weekend was once again a
visual feast abounding in imaginative garden design and cutting edge
horticultural knowledge. The first time I attended was in 2005 making
this my 10th show. It has definitely improved over time. Remember the
days having to sneak into seminars because they ran out of tickets? My
favorite part of the show remains the seminars and so this post is
really seminar-focused. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUhsR-G4QoA/Uv2ZWByhu3I/AAAAAAAAFHw/JyvZz6X_ygo/s1600/IMG_1546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUhsR-G4QoA/Uv2ZWByhu3I/AAAAAAAAFHw/JyvZz6X_ygo/s1600/IMG_1546.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiky plants meet Ikea<u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First off, Kelly & Sue from Far Reaches Farm talked about Plant Crack for Plant Junkies. They did not have handouts so I tried to make as comprehensive a list as possible. Most of these plants are unavailable in the trade and a few don't even have pictures on the Internet yet.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Maianthemum-Smilacina-aff-flexuosum-p/p2417.htm" target="_blank">Maianthemum (Smilacina) aff. flexuosum</a> - Pink False Solomon Seal<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/#q=Podophyllum+aurantiocaule&safe=off&spell=1" target="_blank">Podophyllum aurantiocaule</a> - You can only but this plant if you live in the UK <br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Mertensia-maritima-simplicissima-p/p0350.htm" target="_blank">Mertensia maritima</a> - Blue bells<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/#q=Hebe%20recurva&safe=off" target="_blank">Hebe recurv</a><a href="https://www.google.com/#q=Hebe%20recurva&safe=off" target="_blank">a</a> - One of the hardiest hebes - to Zone 7 (0 degrees F/-18C)<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Meconopsis-baileyi-Hensol-Violet-p/p1295.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Meconopsis baileyi 'Hensol Violet'</span></span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=ii&ei=qR_7UoaWHMOrqQG3j4FI&ved=0CBgQ1S4#hl=en&q=Rhododendron+kamtschaticum&safe=off" target="_blank">Rhododendron kamtschaticum</a> - Deciduous, dwarf alpine/rock garden rhody<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lepisorus&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Leposaurus</a> - Fern (not sure which species they were discussing)<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Mahonia-eurybracteata-syn-M-confusa-p/p0558.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Mahonia eurybracteata (syn. M. confusa)</span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Dactylorhiza-fuchsii-Bressingham-Bonus-p/p2153.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Dactylorhiza fuchsii 'Bressingham Bonus'</span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Articles.asp?ID=253" target="_blank">Gold leaved blue poppy</a> - Beautiful contrast of colors. Unfortunately not for sale yet.<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lobelia+excelsa+x+lobelia+tupa&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=XJB&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=2CP7UqSpLsOBrgGY6YDYDw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=892&bih=535" target="_blank">Lobelia excelsa x lobelia tupa</a> - A cross between the shrubby <i>L. excelsa</i> and perennial <i>L. tupa</i><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lepisorus&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=Roscoea+%27Red+Gurkha%27&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&safe=off" target="_blank">Roscoea 'Red Gurkha'</a> - FRF is currently working on hybridizing different Roscoea species<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Illicium-sp-KCSH-p/p2694.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Illicium sp. KCSH#</span></span></a> - Star Anise<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Disporum-cantoniense-Guizhou-Form-CGG-p/p0131.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Disporum cantoniense</span></span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Epimedium+pseudowushanense&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Epimedium pseudowushanense</a> <br />
<span id="goog_930939439"></span><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Daphniphyllum+longiracemosa&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#channel=fflb&q=Dendropanax+proteus&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&safe=off" target="_blank">Daphniphyllum sp. (longiracemosa?)</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span id="goog_930939440"></span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Dendropanax+proteus&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Dendropanax proteus</a>en - Evergreen tree in the aralia family<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Evergreen+Corylopsis+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Evergreen Corylopsis</a> - I think this is an unknown species<br />
Actinoitum purple flowers<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Ligularia+nelumbifolia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Ligularia nilumbifolia</a> - Big leaves<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Styrax-japonicus-CDHM-14610-p/p3200.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Styrax japonicus</span></span></a> - White leaves?<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Tripterospermum-sp-GOT-71-HEHEHE-220-p/p2043.htm" target="_blank">Tripterospermum</a> - Climbing gentian relative<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Daphne+wolongensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Daphne wolongensis</a><br />
Disporopsis ginfosinensis<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Neolitsea&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Neolitsea sp.</a> - Broadleaf evergreen (unknown species)<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Nothotsuga+longibracteata&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Nothotsuga longibracteata</a> - This is the tree Far Reaches Farm has on their logo<br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Gaultheria-Pernettya-aff-poeppigii-HCM98172-p/p3015.htm" target="_blank">Gaultheria </a><br />
