Disneyland plants!

 So I wasn't able to take as many pictures as I wanted since it was 92° and about 76% humidity by midday and did not want to stop very much unless there was a breeze and shade.

Let's start with the walk in. Normally there would be a tram from the parking structure to the entrance but this being still mostly lock down they weren't running. Lonnnng walk but was able to see a lot of the plantings. Given it is Southern CA and we have a water shortage every year they go with low water/drought tolerant plants as much as possible.

Lion's Tail in the background, Lemon Scented Eucalyptus trees and I have forgotten what the light green plants are. They are not aloes, nor New Zealand Flax, closer related to agave. Succulents everywhere and the dark green grass spike plants are Mexican Grass Trees I believe. The grey green bush on the far right is an opuntia of some sort.

This area is usually a roadway only so having plants that are tough and yet still pretty is what they were going for. The entire lane behind us was lined with Eucalyptus of two kinds and provided some shade. Rocks of course need no maintenance and adds interest to the landscaping.

More daylight shot (my sweetie looking fine)

Gardenia Thunbergia

I took a picture of the gardenia tree growing at Walter Andersen's and was shocked and very pleased to see that they had planted some along the street here. This is outside the Main Street City Hall (where you get information and lost parents). Pentas are planted underneath it and as I said some beds are seasonal to always be in color. If I get a chance to go in the winter/Fall it will be different flowers underneath.

Kalanchoe baharensis

 

One of the things succulents are good for is looking wierd/futuristic/fantasy. Normally the tree has more leaves on it but you can see they've got it trimmed up and looks rather other worldly in Tomorrorwland. Star Tours is to the right of that where the umbrella is standing. Again, to save water and maintenance they put in a lot of succulents.

Pond side planting

I am trying to remember what the tree is on the far right, thinking that one in the foreground on the right was a pecan but they wouldn't put one near a pond. Doing some searches since the name was escaping, it is a Chinese Pistache. Ornamental Pistachio and the leaves change color in the fall. Possibly a Montezuma Cypress behind it or another one that I can't remember. In the foreground are Indian Hawthorn, and another drought tolerant plant and Texas Sage 'Silver Cloud'. My tree and plant ID skills are woefully degrading lately and I'm rather frustrated by it.

'Pet Cemetery' Planting

This is a lovely example of taking plants with meanings and interest to put into a themed garden. There's Lamb's Ears in the back, 'Carpet Bugle' in Mahogany in front of that, the reddish plant in front of the statue is another dark leaved variety of Heuchura 'Palace Purple' and Black Mondo Grass in front, but can you see what they did? Darker plants toward the front and lighter to the back. Darker colors because it's a cemetery and it's Haunted Mansion but also it gives depth to the small bed. They really go all out in the fall/winter when Nightmare Before Christmas theme get set. Those plantings look fairly new so I'd say those are set for the upcoming season.

Fruiting Pomegranate, Tomorrowland

 

One thing that is consistent now with Tomorrowland around the restaurant is putting in edible plants. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the planting toward the entrance which had lettuces and other plants in an ornamental arrangement. This is one of three fruiting pomegranates at the edges of the patio area. Judging from the size of the trunk and my memory, those have been there for at least a dozen years if not more. If they are still there, around the corner toward Buzz Lightyears Blasters is a small grove of citrus trees. Again, too many people, too hot and will get pictures another time. Leave it to say it's one of my favorite landscaping areas. They even had tomatoes growing in one of the beds years ago!

Another seasonal planting

This is the planting around the central hub in front of the castle with the statue of Walt and Mickey. My all time favorite spot in the park. Pentas, salvia of various types framed in a boxwood hedge. Pink and purple theme as you can see. Short in front, tall in back with a small strip of grass between the railing where I was standing and the planting.

When you have a park this big and an army of people tending to just the landscaping and have to put costs and conservation at the top, low water is the way to go. You can have a lost maintenance and beautiful flowering garden without using a lot of water either. They try to use as few deciduous trees as possible for maintenance on the main walkways so it doesn't look messy. The one tree I didn't get a picture of is a wonderfully majestic Montezuma Cypress behind Thunder Mountain. There was also a Curly Willow that you don't see planted much. It's typically used for the twisted branches in floral arrangements.

