tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post8748582045671274669..comments2024-03-28T16:38:10.153-07:00Comments on Late to the Garden Party: In a Vase on Monday: Oops, I did it againKris Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-81295234035002715682016-12-27T11:00:17.197-08:002016-12-27T11:00:17.197-08:00Mandatory restrictions were set statewide in the m...Mandatory restrictions were set statewide in the middle of 2015, although they varied by area. My area was required to reduce water use by 36% vis-a-vis 2013 usage level. As we'd already dramatically reduced our water use under the voluntary request in 2014 and we'd taken out all our lawn, a known water hog, we were successful in staying well below that limit; however, the garden did feel the impact. The restrictions were reduced to 10% savings in October of this year when water resources in the northern part of the state improved but adjustments are possible. How well we do during our winter rainy season is key.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-73905705922142488952016-12-27T01:50:13.687-08:002016-12-27T01:50:13.687-08:00Yes, so when your 'norm' is a mere 15"...Yes, so when your 'norm' is a mere 15" only getting 6" makes a huge difference Do you have restrictions on using water in the garden?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-42884202994450847712016-12-15T07:56:39.248-08:002016-12-15T07:56:39.248-08:00The thing with orchids is you have to get used to ...The thing with orchids is you have to get used to ignoring them. The plants aren't particularly attractive on average so I tuck them in a corner and haul them out (or clip the stems) when they're in bloom. the only problem with that strategy is that you sometimes miss the blooms entirely :(<br /><br />I see Weather Underground has upgraded us to a 100% chance of rain tonight too! If only I didn't have to go out and drive in it tonight I'd be blissful...Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-54828320353593929972016-12-14T13:04:42.594-08:002016-12-14T13:04:42.594-08:00They are both great, as usual. I wish I had the p...They are both great, as usual. I wish I had the patience for orchids--they seem to need patience. <br /><br />100% chance of rain Thursday night--wheeeeee! Pineapple Express is bringing some fruit!Hoover Boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03083294821646284424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-12858188399264945222016-12-13T17:25:22.857-08:002016-12-13T17:25:22.857-08:00Orchids of all types do seem to want a degree of h...Orchids of all types do seem to want a degree of humidity. I usually mistreat mine terribly, although I did repot and even fertilize all of them a couple of months ago.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-90435758182807068762016-12-13T17:23:49.426-08:002016-12-13T17:23:49.426-08:00'Arizona Sun' and 'Goblin' (I have...'Arizona Sun' and 'Goblin' (I have trouble distinguishing the 2) are the most reliable and long-blooming Gaillardias in my garden. The Pelargonium's leaves are much more interesting than its flowers, which are an almost florescent pink.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-39735367395701772882016-12-13T12:50:23.966-08:002016-12-13T12:50:23.966-08:00The pelargonium foliage is exciting :) We're a...The pelargonium foliage is exciting :) We're always glad to see more than one vase! I'm trying a Phaelenopsis indoors again, but I think the low humidity is hard on orchids here. Love your Oncidium!Amy@SmallSunnyGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02490564566463354419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-24923264546739494762016-12-13T05:14:18.232-08:002016-12-13T05:14:18.232-08:00I love the gaillardia ,can't beat the colors. ...I love the gaillardia ,can't beat the colors. Yes ,the pelargonium leaves are very interesting/ unusual and cool .Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834331771109216377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-62888173955831728392016-12-12T21:15:08.228-08:002016-12-12T21:15:08.228-08:00Thanks Alison! I work at it some - it usually tak...Thanks Alison! I work at it some - it usually takes me at least 2 rounds of my garden to finalize my selections.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-64304253631068061342016-12-12T21:14:15.582-08:002016-12-12T21:14:15.582-08:00Camellia 'Taylor's Perfection' is a li...Camellia 'Taylor's Perfection' is a little early to bloom this year, Susie, but that's probably a good thing - last year, winter heatwaves caused many of the buds to shrivel prior to opening.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-15218326295716904402016-12-12T21:12:03.039-08:002016-12-12T21:12:03.039-08:00California's climate does offer some advantage...California's climate does offer some advantages, Eliza - year-round gardening being one of them, although the lack of rain has put a damper on that (pun intended).Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-63681576519877110272016-12-12T21:09:57.053-08:002016-12-12T21:09:57.053-08:00Fall is often referred to here as our "second...Fall is often referred to here as our "second spring" so maybe it's appropriate that the flowers impart that feeling, Cathy.