| Author | Content |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 17, 2008
6:56 PM Post #5275687
| I hope this works Sue. It was getting to far to walk in the other Tea Room .
I have something nice today for the move. Blueberry Streusal muffins. Warm with a little butter, just nice for a day like today.
It is raining and more to come all weekend. The plants are loving it . It is not too windy which is a plus as the wind makes things very uncomfortable.
I planted out 2 more little salvias and am buying 3 more. ( $2 on eBay) They do so well here , I thought I may as well fill up the cottage garden area with them. I have about 9 different ones now . One of the new ones has a brownish flower which will be different. I like the brilliant blue ones .They look well in with the pentsemons. I was looking around at plants yesterday and find that the fuschias i moved out into a more sheltered part,are full of new leaves. i really love fuschias but they seem to all give up here in the hot weather, even in shelter, so as these have survived a summer , they should be okay.
My Japonica is looking beautiful but I am not going out in the rain to take a pic. The smaller pink/white one is a later bloomer..
I have to go out to the shops today so better move. I hope everyone is keeping warm .
You sound much better Sue, and chrissy , how are you workmen going ? It won't be long before you are planting against that shed.
Happy gardening . Jean 
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Kaelkitty
Adelaide
(Australia)
(Zone 10a)
July 17, 2008
7:06 PM Post #5275741
| Well Done Jean,
Let me be the first to congratulate you on the new thread. I have given up baking, as it is too tempting for me to have anything containing flour or sugar in the house, so I can't really contribute to the tea room much, but you know I will lurk happily and read about food anytime - at least that doesn't raise my blood sugar!
TTFN, KK. |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 17, 2008
7:21 PM Post #5275811
| hell kk. don't worry, all the talk in here is usually garden not food. I just supply sustenance for hungry gardeners. Bring along some flowers for the table when you visit. Jean. |
chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 17, 2008
7:30 PM Post #5275866
| I found you Jean just popped in for a quick cuppa ...thanks so much.
I posted my few little pics today ...maybe more later. Phones ringing |
dale_a_gardener
Tampa, FL
(Zone 10a)
July 17, 2008
7:34 PM Post #5275891
| Fresh flowers for the new 'tea room'
Clivia hybrid
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 17, 2008
8:09 PM Post #5276115
| Beautiful dale. Such a pretty color. Have a muffin while you are here.
i have just been taking a few pics while the sun is out. i will give them a thread of their own so i don't take too much room here. Jean. |
weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
July 18, 2008
2:00 AM Post #5278074
| Well done Jean! Did you have any trouble, or was it as easy as?
I'm just home from work and have to say "THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY"
I'm going out in the garden for a look-see and might take some pics out there if theres anything new. I have a number of flowers coming on numerous Broms, so be prepared. I hope you're all not too sick of them? At least they are all different looking in some way.
Your muffins look gorge' Jean, but I just had raisin toast before I came. I must remember to come here first before heading for the home kitchen.
Sue |
chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 18, 2008
5:28 PM Post #5281518
| Never sick of Broms ...or anyone's plants ...oh those clivias are beautiful ...they cost a fortune here ...I have some but waiting for them to bloom for the first time ...thanks for that pic ...wow.
Jean you are a lifesaver ...so nice to have someone make a cuppa for me for a change, ahhhh lovely.
Sue have you settled back in ok? we always look forward to your (and everyone's pics) I hope you enjoy your Saturday in the garden ...it's always nice to go searching for new little blooms and shoots etc ...it's the joy we all have in our gardens ...I think Spring will be early this year things are starting to stir. |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 18, 2008
6:51 PM Post #5281894
| Now wasn' t I a silly fool ? I was rambling on about shadehouses for chrissy and without thinking, put today's special treat in the wrong room. Oh well everyone can have 2 lots.
Lovely warm Banana Bread with butter.
Never sick of your lovely pics Sue. I have not seen so many pretty broms. Are the little ones I sent still growing ? I would love to see them flower. I still have a couple here that were pretty yuk, and dead looking Don't faint Sue, but I just threw them away under a tree. They still look dead but there are a couple of pups coming from the bases. These are a sort of greeny purple striped leaf There was a name . I'll see if I can find the label. If the pups look like growing I may just leave them where they are. If you had seen where they came from you would get a shock. There were a lot of pots with the broms all grown about 18" tall and so squashed together the pots were bursting. All jammed into a tiny little wire shed . They had probably been in there forever. There were a lot of dead flower heads so they must have kept growing.
Found a label. Bilbergia 'Gerda'
Took a pic for you too
happy gardening, I'm going to warm my fingers up.
Enjoy your cuppa. . Jean
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 18, 2008
6:56 PM Post #5281914
| Brom pic for Sue 
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 18, 2008
9:00 PM Post #5282538
| Thanks so much for all your info re the g/house ...I do envy you having a hubby that does that for you ...I hope you spoil him.
What about some date scones tomorrow ...I love them.
Your brom pups are looking just fine ...the one you sent me has thrown a nice stripey pup and seems pretty happy thanks so much.