Native salal with pink flowers<br />
Variegated Mahonia nervosa<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Stenanthium+angustifolium&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Stenanthium angustifolium</a> - purple bell-shaped flowers<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Campanula+olympics&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Campanula</a> - Native to the Olympic mountains <br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Paris+quadrifolia&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=5Ur&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=Sp39UozwAtPkoATNmYKQCQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAA&biw=1316&bih=923&dpr=1" target="_blank">Paris quadrifolia</a><br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Berberis-jamesiana-p/p2921.htm" target="_blank">Berberis jamesiana</a><br />
<a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Tropaeolum-tuberosum-Ken-Aslet-p/p0845.htm" target="_blank"><span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name">Tropaeolum</span></span></a> vine - Perennial, summer-blooming nasturtium<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Despontania+spinosa&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=Desfontainia+spinosa&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&safe=off&spell=1" target="_blank">Desfontainia spinosa</a> & <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Desfontainia+fulgens&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Desfontainia fulgens</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Lapageria&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Lapageria</a> - National flower of Chile<br />
<span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><span itemprop="name"><a href="http://www.farreachesfarm.com/Gentiana-Asiatic-Hybrids-p/p0453.htm" target="_blank">Gentiana "Asiatic Hybrids"</a> - Fall blooming gentian</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Gentiana+ternifolia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Gentiana ternifolia</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Colchicum+agrippinum&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Colchicum agrippinum</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Pittosporum+%27Tom+Thumb%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb" target="_blank">Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' </a>- Red-burgundy evergreen foliage<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ACPrnC1ka-g/Uv2ZViJPEeI/AAAAAAAAFHg/EBKqkd5IMrM/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ACPrnC1ka-g/Uv2ZViJPEeI/AAAAAAAAFHg/EBKqkd5IMrM/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey! I have these!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dan Hinkley talked about Good Weed (aka Sedges, rushes, grasses and restios and not the other kind that just became legalized). He admitted he held out using ornamental grass in garden landscapes until well after it became popular but having personally seen his garden at Windcliff, it is clear that he has fully embraced the concept.<br />
<br />
<b>Sedges</b><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Muhlenbergia+dumosa&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=Acorus+gramineus+%27Ogon%27&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&safe=off" target="_blank">Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'</a> - Looks great year-round and very foolproof<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Muhlenbergia+dumosa&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Muhlenbergia dumosa</a> - Not hardy<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Carex+elata+%27Bowles+Golden%27+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'</a> - Boggy grass<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Carex+pendula&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Carex pendula</a> - I was glad to hear Dan recommend this plant because I've wondered about its potential invasiveness. It makes a nice 4' tall clump and looks great 365 days a year.<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Carex+flagellifera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Carex flagellifera</a> - One of several of the bronze-colored sedges. It only has a lifespan of 3-4 years but reseeds readily.<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Carex+buchananii+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Carex buchananii</a> - Taller bronze sedge<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Carex+testacea&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Carex testacea</a> - Soft and orange<br />
<br />
<b>Rushes</b><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Luzula+nivea&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Luzula nivea</a> - Snowy wood rush<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Luzula+sylvatica&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Luzula sylvatica</a> - Wood rush<br />
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<b>Grasses</b><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Stipa+gigantea+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Stipa gigantea</a> - Evergreen early blooming sparkles in the sun<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Stipa+tenuissima&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Stipa tenuissima</a> - Mexican feather grass<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Panicum+virgatum+%27Northwind%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'</a> - Autumn switchgrass (2014 perennial plant of the year)<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Panicum+virgatum+%27Shenandoah%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'</a> - Red foliage 2-3 ft tall<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Panicum+Virgatum+%27Blood+Brothers%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Panicum Virgatum 'Blood Brothers' </a>- Better color than 