Oncidium Orchid

This oncidium orchid (Oncidium andreae) was planted at the first branching of a mango tree. I attached the bare roots to the bark where the branches split, covered the roots with Spanish moss, and tied down the Spanish moss with fishing line. For a natural finish, additional Spanish moss was used to cover the fishing line. The mango tree is perfect for this purpose because of its rough, course bark which most orchids will grip to quickly. The plant established itself after a matter of months, and the fishing line was then removed. This is a photo of the last of four consecutive bloom shoots. It receives some filtered light, but is primarily in the shade under the canopy of the mango tree. I purchased the plant last year from at a local auction event with the N. Miami Beach Orchid Society.

Swiss Chard in Florida?

Months ago, before the encroaching attack of our typical South Florida summer, I discovered that I could grow swiss chard in this area as long as I catered to its insatiable thirst like its own private Gunga Din. This "Bright Light" variety of swiss chard (Chenopodiaceae Beta Vulgaris var. cicla) was grown in full sun and propogated into multiple plants from a single cluster which I purchased at a local garden center. It's hard to appreciate the variety of different brightly colored stems from this photo. Once the summer heat waves arrived, it was impossible to keep this plant healthy. I'm looking forward to the late fall when more moderate heat will allow me to plant again. Not only a great addition to the vegetable garden, this plant was a welcomed flavor at the dinner table. Harvesting by cutting from the lower stalk, a few leaves can be cut, tossed in a hot pan with a simple blend of olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for a tasty side dish.

What is that?

As one of the rare tropical specimens displayed in the front of our house, this Crassulaceae Kalanchoe thyrisflora or 'Flapjack' has matured over the course of the past year from a simple 8" single plant to a thick leaved tower of more than 3' with young offshoots filling its base. A chartreuse flower-lined mass of over a foot in length tops the stalk. The flapjack plant, a South African native, is also referred to as a "dog tongue plant," a "desert cabbage," or a "paddle plant." These two have grown at the base of a royal poinciana tree. They've been kept well mulched with moderately moist soil. A mix of manure, top soil, and compost accompanied by the occassional sprinkling of Dynamite fertilizer has served to accelerate its growth. It's one of those rare looking plants that always brings about comments or questions by those who notice it. I plan to separate the offshoots and plant them elsewhere around the yard.

First Post...Going Bananas.

These musa dwarf cavendish bananas were the first bunch to be harvested from my garden. The tree pushed out 11 hands yielding a total 115 bananas. Originally planted from a single comb, the group of now five banana trees flanks the corner of the fruit/vegetable garden hidden on the side of our house. The fruit is slightly smaller than the conventional store-bought banana. Maximum tree height for this variety is six feet. For proven results, I rely on the growing method that was passed down from my grandmother, an avid gardener. She creates a ditch around the banana trees that serves, when filled with water, to surround them like a moat. The center of the "island" where the plants reside is frequently supplied with a mix of compost and cow manure.