The snail creeper would be perfect for shelter over the g/house as it dies off in Winter and lets the sun shine through ...you would have to remove the dead stuff though ...it covers the area pretty quickly when it sprouts again in Spring. |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 19, 2008
6:10 PM Post #5286964
| Hello everyone. Sorry chrissy , no date scones, have these pumpkin scones instead.
Quite chilly this morning. Feels almost frosty but sky is overcast. Expected rain yesterday never came .
I see out the window that the wind has died down. It was pretty blowy during the night. I have to do a bit of numbering today. I give all the iris and epis a no. then keep their details in a book. Easier than putting in name tags and having them fade.
I was lucky enough to score a whole box of asstd tags when I bought epis. I can use hubbys tools and lettering thingys to stamp nos. on tags.
Of course , some of the epis i want to number are on the new high shelf so must get small ladder out.
I have some small seedlings coming up from seeds I planted last year. They are pink/white Belladonnas or naked ladies plus another very similar white flowering bulb.
My little seed grown Clivias and Hippeastrums are coming on slowly There is also a Loquat from seed.
Chrissy, I have not seen any sign of the Olive seeds sprouting. Do they take long ?
I am also waiting to see how my seed grown passionfruit does when I plant it out in the ground.
Now that all my chooks are gone I will put the passionfruit along a piece of wire mesh in the old yard where the water runs off the shed. It will get plenty of sun . A lot of wind too but it should be able to hang on to the wire.
Better go and feed the children (magpies). They are all waiting at the back door. Mrs Bird is right into her nest building , so it looks like she will be bringing more children to the door this year. I love watching their antics when we put a bone out for them. Hubby ties or nails it to the bird table . They all have definite personalities. Gubby (garbage guts) Is the pushiest. MeToo is smaller and gets bossed by Gubby but then she bosses everyone else. Me Three is a bit more timid. He will wait on the fence . Mrs Bird is a Lady. No pushing and begging for her. She just comes to the door and stares regally until you notice her. Every morning there is a group around the back door. Waiting. Like the Alfred Hitchcock movie 'The Birds'.
I buy a small smoked ham soup bone every fortnight for them and cat cubes. They love them They clean up any leftovers and just love the bones from roasts. you should see the personalities that come out when there is the large piece of fat from a pork roast put out. Luckily my children were better behaved at the table.
We don't overfeed as they must learn to find their natural food. I have found that they also like cheese. I bought a block of cheese a while ago but it was just not nice so i threw it out on the shed roof thinking the crows may find it. The magpies tried it and would not let the crows near it. They cleaned it up over a week .
They certainly keep us amused. I have shadows when ever I am doing something outside and they will investigate whatever you leave lying around. I have to push any plant label well down in pots or they will be pulled out. Makes life interesting around here. Better get out and feed the darlings.
Have a nice day. Jean
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 19, 2008
8:09 PM Post #5287465
| Love pumpkin scones Jean...gosh the big bobcat is going ...so noisy I can't hear myself think ...just popped in for a cuppa but I will have to come back later ...oh my ears. Enjoy your lovely birdies!
hi and bye everyone until a bit later. |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 19, 2008
8:16 PM Post #5287492
| Thought you may like to meet Mrs Bird. Busy gathering more nest material. 
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 19, 2008
8:18 PM Post #5287501
| Say hello to Gubby. short for garbage guts. Don't get too close or he may decide you're food. 
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weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
July 20, 2008
3:17 AM Post #5289364
| Hello people, Oh Jean, those poor, poor bromeliads. I looked up Bilbergia 'Gerda' and it looks quite lovely. They don't mind a bit of filtered bright light, and have a brownish vase, banded with frosty silver, and get a short lived,(not too spectacular), green fower with pink bracts. They can grow on the side of trees, so if you've got a tree that that has a side facing the morning sun, and is protected from frost, thats the spot for it! Just tie it on with a stocking.
Hi Chrissy, yes all is well, I feel about 99% and have been out in the garden all weekend! I bought some callistemons and a melaleuca for, what I like to call, the bayou! There are already paperbarks growing there and it's an area I've not touched, so I decided to get tube plants ($2 each) and see if I can get some colour in there, but keep with the natural look. I've also been clearing the gum tree debris and mulching with sugarcane in preparation for the coming spring and summer.
I'm loving the garden at the moment, and all the hard work has paid off. The soil has improved, theres not many weeds and the plants are looking good! The lawn is looking crap, but I can't bring myself to spend time or money on it, nor waste water on it. It always seems to come right when the weather warms and we get the spring rains.
Thanks for the pumpkin scones Jean, but hubby made me crumpets with marmalade, so once again, I'll have to pass. Maybe Gubby and Mrs Bird can share mine?
This is an Aechmea 'Nivea' It stays this colour. I saw one at the market this morning, but the man had the wrong name on it. I should have told him, but I felt a bit funny correcting him, as he's an established plant grower, and 'Should' know his stuff. Oh well.
happy week all.
