Our imperfect plants took a little vacation in the early spring, just to wake up from a long and cold winter in California…

“That’s right!”-said the Cherry tree. As a matter of fact, I bought this cherry tree a year ago and I’m not sure if it is fully aware what had happened to it, where it currently resides or what to do with life.

So Hi my friend! How have you been?

I’m gonna be honest, I just realized there is this unique beauty to aging. I think I learned this one from the flowers.

Love them when they are young, admire them when they are old.

Vintage Hyacinth

Performed by the “Armed Forces”, approved by the bee.

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They call it Cape Marguerite Daisy Bush, I call it California Red Wine. I love these flowers more than words can describe. It keeps recalling this horror story where it was sitting in the Mid City Lowe’s darkness, being offered for a buck. You and I know-I saved you that day, My RED WINE bush. Xo-xo

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And now, Look at this cocoon…

This Zinfendel grapevine went through some trouble since it was shipped to me. First it died, only to come back from the dead with the new shoot, which I am now training for it’s 2^nd year to become the main trunk. You can see the new trunk is about a pencil width right now.

If you are working on a trunk thickness it’s advisable to cut the vine back to the height you want your trunk to be, and keep training throughout a year before you achieve the desired thickness. Once you get there you may allow your vine to bear fruit.

I will allow it to bear fruit regardless of the trunk, since I am too curious what can possibly come out of this potted plant this year.

Did you know that poppy plants grow as big as the eucalyptus trees? Neither did I.

This eucalyptus grown from seed is being trained to stay more like a large bonsai tree. Poppy is even trying to mimic the color. You can already tell it’s going to put up a show.

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Meanwhile, just like the best of us, my Aloe is fighting with himself, and I let it. As usual, it’s pretty fun to observe this dance of all the color and form. If you try to join the battle, you will lose, I guarantee.  Look at this one for instance, saved from the infamous home improvement store. It quietly turns all sorts of colors, all by itself. BE YOU.

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It is planted in a sandy mixture. One could unsafely assume it needs water from time to time. Nope, you better leave it alone. It was promptly replanted once in the garden. It received maybe 4- 5 hours of sun daily. Then it rained a few times in March, and my Aloe went on a colorful crusade. It went from losing it’s shape to getting back in shape, like an actor preparing for a part and it keeps on going. It’s entertaining to watch. DO NOT WATER IT, and put it in a semi shade would my advice. I have a strong feeling all the the moisture needed it absorbs from the air. Even in a dry climate, it seems to be sufficient. It will yell at you when it needs water. Treat it like a succulent or like a God almighty AVOCADO tree…

Which I really want to talk to you about! Again. And I’m not a guru, but you should trust me.

HERE IS A PIECE OF ADVICE:

DO NOT WATER YOUR AVOCADO PLANTS, I’m serious. Stay away! 90% chance, you just bought your first avocado and the worst key scenario you let it sit in dirt you bought it in or you already planted it in a rich compost soil they sell in most garden centers. IN FACT, if you put them in the ground in your yard, go dig them out right now, and put it in a 20in (or larger) light colored plastic container filled with sand. Go…., now. They do well in pots by the way.

Best soil for an Avocado tree is sandy loam. If you like to take risks like I do, add some peat moss to your mixture, to retain some moisture.

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Listen all, this plant sits in a 20-in plastic container, which is very heavy for a few reasons. My soil mixture consists of at least 50% sand, red Lava sand and rocks, perlite (pumice is better), some peat moss and Kelloggs Cactus Mix (not because it needs it, but because I like Kellogg’s Cactus Mix). You may also add charcoal. The only reason I added the cactus mix which also contains some organic material is because sand is way too heavy, and I still want to be able to move the pot if needed.

I ONLY WATER when IT YELLS at me. This plant will take quite a bit of water without rotting when it’s in the correct soil mixture. It would mean watering a few times a week.

Now again, if you have it in a regular compost, don’t water it and it might make it. I had mine in a cactus mix mixed with some compost. It’s didn’t need much water. You may water it when you notice the leaves droop. Get one of the moisture meters if you don’t trust the finger method.

If you have good compost save it for the top layer, it will gradually fertilize your Avocado tree. But if you bought a young avocado plant, don’t buy a regular potting mix. 8 out of 10, your tree will rot in it.

Have you seen a Flannel Bush lately, Fremontodendron californicum?

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One of the most striking California native plants. After seeing this show stopper at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, I went straight to their nursery to buy one. Little did I remember that I have already been growing one from seed.

Nursery bought Fremontia just flowered. It apparently can tolerate drought. In fact, I was told it doesn’t need water at all once established. I’ve been previously lied to about stuff like watering, so We’ll see about that.

PEOPLE! PLANTS LOVE WATER, EVEN the CACTI. They can’t leave without it.

Talking about “drought tolerant”. Now… can you imagine a life without SUCCULENTS? Neither can my ocd. I added a new one to the garden yesterday. Check this out. I called it Red Rim.

When those you save thank you.

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Everything ends,

Even the grasshoppers. They tend to turn Vintage with age.

Have you ever grown a banana plant among the Garlic Palms? Well, you should. Just because.

We’ll talk in a bit. Goodnight!

Angeli