tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84979334291070057092024-03-18T22:44:05.862-05:00Gardener's WatchI have been gardening all my life and I've found that time is all it takes to make gardening enjoyable. Now with over 10 years of garden blogging and counting!Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.comBlogger606125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-39401685149300338892024-03-18T12:24:00.002-05:002024-03-18T12:24:22.104-05:00Sean and Addi<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2SGRDAxrhEzSrPXtwZlC7y9S3ZOLaA01p14QKH0ItqWdlhEdchZsXeHu6XsTrpAYR1mPCTLq9e9m3t-2nzNjHXiCOZODdnbOg-XlTAm2W4rQyuj82OhuF71QNmV5tNCpGxXgyEOqN2V36HPGlB1-QZg630Jen02N6DbeV9bXc_ouf7UB14gEl8he1HNvF" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7347754143175038322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2SGRDAxrhEzSrPXtwZlC7y9S3ZOLaA01p14QKH0ItqWdlhEdchZsXeHu6XsTrpAYR1mPCTLq9e9m3t-2nzNjHXiCOZODdnbOg-XlTAm2W4rQyuj82OhuF71QNmV5tNCpGxXgyEOqN2V36HPGlB1-QZg630Jen02N6DbeV9bXc_ouf7UB14gEl8he1HNvF=s320" /></a>Just under 2 weeks before we can bring our new kitties home with us!<br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Of course that's because we don't yet have the new home to bring them to. We're finally moving back into a house though and one of our friends was kind enough to find these two for us. She also helped nurse them back to health after they had been found abandoned and did a great job socializing them.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Sean is going to be a bit bigger than Addi but they are the cutest siblings.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">This also means we will be getting back to some larger scale gardening! I'm going to plan better this time since we have a new home and a fresh yard to map out. I can get things where they should be instead of where I can fit them in with everything that's already there. I'm not sure about trees just yet though, they are a bit more than I think I want to take care of just yet, except for Claude of course but he's an inside tree...</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-49246779478558058752023-09-27T07:57:00.005-05:002023-09-27T07:59:07.366-05:00Fermenting Cacao Day 12<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_kxeG4APn0dofNOGq-eXvXEp1sMmAQN7Zyf0NWd-R6sMmelVD0zxkjGXqsBEdvKBbWH4TnsLprDabV-6zU3y9PqQinwNtYDZkRSGWcA0auAuZhWhcmjnhAO9WwHlXSY7OOrjPylK0Sm_1rTLvPoNaVImaOSsuiLTeZXwjqMP9Yf63VsUEC-lEUu_VSvsC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7283486776360866610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_kxeG4APn0dofNOGq-eXvXEp1sMmAQN7Zyf0NWd-R6sMmelVD0zxkjGXqsBEdvKBbWH4TnsLprDabV-6zU3y9PqQinwNtYDZkRSGWcA0auAuZhWhcmjnhAO9WwHlXSY7OOrjPylK0Sm_1rTLvPoNaVImaOSsuiLTeZXwjqMP9Yf63VsUEC-lEUu_VSvsC=s320" /></a>Ok only two days since last I checked them but they seem ready. Rinsed the cacao off from the pulp and sorted out the beans. It took a few times rinsing them off to get the water to be mostly clear.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">There were a few that were not really developed. They were mostly just empty shell. A couple were spotty but cleaned up nicely so I'm not worried about it affecting the finished product. Tossed the empty ones of course and used a paper towel to clean off those that needed it.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Now I'm going to pat them with paper towels and spread them out. I'm not going to completely dry them this way but just enough to get the majority of goo off. Then placing them on a cooling rack I use for cookies and such. Thoroughly cleaned of course to make sure none of the odors transfer into the beans. As mentioned before they will soak up odor and flavors like sponges. This also means no heavy cooking since the spices will get into the air.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-36756889767542084472023-09-25T11:16:00.004-05:002023-09-27T07:58:38.874-05:00Fermenting Cacao Day 10<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvdo4I3qO2YhQUWFdD4Z-e1uA4ahP9sBOOFZstUVRwRl7cqahMD2rWVhnZUblDTiblsJgGSJKKlslgxfyaMwzLoTVis5AW5ZowXmOk-xgHhGqmUPFv-iLwzbBKBqwscEtRHG4MaQJnLDKwGlbdqYNVwsdm9spj1D0hPjl-xokOg_CKpmm9ph_YfKDdSzfy" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7283208862054294754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvdo4I3qO2YhQUWFdD4Z-e1uA4ahP9sBOOFZstUVRwRl7cqahMD2rWVhnZUblDTiblsJgGSJKKlslgxfyaMwzLoTVis5AW5ZowXmOk-xgHhGqmUPFv-iLwzbBKBqwscEtRHG4MaQJnLDKwGlbdqYNVwsdm9spj1D0hPjl-xokOg_CKpmm9ph_YfKDdSzfy=s320" /></a>Ten days in and the mass is getting more homogenous. The bubbles are getting smaller as they have more room to spread out. Previously the mass was chunky and not entirely broken down yet. Now there is more of a sauce consistency that the beans are fermenting in.<br /> <br /> </div> I took one of the beans out to check on the color. They're supposed to get a purplish tint to them as the beans chemically change. The middle was about there but nearer the edge it still wasn't quite the color I wanted.<div><br /></div><div>The aroma still hits you when you enter the room but it's starting to change slightly. I want to get it before it gets what some people call the "pork" scent. While cacao and meat do go well together, you don't want your chocolate bar tasting faintly like a hotdog.