Curly Willow

I had a blast and was very tired at the end of the day. I was there with my sweetie for his birthday so I didn't want to take up time getting pictures of plants. I have a few more pictures but will leave that for another post.

Success and partial failure #smallgardens#zucchini

 I didn't get a chance to water at all Tuesday night unfortunately and yesterday due to being at Disneyland (Amazing fun!) everything was parched and partly wilting BUT:

Success!

Two tomatoes!

I mentioned that #zucchini grow very quickly? When the flower gets pollinated it is already an infant. In three days you get a full size fruit! That was almost a day late picking. There's another flower that's not open yet behind it and hope to get out there this evening to check on it. There was the tomato pictured and another on the right side that was also ready and of course, more peppers.

I now believe the cracking is due to sun burn and uneven watering. When I was putting the tomatoes in the fridge though, discovered an issue:

Blossom end rot.

It is still edible, just cut that part out. So not so perfect fruit but I grew it and that's an accomplishment!

I tried to take pictures of the plants and landscapes at Disneyland but it was hot, I was with someone and usually we were in line somewhere so it was difficult. I will be making a separate post about that trip next time. Yay! I ar grdnr!

First tomato was ready!

 

Color was good so grabbed it and it was slightly soft and with one tug it came off! If you have to fight to pull fruit off it may not be ready. #tomato#smallgarden@greendinigardenguru

Good size tomato!

Second one in the background still on the bush. The cracking is from a variety of factors I suspect, inconsistent watering and likely a bit on the overripe state. Don't care, it's a gorgeous fruit that I grew! We will see how it tastes once it cools in the fridge for a bit. Other tomatoes and picked a handful of peppers as well. Despite being on the small size they were starting to color, though it's hard to tell in pictures. Had to adjust the picture to show other details.

Other details on the peppers are the brown corky stripes which is another sign of uneven watering and age of the fruit. Salsa here we come! Fresh tomato is going to be eaten with salad, too lazy and don't trust my cooking with a fresh one yet.

Since I forgot what I was going to add to my previous post, just going to move forward and show the #zucchini may well have taken!

Pollinated flower on the left

Almost all boys.

In the bright sun I couldn't see there was a small female at the back of the second bush on the right. Have to go back out and see if I can pollinate that little one as well. Flower is already closed up though so may be too late. I also fertilized with the last of what I had in the small bag, going to spring for some dry Gro Power on my next visit to the nursery. Don't have a good watering can and I prefer dry, already covered that.

It figures that the male flowers are fully open before the females are even ready. Might have to get a little collection jar and a paintbrush at the craft store today. Cotton swabs! Why didn't I think of that before? Anyway.

Something else that people sometimes panic about are perfectly normal plant things that a lot of other garden experts with videos and such rarely cover.

Cracking stem at base.

Again due to my inconsistent watering and the age of the plant, this happens. The stem is still very healthy and actually has some fruit on it up at the top. Unless this increases and totally splits, there's nothing wrong with this. I have a huge plant and stress will happen. I'm glad I have a cage around it. There's a garden on another street we drive by occasionally and that man's tomatoes are on a trellis, hardly any leaves yet but a good dozen tomatoes all ready to pick. It's bare all they way to the top and the vines are about four maybe five feet tall. Facing south with no trees or fence to block the sun so it's a perfect spot for them.

Since the wall behind my bed is not my wall and there are other things that need to happen before I can set that up, can't do a trellis. Might do some peas on a trellis after the tomato and pepper are done and keep it in the cultivated part of the bed.

Oh and there was a sign of someone leaving a calling card in the garden, luckily it got the hint and didn't do anything in the bed with all the sticks in there.

