Monthly Archives: June 2011

Green Swiss Chard Planted + Summer Leafy Greens?

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I didn’t do much gardening, but I planted the 6-pack of Green Swiss Chard Folia into three half squares in back of the Lemon Cucumbers. I think I will plant either some Bush Beans or another summer greens in the other halves of the three squares.

I also moved some of the Coleus pots I planted a few days ago into the front patio.

Which reminds me… I need to do some research and find out if there are green leafy vegetables that will grow in the summer time… since I believe most greens like Kale, Bok Choy, Mustard, etc. like the cool weather. Any suggestions?

[Update]
I found a couple sites that have some good ideas:
– Veggie Gardening Tips: Top Ten Leafy Greens for Summer Gardens
– Mother Earth News: Spinach Alternatives: Warm Weather Salad Greens

Unknown Bromeliad Solved…

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Bromeliad Pot

A few days ago, I divided my Bromeliad pot and there were 4 varieties:
– a green Vriesea Bromeliad
– a red Vriesea Bromeliad
– a yellow Aechmea recurvata var. recurvata Bromeliad (that was dead)
– an unknown toothed leaf Bromeliad with long leaves

I don’t remember planting the fourth one on the list, so I looked for historical photos when I planted this pot and found this photo, which shows that I only planted three varieties:

Potted Bromeliads

After reviewing the photos of the individual plants, I noticed that the Aechmea recurvata var. recurvata had a little baby plant:

Aechmea recurvata var. recurvata

I think the mystery Bromeliad is actually the baby Aechmea recurvata var. recurvata… which explains the toothed edged leaves.

Bromeliad

It’s really interesting how the new plant is green instead of yellow and the leaves are a lot longer. I wonder if growing under a shade caused this.

More Mystery Plant Research…

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So a day after I posted photos of the mystery plant. I just got a few responses:
– Schinus terebinthifolius, which I still don’t think it is because it doesn’t quite match this photo.
– Kentucky Coffeetree, Gymnocladus dioicus, which I don’t think it is.

So I did more research using the Virginia Tech VTree ID Leaf Key website. After all the questions, this is what I came down to this page:
leafy, broad leaves > alternate leaf arrangement > compound leaf > pinnately compound > singly pinnate > serrate, toothed, or spine-tipped leaflet edges

I found two photos that reminds me of our mystery plant. One is a Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) and the other is a European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia).

The search continues…

Mystery Plant…

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I’m trying to figure out what this plant Folia is.

Mystery Plant Leaves and Reddish Branch

It’s a voluteer plant that has serrated leaves and a reddish truck and branches. Some people suggested that it is a Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), but the leaves don’t quite match the photos I’ve seen.

Click below to see more photos.

Continue reading →

Dividing the Bromeliad Pot…

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Today, I decided to divide my Bromeliad pot that contained 4 types of Bromeliads and a mystery plant that has grown about 4 feet tall. One of the yellow Bromeliads (Aechemea recurvata v. recurvata) died, but the other three are pretty healthy.

Bromeliads and Mystery Plant

Click more to see the repotted Bromeliads

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Berkeley Rose Garden + Westbrae Nursery + Complete Garden Supply…

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This morning, I went to the Berkeley Rose Garden to meet up with some members of the East Bay Modern Quilting Guild to take photos of some quilts. It was my first time at the Berkeley Rose Garden and they had tons of roses. I saw Cyn, Lauren with her two kids and Margaret. I didn’t have any of my own quilts but took some photos of theirs.

Afterwards, I stuck around and shot some photos of the Roses and other plants around the garden. It was a beautiful warm day… but I kept dropping my camera lenses! Argh!

I then passed by Westbrae Nursery and picked up two Coleus: Coleus ‘Mozaik Thin Mint’ Folia and Coleus ‘Mozaik Lava Red’ Folia . I also saw a pretty double Spidery Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum maximum ‘Aglaya’) Folia .

Before going back home, I also passed by Complete Garden Supply and purchased more cheap basic black pots (1, 2 and 3 galloon sizes) and some 10×10 trays.

Agrostemma githago ‘Milas’

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Agrostemma githago 'Milas'

Agrostemma githago ‘Milas’ Folia in Bloom.

Three New Succulents…

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I got a couple new succulents today.

Found Sea Fig

Carpobrotus chilensis, Sea Fig/Ice Plant Folia
Me and my Mom went to a Filipino festival at the Vallejo waterfront. I noticed that there were Ice Plant branches near the Vallejo waterfront (parked cars ran over them), so I tore some of the healthy tips and will try to grow them.

Opuntia subulata cristata

Opuntia subulata cristata (Crested Eve’s Needle) Folia
Later, we went to Lowe’s and I found a small 2 inch crested form of Opuntia subulata, which I bought.

Cotyledon sinus-alexandri Leaves

Cotyledon sinus-alexandri Folia
Tagging along the Opuntia subulata cristata, were some broken Cotyledon sinus-alexandri leaves, which I will try to root.