Chinaberry Tree in Winter

I have been watching this tree for several weeks and thinking every time I passed it that I should stop and take a picture. This tree is a good example of how loaded with seed the Chinaberry trees  are this year. Chinaberry is a native of (surprise) china, Japan, Australia , and points in between. It is a soft wood tree, prone to breaking and messy, spreading seeds and twigs. But O! what fine pea shooters the finger-sized twigs make. They have a pith that is easily pushed out . Then get a thick dog fennel stalk for a plunger and wow! you could draw a blister with those things.  My, times have changed.

Feb 10, 2011 Snow at Gold Hill

Bob Jeswald was right on with what he said about the snow. Glad to see it, glad to see it go.

I just saw these old timey daffodils today, but they must have been open a day or so ago as I am sure they did not open in the snow. When it is a little warmer, they will pick up their heads.

Galloping Moss

This slows pictures of a moss that seems to move. Very interesting but not quite as x-file-ish as those rocks that move across the desert  by themselves.

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2011/02/grimmia_ovalis_tentative_and_niphotrichum_ericoides_tentative.php

Waiting For the Daffodils

  The first 2 months of the year are the hardest for me. The cold and dreary watery days of winter sink my soul.Many friends and relatives become ill and it seems to me that most of the news I hear is bad. Perhaps I feel this way because I can't get in enough gardening. The couple of days last week of warmth and sun had me outside planting seed and trying to get an early start on the spring. My reasoning on the seed was that the things I was planting often reseed anyway and so they would already be in the ground waiting when the days warm and could get a quick start. These last few days with endless rain has made me worry that they have washed away, but only warmer days will tell.
  I have started some seed today in pots in the house. I believe the greenhouse is a little too cold for most seed germination, so I made a place by a window to start a few things now. I have a heated seed germination mat, which I have successfully lost, so I am trying another tack.
  This rain has brought a lot of my spring bulbs up. The yard is poking full of those dark green blades that tell me that winter is on it's last legs. The butter-and-eggs buds are sharp spears that look like they could open soon, but in reality they are a mid-season bulb and they won't be opening till spring is well on it's way.
  Yesterday I saw a host of lavender crocus buds under the oak. They were standing tall, waiting for the sun, and as soon as it appears they will open. Cloudy days and evenings make them close, but they'll be back. I can hold my breath a few more days.

Hilarious British Animal Voiceovers

Take a look at this for a giggle:

http://www.wimp.com/animalvoiceovers/

Phalaeonopsis keiki

I am so excited!! I have been growing (and killing ) moth orchids for years, but NEVER has any of my plants had a keiki before. A keiki is a (baby) plant that forms on the flower stalk at a node where normally another flower spike would form. My reading tells me that it should be left on the stalk till it is fairly large, and has some roots. I hope I can raise it. 

For several years I have been keeping my Phalaenopsis in the greenhouse in winter, but this is the last year I am going to do that. In an effort to keep my gas bill down I keep the night time temperature to about 55 degrees and that is a bit too cold for Phals. They don't mind summer's heat so bad if they get high humidity, but would probably like summer under the trees better. I plan to try to work on satisfying their needs better in the coming year and see what happens.

Phalaenopsis actually grow best in temperatures where humans are most comfortable. They need bright light, but not direct sun. They are great, beautiful, and long lasting house plants.

Giant Monster

This is pretty X-file-ish looking. Every time I look out the window and see this, for just a second I think it is some giant bird or else some huge prehistoric reptile.