 

After I pushed dirt into the scrape

 

Feral cats are so uncivilized, leaving the little divot with pee just out there without covering up (yes I know that's what they do). My cat smelled it and immediately balked and was making all kinds of growling noises. He hates going in the garden because of that. Should have watered it down but you can see how dry and dusty that soil is. it would bead up an run off, don't need a muddy spot just because of that.

The inconsistent watering is totally on me because I forgot a day or two and they got exceedingly dry. My next day for watering is Wednesday but I'm going to Disneyland so may have to water tomorrow as well just a bit in order for them to stay cozy for a whole day. 

Watering is the number one cause of 99% of the plant problems out there. Either too much or too little, inconsistent or improper watering. The other 1% is soil and sun exposure issues. That's it. Food, not really an issue, I've seen plenty of plants thriving and no one feeds them (ahem... weeds... mint).

It's one of the reasons why people buy succulents and cacti but even those cannot survive without some water. I know, I almost killed some by not watering them for a year. Yes.. a year in a tiny pot, mostly shade and no water. They looked pathetic by the time I had to move so just tossed them, it's okay to throw out plants that you've killed. Own that guilt, everyone makes mistakes and you have to move on. LOL!

So, mulch, mulch, mulch! Listen to me.. haven't mulched a bit but if you have the money and ability do it! I preach what needs to be done but doesn't necessarily mean I can do it myself. I think the sticks helped a little for the larger bed but it's still not enough.  Will try and do better next time, promise.

 

Really looking forward to taking pictures at Disneyland, besides the obvious ones of all the rides and stuff. When my kids were younger and we went to the zoo my daughter complained, 'you take more pictures of the plants than the animals'. Yeah and? What's your point? Everyone takes pictures of the animals. I'm a plant geek!

 

Okay getting last things done before the trip and need to run some errands. Keep on digging!

Flower sex is good! #greendinigardenguru

 Walking the cat this morning and checked plants. Tomato is looking fantastic! and the flower was mostly open on the zucchini, checked other male flowers and was able to pollinate! The ants love the nectar in the flowers as well.

Male flower with ants

Male flower with central pistil/stamen

Female flower with stigma/ovaries

 

 

 

Most people have never encountered individual male and female flowers. Most flowers have both parts and anyone who has at least done high school biology knows what it looks like. This shows a very different look to the parts and I'm hoping that I was successful. The female flower was partly curled which means it was open overnight. I  might have to go in the evening and harvest pollen and find my paintbrush to do some plant inseminating. I actually was able to harvest two male flowers, you can barely see the pollen at the base inside the flower on the right.

More later in an edit, need to go do some errands right now, stay tuned for further developments!

#zucchini#smallgardens

Busy with other things but tomato is looking good!

 It is definitely getting ripe, still no sign of blossom end rot. Yay!

This also shows to an extent just how far over the cage is leaning. I haven't been able to go find a good stake to tie it to so had to improvise with what was on hand.

That'll do in a pinch

And the zucchini has about three female flowers but they're all closed and the male flowers are too. Fail fail fail!

Just can't catch a break with these plants

 

The fruit on the farthest bottom left is the oldest, flower is already browning, those big male flowers are all done and the females haven't even gotten open yet.The other plant is all males so far, just so dang frustrating!

Watered today and that one plant that I said didn't look like grass.... bad on me, I have no idea if any of the cilantro is growing given how hot it is despite the seeds being more shaded, can't keep them damp enough.

I was messaged by a former coworker who has had a house for years and has a garden that includes 12 tomato plants in six different varieties in a 16 ft bed. Yeah he knows his stuff. A customer told him 'you don't know anything about gardening'. His reply, 'What's a cucamelon?' and walked away. 

Much like any other service industry we get our share of customers that come in for help and then tell us we don't know what we're talking about. I had one lady almost my age how said, 'I've been gardening longer than you've been alive'. Being on the job I couldn't give her the whole piece of what I wanted to say but told her I had twenty years experience and she waved her hand and said 'you don't know anything'.

