I have a nice sized gall growing on my orange tree. It forms where the rootstock was grafted to the top of the tree. Every year it sends out growth. It has to be removed but there’s a trick to doing it. Here’s my orange tree with a bunch of branches starting on the base Read More…
Author: Laura Z
Gardener in sunny SoCal
Window Plant Haworthia Blooms
My haworthia is blooming. It sends up these sci-fi looking stalks that open into tiny white flowers. It took so long for my first plants to bloom that now I get excited to see them in the early spring. I just love these succulent little gems and this plant seems to have developed a cult Read More…
Crassula Plant Rescue Update
As you may recall, I rescued a crassula succulent plant from the store. Unfortunately he suffered a cruel attack by a weed-whacker. I decided I needed to continue his saga, for good or bad. I was pretty sure since it was a succulent he’d recover. Also, I still have the roots in the container, which Read More…
Yellow Flowering Cactus Pear Blooming
My cactus pear is flowering! I can’t wait for the pears. Here’s a little piece I wrote for my main garden website: Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) are useful in the landscape for dramatic impact, adding a southwestern feel to any landscape. Opuntia cactus also have edible pads and provide the red cactus pears of Read More…
Excuse me, your rootstock is showing
What’s going on with this rose? It’s pink, but we have a giant branch with tiny red roses sneaking through the top of the rosebush. Is it some new variety with two colors? Nope, it’s the root stock growing up from the bottom. Most roses are bred for their looks, which leaves little time for Read More…
Don’t hate me because it’s 90 degrees
Yes, it’s hot in So Cal today. We’ve been having a bit of a Santa Ana condition so it’s been pretty warm. I felt sorry for my drought tolerant plants in the back yard so I gave them a good soak yesterday. It’s a little early in the season to be this hot. Nobody’s drooping Read More…
High tech seed spreader, or spice bottle?
Here’s something you can use for spreading seeds that’s already in your spice cabinet. This bottle contained Italian Seasoning. The important part is the size of the holes in the plastic screen on top. These are about 1/8 inch in diameter. It’s a good size for larger seeds like nasturtium or sweet peas. You could Read More…
Have you turned your compost lately?
It’s a great time of year to start a compost pile. This spring, if your grass is growing and you’re mowing a lot, don’t forget to throw your clippings in your compost pile. Grass clippings add nitrogen to your compost. Clippings also need to be broken up in your pile. If you toss in a Read More…
Color Change Aeonium Plant Update 3
Here’s the latest on the aeonium plant on my patio that has been changing colors. Now you can really see the red around the leaf edges. The small inside leaves are all creamy instead of cream and green stripes. Very cool! None of the other aeoniums in my garden are changing like this. I’ve got Read More…
Plant Rescue Update: Crassula Plant Setback
A few weeks ago I rescued this little succulent plant from the store. It was very abused, beaten up, had broken parts and gave me a very sad look when I walked by. So, I took it home, gave him some water and tucked the broken leafs back into the pot. I put him in Read More…