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will probably be fermenting for another four to five days, checking regularly on it and making sure it's still going. After that I'll be drying it, possibly outside some if I'm going to be home, otherwise I guess I'll have to do it on the counter. The cooling racks should be good for that with the fan going so they don't start to mold. Then off to the air fryer with the drum attachment. The whole reason for getting that particular model was so I could roast cacao beans. Have to make sure it's spotless though since we also cook other foods in there. Cacao will soak up any odors from foods you have near it. Onion chocolate anyone? Didn't think so.<br /><br /> </div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-86925358682203014532023-09-20T23:39:00.004-05:002023-09-27T07:58:15.198-05:00Fermenting Cacao Day 5<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgM0enLQLntszoNpgI62onTzwQ5usecpPrVbkHjLA4yLyGl7ZbyKht7FMwp65Yn_imOB3CTZdNXnbHSfKHmeA0NzxKagcQq-foJ56wFV9FJMy0HNu7W3vbO1tvQfkq7iWuiUmzLWR9VKbfhO0EO6sagCmcou08tlHSQHXvmSrvVOTwY0nGbI8cfJ4BMB1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7280763318717905058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgM0enLQLntszoNpgI62onTzwQ5usecpPrVbkHjLA4yLyGl7ZbyKht7FMwp65Yn_imOB3CTZdNXnbHSfKHmeA0NzxKagcQq-foJ56wFV9FJMy0HNu7W3vbO1tvQfkq7iWuiUmzLWR9VKbfhO0EO6sagCmcou08tlHSQHXvmSrvVOTwY0nGbI8cfJ4BMB1=s320" /></a>The cacao is now bubbling and the pulp is breaking down. It's at this point where I need to make sure it doesn't get too cold so the fermenting can continue. To accomplish this I frequently pick it up and hold it for a while so the temperature can be higher than our apartment air conditioner says it should be. There's not enough mass for it to hold any heat. It's already getting an alcohol smell to it when I open the bag. </div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">My wife is already asking if I plan to strain the liquid and see if it's drinkable. The answer is maybe.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">We tried cacao juice at one of the Dallas Chocolate Festivals once but that is not the same thing. That was merely juiced cacao pulp. The fermented juice is alcohol and is still something cacao growers use as a drink in some areas. I mean, why not if you have the byproduct already sitting there. Why throw it out?</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-76093791552107646982023-09-16T03:04:00.005-05:002023-09-16T03:04:50.300-05:00Fermenting Cacao<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiGrgLAd-z8FXMJy3W6nY1vH48_cwJrHfeGmle7tIococMP9yuzSD3wZhPbqcA3N0nNaIdQZM0bm1o0Ym5Z-R8SUgcS1drvD3b7X27f9XxxKXk-QV5JLQtjbMGfPs4nNHHcsOTEcj-atr6MeM5Z8gR84eyrpwkkeqJrY_PPDOYDuJQSl8olMqO_hK31Ac5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7279158421359506722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiGrgLAd-z8FXMJy3W6nY1vH48_cwJrHfeGmle7tIococMP9yuzSD3wZhPbqcA3N0nNaIdQZM0bm1o0Ym5Z-R8SUgcS1drvD3b7X27f9XxxKXk-QV5JLQtjbMGfPs4nNHHcsOTEcj-atr6MeM5Z8gR84eyrpwkkeqJrY_PPDOYDuJQSl8olMqO_hK31Ac5=s320" /></a>Went to the Dallas Chocolate Festival and got two pods and they already seemed to have started the process (still tasted good though). So I decided to process them to see if I could get some chocolate out of them.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">This is day one of the fermentation. I'll need to add heat to it since it's not enough mass to maintain temperature while it processes.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Last time I did this it took almost two weeks but in the end it was just about right. This time I'm documenting it better so that I can have a better idea of what happens and where I need to make adjustments.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Also this time I added a little sugar to the mix for the fermenting to have a little more to eat as it begins the process.<br /> <br /> </div> <br /><br /> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-670059177814799162023-09-01T08:31:00.005-05:002023-09-01T08:31:29.464-05:00Basil Seeds<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIMilmVsX6lBfEKZSndiKS6O4ySLl_yux63dy1dR3hEA1mCYeM7nHeWywXDSRlGnwwzOHTdbi7O0zpBfD-V6z2u-9JwAAp33c26o1tkUZCvAPuc9jjh6sEPy6bU47HdlZHdDzHF1ipcK4D8m90vk9qF668u6u_QkYjlt76HeNcjSWS4sMG-f9GV9X8iE-G" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7273846717869616450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIMilmVsX6lBfEKZSndiKS6O4ySLl_yux63dy1dR3hEA1mCYeM7nHeWywXDSRlGnwwzOHTdbi7O0zpBfD-V6z2u-9JwAAp33c26o1tkUZCvAPuc9jjh6sEPy6bU47HdlZHdDzHF1ipcK4D8m90vk9qF668u6u_QkYjlt76HeNcjSWS4sMG-f9GV9X8iE-G=s320" /></a>The basil plant has done really well this year. Usually it flowers, makes seeds, and dies. It's made seeds fairly well but has kept on growing despite the heat. I've watered every day and sometimes twice so that probably helped keep it going.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The picture here is from after the flowers have pollinated and the seeds are forming. It's not quite ready yet but soon there will be hundreds of seeds to save. Basil has been consistent with how it produces and seeds so it's a no brainer that it would be one of the staple plants in the garden.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">After the heat dies down and the green onion flowers again, it too is pretty much guaranteed to make seeds and possibly baby plants along side them. This is in addition to splitting which they don't always seem to do. Or if they do I don't realize it. Of course only two green onion plants survived last winter's freezes. Most of the new plants are either from seeds or new transplants from the store, a pretty reliable source for new plants.