In Fall 2019 we made kokadama at the monthly club meeting. I chose to use Easter cactus, Schlumbergera gaertneri, since it is an epiphyte and could do well with organic mix and in a hanging posture. Kokadama do dry out quickly in SoCal and it can be hard to remember to water regularly. But… 6 months later, Easter arrived and so did the flowers. Posted by BB.
Planted the last week in March. Pull leaves or cut the tops for salad. Prolific, and absolutely delicious! Highly recommended. Soaker hose irrigation. Post provided by SC.
The days pickings from blueberry plants in my garden. These are planted in pots to better control soil acidity and moisture. Post provided by CF.
A reminder that inspiration for planted landscapes often comes from wild nature itself. This is probably Lupinus albifrons and was photographed at Eagle Rock near Warner Springs. Post provided by LJ.
A migrating female Monarch placed her egg (the size of a pin head) on a leaf of this milkweed in my garden.
Four days later a caterpillar emerged and started eating. Ten days later, and about 2” long, the caterpillar developed a chrysalis which can be found hanging on a nearby tree or post.
Ten days later, the monarch emerged. Pretty amazing journey for 28 days
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on just one plant, and that is milkweed, Asclepias. This picture shows Asclepias curassavica.
This genus is herbaceous, perennial and flowering. Monarch caterpillars eat only the leaves of the milkweed.
Milkweed is a beneficial wildflower and is not invasive. Other species use the nectar and some will also eat parts of the plant.
The plant, which has a milky sap, does contain toxins, which can be harmful to pets and humans, so be careful when handling.
post provided by SC.