Insulting and frustrating but I just walked away because my time wasn't worth the effort to prove myself. You have to choose your battles and go help someone who actually appreciates your knowledge and expertise and makes a point of letting the bosses know. You do what works for you and if someone else says otherwise, be polite. Take their advice and maybe, possibly say thank you I might try that instead. 

Also I would get one customer interrupt me giving advice to someone and they'd bust in and say, 'oh this is what worked for me' and hijack the whole conversation. At that point I just walk away. Go ahead and tell them some home remedy or how they spent more money on something that worked or whatever.

We all have something that works for us but it was drilled into my head that 'In California the label is the law'. That means you don't have instructions on a bottle of dish soap on how to use it as an insecticide because that's not it's purpose. It's a game of 'Telephone'. Someone sees a product called 'Insecticidal Soap' and thinks 'hey I have liquid soap at home, I'll just dilute it down and it's the same thing right?' Wrong. The actual ingredient is 'potassium salts of fatty acids', think about those words. It is the base chemical chain for old fashioned lard and salt/ash soap. Not the new modern liquid soaps with all kinds of other chemicals in them. Doing my research I just discovered this on wikipedia:

 

"Insecticidal soap is most effective if it is dissolved in soft water, since the fatty acids in soap tend to precipitate in hard water, thereby reducing the effectivity.^"

So this means that it is using a softened water base and if you get it as a concentrate  you need to  use softened water or it won't work as well. Potassium based soaps are typically liquid or soft soaps but again it does not mean they are good for your plants. Do your homework and make sure what you're using is not going to damage your plants. One of the side effects of using the wrong product is what is called 'phytotoxicity', in other words, sun poisoning. Not going to go into details but it explains why some people would come in and say 'I used this product this way and my plants look burned' well did you read the label? Did you use a home remedy? There ya go.

This is all I have for now. I also have a mosquito under my desk that is biting my knees and lower legs. No idea how to get rid of it since I never use bug spray. 

Hey! I have some liquid soap! I can dilute that down and spray them!

 

It's turning red! Another likely zucchini fail and stuff.

 

The tomato is coloring! Should be ready by the weekend by color but for flavor..that's another matter. Just because a tomato is red does not mean it has all the sugar possible for flavor. A little chemistry/plant secret to pass on.

I learned from a coworker years ago who had worked at a vineyard that grapes are mostly acidic and then get sweet. The vintners (wine makers) knowing their plant chemistry figured out that in order for a fruit to turn acid into sugar they need warm/hot weather and lower water content in the soil to concentrate those sugars. Tomatoes are in the same category but considering I have more fruit on this plant and a lot of foliage feeding it so I'm reluctant to cut back on the water considering the weather. I will wait until this baby is as red as I can tolerate (or until next Wednesday whichever comes first) and then pick it. Since the tomato on the back side of the plant is about as big but is in more shade I don't think that one will color up as quickly. It's about a week or so behind this one.

I watered thoroughly this morning and took stock of flowers and fruit and all that. I mentioned before about the zucchini leaves getting 'adult' coloring and this is what I meant.

No that isn't mildew.

Also, another zucchini that I hadn't noticed before that opened the flower while I was away and now it's closing and I don't think it got pollinated. Again.

I want my zucchini dangit! I saw another tiny one that was also failing so I'm wondering if I should cut back some of the leaves shading the top so the flowers are more exposed for pollinators. This is another point about how fast they grow having the flowers only last for one day is not good when there's no bees or other pollinators around. Time to get me some flowers to draw in bees and butterflies. 

On another topic: Jade plants and what they really like.

In more sun and bigger

In more shade and smaller

I am not a big fan of Jade plants for the same reason why some people don't like succulents. They are everywhere, rarely put any good show of color on and just....blah.

What I wanted to point out is the difference between having it in the full sun and in shade. For best color they will go in the shade. Nice dark green leaves more bush like habit and still sturdy as an ox. When it is put in more sun the leaves tend to get lighter, the edges get a bit of orange and they just look washed out. You'll notice that the leaves that are more shaded on the larger plant are darker green. So there's the truth to my hypothesis. Also the taller one may have been pruned that way due to it being so much closer to the sidewalk.