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The flowers have surprised me though. We bought chrysanthemums and they have held on pretty well. They have flowered throughout the summer, coming back when the weather cools a little from the 100's. Of course that's been a few weeks but I already see new flowers forming and hope they bounce back hard with their color.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-7310428101275761142023-08-28T12:26:00.007-05:002023-08-28T12:26:46.455-05:00View of Maui from Big Island<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyMmWB8UP2pu5VL8ZAKt6Za15GyVVGLaBIqXDuL1hK11tBYx7iXSElgoQl1BptQHxZJrDToz5rDlQVKnPxi9OXlkIYpzMyLfW-ZCTsCKCUkidzgg1zQK6CBIa764k3gLldHJ9LAavZHLayLMJ3xvbsPJRiBSc_uRj1yhlvC2OlhE97-Wu6Rtnqqqv0hBcU" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7272422801105516786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyMmWB8UP2pu5VL8ZAKt6Za15GyVVGLaBIqXDuL1hK11tBYx7iXSElgoQl1BptQHxZJrDToz5rDlQVKnPxi9OXlkIYpzMyLfW-ZCTsCKCUkidzgg1zQK6CBIa764k3gLldHJ9LAavZHLayLMJ3xvbsPJRiBSc_uRj1yhlvC2OlhE97-Wu6Rtnqqqv0hBcU=s320" /></a>We visited Big Island back when Mauna Loa erupted in December. One of our friends took this picture of Maui for us from the top of a coconut tree. <br /> <br /> </div> <div dir="ltr">Fortunately all of his friends and family over there were safe.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">When we were on Big Island we were able to go see the eruption at night from a rest stop on Saddle Road. The one thing we were told about only after we were there and so close was the presence of fine threads of glass that eruptions kick up. It was brought up so casually too. Like, "Oh, look I have a cut. Must be Pele's hair (the aforementioned threads of glass floating in the air).</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">It really is a beautiful place to visit though. I would love to have been able to climb a tree myself for this view. Even on the ground though, we had a great time. There is so much fruit just driving or walking down the road I still don't know how people are going hungry there. Folks in Texas would be picking up all the fruit and preserving it. And the goat and chicken overpopulation would be under control in a matter of months. The goats are so rampant I nearly hit one three separate times while driving down a road. There's nearly a chicken on every corner. The hogs too are everywhere. We stayed at a macadamia farm and you could hear them running around and munching on the nuts on the ground.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I brought some fresh nuts home and planted one. He sprouted and currently his name is Mac. He grows in the study in a little pot. Probably should repot him soon.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-56499160326559018682023-08-24T11:38:00.003-05:002023-08-24T11:38:45.801-05:00Garden Anole<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPQk-TO34OriOBZJyaHlU8kHJwyIiyUmyLH1m0oxlOTuFy7Quca4hQfgHWP5yJ3M6AT-t8orckfln4kxRzdmaPIQ5iMU8pRw6Jl4ScR0AmZl3_blES7E64MnEn76LGw6N1MMdCP4V0o2z-L6YEzOKFxt7DIgltbpy6lpZogcW5tzCZWkIzlicqGyB4Meq_" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7270927028420271874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPQk-TO34OriOBZJyaHlU8kHJwyIiyUmyLH1m0oxlOTuFy7Quca4hQfgHWP5yJ3M6AT-t8orckfln4kxRzdmaPIQ5iMU8pRw6Jl4ScR0AmZl3_blES7E64MnEn76LGw6N1MMdCP4V0o2z-L6YEzOKFxt7DIgltbpy6lpZogcW5tzCZWkIzlicqGyB4Meq_=s320" /></a>Cute little baby anole climbing around in my patio garden. In this picture he's in the lavender plant which has been flowering all summer long. Just have to keep it happy.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">When one of our friends from the Netherlands came to visit we had a much bigger anole hanging around. She had named him Clouse. At least that's how I'd spell it. No telling how she would have spelled it. Unfortunately Clouse didn't hang around for very long and there were none to be seen for quite a while. When this guy appeared I knew that my little garden was still a fairly active place for critters to visit.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Another of the critters are the wasps that come drink from the pots and soil. I never would have though about insects drinking from dirt but I guess they have more of an ability to pull out the water from different sources. One wasp really liked the dirt around the moss rose and would come several times in just an hour and return to the exact same spot to refresh himself.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The toads haven't been seen in a while but I'm still hopeful that they will return once the heat lets up. It's been too hot for many of the usual creatures to come out and play. The bunnies as well haven't made their nightly appearances so often. Before I'd see them just hanging out on the grass looking around. Now I only see then moving across the lawn areas heading to either eat or go home.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Temps are showing a downward trend though and things should pick up for wildlife viewing.</div><div dir="ltr"> <br /> </div> <div dir="ltr"><br /></div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-89276419955616713452023-08-11T15:57:00.005-05:002023-08-11T15:57:45.027-05:00Surprise of Color<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVMKCxRsyZJJ9A2JzH9hCsmo3_oPRBjp2seJqgQMx_1PK1At-JIUNFHHH-alQT2gGDxLqQ2u91VZxRsKPwsrGgAE7gCNI73Wz2pGgScY-kumScaEI8jNS7StT7-u2Fq-xrOUM2s-qiiovNI0J3HFbTU0xEIDvsS90hKRtWtwIEKvtJbipuWF_2EQRbFVMw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7266164410105493250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVMKCxRsyZJJ9A2JzH9hCsmo3_oPRBjp2seJqgQMx_1PK1At-JIUNFHHH-alQT2gGDxLqQ2u91VZxRsKPwsrGgAE7gCNI73Wz2pGgScY-kumScaEI8jNS7StT7-u2Fq-xrOUM2s-qiiovNI0J3HFbTU0xEIDvsS90hKRtWtwIEKvtJbipuWF_2EQRbFVMw=s320" /></a>Of all the things I have seen today, besides the cute baby anole I saw in the garden, this has to be one of the more cheery things.