Drizzle and Dragons

Sunday. I decided not to work on work until later or tomorrow because my energy is feeling all the change. I slept in and woke up to delightful drizzle in my garden. I had 18 bloomers and one Premier – Heirloom Heaven. She was a bonus and she is supermini. Also, one of my most reliable fall bloomers. I know the season is starting to close-up for another year when I see her.

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Heirloom Heaven – 8.11

That said, I still have well over 100 buds – maybe close to 200. Last year, I had 18. So, the blog will continue.

I also had another one of my amaryllis bloom today – Double Dragon. Pretty color and shape. It makes me wonder about the real triggers for blooming because my bloom rate is better in the summer. I am considering leaving these guys out and just cutting water this year. Or, maybe leave them in the cellar until spring. I would have more room for other plants with plan B, but my bloom rate might be better with plan A.

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Double Dragon Amaryllis 8.11

I have also come to terms with the fact that I am burned out with my orchids. Oh, I still love them but work is requiring more energy than anticipated and I have come to dread orchid chores. So, if a few die off, that is OK. I decided to try air plants because they are more resilient to drought but still look good in glass, like my water culture orchids. I purchased a few to fill dead orchid areas. That should help my winter pass. It feels like fall today!

Air plants in glass

Air plant in macrame hanger

A Little Piece of Heaven in my Yard

Today, Heirloom Heaven bloomed for the first time.  This little one was one of my first root plantings last year.

 

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Heirloom Heaven – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

It is a miniature, at least this first bloom cycle.  Here it is with my petite finger:

 

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Heirloom Heaven with my finger for proportion

 

Other blooms were my orange/yellow combos.  Frans Hals:

 

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Frans Hals – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

And, Orange Flurry:

 

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Orange Flurry – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

Oh, and Stella, of course:

 

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Yella Stella – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

Today also brought the first of a couple fall plantings.  I got one called Painted Petroglyph on fall sale at Shady Rest Gardens.  It is not a Robert’s cultivator, but it still belongs in my Southwest garden.  It is beautiful.  Live long and prosper little one.  I also replaced Navajo Rodeo – love the fall sales!  I added a few more fans of Electric Lizard, as mine are still anemic.

I didn’t order much this fall, but the daylilies keep me going.  I am getting two new Roberts blooms, too.  Twirling Pinata and Glen Eyrie.  My daughter lives in Colorado Springs, so I couldn’t resist the second one. (Many of the Roberts cultivators were hybridized right there!)  I love fall plantings because, by spring they act like they have been here forever!  I think I will hit 80 cultivators that bloomed this summer.  That’s just over 50%.  Keep on mulching!

Oh, and keep on painting.  I finally finished Chief Four Fingers in the wee hours.

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