There are dozens, if not  hundreds, of succulents that will tolerate a dry or semi dry shade area. These can take regular water as long as it isn't standing in it for long periods of time and keep on plugging on. That thick stem and those leaves aren't fat because they're pretty, they hold water for when there isn't any. 

Remember the picture I took of the jade plant at the end of the vegetable garden? I took the picture in May when it was still cooler and there was still some water in the ground from winter. Sort of.

That bush is now somewhat shriveled and looking less green due to the heat and lack of water. I have been taking pity on it and watering it every other time I go out and water my plants but not a lot. Why? Two reasons: First, if it's hot the hose heats up and there's hot water coming out that I don't want to water my plants with, second, I hate seeing a big healthy plant like that suffering. I'm not going to waste water just running the hose on bare dirt and weeds so why not benefit something from the extra water?

So heat is good for some but not even succulents look good when it's hot and dry. That's the way they are. 

I am looking forward to my trip to Disneyland next week. Going to take lots of pictures of not only stuff and things but their wonderful landscaping and hanging plants! The groundskeepers do as much as anyone in keeping the park looking perfect and healthy and it is very much appreciated by this plant geek.

 

 

Made sure to water just in time. #smallgardens#greendinigardenguru

 It is now approaching 90+ today and almost forgot to water. They were wilting already and I might have to go out there tomorrow to water as well. I really should get some mulch, the ground is so open and barren, letting moisture escape and weeds grow, but I think the cilantro is actually coming up!

A little blurry but that is not grass

 That was zoomed in from four feet away on my phone. Don't judge.

It is really important to know where you sow and check your greens. The zucchini is putting out two more fruit, one hasn't even opened the flower yet and the other flower is already closed so I can't pollinate it. Dangit! All the male flowers are curling up and the timing just sucks for trying to get the pollen and save it for the fruit flowers. Plant is healthy as can be though and some of the mature leaves are starting to show the lighter green splotchiness of a mature plant.

Nice and healthy#zucchini

 Now people will believe me when I tell them you need a 3x3 foot area for a good pair of zucchini plants. Don't believe the square foot garden method of only giving them two feet. This stupid heat is keeping the females from getting the pollen and it's just waiting for the weather to cool down. If I had another bed I would be prepping it to plant another in a month. 

Aside from that, the tomato and peppers are plugging along. Again, photo taken before watering and about 11 am.

#tomato#smallgarden

That bottom tomato is really firm, I checked the blossom end and it looks good. should start coloring really soon. Didn't think to check the peppers but they are smaller than they should be, need to pump  up the soil with more phosphorous...right already has it but alkalinity and it isn't really good levels of phosphorus anyway. More fertilizer!

I decided to shift some of the wood pieces around to make a rough water basin due to the water running off so quickly.

Then after doing that and watering a few more times, was putting the hose away and what do my roving eyes see...a #leafmuncher!

#caterpillar

Must have fallen off when I shifted the bush to try and get it straight again. The soil is really soft about four inches down and then stops at the hard pan underneath. So that little guy will either make it's way to the plant or die a roasted sun death. Technically I should have chucked it to the other side of the garden. You know, where the weeds and mint are growing, because she obviously just cares that something is growing and doesn't care.

My daughter who bought the jasmine and basil plants called me in a panic yesterday, there were caterpillars on her plants. She sent me pictures and they were loopers from a moth. I told her to pick them off but to also go get some #captainjacksdeadbug  Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew©. Great stuff, stays on the plants because it's a beneficial bacteria and isn't toxic so perfect for caterpillars, beetles, all kinds of things that will chew or scrape on your plants. She counted twelve loopers on her little basil and one on her jasmine. 'Should I just throw them away or what?' 'Yeah just chuck them over your balcony into the parking lot, they'll fry, get eaten by birds or get squished.' She was adorable in her anger and outrage at the invaders.

Do good when you can and praise when appropriate. Gardens may not seem like much but it is the world to some. Waxing philosophical today because it's too hot to do anything more serious.