I was just tired...really

OK. I now know how to get a plethora of comments: get very tired and frustrated and threaten to just throw out all those tired old succulent plants. Honest, friends, it was just a threat from a tired old man. I promise, we will not toss any plant which would not be better served as compost than as a plant. Really. And if we ever do decide to have a fire sale or give away...you'll be the first to know. So, please, I didn't intend to cause any anxiety for anyone. You can relax.

And regarding the weather, I should have noted that our lack of rain at this time of year is pretty much normal. From mid July through mid September, we seldom have any rain. I assure you, we will get our rain...lots of it. That's why I'm building a wooden walkway to the shed (hay and tool storage), so I don't have to slog through the mud during the winter months.

And, so...

I'll conclude today with a picture of one of our Aloe polyphyla plants, also known as the "Spiral" Aloe. Enjoy your plants!

Epicactus 'Piland's Pride'

No, Piland's Pride isn't flowering yet. This is from our archives, but buds are beginning to form. So I'm posting this photo as a kind of encouragement to those buds.

And with the weather the past few days, this may be all the encouragement they need. Our expected low tonight is about 50 F...and our high tomorrow is expected to be about 53. And rain. Well, not lots of rain, though there is a flood watch for a few areas. Let's just say it's wet! Normal, Oregon wet for this time of year.

Winter Solstice

Well. The Winter solstice is here and the days start getting longer. I'm all for that. So far we've had a really mild winter and December has been especially mild... and dry! Palm Springs, California has had more rain than we've had. I'm not complaining, mind you. I know there's plenty of time for the rains to arrive and I'm sure we'll get them. But, nevertheless, it always feels good to know that things are heading back the other direction. Just like it's done every year during my almost 72 years on this earth. Some things do stay the same.

Enjoy your plants!

Talk about the Weather

The weather took a turn to the strange here today. A bit of a cold front entered the area - the kind which, during mid-winter would bring arctic cold - and tonight's temp may get down to a light freeze. In the afternoon a brief little storm brought some sleet and light snow along with localized, very high winds...enough to cause the top of our backyard cedar tree to snap and break off. It could have caused a bit of damage if it had fallen the wrong way, but as it is it's resting on the top of our rather large variegated English Holly tree. Another job for this summer that I wasn't planning on.

Yesterday the weather was so nice I was considering getting out the rototiller in the garden area - key word: "considered" - and planted an Agave 'Green Goblet' into our curbing strip next to the street. The chill is expected to last a couple of days.

Back to normal

Finally, the weather has changed and we're back to normal - even more normal next week. While I was out in the greenhouses I noticed the Aloe albifloras are blooming. I'll try to get a photo tomorrow. And we should have some other winter bloomers in the next few weeks.

Portland Fish Pond

It's been one of those days. Getting ready for company coming from Phoenix, Arizona while at the same time enjoying the late summer early Fall weather we often get here in Portland. Generally at this time of year it's in the 70's and 80's with mostly sunny skies. But we do get the occasional Pacific Ocean storm through to cool things off. Tomorrow and Saturday we should approach 90 F.

So it was a good day to sit on the deck overlooking the fish pond with a late summer drink in hand...

Peace.

And today the weather will be?

A few days ago, we broke records for this time of the year with 98F weather. Today it's raining and 60F. And, of course, overcast. A week ago, rush to get the shade cloth up on the greenhouses. Today, take it off so the plants, who thought it was summer, can get some light. The cacti were having a blast and will probably be a little dejected today!

This early heat spell was a bit unusual. Can you believe, Tillamook, on the Oregon coast (which is usually cooler than us) reached 100F (actually 105) two days before Phoenix, Arizona broke the 100 degree mark. Go figure!