Friday, December 19, 2008

Cactus Cookie Cutters


Over at buzzfood, Tamara Sellman says:
The idea of Christmas Cacti isn't new (for me); I made these about 18 years ago when I worked as a cookbook editor for Publications International, Ltd., and had an obsession, at that time, for collecting oddball cookie cutters.
Just what I need for Christmas, some "cactus" cookie cutters... Anybody listening?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

"Hardy" Echeverias

People are always asking whether Echeverias are hardy or not; people tell them that under the right conditions, some are quite hardy...

Well, this one's hardy all right - as long as you keep it below freezing. Warm it up and it suddenly will become a wee bit limp!

But as long as it's below freezing, it's a beaut! I call it our "Echeveriacicle". For us it's been really cold, down to 16 degrees F.

(Actually, we just forgot these two Echeveria gibbiflora hybrids and they didn't get into protection. If either one does survive, we'll let you know!) [Fat chance!]

Monday, December 15, 2008

Growing roots

I've often said that we're in the business of growing roots. This is what I mean:

Brrrr!

The cold weather has arrived with a vengeance. I've been out in the greenhouses improving the insulation throughout but tonight is going to be the cold one, so we'll see. And more snow on Wednesday.

Enough already!