Sue
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weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
July 20, 2008
3:19 AM Post #5289370
| Just quickly Jean, here is Bilbergia Gerda, the pic is from the Florida Bromeliad society
[HYPERLINK@d3684183.u30.infinology.com]
I forgot to add, all the broms you gave me are doing well, (of course) and some have pups coming. I will post pics when any flower, as I have them all labelled with your name, so will know if its yours!
This message was edited Jul 20, 2008 5:21 PM
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 20, 2008
6:06 PM Post #5292128
| Good morning . We had some lovely heavy rain during the night. I had to pull a post out yesterday and the ground was still so dry underneath, it took ages to get it out. We need at least 3 or 4 years of the rainfall we used to get , to make sure any moisture gets down into the soil.
We are not going to get it so had better make the best of things.
Parts of my garden are slowly evolving into non watering areas. There are some bits, like most of the paddock garden that now survive on rainfall alone. I have removed a lot of the reticulation I first laid down when getting it all established. I only water in summer now and only on the plants I think need it. Even then, it is only about once a fortnight. The pots get a bit more as they dry out quicker. It never ceases to amaze me how plants will survive. Of course they are not going to look all lush and green like the garden magazine pictures, but they still look very nice to me. I have flowering natives among the plants which helps with color and protects the others.
If you want something really pretty that will fit in any garden, try the native Thryptomenes. The Grampians Thryptomene flowers most of the year here and is a lovely pink. I have the weeping one and the upright . I trim to suit . They survive a healthy haircut.
I am building benches today. The new greenhouse is up and I want 2 benches inside.
It looks like being a nice day so I will make an early start.
Have a nice day everyone and enjoy the cakes. For chrissy, Chocolate Angelfood Cake
Jean.
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 20, 2008
6:23 PM Post #5292196
| Grampians Thryptomene.
As you can see a very pretty addition to your garden. Sue, thanks for the pic of the bilbergia. it does look like mine. Not very pretty though. I will leave mine where they are. if they grow , they can fill up that spot. It's under a Melaleuca.
The sun is coming out so I'mm off outside. Jean.
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 20, 2008
9:00 PM Post #5293015
| Jean ...golly my heart bleeds for you ...it sounds just like the big drought we have been through until last Summer of the big rain! You never know it might be your turn this Summer ...it rained here too last night and the ground is so soggy I have had to scrape inches of clay off my shoes after walking over newly cleared area ...I have now lost two large figs(yummy ones) and some grape vines ...hubby has decided to add to the existing shed :(
I feel like I am surrounded. The weather is sunny once more and about 18C ...forecast for feeze tomorrow. Wow you are a handy lady ...I would not know how to build a bench ...good for you.
I hope everyone is getting some rain now ...thanks for the cuppa!
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 21, 2008
12:50 AM Post #5294273
| My benches are no work of art, chrissy. I just use whatever is available. Luckily, when we still had a rubbish tip locally. we would bring home all the pine posts people threw out. They are so handy now to use as legs for benches.
I simply nail an old bit of board across to join 2 pieces of pine post. For the greenhouse i used 3 of these pairs. cut to the height I want , I just put them in a hole and fill in. Once in and level, I just nail any long pieces of board to the tops. Hey presto , a bench. With any old mesh or fridge trays sitting on top you have a great free draining bench. Plant something underneath to look pretty and it gets watered every time you water plants on top.
The Angels love their greenhouse benches .
Get your hubby to make you some . They are also great out under trees for pots etc.
If you can't do it, get the material and make sure hubby is around . Start nailing a piece of wood , then ask if you have it right. The macho male ago will soon take over from the 'little woman'
I'm lucky. My dad taught me lots when I was little and I have had to do things myself for many years before I remarried.
If hubby is around though, he will ask me what I'm 'trying' to build.
He has learnt to only offer help when I ask. 2 independent people can clash a bit when it comes to who can do what. Ha ha
Happy gardening, Jean,
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garden4grace
Bendigo
(Australia)
July 21, 2008
7:28 AM Post #5294863
| Hi Jean, i had to laugh at your tactics for shelf building. I have the same deal happening here. hubby is no gardener but is a structural engineer so I could never do the building of anything to pass inspection. my problem is every thing is over done!! I just need shelves not buildings!! anyway my shelves are up and we are now building a propagation unit. hope it will be ready before summer comes and I don't need the extra warmth for germination.
had 15mm rain over weekend which was nice. the weeds really loved it. anyway its geting late and supper time!! have to work tomorrow so cant stay up too late. Lois |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 21, 2008
5:32 PM Post #5297809
| Good morning everyone. yes Lois, I know what you mean. His way is the only proper way it's done and what would i know ? He's a darling to do it but oh dear, the male ego. Apologies to all those gardening fellows out there. We are talking about the non gardening males. Don't you have a laugh though, when they show any visitors, 'our' garden ?
Off to Mt Gambier today and I am going to definitely look at a nursery somewhere. I've never been to one there .
It's cold this morning but fine so far.
I will leave you to enjoy your day and a nice cake. Blackberry Coffee cake
Happy day , Jean.
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 21, 2008
8:55 PM Post #5298900
| good morning all brrrrr ...0C last night but the sun is shing bravely this morning ...I miss my cootamundra wattles ...yes bulldozed away ...my poor poor gardens luckily my secret garden is ok ...I think that would be a deal breaker! My hubby can do anything too ...however he works around the clock so I do the best I can.
