I was down & out a couple days with a stomach bug, no fun. Am feeling better today and will be going out to tame the tomatoes & dead head with vigor!
A few weeks back, I picked some flowers to preserve in silica.
I'm not sure if I can re-use the silica to dry again?
I had done this with my daughters in the Fall, and was delighted with the outcome. Below is the after. Most flowers came through nicely, with a couple roses looking like they'd been left in Grandma's underthings drawer too long.
Our tulip tree that nicely shades the front perennial garden is blooming, however I only get to see the blooms when they fall off. They are all scattered at the very tippy top of the tree.
This Parodia magnifica balloon cactus looks like a little frosted cupcake.
I love the coloring on this Agave chazaroi. I am going to need to move it so it has proper space to grow.
Also need to move this leaning tower of Pisa. What is it doing?
and what is this agave doing? I read that agave weevil can make it grow crazy like this so I need to investigate. At least there is a pup that is growing perfectly next to it.
Any little weirdos in your garden lately?
Dr. Feelgood says he hopes you are having a perfect Sunday :)
Glad to hear you're feeling better. It sucks to be sick.
ReplyDeleteEspecially stomach, I hate that. I'm much better at ignoring a cold.
DeleteGood you are feeling better--hopefully as comfortable and content as Dr. Feelgood himself. :)
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about silica. Beautiful "tulip", agave chazaroi, and wow gorgeous Parodia. It does look like a very fancy cupcake.
The only weirdo in my garden is me.
HA HA HA HA! I like that. I don't know if I could ever quite be as content as the Dr., but I am pretty close.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you were down and out for a bit. It certainly looks like you're back in the swing of things. I've never heard of agaves reacting to weevils like that but some of the hybrids do weird things - my oldest 'Blue Glow' Agave has a pup growing out its side and the plant itself did not die when its central bloom stalk finished up and was cut down. The same thing happened with a neighbor's 'Blow Glow'.
ReplyDeleteOk, that is reassuring to hear. Somehow I don't think it's a weevil, or maybe just hoping. Your Blue Glow sounds like a real character!
DeleteI like the fruits of your picking and drying.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it turned out better than expected.
DeleteGlad you're feeling better. Stomach stuff, ugh. I have two Agave chazaroi, and in full sun they turn yellow in the summer. Just in case that happens to yours - no need to worry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up. It's in a partial sun situation, and I like the coloring so much I think I'll find a spot with the same light condition. Or try, lol.
DeleteWow, Those dried flowers look amazing. The colours are still so vibrant.
ReplyDeleteI want to do more of them, they really hold up nicely!
DeleteLove the preserved blooms. I didn't know one could do that with silica. So cool.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun and easy project. Surprised me how well it works.
DeleteOh that Agave chazaroi is a beauty! I remember the first time I saw those tulip tree blooms on the sidewalk, I was so confused thinking there was no way they came from that super tall tree towering above.
ReplyDeleteEven tho I don't get to see the blooms often enough, it is a lovely tree with a not too wide canopy. Agave chazaroi is really charming me!
DeleteGreat highlights. Sweet kitty. Gosh, yes, you had success with the drying project--the blooms still have their color and form! Very nice. Sorry to hear you were ill, but I'm glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth, I guess nothing makes you happier than feeling normal is brief bout of the flu.
DeleteGlad you are feeling better and stomach bugs are the worst, I agree! Your garden looks so colorful and I am not familiar with drying flowers in silica, but it shounds quite interesting. I wondered how long the colors will last. Dr Feelgood looks pretty cool even in summer heat.
ReplyDeleteDr. really digs the heat. I've had some flowers about 8 months now that have completely retained their bright color. We will see!
Deletegorgeous tulip tree flower! Also, beautiful abundance of orange pollen on that first flower. Dr is precious as always
ReplyDeleteDr. says he loves you!
DeleteI like how your dried flowers turned out, but I don't know if you can reuse the gel. During the Covid lockdown, I tried preserving flowers (lilacs) in bloom using silica kitty litter since it was easier to find. I don't think it worked too well.
ReplyDeleteoh, too bad - I bet it was less expensive.
DeleteHappy to hear you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI use a flower press to preserve flowers. I hope to make cards with my pressed flowers.
Carla
Good idea, I'd love to try that!
DeleteNo fun being sick. I vaguely wondered if I was going to get salmonella as I tasted a bit of cake batter the other day, but I did it any way. Glad you are feeling better. Just planted a seedling tulip tree this spring. It is a shame that there flowers are so high up, but they are impressive trees. One of my favorite meditations is to practice being as contented and completely unbothered as a cat stretched out in the afternoon sun.
ReplyDeletegreat to hear you're feeling better and getting back into your gardening groove!
ReplyDelete