If you're going to work, might as well have some fun right?
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Clay Working Sunday
Marlon had Bass practice (he's playing with the Hawaii Youth Symphony Orchestra this season) and I had a headache, so Noe and I stayed back. After resting and some Tylenol, I felt better and knocked out some household chores. Then we had time to work some clay projects. Noe attacked to bin of used clay that contained our projects that didn't make it to the kiln or came back super saturated from my wheel class. She was able to work out a lot of the residual moisture and we put it back into the service bins (clay ready to use in projects).
If you're going to work, might as well have some fun right?
If you're going to work, might as well have some fun right?
Echeveria "Topsy Turvy"
This plant was a rescue from Lowe's (even though the one near my work tends to water more sparsely than the other big box home improvement shops, this one had some blunt force damage). It is flowering after about 6 months of backyard life and a repotting several weeks back.
***Update***
More pictures of the flowers.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Pachypodium saundersii
This is yet another "Out of Africa" plant - the Pachypodium saundersii. I've read on one of the plant catalogue websites that this plant is the 'vertical' version of the Pachypodium brevicaule. Well, with spines I would tend to disagree. This one is visibly making the adjustment to its new home well.
My Medusa Head Plants
I got the next two from the first order I placed at www.succulents.us. Euphorbia esculenta, although I am inclined to think it may be Euphorbia inermis.
I'll post some of the earlier pictures I have of this plant when I first received it. I think I may have found a place that all these 'medusa' plants like - morning to mid-day sun, lots of breeze. It is much happier now. What these plants have taught me is that succulents and scorching sunlight are not necessarily friends. You'll see what I mean when I post some of the older pictures.
Euphorbia flanaganii
This one is really happier in this new spot!
Both of these plants have bloomed before, but this time around it is like they are competing against each other for the title of "Gaudiest Fat Plant Ever". Or maybe they just really like the shot of Osmocote I recently gave them....
This last one came in from the "Out of Africa" shipment, and this plant is the reason I believe the first one is E. inermis - Here is Euphorbia esculenta. Go ahead and be amazed by its stunning beauty, it's luscious green complexion and the firm upreaching appendages!!! This one has so much charm and vigor!
There is no way that I could pick just one favorite plant - but for sure these type of plants with their thick caudex and upward reaching arms are definitely up there!
I'll post some of the earlier pictures I have of this plant when I first received it. I think I may have found a place that all these 'medusa' plants like - morning to mid-day sun, lots of breeze. It is much happier now. What these plants have taught me is that succulents and scorching sunlight are not necessarily friends. You'll see what I mean when I post some of the older pictures.
Euphorbia flanaganii
This one is really happier in this new spot!
Both of these plants have bloomed before, but this time around it is like they are competing against each other for the title of "Gaudiest Fat Plant Ever". Or maybe they just really like the shot of Osmocote I recently gave them....
This last one came in from the "Out of Africa" shipment, and this plant is the reason I believe the first one is E. inermis - Here is Euphorbia esculenta. Go ahead and be amazed by its stunning beauty, it's luscious green complexion and the firm upreaching appendages!!! This one has so much charm and vigor!
There is no way that I could pick just one favorite plant - but for sure these type of plants with their thick caudex and upward reaching arms are definitely up there!
Euphorbia sp nova Northern Madagascar
That's the name from the nursery (Out of Africa). The website says it will fill in like a round Pachypodium rosulatum gracilius. If it just gets fat I'll be happy!
Pachypodium brevicaule
This one is from "Out of Africa". It lost most of it's leaves but the two remaining look strong. This shipment came in a couple of weeks ago and it looks to be adjusting still.
This is one of the 'fattest' of the fat plants and I'm really looking forward to growing this one!
This is one of the 'fattest' of the fat plants and I'm really looking forward to growing this one!
Pachypodium bispinosum
I bought this one from www.succulents.us in Southern California. I've had it for a few weeks now and it seems to be adjusting well to the intense sun and higher humidity levels out here.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Cactus and Succulent Society of Hawaii August Meeting
All the winning plants were brought back to the meeting this month so all the members could take a closer look.