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">It's a sight you can only see well in the middle of the day with all of the colors and shadows through this green space. Unlike many other displays of vibrant color and light, this one just says be happy.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">On another look it also keeps this space from getting as hot. We were at a restaurant opening earlier today and, if it hadn't been for our umbrella, we may well have burnt to a crisp. The heat out there is no joke and we really don't get out often enough to have any sort of resistance to the UV out there.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I mentioned that parasols just aren't a thing here in the states. If you go out to other areas they will use them sometimes, or at least have other covering that keeps the sun off.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">If you ever wondered why construction workers wore long sleeves in the over 100 degree weather, it's to keep the sun off. They know that although it doesn't let the wind blow by as well, keeping the sun off of the skin is worth more than letting a little air cool you down. Water will do so much better anyway.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-29147048763263554442023-08-08T14:04:00.005-05:002023-08-09T11:00:56.269-05:00Rustic Sphinx<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV9BrVSgEnoZsqv7qCWLVsOI-8cmKhu-YdXlxuRJhwIkLNssLip4RzjEIbxnxNZqk__nlK6l4euCgo6xEIiG-wmdpnRAPp1OzKcDUdjdx2VP1GLO-oHRfpcDjLZVzVQbEc9Wppo2HqM46-_Ug1FH-cdcWSDi7bkabHzsZX3Fu5y-tSs8r9ay93Cz6RXjEh" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7265028165636590594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiV9BrVSgEnoZsqv7qCWLVsOI-8cmKhu-YdXlxuRJhwIkLNssLip4RzjEIbxnxNZqk__nlK6l4euCgo6xEIiG-wmdpnRAPp1OzKcDUdjdx2VP1GLO-oHRfpcDjLZVzVQbEc9Wppo2HqM46-_Ug1FH-cdcWSDi7bkabHzsZX3Fu5y-tSs8r9ay93Cz6RXjEh=s320" /></a>This guy was just hanging out on the breezeway of the apartments. I didn't see him when I went by later so he either flew away or one of the toads ate him.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I wasn't sure at first what kind of moth this was, not an expert on bugs, but a friend recently told me about the identify function on my iPhone. If the picture is good enough the photos will have an "i" over the picture and when tapped on will do a search of similar images and can tell you even before that what it thinks it is. This works with bugs, plants, animals, and other objects. As you can see in the image, I was pretty close when I took the picture. That's the shadow of my phone.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I did see a toad in the area as well, possibly eyeing him for dinner. The toads are one more reason to water regularly. They really like the humidity it makes. Another resident in the area, wasps, also like it when the pots are watered and some of the water collects in the trays. I've seen three at a time drinking from the water and coming back regularly. Temps in the mid 100's will do that to any animal.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The plants of course also want regular water and it hasn't rained in weeks. Maybe a sprinkle here or there but nothing to make the water gauges register anything. Can't wait for cooler weather and more tomatoes. The plants are still looking good.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-4426112978980083282023-07-24T12:32:00.003-05:002023-07-24T12:32:08.594-05:00Lavender Growth<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwudGhY1zSc4SqyrbIFuHbh4hxOlugTkp0AqG14zBvrSQuceiCMQrEia1Fd8LKYqqvFNQltJ9UGUMUAH2IaMG6xDQTxqxiJEt-vAWW3UigfuXRgSA33YtKK9jB6A7zxfI9Dsd_JDMIx02onUW4LcIzjd557H_aniOZjWPTOyjbWVlu07QDVKMqXEhMyopu" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7259157294253015154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwudGhY1zSc4SqyrbIFuHbh4hxOlugTkp0AqG14zBvrSQuceiCMQrEia1Fd8LKYqqvFNQltJ9UGUMUAH2IaMG6xDQTxqxiJEt-vAWW3UigfuXRgSA33YtKK9jB6A7zxfI9Dsd_JDMIx02onUW4LcIzjd557H_aniOZjWPTOyjbWVlu07QDVKMqXEhMyopu=s320" /></a>The symmetry of plants never ceases to amaze me. Our little lavender bush has leaves that line up perfectly along the stems. </div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">You can't see it in this pic but it's even flowering. I must have done something right this time.<br /> <br /> </div> There are other plants too that are flowering but this is the one I'm happiest about.<div><br /></div><div>Other flowers include:</div><div>Tomato</div><div>Basil</div><div>Squash</div><div>Poke</div><div>Moss Rose</div><div>Gerbera Daisies</div><div>Okra</div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-79828835735851435802023-07-20T15:17:00.001-05:002023-07-20T15:17:03.882-05:00Viceroy Butterfly<div dir="ltr">This little cutie was fluttering around the garden the other day. Most people think these are monarchs but the black band across the back wings is an easy way to tell the difference. I think people are used to monarchs as a name because they get so much of the news about butterflies and these guys really do look so similar.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Other visitors to the garden are toads. We've had multiple toads at a time hopping around looking for bugs. I keep the garden well watered and thus attract insects like mad. The spiders know this too and often I have to knock down a web just so I can get to all of the plants. Sorry, not sorry?