Just look ...this was where my figs were ...
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 21, 2008
9:00 PM Post #5298937
| Never mind we all find a way don't we? ...my brother is arriving in a couple of weeks ...my life is about to change forever ...bless my dear garden ...it saves my sanity ...a respite indeed, so is this dear little tea room and where it dwells ...right here in daves garden. |
Awchid
Gisborne
(New Zealand)
July 22, 2008
1:08 AM Post #5300270
| Chrissy that pic looks worse than the last ones. Just think of all the landscaping you will be able to do. Perhaps DH will shout you some special plants or trees as a peace offering, always worked with me. My DH was always there to help [if it was convenient] but only his way. When I was away once he rang and asked if I'd like another shade house, of couse the answer was yes please. I did wonder but
said nothing. When I got home it was the first thing I saw, right outside the front verander. He thought the verander was looking rather full and now I wouldn't have far to move things. Handy on a frosty night though if I hadn't covered stuff up. He had got the timber from the dump so that was handy, it was 100miles to a timber mill. Alas the timber was untreated not a broblem said he "I'll just fix it as I need to"
Yeah right , SIL and grand sons pulled down what hadn't already fallen down last xmas. It lasted as long as needed and he was no longer there to fix it, ended up being a win win story. Well Jean hope you had a good expedition and spend and will catch up later.
Sue you must be working hard as well, it's amazing the amount of enery generated at this time of year. Must be the longer nights , too
much time to think and not enough daylight hours to do things.
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 22, 2008
4:23 PM Post #5303013
| Ha ha ha oh well bless their hearts ...
Brrrrrr freezing again ...waiting for the sun to come up ...got to check for frost damage. Yes the cold is so energizing ...cocoa is good too!
Lost my Shattoot Mulberry tree last night ...they could not back the truck into the new shed ...so it had to go.I asked if they could leave enough to allow it to reshoot and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will come back from the butt (5") like all the feral ones we try and kill off all the time (bird offerings) ...they never die!
It shaded the Western corner of my home so as well as the fruit the shade will be sorely missed.
Nice pic Lesley ...stay warm ...
Jean what did you score at Mt Gambier? ...
Sue ? what have you been up to? hey all you gardeners out there pop into the flower tea room for a natter ...see you all later...I see some sun. |
mike_in_NZ
Atawhai,Nelson
(New Zealand)
(Zone 10a)
July 22, 2008
5:08 PM Post #5303223
| We are having rain here at present (about 100mm so far this month) so I haven't been doing a great deal. It's pay back for the two months when we had nothing. Lesley, are there any good nurseries up north that sell a wide range of Agaves and/or Furcraeas? I find that in NZ when it comes to exotic plants there is often only one or two varieties of each species. It's rather frustrating when you know there is many different varieties of Agave, for example, in existence. The same goes for Alocasia. I'd like to widen the range of these plants but it's proving difficult.
Anyway, enough complaining. Here's a great photo I took the other day :) 
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 22, 2008
6:08 PM Post #5303498
| I'm home but I did bring passengers with me. The day in Mt Gambier was a lovely outing. Hubby's eye appointment wasn't until 3pm so we had all day to wander. After a bit of a look around , we had morning tea . Lovely warm raisin scones with butter. Only 1 each though. More window shopping and buying of new shoes, then a trip into Kmart. Of course I headed for the garden area first. What's more important, checking out for orphan plants or buying new undies ? I was lucky enough to get 4 very different cordylines for a total of only $24 .
One is a large burgundy about 14" tall One is a green about the same size plus 2 smaller with wide colored leaves about 6"high.
After lunch we checked out all the El Cheapo shops. Go Lo, Reject Shop ets. I love these places. You can find bargains in the garden areas. I always look for damaged pots etc. I buy my bonsai pots at these too. lovely glazed ones for around $3 to $5.
There was still an hour and a half till the eye appt so hubby said the silliest thing one could say to a mad plantaholic. "What would you like to see now ?" Ha ha ha.
What would any of you have said ? THE NURSERIES of course.
We drove just out of town on the Port MacDonnell rd. past the Blue Lake, if anyone wants to find it.
This nursery is not over large, but absolutely packed with plants. Lots of beautiful craft stull in there among the plants too. Metal birds, tortoises, frogs etc.
I was in plant heaven. Naturally, I could only spend a limited amount here as is always the case when faced with such an array of ' I wants'.
I eventually bought 2 Hellebores. One is a black one, the other a very pretty speckled white with a fine pink edge.. The man in the nursery told me he tries to bring in the more unusual plants . They had a large assortment of fruit trees on sale but I settled for the Hellebores.
On the drive back into town , we found another shop we had not seen. Cheap as Chips. I bought some blocks of compressed coir for $1 each and a pack of 6 hanging hooks for $3. I usually pay $1.40 each.
That was my day out. Now I;d better get some food in here for hungry customers. Its very cold here this morning.