'Shenandoah'<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Cortaderia+selloana+%27Pumila%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'</a> - Dwarf pampas grass<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Molinia+caerulea+%27Skyracer%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Molinia caerulea 'Skyracer'</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Molinia+caerulea+%27Strahlenquelle%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Molinia caerulea 'Strahlenquelle'</a><span id="goog_637101325"></span><span id="goog_637101326"></span><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Molinia+caerulea+%27Variegata%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Molinia caerulea 'Variegata'</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Hakonechloa+macra+%27Aureola%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'</a> - Plantings of this withstood several years of complete neglect at Heronswood and still look great after 30 years<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Chinochloa+rubra&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=Chionochloa+rubra&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&safe=off&spell=1" target="_blank">Chionochloa rubra</a> - Annie's Annuals used to sell it before Dan Hinkley mentioned it<br />
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<b>Restios</b><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Elegia+capensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Elegia capensis</a> - Not a horsetail!<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Apodasmia+similis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Apodasmia simili</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Rhodocoma+capensis&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Rhodocoma capensis</a> - Large plumes flowing in the wind give the effect of it being underwater<br />
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That does it for my coverage of the show. Next year's show will move to February 11-15th, 2015. If you live in the Pacific Northwest be sure to check it out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOhwR9--xvc/Uv2Zqla92nI/AAAAAAAAFIE/LhZntsWuD58/s1600/IMG_1552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOhwR9--xvc/Uv2Zqla92nI/AAAAAAAAFIE/LhZntsWuD58/s1600/IMG_1552.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Justin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862659740826334760.post-16004448879970733432014-01-08T21:40:00.000-08:002014-01-08T21:46:46.658-08:00Winter in the Rhododendron Species Garden, Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMPjHl_45n4/Us4vlx1dCHI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/bsjMSpsLSzs/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMPjHl_45n4/Us4vlx1dCHI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/bsjMSpsLSzs/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are the very cool plants I purchased from the garden:<br />
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<u><b>Back row from left:</b></u><br />
<i><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Rhododendron+Choniastrum&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5TbOUsbtGY_soASHmIGoCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Galax+aphylla&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank">Galax aphylla</a> </i>- Evergreen groundcover<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Rhododendron+Choniastrum&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5TbOUsbtGY_soASHmIGoCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Rhododendron+%27Doris+Mossman%27&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank"><i>Rhododendron</i> 'Doris Mossman'</a> - A hybrid vireya with bright orange flowers<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Rhododendron+Choniastrum&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5TbOUsbtGY_soASHmIGoCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Speirantha+convallarioides&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank"><i>Speirantha convallarioides</i></a> - Yet another evergreen groundcover (I'm a big fan)<br />
<br />
<u><b>Front row from left: </b></u><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Rhododendron+Choniastrum&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5TbOUsbtGY_soASHmIGoCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Rhododendron+taxifolium+&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank"><i>Rhododendron taxifolium</i> </a>- A vireya with white bell-shaped flowers<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Rhododendron+Choniastrum&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5TbOUsbtGY_soASHmIGoCA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Rhododendron++Choniastrum&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank"><i>Rhododendron</i> Section Choniastrum 164sd2010</a> - Large unknown species<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Oreocharis+auricula&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WDXOUrL9MsfaoASu8ICoBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Rhododendron+keiskei+%27Yaku+Fairy%27&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank"><i>Rhododendron keiskei</i> 'Yaku Fairy'</a> - A super dwarf mounding groundshrubber<br />
<i><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Oreocharis+auricula&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WDXOUrL9MsfaoASu8ICoBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Dimorphanthera+alpina&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank">Dimorphanthera alpina</a> </i>- A vine with large, blueberry like fruit (semi-tender)<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Oreocharis+auricula&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=WDXOUrL9MsfaoASu8ICoBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1084&bih=1051#q=Oreocharis+auricula&safe=off&tbm=isch" target="_blank"><i>Oreocharis auricula</i></a> - Cousin of the common Africa violet houseplantJustin Galicichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14544374731959063754noreply@blogger.com1