</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Maybe I'll get some toad pics up soon. </div><div dir="ltr"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQhgPIxPkRrIAhfuCAM_W-8bJy5emNkgOOIROURP7crApv1q_VDQLaaUVhOGfbdpD2JUxPCHejdDLrGW1yyX6MYvMyYvRSI07YOE-JR9lAr3SRkudgJjMYF8jfVwCNpeKdORkpDZW8yjRonBPzR_wLK04dG2zEfYkac3LZPdgX2AlyLmIFvEH9vfkJ8Bty"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7257996026613895122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQhgPIxPkRrIAhfuCAM_W-8bJy5emNkgOOIROURP7crApv1q_VDQLaaUVhOGfbdpD2JUxPCHejdDLrGW1yyX6MYvMyYvRSI07YOE-JR9lAr3SRkudgJjMYF8jfVwCNpeKdORkpDZW8yjRonBPzR_wLK04dG2zEfYkac3LZPdgX2AlyLmIFvEH9vfkJ8Bty=s320" /></a></div> <br /> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-11069285842828397452023-04-12T14:58:00.004-05:002023-04-12T14:58:51.008-05:00Pot of Potatoes<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHDrCcCBIN4Ez1hSTzCHp_x8b5xT4wS_yoJKi9etnBaRFILe_0aHAtOU_zRnlg0gfzicGFy-XGjGlVR0CRZIsoCHkb7YkngdwVu_Y1ptbjsg7wiuZ5-nFUGdDTmvNFJFxoG0CkeaCjT5IDkrdX9CD2WIOl_09HF3_EhE8saE3YFQs3MbJ4EFKVfPJluw" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7221254029954488578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHDrCcCBIN4Ez1hSTzCHp_x8b5xT4wS_yoJKi9etnBaRFILe_0aHAtOU_zRnlg0gfzicGFy-XGjGlVR0CRZIsoCHkb7YkngdwVu_Y1ptbjsg7wiuZ5-nFUGdDTmvNFJFxoG0CkeaCjT5IDkrdX9CD2WIOl_09HF3_EhE8saE3YFQs3MbJ4EFKVfPJluw=s320" /></a>One of the many pots I've used this year has potatoes, among other things growing in it. As you may be able to tell from the picture, it also has mint, beans, and corn.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The potatoes are growing so fast though that the other plants, besides the mint, are not keeping up.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The pot is pretty deep though so I'm hoping that at least I'll have some nice potatoes after the season is over. </div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">They were started from a potato that I hadn't gotten around to cooking that had started forming eyes.<br /> <br /> </div> <div dir="ltr"><br /></div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-20512446688045542662022-09-22T15:21:00.002-05:002022-09-22T15:21:17.173-05:00Patio Anoles<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgphBhzG6YWo4gZ0KeahfduOl5PyfczZF-E92hYnBPxHpyFi4o7f1FFqCjaxeMKX6d8c2e2qIlnh5dt5yePTV53a4sBTiPoOWCEfzCkin9TXcD_NsKEq1J1iSxWX_5dzrX8T-_JIbwYo-1zu4awWDkEAk6uXbQ3bcO9OgHG5VnwLPvUzgegmf2PePw8pQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7146300953608857138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgphBhzG6YWo4gZ0KeahfduOl5PyfczZF-E92hYnBPxHpyFi4o7f1FFqCjaxeMKX6d8c2e2qIlnh5dt5yePTV53a4sBTiPoOWCEfzCkin9TXcD_NsKEq1J1iSxWX_5dzrX8T-_JIbwYo-1zu4awWDkEAk6uXbQ3bcO9OgHG5VnwLPvUzgegmf2PePw8pQ=s320" /></a></div>This little guy has been hanging around the patio for a few days now. I'm hoping the greenery will keep him well fed with little critters. Pretty sure something has been eating my plants and leaving a bit of leaf litter. At first I though it might be bunnies but the pattern doesn't seem to match. Bugs are more likely the culprit.<div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div> </div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-44839720291925623892022-09-02T10:31:00.005-05:002023-07-24T16:50:17.989-05:00Rainy Season<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGf-us1WFH1Pqpar_vkTB4AmUU5KMruYgXJwLdwRAGBOPmlusbJ_N2_Z-nHpij8y1bUG3bjqjFMEK5Ys4BzhZmQ8eONYy5iP-zPHzQxkMKInR3P3ChRffeMD_MP4yvcTTVWsCQvA27zC8nbpUmXDTcZuBjF3EBARtGJb_n01ifFP69-Az9zJUZ211cEA/s880/Downpour.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="880" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGf-us1WFH1Pqpar_vkTB4AmUU5KMruYgXJwLdwRAGBOPmlusbJ_N2_Z-nHpij8y1bUG3bjqjFMEK5Ys4BzhZmQ8eONYy5iP-zPHzQxkMKInR3P3ChRffeMD_MP4yvcTTVWsCQvA27zC8nbpUmXDTcZuBjF3EBARtGJb_n01ifFP69-Az9zJUZ211cEA/s320/Downpour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Every year we can't wait for the rain to stop so we can go outside and enjoy nature. I mean, who wants to slog through mud on trails or have to carry an umbrella while walking around a park?<p></p><p>Then the heat comes and we wonder, for some reason, why we wanted the rain to go away. Now it's too hot to go walking around the park for more than ten minutes. Unless of course you go late in the evening. And even then it might not be comfortable.</p><p>So now that the rain is back and temperatures are cooling, we are once again stuck inside until it at least abates for a little while. Of course with the ground so dry you also have the problem that the ground can't soak up the water. You know how you pour water on peat pellets and the water just rolls off and beads? That's what the ground is like in the beginning of the rainy season, it all just runs off. That's where you get a higher chance of flooding since more water than usual runs off of the ground. Also what makes irrigating commercial property so important. It helps prevent worse flooding down the line.