The weather gauge says -2C. . Hopefully it will be a nice day. I want to go out and play with my new babies.
Here is something nice to have with your cuppa. Pumpkin Spice cake.
Have a great day, Jean.
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Awchid
Gisborne
(New Zealand)
July 23, 2008
1:04 AM Post #5305688
| HiJean, Chrissy and Mike, and anyone else browsing. Oh Jean lucky you 2 new hellebores, I wish, I wish. Anyway you had a good day out
and thats the main thing eh. I never thought of buying hooks I make all mine from no8 wire so I get just what I want. I managed to get my lawn mowed today, I'm not sure if we are in for bad weather or not. Oh dear, Chrissy more lost plants well I hope this one will hang in there for you. Gee it's getting cold here as well, I was so warm while working. Was going to a nursery this afternoon but DD came to mow my lawn for me, she got nice surprise, so had to help me sort out my computor instead. Probably would have rather done the lawn,
never said so though. Daughters can be very tactful can't they. Mike just at the moment no nurseries spring to mind, I will think on though.
I know there is a great grower of all things prickly in Rotorua. I went there a few years ago but he didn't do mail order so of course thats no darn help at all. You could try NZ Plant Finder. There is also Coromandel Cacti at [HYPERLINK@www.cacti.co.nz.] Sotty can't do Hyperlinks yet. I haven't seen any Alocasias anywhere yet , will pass it on if I do. Do you get Weekend Gardener if not get one and check out the classifieds in the back. You can also reqest plants as well. I check that and NZ gardener every now and then to see whats new and who has got something to sell,you just never know.
Chrissy I just got a new box of plants 2 Adeniums 2 Stapelias and a Marniera chrysocardium = an uncommon Mexican epiphitic cactus,with large fern like stems several metres long.. Best grown in the shade and kept fairly well watered. Huge fragrant white nocturnal flowers. Yeah I had the same reaction. Not a Queen of the night I already have 2. It looks different though, more ferny, anyway I'll soon see could be interesting. Now I'm after a few more Day Lillies, have already sorted out my order, I really tried hard not to get too carried away. Well stay warm you all, I am off to put the heater on and maybe some tea. Catch up later. Lesley.
Jean I finally looked up your Dranunculus wow what colour is yours. I'd always called them Arums.
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 23, 2008
1:20 AM Post #5305758
| Hello Lesley. My dracunculus is hopefully a burgundy. I use fencing wire for most of my hooks but am running out and now the tip has closed, I can't get what I want. Of course , I could go and chop a piece of the fence but hubby would not be amused. I don't need many hooks now anyway. I've used up all the hanging space. Ha ha. she says. I could find a space if needed I bet.
Have been sitting down a lot today. I did something to my sciatic nerve the other day and it is giving me hell.
Going to have a cuppa now. Happy gardening Jean.
this is the other hellebore I bought. . I have been told it is an anemone centred picotee. I love it
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weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
July 23, 2008
3:44 AM Post #5305974
| Hi all, just in for a quick cuppa. Hi Jean, Love your Helebore centipede (for short) Lucky you to go out nursery looking! I love doing that, but not in the company of DH! I feel rushed when he's around! (and financially reined in!) LOL
Mike, what a gorgeous picture, with the rays through the clouds and the light on the ocean! So crisp and clear and in great focus! well done!
Chrissy, I thought you would have taken the opportunity to take cuttings of all your darlings before hubby decided 'off with their heads'? Mulberries are superdooper easy to strike! Even in a glass of water! Just wait till he has his sheds in order, you'll have lots of places to grow snail creepers, bouganvillea and no doubt he will unknowingly create some sheltered spot for more 'special' babies!
Hi Lois, long time no hear! How are you coping with the cold? Does it snow in Bendigo?
Hi Lesley, lucky you to have a computer literate daughtere and one who's handy with a mower! Mine doesn't even know how to use the phone! LOL
I've been busy working this week, and am back at tafe, with a new Tutor. She is very professional, easy to understand, and I think it will be a great semester! Unfortunately the subject matter is rather dry! Weeds, and OH&S! Nevermind! Both tutors have it in their plans to make it as exciting as possible.
I've been quitting my mowing jobs this week, and putting prices up for gardening to allow myself some respite coming into this spring and summer! I'm going to try and stick with just gardening, as the mowing is noisy, smelly, and dusty!
Anyway, haven't the forums been quiet of late?
See you next time in the cafe
Sue
This is my bushfire arrangement that I made for another forum back in April or May.
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Awchid
Gisborne
(New Zealand)
July 23, 2008
6:17 AM Post #5306072
| Mike I had a look at my Parva Plants catalogue and they have 5 agaves in there, well worth giving them a go. I have never had a bum plant from them yet and have been dealing with them for about 15+years. The agaves are in their winter catalogue, anyway give them a
go at [HYPERLINK@www.parvaplants.co.nz] Lesley.
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Awchid
Gisborne
(New Zealand)
July 23, 2008
6:37 AM Post #5306088
| Sue that is the only bushfire that I could say I really liked. You do have a talent dont you. Did you paint the back ground yourself, it is so
perfect.
