My Yard in pictures

I was out in my flowerbed today trying to divise a plan to kill the fire ant infestation that has taken over my poor lamb's ear plant. lol

My short order solution was to blast them with a strong spray of water...but, to no avail.....they just picked up their babies and came right back.

RRRRRRRRRRRR

Anyway, I thought I'd add some pictures of some of the plants in my yard.

With the cooler weather, the flowers have really started to POP.

My plant swap 9/13/08

Here are some pictures from the plant swap Elaine and I had on the 13th.

Morrison Library plant swap in Charlotte, NC

I went to their first ever plant swap yesterday.

I had a lot of fun...and, met some really nice ladies. One of them was a cacti-lover like me...and another one was a master gardener for Mecklenburg county.

I want to be a master gardener! lol

I got some pretties there! I am perplexed about one of them....I got a Maltese Cross.

It's leaves look like the leaves of a Lamb's Ear......but, it has really pretty red flowers.

From what I have researched so far ... the plant gets leggy, but the flowers redeem it. lol

It's a tender perennial in my zone...but, what the heck does that mean? lol

My hoya pics.....I don't have enough! lol

My Hoya cuttings.....Why didn't I label them?

Have you ever been so excited to get some new cuttings that you just have a massive brainfart? lol

I did!!

I am now trying to figure out the id's of a few of the cuttings I have recieved from Harry.....I have figured out with the help of some Garden Web ladies what one of the cuttings was...but, I still have some that I do not know exactly what they are....

I also have one I received in a trade that was labeled Philipine Black..and, I'm not sure if that is a common name or the botanical name.

Here are some pictures....also, some pictures of the cuttings inside the boxes....I finished up with my Amaryllis today...and moved over to the boxes.

If you know what these are...please let me know!!

My new propagation method...til the hydroponic system is made....

After talking to one of my friends about some pictures she received via email from another plantie person....I decided I'd try to figure out the best way to make a simple propagation box work.

Here is what I did....

I went to Walmart and bought a 5 gallon clear plastic storage bin with the snap on lid...along with 3 shoe box sized clear storage boxes...and I had one small lidded claer storage box I used to use to hold foam stamps in from back in the day.

I used my favorite soil mix of 1 part Miracal Grow cactus soil and 2 parts Miracal Grow perlite.

I placed about a 2 inch layer of soil in the bottom of the boxes...and placed my brand spanking new Hoya cuttings in them...filled up all the boxes....that's a lot of Hoya cuttings! lol

I mixed up a batch of root stimulator/fertalizer into my spray bottle and misted the boxes and placed the lids on tight.

You of course have to keep them out of direct sunlight or you'll end up with plant goo.....but, I have them in my kitchen on my plant shelf on the lower level that gets very little light.

The shoesboxes I found didn't have clear lids...but, I don't think thisis gonna make a big deal to be honest.

Now, I'll check on them everyday to make sure they are not dry or too wet.....and to see my newly rooted beauties! lol

I hope it works as I received some really nice starts I have been wanting for like EVER!! lol

I joined a Hoya round robin on one of the forums i'm on...it was totally awesome!! I got some new starts that I am really excited about getting to grow!

And.....I have blooms!! Yes...BLOOMS! woohoo!! lol

I'll add them so you can see them!

I have to work on making my database up to date tonight...so I know what I have and what I do not have. lol

Before I forget.....there is one other way you can do this propagation box......get a 4 inch clay pot and plug up the hole on the bottom with epoxy.

Glue that to the middle of your box...and fill up with soil and dirt as you would. Then fill the pot up with water so it self waters the box.

I didn't do this because I didn't want to have to worry about too much moisture.

If it looks too wet, take the lid off for a little bit...but, with misting it and checking it yourself daily...you can adjust and make sure that it never gets too wet!