Late season flowers: Glottiphyllum pygmaeum

Our early Fall warm weather is bringing forth a wealth of flowers from a variety of places. This one is Glottiphyllum pygmaeum, actually a dwarf form of G. nelii. But though it is not recognized as a separate species by most botanists, it's generally sold as such.
Like fat-tongued green gummy bears, these are quite easy to grow. Except for reducing the quantity of water while dormant during overly hot periods or during the short, dark days of winter, they enjoy moderate water with good drainage. The leaves will vary considerably depending on the conditions under which they are grown.
For those for whom Greek is "Greek" (like me, though I studied "Koine" Greek many (many) years ago, so I do have a little advantage.), the genus name comes from γλωττίς (glottis), meaning "tongue" and φύλλον (Phyllon), "leaf", thus "Tongue Leaf". [Aren't those botanists clever? Who'ld a thought it?]

Yesterday and today have been hectic as I do the task of transferring things from our old Windows XP to our new Windows 7. I hope to get it finished tomorrow...and then we hope (!) to be able to take a couple of days off next week over at the coast.

Sempervivum 'Bella Donna'

Tonight another alpine, Sempervivum 'Bella Donna'. In most climates (the exception being overly hot and dry climates) these are extremely easy to grow. So easy, in fact, that it's hard to get many people to take them seriously. These are those "hand me down" or "pick some up on the morning walk through the neighborhood" plants. They aren't called "Hens & Chicks" or "Live Forevers" (Semper = forever; vivum = live) for no reason.

But give these plants a second look. They're succulent but do best in cooler climates. They tolerate a wide variety of soils but do best in the worst of soils - with good drainage. Rock gardens, certainly. Green roofs, of course. But not for a house plant, thank you. They like the rough and tumble of outdoor life, year around.

Fresh Tomatoes (a bit off topic)

This is why we have a garden every year. We don't have a lot of room for a garden on this property. Years ago - when we were young - we used to have huge gardens with everything from peppers to corn and peas to tomatoes. Now we have room for ... tomatoes. This is a picture of today's harvest. I guess we'll have to eat fast! ;)

Actually, we'll be freezing them and then using them to make sauce during the winter. But right now there's nothing like the flavor of freshly picked homegrown tomatoes, especially compared to the cardboard flavored rocks they call tomatoes in the grocery stores.
I'll get back to succulent plants tomorrow.

Sempervivum 'Mrs. Giuseppi'

We obtained our first plant of this outstanding Sempervivum from the late Helen Payne (author of the now out of print Plant Jewels of the High Country) of the renowned Oak Hill Nursery of many years ago.  It produces beautiful 3" rosettes which thrive in the rock garden and rock wall. It's always been one of our favorites.

Enjoy your plants!

Alluaudia procera

Sometimes called the "Madagascar Ocotillo", Aluaudia procera does indeed have a similar appearance to the American native. But however much the resemblance, they are totally different plants from completely different families...a wonderful example of "convergent evolution". Both have adapted to similar climatic conditions in similar methods.

These are quite easy to grow and can stand fairly long periods of drought. The leaves will drop when the plant is dry but return with moisture...just like the Ocotillo.

Bombax elipticum leaf

Lynn-Marie took this photo of the sun shining through a Bombax elipticum leaf. And, yes, it does provide for a feeling of autumn (though this is a new leaf), which does seem to be settling in on us. Getting cooler at night...

Rauhia peruviana

These plants are from the Maranon and Utcumbamba river valleys in Northern Peru, growing at 1000-1500 meters. Easy to grow with one or two large strap like leaves.

Outside at Kara Nursery

This is just a shot of part of our back yard. In the next few weeks most of these plants have to find a place back in the greenhouses - or in our house - which isn't ever easy around here. Supposedly I'm retired, but that isn't true in so many ways.

Don't get me wrong...we enjoy our plants, even when we're having to lug them around. And we hope you do to.