Jean I do like your new hellebore. The new hybrids seem to be bred to hold up their heads, the centres can be so pretty its a shame that most if them hang their heads, almost as if too shy to look at you.
Lesley. |
chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 23, 2008
4:31 PM Post #5308498
| Mine are head hangers ...but the catalogue I got in the mail offers 6 new types ...beautiful colours even doubles for a reasonable price ...not now but maybe next year. In that same catalogue was a pink Arum that was as large as the big white one ...never seen one of those before ...I may weaken on that one ...I want.
Lovely picture Mike ...I hope perhaps to see it for real one day ...stay warm and thanks for glimpses of the beautiful NZ.
Lesley ...you are having fun aren't you ...good for you ...Winter is so wonderful for the excitement and anticipation isn't it ? ...yes all this bare ground emerging everywhere has my fingers itching ...and it will offer lots of little pockets of sheltered areas and shaded places to explore.
Jean all those little new darlings to love and be excited about ...ahhhh I wonder what the folk who don't do gardening are up to?
Sue that is very clever ...you have a way with things don't you? You sound busy as usual. Have fun at Tech.
Yes I took cuttings of my tree ...the other trees like my Elberta peach and My 15ft Geisha girl and the figs etc were all bulldozed in to a dip and hilled over so I didn't get the chance to save cuttings off those. Never mind ...ever evolving.
Sounds like we are all pretty busy even though it's Winter ...that pumpkin spice cake is yummy thanks Jean ...off to pick up horse poops ...I can see them now ...great steaming compost coming up ...I reckon the horse poop makes it heat up better than anything and I love looking at the steam coming off it in the winter.
Have a lovely day every one ...
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 23, 2008
5:42 PM Post #5308843
| good morning everyone. Very cold this morning nut looks like a fine day coming up. The temp was down to 0C and the forecast is for very cold and wet by the weekend.. I am off again today as it's shopping day. we go over to Hamilton every fortnight for our shopping. I am moving very slowly at the moment, having upset my sciatic nerve the other day in stretching the cover over the greenhouse. It will clear up but is very painful while it lasts. I have to be careful which chair I sit in as it can be a struggle to get up from a lower one. Hubby hangs over me to help , bless him.
No gardening though for a few days.
I will buy a plant to compensate today. You laugh. Well I need a plant. It's the best medicine for a sore anything, didn't you know.
I leave you to help yourselves to tea and cakes. Have a nice day . Jean.
Apple scone cake. yummy 
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 23, 2008
5:53 PM Post #5308886
| Oh Jean that poor sciatic nerve ...it is awful ...I had a bout of it after nursing someone ...could not lift the foot ...a bad chair was the worst ...thank goodness it came good. Try to rest and don't lift.
Browse the catalogues and stay out of mischief ...Spring is on the way and you will need to be fit. Sorry you are in pain.
HUGS |
mike_in_NZ
Atawhai,Nelson
(New Zealand)
(Zone 10a)
July 23, 2008
9:47 PM Post #5309891
| Thanks for the link Lesley - some chilly weather coming your way I think. Sue, that photo I took is of the area that lies between Motueka and Kaiteriteri - a place you are familiar with :).
Sounds a bit chilly in NSW/VIC at present? Anyone noticed the days are getting longer...
Mike |
weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
July 23, 2008
11:02 PM Post #5310377
| its still dark here at 6am and again by 5pm, so I can't say i've noticed the days getting longer yet Mike! But I live in hope!
Oh Jean, you poor thing. Sore backs are the worst! That sciatica pulls from the back to the thight does it not? Yeeouch! Rest up a bit wont you, and if the plant you get is large, have DH carry it for you.
Sorry you didn't get cuttings off all of your plants Chrissy. Now this might sound terrible, butI think the best thing your DH did was bulldoze that geisha girl! LOL. A bit of a weed around here. Just sing out when you want some new plants won't you.
Thanks for the kudos on my arrangement. I was lucky enough to be given a whole lot of fabric from a freind, hence the background. It was ideal. I have saved all my arrangement pics, so hope you don't mind if I recycle them. theres not much i want to cut for flower arrangements at the mo, and it's pouring rain anyway! This morning while it was fine, (well, not raining) I moved rocks and planted broms and cleaned up some more of my shade house, so the day hasn't been a complete waste, garden wise. I probly should do some housework. Phfffft! Later!
ok, I've got to go to town now, so i'll catch you all again soon.
Sue
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 24, 2008
6:14 PM Post #5314223
| Hello everyone. The sky is the brightest red/ pink this morning , so we may get some wet weather. It is forecast for the weekend. Yesterday was a beautiful clear day even though the light wind had a chill in it.
I did all the shopping and NEVER bought a plant. Aren't I very good ?
Not really, I just couldn't find one that took my eye. There were a couple of very pretty Hellebores but the price was way out of my range.
My back is getting better, I was able to walk around without a lot of pain. Just the sitting down then getting up that annoys .
Mike, our days here are definitely getting longer. I always like to get up as daylight starts and notice now by the clock that I am getting up earlier. Always have been an early riser and love to watch the sunrise.
