Saturday Hot Or Not


Above:  happy it's cooler.  Even Blondie (far right) is feeling good again.  
When I woke this morning it felt like Autumn, not summer.  Hooray!  Being outdoors during daylight hours--what a treat!  The gardener and some of the plants will be happier now that the worst of summer is over.  Other of the plants, not so happy.  
 A new Tillandsia xerographica, cheap and from a big-box store, of all things! I killed the first one, though it may have had a rot problem at purchase.  Do these want it hot or not?  Unsure.
  Leucophyllum candidum 'Thunder Cloud' had no flowers on Thursday.  None.  Today is Saturday.  It was that fast.  These plants bloom in response to a good drench.  Flowers aside, we'll call it a likes heat plant.   
 The Gomphrena, a six pack of tiny plants, has grown rampantly.  Another hot weather enjoyer.
 It's taken over.
 Bismarkia noblis has grown three new fronds.  Heat-lover.
 Graptopetalum is on the other hand mostly dormant in summer heat.  This plant drapes beautifully, though the bare base of the plant is not overwhelmingly attractive.  Best placed where you can't quite see the bare base. 
 I was shocked to see a flower stem (indicated by white arrow) emerging from an orchid I've tortured for years and years.  The shorter days and cooler nights have stimulated bloom?
 A trio of very aggressive male Hummingbirds have come to an uneasy understanding of whose territory is where.  One is getting the northwestern part of the garden, which includes several Salvias, Grevilleas, and Russellia, another has taken over the Salvias, Grevilleas, and Aloes on either side of the front walk; the last has laid claim to the front slope full of Aloes, Metrosideros, Calothamnus, and Grevillea 'Moonlight'.  The males are still chasing off females at this point.  One clever girl managed to get considerable nectar by flying low and staying below the Aloe flowers of 'Cynthia Gitty', one summer-loving Aloe:
 Winners and losers in the change of season, but ahhh...the gardener sure is happy.  There is more hot weather ahead, but not today. 

Comments

  1. Not hot here. Only 81. Well, after temps in the 100s and high 90s, it feels not too hot. Female looks like an Anna's. No rufous coloration. Here the Allen's have chased away all the Anna's which used to be quite abundant. I recall that you have black-chinned as well. Quite a variety, eh? The bottom picture is super-duper gorgeous. Love those very sexy, sinuous, curling leaves like arms hugging all about each other.

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    1. Lots and lots of hummers in this area. I have seen a big increase in Allen's the past couple of years. They are the feistiest and try to drive out the others. I've planted so many hummingbird plants they can't guard them all. Makes it interesting.

      That T. xerographica is so very photogenic!

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  2. Lovely Tillandsia and a great buy! (That one was over $20 at the tropical nursery in Torrance as I recall.) We've been getting good marine layer coverage in the morning but I can't say it feels quite fall-like here yet. Still, it's very pleasant and thus, time to get back to work!

    P.S. I'm glad to hear of Blondie's recovery.

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    1. Thanks, it's such a relief to see him swimming around eating like crazy once more.

      Our high today was a glorious 76F. Wheeee! And yes, back to the garden, stuff to be done.

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  3. I always feel a sense of success when I make it through another Texas summer! My tilandsia like yours bite the dust....all my others are fine......I hope ours thrives. I work to attract hummingbirds to our garden.....but nothing yet! Happy Gardening!

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    1. Our summers are nothing compared to yours. Bravo! I have read make sure water doesn't sit in the center of the plant, so I'm taking that very, very seriously. We'll see if that works.

      The hummingbirds will arrive eventually. Took a few years here.

      Happy cooler weather!

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  4. Hooray for fall weather! I actually wore a hoodie for the better part of today. So very grateful for cooler temps! Glad Blondie is better, but sorry - I have no experience with keeping the T. xerographicas alive. I have faith in you, though!

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    1. Doesn't it feel great? Out the window at this moment is grey gloomy overcast--wonderful! We're not at hoodie weather yet but soon, maybe.

      The xerographicas are so beautiful, they are a strong inspiration for dedicated good care.

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  5. Summer here has been mild this year; I think I can count the bad days on one hand.We
    have a few weeks before it is actual fall, but the signs are everywhere. The Gomphrena-I had to cut it back hard last weekend lest it overwhelm it's neighbors. Impervious to everything.

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    1. Our summer has been more "normal" or "average" or "typical", over all, than the last 3 or 4 summers. I'm hoping that means we get significant rain this winter. Of course just about any phenomenon incites hope for significant rain this winter.

      The Gomphrena has been a lot of fun. I wasn't expecting such vigor and the heat-resistance was a big bonus.

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  6. I'm so pleased Blondie is better now, that is such good news. Some beautiful foliage and plants here dear Hoover. I bought a Russellia 'Lemon Falls' at a fund raising stall at the hospital, it is so pretty.
    Hugs and a happy week!
    Dianne
    xoxoxo. ♥️

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    1. 'Lemon Falls' not available here--what a beauty! Enjoy.

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  7. Happy fish, happy plants, happy gardener...and a great photo to wind things up. I'd say you're in the catbird seat.

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    1. That xerographica is the supermodel of Tillandsias.

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