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-57288581799957834362016-12-12T21:08:39.334-08:002016-12-12T21:08:39.334-08:00A number of orchids seem to bloom here in response...A number of orchids seem to bloom here in response to the winter rains. In my experience, Oncidiums have fairly frequent blooms cycles.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-77214589589068640972016-12-12T21:06:51.021-08:002016-12-12T21:06:51.021-08:00It's not a friendly name to attach to a plant,...It's not a friendly name to attach to a plant, is it? Yet, it's somewhat descriptive of the unusual pattern of the leaf variegation. And a name like that is sure to garner interest here, where we don't have real crocodiles anywhere except in zoos.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-55038627729891478712016-12-12T21:04:16.735-08:002016-12-12T21:04:16.735-08:00Well, orchids aren't particularly attractive a...Well, orchids aren't particularly attractive as plants, at least in my view. Their principal value is in their exotic flowers so I tuck them out of sight until they bloom - the only problem with that is that I sometimes miss the blooms entirely.<br /><br />I'm not sure how to calibrate "average" rainfall here anymore, Cathy. The old "normal" was just under 15 inches/year but last year we got just under 6 inches in total in this location. The drought's no joke.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-86442280502687354702016-12-12T21:00:31.089-08:002016-12-12T21:00:31.089-08:00No, you're right - once I'm in my garden w...No, you're right - once I'm in my garden with license to clip, I can't help myself, Peter.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-78798902565342298242016-12-12T20:59:30.611-08:002016-12-12T20:59:30.611-08:00You ought to give orchids another look, Loree. Th...You ought to give orchids another look, Loree. They're not all boring Cymbidiums (not that I don't like those too). This Oncidium looks to me as though it's comprised of laughing faces. There are others that look like (colorful) insects.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-79372874692453753002016-12-12T20:43:32.707-08:002016-12-12T20:43:32.707-08:00I love the colors in the vase with that orchid. Yo...I love the colors in the vase with that orchid. You matched it perfectly. You are so talented at putting these arrangements together.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16323262555906240701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-63121149508385654732016-12-12T17:09:15.158-08:002016-12-12T17:09:15.158-08:00The orchid is lovely and I'm also thrilled to ...The orchid is lovely and I'm also thrilled to see your camellia bloomed Kris. You always find fabulous materials for your vases.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-569630358379658422016-12-12T16:52:09.680-08:002016-12-12T16:52:09.680-08:00Your arrangements are always lovely, Kris, whether...Your arrangements are always lovely, Kris, whether there are 1, 2 or 3!<br />That orchid is lovely and the duranta compliments it well. Love the pink combo as well. <br />At this point, my only arrangement is evergreens with a few store bought blooms. I have to have something in bloom to look at so I won't get too envious of other IAVOMs!Eliza Watershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06879335295393594236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-87758462608211572622016-12-12T15:17:44.951-08:002016-12-12T15:17:44.951-08:00Ooh, that pink vase is gorgeous! Love the camellia...Ooh, that pink vase is gorgeous! Love the camellias with the snapdragons. Makes me think of spring! ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-44302795029743212332016-12-12T13:13:50.472-08:002016-12-12T13:13:50.472-08:00Wow, both are gorgeous I think the orchid wins tod...Wow, both are gorgeous I think the orchid wins today. It is kind of a mind bender to think of Camellias and Orchids blooming at the same time. Of course, no Camellias here but the orchids bloom in July in my trees. They are cattleyasThe Shrub Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09712239350785388353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-53941843372589732022016-12-12T12:00:19.066-08:002016-12-12T12:00:19.066-08:00Crocodile, not the first name I'd choose for a...Crocodile, not the first name I'd choose for a pelargonium ;~))Diana Studerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286066768376135880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-28554533781740200342016-12-12T09:15:32.130-08:002016-12-12T09:15:32.130-08:00It made me smile that you could just 'discover...It made me smile that you could just 'discover' this orchid blooming!! It makes for an effective vase with the acid green foliage but the camellias and snapdragons are a real winner in my eyes - what an excellent combination! What would your average annual rainfall be, Kris?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-6508841572599879752016-12-12T09:12:37.763-08:002016-12-12T09:12:37.763-08:00You just can't help yourself. The first vase r...You just can't help yourself. The first vase radiates the warmth of summer and the pink one is full of spring's promise. You live in a magical climate. Peter/Outlawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07499260699813618283noreply@blogger.com