</p>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-11224849843784559962022-08-19T12:02:00.002-05:002022-08-19T12:02:18.143-05:00Papaya Leaves<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNvblUZFjsdgaEepqnPc3UUhtWK2r6sb4KkzoYTQCMAtuGOaEgd6eVuqk5IaMSkx-1_d97o6Nlk3G9wwqxhvtzFzo6O7TKAZY_hkQnyay6HxhKv00GA4mfLRnsKx7Cey15-QSkyKuIBHxBt-qQiUwQHyOqm9M_MGMyP6nBOnbqkw-gxhpWi7VTY4aBaQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7133335941932911730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNvblUZFjsdgaEepqnPc3UUhtWK2r6sb4KkzoYTQCMAtuGOaEgd6eVuqk5IaMSkx-1_d97o6Nlk3G9wwqxhvtzFzo6O7TKAZY_hkQnyay6HxhKv00GA4mfLRnsKx7Cey15-QSkyKuIBHxBt-qQiUwQHyOqm9M_MGMyP6nBOnbqkw-gxhpWi7VTY4aBaQ=s320" /></a>One of the most interesting leaves I've seen on a plant. The water beads on the leaves fairly easily after the rain we just had. This has to be one of the more easily identified plants out there. sometimes it can be difficult to tell what the plant is by the leaf if it is more generic but the structure here is pretty specific.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Other specific leaves I can think of are maple, burr oak, onion, fig, and pine. These are of course probably because of the widespread knowledge of what these plants look like due to either how common they are or, as in the case of the maple, how famous.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">In contrast, it can be hard to tell some trees just from a leaf shape. Although the size is different, if you looked at the shape alone of basil, live oak, thyme, and pepper plants, they all look about the same shape. Kind of what makes this leaf so striking and not easily confused with something else</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-23955698151528388922022-08-16T12:15:00.007-05:002022-08-16T12:15:40.997-05:00Adorable Little Russet Potato<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaa4sgifbIqXs5_eKb9YeLMF14HWKbUwIgCQXdu1q9RRcw8uTK9iGO_TV0z_fuz2zT8-MXUbPH7cZs5uKSz_uAfexaDja2QKNjyw5RT0E0kzvQXZTlCGuG5pU7blYtWRj_GkDCvgFokkMLbIRG7vm8bL4S3tb5SDHlM7Wvu0d824gOkY6x82QOkk53pA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7132522205255384834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaa4sgifbIqXs5_eKb9YeLMF14HWKbUwIgCQXdu1q9RRcw8uTK9iGO_TV0z_fuz2zT8-MXUbPH7cZs5uKSz_uAfexaDja2QKNjyw5RT0E0kzvQXZTlCGuG5pU7blYtWRj_GkDCvgFokkMLbIRG7vm8bL4S3tb5SDHlM7Wvu0d824gOkY6x82QOkk53pA=s320" /></a>So cute!</div><div dir="ltr">I've never grown potatoes before but I thought I'd give it a shot. This guy was sticking out of the ground a little so I went ahead and pulled him up. He had a brother who was no bigger than my pinky finger tip so I buried him again to hopefully keep growing.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">So far my garden hasn't grown a lot of food but I'm tickled pink to get this guy. Who knows how much more is growing under the dirt. Only time will tell and the plants aren't entirely died back yet so there's a chance for more potatoes in my future.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">So far the other plants that have grown well and were usable are:</div><div dir="ltr"><b>Bell Peppers</b> (several small ones, way better than last year)</div><div dir="ltr"><b>Green Onions</b> (they've kept going and are now almost double in number)</div><div dir="ltr"><b>Basil</b> (still growing and have used in several dishes that needed it)</div><div dir="ltr"><b>Kabucha Squash</b> (although no fruit, we've made squash blossom quesadillas)</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Still waiting to see if the carrots or corn plants will be at all productive. There are currently 2 cobs developing still but very small and the carrots are visible but barely a root.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-91434515511507601532022-08-09T16:16:00.006-05:002022-08-09T16:16:50.465-05:00Claude’s New Lower Branches<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ-hnXag50IZxrbuI8_wYm-PZGNF-vi7_C50Uh9Hm0m0RtwOIUbbi2kJ13I_dnwyYx5dNO4g2ytuaEr-V3AxG98Yc53guXoEyiHngIgJ0yTPSYEcis2oKz9nlTXsU7EuiPgyZAhl_8qcSBnEfuDcfb7QcyYx-jK4d-OPcdL78IYxL75BRjm1Ee2xWcFg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7129987393477775778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ-hnXag50IZxrbuI8_wYm-PZGNF-vi7_C50Uh9Hm0m0RtwOIUbbi2kJ13I_dnwyYx5dNO4g2ytuaEr-V3AxG98Yc53guXoEyiHngIgJ0yTPSYEcis2oKz9nlTXsU7EuiPgyZAhl_8qcSBnEfuDcfb7QcyYx-jK4d-OPcdL78IYxL75BRjm1Ee2xWcFg=s320" /></a>For healthy growth a cacao tree needs to have many branches from the main trunk. This is the lowest branch Claude has put out so far. I don't want to mess with it too much although it would be nice if it grew out straighter than this. I'll take it though.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">There are several other locations where there may be new growth. We've been monitoring this one for months now and it's finally taking off so there's hope for the others as well.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">In citrus trees this would probably be viewed as a sucker but I don't think that's the case here. A couple up top may be though.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">As you can see in this photo, the trunk is really starting to look like a trunk with the rougher bark and brown color. Points along the trunk and main branches will be where later flowers will be able to form and hopefully make cacao pods. Can;t wait!</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-4298675019874351092022-08-02T11:24:00.004-05:002022-08-02T11:24:30.243-05:00Claude Continues to Grow<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS2Bx7EiNV-S4Qg4X57uTjUGSyEpk2y34Mk3XYD5ZU95UkEUCQbop8p_Iuz1fx3xUfHXU64hvyYm7V3r4R0hrWrhkC1tQ9TAVoZmPiyToLLln0Vxf0tfWK2IH5VPPCk7MI58HfL3y6dW6n2k30zVncntON28Knwm-rv9iVDp-U-1COCxP5-KEP1r0eYQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7127314428721427346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS2Bx7EiNV-S4Qg4X57uTjUGSyEpk2y34Mk3XYD5ZU95UkEUCQbop8p_Iuz1fx3xUfHXU64hvyYm7V3r4R0hrWrhkC1tQ9TAVoZmPiyToLLln0Vxf0tfWK2IH5VPPCk7MI58HfL3y6dW6n2k30zVncntON28Knwm-rv9iVDp-U-1COCxP5-KEP1r0eYQ=s320" /></a>Claude continues to grow.