Gardening in 2011

Oh, last year's garden was for the most part a success.  Though the plants I wanted to keep alive over the winter faired poorly and I lost most of them.  I learned some lessons this past winter!  I guess that sometimes failure is the greatest teacher.

I am happy to say though that a few survived.  My geraniums, the larger Bay Laurel, a couple of the orchids, a Diffenbachia I was given, saved from certain destruction.  My Mandevilla survived the winter by the back door as did my monster Christmas Cactus - which bloomed profusely as always throughout the winter.

The Hardy Kiwi I bought, discounted, are now planted snugly at my parent's home under a trellis thriving.

My garbage garden got hit, the mangos didn't make it (sigh) - my fault, they got too cold and dry.  Three of the four pineapple tops are happy, though they did suffer a bit, all have new growth on them.  I set another top in soil about a month ago, and it is happy happy too!

The African Violets I started are all taken off.  The one pot probably has 5 or 6 in it that need separated and repotted.  The one leaf just kept growing, and growing, but didn't want to put off any new shoots until about May, when it started to add some little leaves.  That was interesting!!

I found a place online that encourages cuttings to be rooted with nothing, or with honey in place of hormone.  I am ALL FOR Honey!!  The plants barely wilted!!

I have taken more cuttings of the purple plum, my greatest challenge for the season as it inevitably succumbs to powdery mold.
Cuttings of the black currant (that smells of cat urine) which rooted within days of cutting them.
Dipped and set some stems from my roses after trimming, and all are already budding!
Dipped and set 9 Diffenbachia stems only a couple days ago, but all are looking good.
Trimmed my Bay Laurel and set all trimmings into soil, without honey, all are looking SUPERB! A little wilty initially, but I think that was my fault as I set them outside where they got squished a little and too warm I'm sure.  Brought them in and changed how they were covered and wha-la, perked right up and are looking wonderful.
Have a low-growing yew out front, and I took a couple stems and dipped them, they're not wilty, and are seeming to be ok, don't know how though they're fairing as they don't wilt, there is no molds or other funguses on them, and they do take some time to root as they're slower-growing than other plants.

I have christmas cactus cuttings that are a year old now and thriving, I'd like to sell them, but no one seems interested.

I got my mom to take cuttings of the butterfly bush, the varigated boxwood, and her hybiscus, which are all doing well - am excited to bring them home when they're rooted!

I also planted several Miracle Fruit plants, and goji berries and await their germination and breaking the soil.


Just seem to keep trying, and trying and hoping!  Eventually I'll get it right and then watch out!