Wax Daylily Booms of Independence Day

Today started with a parade and will end with fireworks. Must be July 4th, In between, I visited my daylilies. I think in July in Colorado (or the desert States) that we should call them 7-11 lilies, because after about 11 AM, the blooms start to melt. I mean, they literally look like melting wax to me. Our UV is just so high for them here when the humidity drops towards the single digits. Maybe that is why I take so many photos and paint the blooms. There is no hanging out with them all day because it is just too hot and I melt, too.

Anyway – I had 43 in bloom today, including 3 premiers. No finales today. Oh, and add Maya Cha Cha = who premiered yesterday but I missed her photo with the camera. I actually take pictures with both cell and camera. I post the cell shots to my Facebook page ASAP. That is a great back-up to the camera and helps me remember what is what if I get behind on camera shots. Maya is on the phone yesterday, but not in my computer library. I guess that puts us at 76, which is a patriotic number.

Bella Lugosi premier 7.4
Just Plum Happy premier 7.4 – One of my very first daylilies. I divided her and put half in the boarder garden. The potted half died this year, but the one in the ground is doing OK.
Lullaby Baby premier 7.4 – a favorite pastel daylily
Maya Cha Cha premier 7.3
Pink Enchilada premier 7.4
Pink Rain Dance premier 7.4

It is hard to believe only 40% of my daylilies have bloomed. I probably have a dozen or so without scapes so who knows if they will skip or be late? If they don’t bloom – that means we have 92 more premiers and our bloom rate will be 93%. That’s an A in my book. I am just waiting for water cost to shoot up because they declared a state of drought emergency in my part of the State yesterday.

Keep on blooming. Happy 4th!

Feng Shui

I had a peer who was into feng shui when I lived in Boulder, CO.  I actually did my house in a feng shui color pattern for awhile.  I don’t claim to know much about it, but it was a creative project.  Cleaning closets, etc, to make room for more good energy is also part of it.

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Cripple Creek 8.29

Currently, I am doing houseplant feng shui.  I spend all winter counting the days until the plants go outside and I can have more space.  And, there are some plants I am bonded with and some that I am just tired of looking at.  Not that many, maybe half dozen.

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Purple Corn Dancer 8.29

I found homes for them with friends on Facebook.  It is kind of hard – but I still have more than I need.  My problem is that new plants help me pass the winter doldrums.  But, as I have said before, the orchids are kind of high needs – and they always seem fragile – ready to rot or have the leaves drop off from dryness.

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Indian Sky 8.29

I’m not giving my orchids away – but there will be natural attrition and I just won’t keep buying them.  The rex begonias, African violets, calathea are all staying put, too.

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Frans Hals 8.29

My new theme is cool succulents and air plants.  I have a good bunch of Southwest plants from my road trips – but you can always find a fun new species.  And, air plants are fun to decorate with!  I got my first batch of mail order ones today – all 6 in a box that is maybe 5 inches square.  They are space efficient and fairly resilient to a bit of neglect if the summer gets busy. Also, pretty cost effective except the big, fancy ones.

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Purple Grasshopper 8.29

I had five in bloom today – daylilies, that is.  That’s a good number for the last Thursday in August.  It won’t last long, though. They have been in bloom for nearly 90 days.  So, I am happy for the little air plants today.  Gives me something to look forward to this winter.

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My mail order air plants 8.29