</div><div dir="ltr">Shortly after repotting I decided to take him outside for some sun. The sun wasn't so bad but the wind kicked up and took out a lot of leaves. he just wasn't prepared for it.</div><div dir="ltr">He's since bounced back nicely with all of these leaves being new. He's also sprouted a new branch down low which is what I'd been hoping for for some time now. He needs some good branching so that he can produce fruit eventually. I spoke with a chocolate grower who told me to make sure he's got good branching and eventually I'll need to cut the top off to encourage more outward growth. That's going to be a stressful event.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-57553751923415909442022-01-24T20:33:00.006-06:002022-01-24T20:33:56.794-06:00Reporting Claude (the cacao tree)<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9-Edc-VyFcz3d1A2ROpAeXoAgEXDpcJWL59YxeAKkm6DDmDZFwBiqytEFkRQisr1PMfR2vA1btmVhFDtmgZs0cj0aqrYSb-lQ4S75ifqTn5GQQDkNi296ADYjP-PI1ePhGekFphG4UlPYD4wyPmD8Z8JPDMbZiCzLdtEJo9NXiamNy8cq1Q2YMdQZ1g" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7056964757253966066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9-Edc-VyFcz3d1A2ROpAeXoAgEXDpcJWL59YxeAKkm6DDmDZFwBiqytEFkRQisr1PMfR2vA1btmVhFDtmgZs0cj0aqrYSb-lQ4S75ifqTn5GQQDkNi296ADYjP-PI1ePhGekFphG4UlPYD4wyPmD8Z8JPDMbZiCzLdtEJo9NXiamNy8cq1Q2YMdQZ1g=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></div>Finally got Claude in a clay pot. I've noticed for some time now that all of the cacao trees in clay pots do significantly better than those in plastic. I also got a plastic trash can dolly to go under it so I can move it around a bit more.<div><br /></div><div>I had been a little scared to water him too much since he was sitting on the floor and I wasn't able to tell if there was too much water until it started to spill out from the bottom and I really don't want to mess up the floor. Now though I can simply roll it to the side and check. Of course I drilled holes in the base of the dolly so it wouldn't hold water in it. There is a divot in the middle of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>After this I added water and no drips! So I added more water and still no drips. And added water. And added water. And so on. I think he was well under watered which would explain the slow growth compared to earlier.</div><div><br /></div><div>I now have high hopes for him to start taking off again and look forward to many more leaves and hopefully height. There were decent roots in the soil when I transplanted him so I don't think there will be a problem. I've even already seen a new little leaf trying to form. I'll check every day for a while to make sure he's happy in his new pot.</div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-59670356268524720782022-01-06T09:16:00.005-06:002022-01-06T09:16:47.097-06:00Our Late December Tomato<div class="separator"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMsQhfGn9pg/YdcGxDxiYxI/AAAAAAAACPc/ar9tv0LgWxsgYgZ7qzBUk9WMIhJhxIZhgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/image0-723981.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7050111181568238354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMsQhfGn9pg/YdcGxDxiYxI/AAAAAAAACPc/ar9tv0LgWxsgYgZ7qzBUk9WMIhJhxIZhgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/image0-723981.jpeg" /></a></div>Our tomato plants really didn't do very well until it got quite a bit colder. Fortunately the freeze held off until we had a few tomatoes on the vine. This is the best of them. We still had to pick it green but as you can see it's turning color nicely.<div><br /></div><div>We talked with one of our friends about tomatoes and how you can pick them green if you need to and let them ripen off the vine. He told us about when he was little and his family had a garden. They would have a ton of tomato plants and have to pick many of them green before the frost hit. They would then stick the green tomatoes under their beds until they turned red. Then they would go sell the red ones at the markets in the winter. Some of the tomatoes would take weeks to turn. This guy actually took a couple weeks as well before it got to this state. Still waiting a little longer for a better color but I'm hopeful.</div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-16254664072321570122021-07-15T14:02:00.006-05:002021-07-15T14:02:29.966-05:00Butternut Squash Flowers<div dir="ltr"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFKItlePaus/YPCBcgNwpBI/AAAAAAAACLc/3_VegSEEPs8In5nCwiOOVjMzjkYzw1HrQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5295-712972.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6985225348735607826" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFKItlePaus/YPCBcgNwpBI/AAAAAAAACLc/3_VegSEEPs8In5nCwiOOVjMzjkYzw1HrQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5295-712972.JPG" /></a>The big butternut squash plant has gotten over six feet long now and finally we have a female flower. At first I was thinking it was pollinated already and forming the squash. I haven't grown these in such a long time.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">In case you didn't know, there are two kinds of flowers on a squash plant (as well as many other plants). Both of them can grow on the same vine but there are many more male flowers than female flowers. As you can see the female flower has the fruit already started, just waiting for pollination to produce seeds.