The Long and the Short of it

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016Leave a comment

Today, when I walked outside for the first time, my garden smiled at me. At first, I thought I wouldn’t have many blooms. But, 15 or so cultivators is good. I’m a bit on-edge today, waiting for some news. I love the garden because it causes me to live in the moment.

So, some new faces today. One of the new Ned Roberts spiders that I put in last fall joined the others that have bloomed in the new garden. This is Dream Catcher – a sibling to Dream Keeper, which was one of my earliest bloomers.

Dream Catcher – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And a much more traditional bloom reappeared for the first time in 2016 – Fooled Me.

Fooled Me – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Both are gorgeous orange colors, but the shapes are so different. Daylilies are like dogs . . . there are long ones and short ones. But, a dog is always a dog.

Another one I am highlighting today is Inwood. Her first bloom was so misshapen that it was almost unrecognizable. She only put out one scape, so savor and move her to more light. Today’s blossom was perfect!

Inwood – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Oh, and I wanted to feature a couple of triplets: Blue Beat and South Seas. I have mixed opinion on seeing more than one bud get used up in a day, but they are pretty in the moment.

Blue Beat – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

South Seas – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, the collage for today features the spiders at the top. Just look at all the variety of shape and color. Cheaper than therapy, and they smell good!

From L to R: Top Row – Aztec Firebird, Dream Catcher, Ruby Spider, Lady Fingeres. Middle Row – Blue Beat, Early Bird Cardinal, Indian Love Call, Inwood, Mesa Verde. Bottom Row – Prairie Blue Eyes, Soco Gap, Mini Pearl, South Seas.

And, the Peak Goes On! (In Colorado)

July 17, 2016July 17, 2016Leave a comment

I walked out the door to over twice as many blooms as yesterday. Twenty-one! So, we are continuing to climb to the apex of the season. Interesting that in this bouquet that there are no new cultivators. So, what to talk about? Perhaps what the sun does to color in daylilies. I am no hybridizer, but I was a printer at one point much earlier in my life. I learned about color then . . . additive and subtractive.

It is my understanding that daylilies don’t have genes to make blue. So, the near blue flowers are a mosaic. Additive color is what I use when I paint my blooms. It is easy compared to subtractive color . . . which is done with light and filters. If I was issuing a somewhat educated guess, I would say this must be a subtractive process.

So, here is my stunning Blue Beat before the rays of sun hit it directly:

Blue Beat – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And here it is just 5-10 minutes later, as the first rays of sun found its pedals: ( It shifts from blue, green, and light pink to peach, yellow, and purple). I would love to hear a hybridizer’s take on this!

Blue Beat – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

I had a lot of cool spiders today – Ruby Spider, Thin Man, Aztec Firebird, Zuni Thunderbird, and Desert Icicle. Here is one with Ruby and the Thin Man.

Ruby Spider with Thin Man in the distance – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Also, three out of five in my family garden are blooming today: Here are all three: Isaac (grandson), Mini Pearl (Minnie Pearl – grandma), and Stephanie (daughter). The colors are nice together. Maya Poppy (for granddaughter, Maia) is going to blend right in. Hopefully, soon. Catherine Irene, momma’s namesake, looks like it is waiting for now.

All in the Family from L to R: Isaac, Mini Pearl, and Stephanie Returns – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

So, here are today’s 21. Busiest day of 2016 so far. At least until I start trying to paint all of these for Christmas presents! Oh, help!

In alphabetical order from L to R: Top Row – Aztec Firebird, Blue Beat, Desert Icicle, Early Bird Cardinal, Isaac. Row Two – Lady Fingers, Mesa Verde, Mini Pearl, Pick of the Litter, Prelude to Love, Purple de Oro. Row Three – Razzamatazz, Return a Smile, Route 66, Ruby Spider, Soco Gap, South Seas. Bottom Row – Stephanie Returns, Thin Man, VooDoo Dancer and Zuni Thunderbird.

So, I am ready for a nap!

Twin Firebirds

July 16, 2016July 16, 2016Leave a comment

Today was much less overwhelming than peak day yesterday. Every bloom was a return. However, the bloom(s) that caught my eye were twin Aztec Firebirds. There is something about two blooms together, facing the same direction. They look like dancers.

Aztec Firebird – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The name brings to mind Aztec Ruins, an Anasazi site close by in the Four Corners. I need to superimpose these blooms on the ruins picture from my spring Southwest road trip this spring. They are awesome ruins, just like the blooms.

Aztec Ruins National Monument – Photo by C. Hartt

Since I have no new blooms, I will highlight a couple of other Ned Roberts spiders in bloom today. Desert Icicle is a beautiful bloom.

Desert Icicle – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, poor Zuni Thunderbird was invaded by thrips and looks like it has reverse measles. I did some photo touching with it to make it presentable. One thing about having over a hundred cultivators – you begin to learn the work of farming daylilies.

Zuni Thunderbird in enamel – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

So, here is the collage for today. Some really nice blooms, all in all.

Left to Right: Top Row – Just Plum Happy, South Seas, Desert Icicle, Lady Fingers. Row Two: Chorus Line, Ruby Spider, Soco Gap, Lullaby Baby. Bottom Row: Purple de Oro, Aztec Firebird, Zuni Thunderbird.

Singing the Blues

July 15, 2016Leave a comment

Today, all three of my near blues (with scapes) were in bloom; Blue Beat, Mildred Mitchell, and The Colorado Kid. (Sounds like a rock band.) They have all bloomed before this year, so I highlighted them in todays garden collage. I did want to share a large view of Blue Beat before the first rays of sun hit her. Very blue-looking!

Blue Beat – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The other photo I really like from today is Jungle Queen. I caught the first rays of light on her pedals.

Jungle Queen – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

I had two new blooms and neither looked as healthy as I would like. Bugs, heat, water issues, etc. Who knows? They are pretty flowers and hopefully they will have their true colors shining through very soon.

Zuni Thunderbird – a neat Ned Roberts spider that I put in the new garden last fall.

Zuni Thunderbird – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, Inwood – a beautiful flower with a frompy first bloom.

Inwood – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Below are the bloomers for today.

Left to Right: Top row – South Seas, The Colorado Kid, Blue Beat, Mildred Mitchell, Soco Gap. Second Row: Inwood, Jungle Queen, Mini Pearl, Purple de Oro, Early Bird Cardinal. Bottom: Zuni Thunderbird.

Before I sign off, let me just say that I am writing this blog to share my experiences being a daylily hobbiest in the desert of Western Colorado. The soil is clay, so I have learned to amend it with good soil and water crystals. They help hold the moisture in – and I had my best garlic harvest ever after adding them to the mix. However, there can always be too much of a good thing and the crystals can harbor root rot is the drainage isn’t good, The last week, Colorado Kid has been fading. Today, I threw out the rotten dirt and cleaned up the roots. Hopefully, I didn’t over correct. It’s hard for humans to get the right balance of moisture in a place where mother nature falls short. And, that is the adventure. (RIP Navajo Rodeo – I am not sure what got you but something did 😦 )

Colorado Kid Daylilies

A Blog About My Western Colorado Daylily Adventure

Tag: Zuni Thunderbird

The Long and the Short of it

And, the Peak Goes On! (In Colorado)

Twin Firebirds

Singing the Blues