I am reading a book you would like, Chrissy. It has been lent to me by my new Angel convert friend. One of the best plant books on a particular plant that I have seen.
'Brugmansia and Datura' by Ulrike and Hans-Georg Preissel, published by Firefly Books.
I am having a rest day today. There is not much to do in the garden at the moment anyway.
Sue ,the pics or your arrangements are lovely, keep putting them up. They certainly brighten the place up on a dull day. .
Something nice to nibble while you chat, Cinnamon Rolls.. I am off to read a bit more on the Angels. Have a great day and keep warm. Jean
[HYPERLINK@www.joyofbaking.com]
Just in case anyone wants to make any of the yummy cakes i put on. This is where i found them Lovely site. 
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 25, 2008
5:12 PM Post #5319234
| Good morning all ...sorry I was AWOL yesterday ...driving.
Gee I am green eyed Jean ...tell me about the book, did you learn anything much? such a shortage of info on the Angels ...I am waiting for Alistair's book, but would love to get my hands on that one ...where did your friend buy theirs? ...I hope your back is much improved ...take it easy mate.
I will be potting on some angels today ...the cheeky things have insisted on growing and have outgrown their little homes ...so I may have the sore back soon. It's crazy because it's so cold 4C ...the little yellow you sent me looks so happy ...leaves still looking very different to all the others.
Anyone heard of the new Angel Peach? a new flat peach said to be the tastiest of all ...it's from China ...gotta get one of those ...
What plans for the weekend folks?
catch up later.  |
77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 25, 2008
6:07 PM Post #5319482
| Good morning chrissy and everyone else who visits.
I am going to ask where the Angel book was bought as i want to get a copy. It is on both the Angels and datura but is so informative. I have already copied a couple of the chapters i really want to keep, just in case i can't get a copy. I will let you know where it came from .
My Angels are getting bigger and are going to have to go up a pot size in spring. The leaves of the one I sent you that is supposed to be a yellow Versicolor, are definitely different to the others. I have some cuttings of what was said to be an apricot flower and the leaves on them are huge . The cuttings have grown to around 15" -18" tall and the leaves would be about 12"- 14" long . Wide and a bit furry also. I open the greenhouse on fine days to let air circulate as there are a few traces of damp mildew on the leaves of some plants. Not only the Angels. It is not a disease , just the cold damp conditions we are having. I even get it inside on some walls . It will all disappear when the weather warms up.
We have had 2 lovely days but are in for a bit of rain now.
I saw that new Angel peach at the nursery the other day along with the Ballerina apples. Very handy to have small fruit trees. Look on the back of the Gardening Australia magazine . There is an ad for the little trees.
My back is a lot better but will take at least another week before I forget it was ever there and start getting back to normal.
I am potting up some cuttings over the weekend. I have some different colors in kalanchoes and also some more zygo pieces. I will sell them at the local show here, around November. This will pay for more potting mix and any plant I must have
better move or nothing will get done . Have a great week end everyone.
Looking forward to Sue's next flower arrangement for the table in the Tea Rooms.
Happy day. Jean.
Today's treat, an old favourite. Carrot cake.
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Awchid
Gisborne
(New Zealand)
July 25, 2008
7:38 PM Post #5319776
| Good morning folks, well it's not that good a morn really , i'ts cold wet and dull and there is a huge storm on the horizon. The weather people reckon it is a record low and will be the worst storm of the decade and to batten down the hatches. I looked at my little shade house and am not quite sure what to batten or to where so that is a great help. I answered an add in the local trader yesterday and now
have another shade house, it's just one of those cheep collapsable ones, you know where the pipes fall apart when you lift it. Which is what it promptly did. It also has a winter cover with it as well. Oh and thirty orchids. They are in much need of repotting etc afew have spikes, no names so is hard to tell how many are the same. I also found another plant outlet, natty little place too. The Stewart Centre.
they divide and pot up donated plants and succulents and trees then sell them $2 to$7 well grown plants too. The money raised goes to brain injury support which is a really good cause. This time I got 2 hellebores and a flag iris for a total of $7 and there are some bromeliads and stapelias I want to check out. Had DD and SIL with me and does that ever put a damper on browsing in a plant place. Was going back yesterday but got tied up with more important things. I have a heap of propagated plants at my other house that I no longer want so now I will donate them to this place they can repot them and make some money out of them plus mine are all labeled so I wont end up buying them back.
Sorry to hear about your bad back Jean, my SILaw Has just damaged his sciatic nerve and has 6weeks off work. and I used to suffer with it all the time when I was younger so have the utmost sympathy for you. It is a sod of a thing. So far MIike I have gained 30 mins before I have to shut my road side curtain, cos once I put my light on it is like being in a fish bowl everyone passing can see in, too public for me..
On a sunny day it is almost an hour 2more months and we will be back to daylight saving again.YE.
Well I had better go and get some gas for the heater, it ran out last night and it sounds as if I will be needing it. Bye for now Lesley.
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 26, 2008
5:09 PM Post #5323910
| Just popped in to quickly leave something nice for any visitors to the Tea Room.