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The male flowers are the ones you eat. Just wait for them to get big enough, snip it off, and fry it up, usually with some sort of batter.<br /> <br /> </div> <div dir="ltr">The cantaloupe also has a female flower on it. The little melon ball is barely noticeable though.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The large squash plant also has some new runners near the base of the plant. It's preparing to really take off with 3 new shoots. The plan is now to just keep watering and feeding it. Adding a little more dirt to help with the growing root system it needs to keep up.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-64188371545322625972021-06-30T23:13:00.001-05:002021-06-30T23:13:06.075-05:00Pollinators<div class="separator"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Uj8fnHJ4pc/YN0AZMIZiTI/AAAAAAAACKk/Wb5qL5IeefIL3tA77cB2vc_8IzuYOPQPgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/image0-790827.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6979735430247319858" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Uj8fnHJ4pc/YN0AZMIZiTI/AAAAAAAACKk/Wb5qL5IeefIL3tA77cB2vc_8IzuYOPQPgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/image0-790827.jpeg" /></a></div>Most people think of pollinators and think of butterflies or bees. There are so many more out there though.<div><br /></div><div>Today I got a picture of this fly pollinating the cilantro plants. He carefully went from flower to flower, not even trying to get into the house.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason creatures pollinate plants is interesting though. I can think of four off the top of my head. The first one, being obvious of course, is nectar. They go for a quick bite to eat and pollen gets on them for their meal ticket.</div><div><br /></div><div>A not so obvious one is they think they are going for a different meal like the case with the corpse flower. It smells like rotting meat and attracts all kinds of things.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another form of trickery is found in an orchid. It mimics a wasp on it's flower luring in other wasps to mate with it. Instead it's of course a flower and gets pollen for it's trouble. Not at all what was promised but this wasp is a little gullible and does it again.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fourth one that comes to mind will strike you as obvious, people. No trickery here though. People often pollinate plants for a variety of reasons, food, flowers, or just reproduction like trees they can sell.</div><div><br /></div><div>So next time you see a fly and want to squish it, think about the plants it helps pollinate and think if it's really a good idea or not.</div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-66262261793367534142021-06-23T10:20:00.000-05:002021-06-23T10:20:03.382-05:00Garden Carrot<div dir="ltr"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1QTrY--GAo/YNNPkWXhlvI/AAAAAAAACJc/9DvpOHA0qcwi3d0M3AWA-9WEZ0GsFuHqgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5233-799957.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6977007733625165554" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1QTrY--GAo/YNNPkWXhlvI/AAAAAAAACJc/9DvpOHA0qcwi3d0M3AWA-9WEZ0GsFuHqgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5233-799957.jpg" /></a>This year we have a little patio garden. This carrot is the only one that grew from the seeds we planted. Unfortunately it was in a fairly shallow pot and you can tell how deep from the size of it. Carrots only grow as long as they have room to do so. One year we had a garden that had a lot of carrots but only so much height. It wasn't because they were in a pot but instead the dirt we brought in and put over the existing soil (mostly clay) only went so deep. When it hit the hard soil underneath they stopped getting bigger.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">It's interesting how plants grow only where they find room. I heard of one way to grow potatoes was putting them in hay. It eliminates the natural pests you get since there is no soil and at harvest time you just jostle the hay around until it releases the potatoes. Trying something similar but I have very little the potato is trying to grow in. Might have to go get more hay.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The rest of the garden though is doing pretty well. Lots of watering, 2-3 gallons a day, but in the scheme of things not really a problem. The larger pot is growing the much better squash plant of course. The bigger volume lets it retain more water and less heat gets to the plant as a result. I think I will need to shade the plants as summer gets along to keep them happy.</div> Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497933429107005709.post-22540471131991437592021-06-07T17:30:00.001-05:002021-06-07T17:30:00.228-05:00Dung Beetle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxiS849uFdX23CEYbtkr3OIdHWOsY2vnm9OG4hQRhxkL4e1zsAg4Q-YXweEWzHJ_Fb6YeU-KhRqvQLf5w6vpQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>I always imagined a dung beetle was bigger than this. It was barely the size of a pencil eraser. These guys are vital in the conversion of waste into usable material. They are like the insect version of a mushroom.<p></p><p>Much like any other bug, if you see one of them then there are likely thousands of them in the area. Like the saying that you are never more than ten feet from a spider, they're everywhere.</p>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0