This "Ant Plant" was the best in show winner. Super interesting protuberances growing from the branches (still not sure what they were - I was going to ask the grower, but she was inundated with questions from other members).
The rest of the program was devoted to Adenia (not Adenium). Very slow growing caudiciform plants.
This "Ant Plant" was the best in show winner. Super interesting protuberances growing from the branches (still not sure what they were - I was going to ask the grower, but she was inundated with questions from other members).
The rest of the program was devoted to Adenia (not Adenium). Very slow growing caudiciform plants.
Small Pinch Pot - Red 25 Glaze
This one came out great! Soldate clay, simple pinched pot, with Red 25 glaze applied through dipping. If I recall correctly, it did go on a little thick, but as you can see, it tidied up nicely.
I thought this would be paired nicely with the Pseudolithos mccoyi
I'll have to take a few pictures of this plant/pot in better lighting and update this post.
I thought this would be paired nicely with the Pseudolithos mccoyi
I'll have to take a few pictures of this plant/pot in better lighting and update this post.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
First Load Out of the High Firing Kiln Run - Small Flower Vase for La
On Saturday I picked up a bunch of pieces from the Hickam Arts and Crafts Center - a little more than half of the group I had glazed emerged from the kiln. I'll post info on some of the ones I like (not really for you all out there who may be reading this, but mainly for me so when I am at the ceramics shop and need to remember what glaze I used, I can just jump back here). For starters, here is a small flower vase I made for La.
Soldate clay. Pinched round body that I flattened with a rice scoop. I painted on the McKenzie Celadon glaze. I was a little worried that the glaze would run at Cone 10, but it is super stable and did not run one bit. I even felt that the three coats was rather thick - but as you can see it thinned out considerably and hugged the vase shape tightly (even on the underside!!!).
Already in use!!!!
Soldate clay. Pinched round body that I flattened with a rice scoop. I painted on the McKenzie Celadon glaze. I was a little worried that the glaze would run at Cone 10, but it is super stable and did not run one bit. I even felt that the three coats was rather thick - but as you can see it thinned out considerably and hugged the vase shape tightly (even on the underside!!!).
Already in use!!!!
Monday, August 15, 2016
Amorphophallus konjac
Having seen the unique A. titanum a few months ago at the Foster Botanical Garden, I thought it would be interesting to grow a plant in this genus. I found a A. konjac which appears to have the same growth cycle, but packaged in a more manageable size.
from the website: "Amorphophallus konjac is a bulb that produces an enormous single flower up to 2 feet in size.. Its close relative, A. titanum produces that largest unbranched flower in the world and is exhibited in botanic gardens when it blooms. The flower of A. konjac produces a strong odor that smells like a rotting corpse, hence the name "corpse flower". These plants stay dormant as a bulb but will suddenly and quickly produce leaves in late Spring and will hold them through Summer. The plant then "collapses" in early Fall and stays dormant until next Spring. During this time it does not need water. Start watering in late April and by May or June, you should see the leaves start to emerge again. Be sure to give your plant ample water and a well-drained, fertile soil. They need a lot of fertilizer to grow well. Each year the bulb grows and produces off-shoots. When a bulb reaches about 6 inches in size it may produce one of its spectacular blooms. Keep your plant in partial shade outside or inside a greenhouse. Also, make sure to bury your bulb at least 2" below the soil line. (formerly Amorphophallus or Hydrosme rivieri) Amorphophallus konjac is from the Araceae family. This unusual hardy tuberous aroid has one giant divided leaf on top of a 4-5' tall, green and purple mottled, fleshy stalk (petiole). When old enough, the tuber produces a fascinating 5' flower (early May, before the leaf emerges) resembling a giant vase made from the purple vinyl used for cheap '70s car seats. The vase (spathe) is home to a 3' purple spadix that sits atop a 2' speckled petiole...gather your neighbors for the fragrant flowering ritual. After flowering, the plant may rest for months before the leaf emerges in late June. The mother tuber will form offsets, eventually making a giant clump...very exotic and unusual! Amorphophallus konjac has long been prized medicinally for its weight loss properties and is now used in many weight loss products. If you've ever eaten Amorphophallus konjac cooked you can easily understand why it would make you lose weight. We ship quarter-sized or larger tubers that are 3-4 years from flowering size. - This information came from Plants Delight"
I still experimenting with placement in the yard - it can get pretty hot and sunny back there...