Brownie Cup cakes...
Hope someone can bring in some flowers fro the tables. One of Sue's gorgeous arrangements would be nice.
Today needs brightening up. Very overcast and showery.. Jean
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terriculture
london
(United Kingdom)
July 26, 2008
5:20 PM Post #5323951
| Hi Jean and all, Hope everyone is keeping well and warm.
Just putting the kettle on Jean, for your tea!
Thanks for the cake.
Terri 
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 27, 2008
1:38 AM Post #5325829
| Hi everyone oh my ...I have no pretty flower arrangements for the table so may I just flash a quick pic of one of my favourite native "weeds" lol ...growing on a wire fence at my son's home.
Happy Wanderer ...I just love the name because that is what it does ...wanders 
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 27, 2008
1:41 AM Post #5325837
| Ooops got home with another load of hubby's stuff and here comes the storm so ...bye for now enjoy those yummy treats ...back later (I hope) 
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weed_woman
Coffs Harbour
(Australia)
July 27, 2008
7:04 AM Post #5326182
| hey terri, that is a very clever arrangement! I've only ever seen one other like it! very nice recycling job! We are doing well for the planet! Bring in some more won't you?
We had rain on thursday and friday. 110mm! Luckily it cleared up for the weekend. Lesley, how lucky were you to get all those plants, and I think your idea to donate your other stuff is very generous! good on you!
Thanks jean, I had a coconut and pineapple muffin for morning tea today, so your brownie cupcakes will go down a treat for desert tonight!
I bought these flowers for $5 at coles the other day. I love it when they're marked down, and would never pay full price for some of the other flowers they get!
I'll leave them at the cafe until someone else can bring another in.
Sue
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Awchid
Gisborne
(New Zealand)
July 27, 2008
7:44 AM Post #5326267
| Hi folks, hope everyone is surviving the weather, In the north and east they have had a weather bomb go through with quite a bit of damage. We were supposed to get it but luckily it took off to sea before it could do any damage here. Does worry me a bit about my other place as they got it bad. Supposed to be more of the same by wednesday, oh goody. I have been trying to get my imagination
around your flat peach Chrissy, it is a contradiction isn't it, peaches are supposed to be fat and juicy not flat and tasty,lol. I guess you have started on your list of (I'd likes) to fill up all your new empty spaces, a flat peach wouldn't take up much room would it. Would be handy for bottling eh, you could get more in a bottle. Don't worry I have had a very quiet weekend so am starved for company so am
probably rambling. What better place to do that but over a good cuppa with friends in a Tea House.
I had a look at Ebay last night, I wanted to see what plants they had for sale. There were a few orchids that rather tempted me, and day lillies from the nursery I already deal with, saw a few agave's that might interest Mike. Didn't think there were that many actual bargains.
Heaps of bromeliads from $12 up and that was mostly for unrooted pups, a plant was about $25, ouch. Just as well I don't have a credit card, it's a great restrainer. Otherwise I would have way too many plants and way too many CD's. Well it is now 11-45pm so I guess I should head off and get some shut eye or listen to talk back on the radio. Hope you all had a good weekend and didn't work too hard.
good night and sweet dreams to you all. Lesley. |
Kaelkitty
Adelaide
(Australia)
(Zone 10a)
July 27, 2008
3:16 PM Post #5328162
| FYI the 'flat peach' is called a Donut peach, apparently they are a very good flavour, but I can't see the point really. The americans are calling them Saturn peaches, after the planet. Here's a link: [HYPERLINK@www.daleysfruit.com.au]
Ciao, KK.
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chrissy100
Sydney
(Australia)
July 27, 2008
3:55 PM Post #5328328
| Wow look what has been going on ...terriculture ...hi !...nice and warm in England? how are you? ...love the arrangement as usual,
what is putting on a show around your garden at the moment and temps?
Jean I am glad you are feeling better ...take it easy with the potting, I guess everything will be happening for you soon in the eppy and zygo department.
Sue pretty flowers ...how is tech going? settling in ok after your hols?
KK thanks for that info on the "donut" peach ...heard about the china one for years and now we can have them too ...yes I am planning replacements ...love that site and visit it often.
Lesley and anyone else who needs a bit of company ...here we are at the tea house
Jean part 3 ...we chat big long threads so we need to jump to the next part ...this tea house is so popular.
Closing for now by saying
Bye Bye to Peter Cundal ...I was misty over his final program this weekend ...I will miss his inspiration and joy ...
" and that's your bloomin lot" Enjoy your "retirement" my friend.
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77sunset
Merino
(Australia)
July 27, 2008
6:37 PM Post #5329032
| Hello all. It is a long walk down here so I have moved us.I have taken all your flowers and put them on tables. thank you.
I think those little fruit trees are ideal for smaller yards and enable people to enjoy fruit without having a large tree which can sometimes take quite a few years to produce fruit. , not to mention their size. One normal tree would fill a good part of a backyard. These little fellas make it possible to have many different ones in the same space.
This pic is my little calathea I bought last week.
I am off to make a cuppa to warm my fingers. See you later at the closer location. Jean.
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
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