from the website: "Amorphophallus konjac is a bulb that produces an enormous single flower up to 2 feet in size.. Its close relative, A. titanum produces that largest unbranched flower in the world and is exhibited in botanic gardens when it blooms. The flower of A. konjac produces a strong odor that smells like a rotting corpse, hence the name "corpse flower". These plants stay dormant as a bulb but will suddenly and quickly produce leaves in late Spring and will hold them through Summer. The plant then "collapses" in early Fall and stays dormant until next Spring. During this time it does not need water. Start watering in late April and by May or June, you should see the leaves start to emerge again. Be sure to give your plant ample water and a well-drained, fertile soil. They need a lot of fertilizer to grow well. Each year the bulb grows and produces off-shoots. When a bulb reaches about 6 inches in size it may produce one of its spectacular blooms. Keep your plant in partial shade outside or inside a greenhouse. Also, make sure to bury your bulb at least 2" below the soil line. (formerly Amorphophallus or Hydrosme rivieri) Amorphophallus konjac is from the Araceae family. This unusual hardy tuberous aroid has one giant divided leaf on top of a 4-5' tall, green and purple mottled, fleshy stalk (petiole). When old enough, the tuber produces a fascinating 5' flower (early May, before the leaf emerges) resembling a giant vase made from the purple vinyl used for cheap '70s car seats. The vase (spathe) is home to a 3' purple spadix that sits atop a 2' speckled petiole...gather your neighbors for the fragrant flowering ritual. After flowering, the plant may rest for months before the leaf emerges in late June. The mother tuber will form offsets, eventually making a giant clump...very exotic and unusual! Amorphophallus konjac has long been prized medicinally for its weight loss properties and is now used in many weight loss products. If you've ever eaten Amorphophallus konjac cooked you can easily understand why it would make you lose weight. We ship quarter-sized or larger tubers that are 3-4 years from flowering size. - This information came from Plants Delight"
I still experimenting with placement in the yard - it can get pretty hot and sunny back there...
Xerosicyos danguyi
Another plant from my recent order. I ordered the Silver Dollar, but I think based on the description I might actually have a X. perrieri - only time (or DNA testing) will tell...
From the website: "Xerosicyos is a flowering plant genus of the family Cucurbitaceae. Its name comes from Greek xeros meaning dry and sicyos meaning cucumber. There are three species, all endemic to Madagascar. Xerosicyos danguyi is a large liana with thick stems and round, gray succulent leaves. It is common in cultivation and often called the "Silver Dollar" vine. Xerosicyos perrieri is also a liana with thinner stems and smaller, ovate green succulent leaves. Xerosicyos pubescens is entirely different from the previous species. It forms a large caudex from which deciduous vines emerge. The leaves are lobed and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought."
From the website: "Xerosicyos is a flowering plant genus of the family Cucurbitaceae. Its name comes from Greek xeros meaning dry and sicyos meaning cucumber. There are three species, all endemic to Madagascar. Xerosicyos danguyi is a large liana with thick stems and round, gray succulent leaves. It is common in cultivation and often called the "Silver Dollar" vine. Xerosicyos perrieri is also a liana with thinner stems and smaller, ovate green succulent leaves. Xerosicyos pubescens is entirely different from the previous species. It forms a large caudex from which deciduous vines emerge. The leaves are lobed and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought."
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Brighamia insignis
This is a pretty rare flower - blossom of the endangered Brighamia insignis. The Hawaiian name for this plant is "Alula". Pretty mellow name! One of the common names is "Cabbage on a Stick".
This is the same plant I entered into the Plant Show - but apparently it was 6 days out from blooming. The second Alula I have isn't sending out flowers yet - and I don't know if this type of plant will accept pollen from its own flowers. Timing is everything... but it doesn't hurt to try.
This is the same plant I entered into the Plant Show - but apparently it was 6 days out from blooming. The second Alula I have isn't sending out flowers yet - and I don't know if this type of plant will accept pollen from its own flowers. Timing is everything... but it doesn't hurt to try.
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