To our seasonal friends, welcome back to our Sanibel Garden Paradise. I'm sure you are in awe of the beauty of your gardens and the entire island. The rainy season has ended, leaving gorgeous foliage everywhere.
We have another "Mystery Plant" to report. Upon emptying soil out of a clay pot devoid of a noticeable plant, there appeared a disk about 5" in diameter with mega roots out of the bottom of the pot. I returned the soil to the pot and placed the newfound plant atop the soil. It resembled an artichoke. I relocated it back in the shade. Eventually, I determined it was an Echeveria succulent. Experimenting, I then moved it to a location with partial sun. Within a few days, a leaved stem appeared out of the corms. At this time, another stem has appeared. I am waiting to see what the flower will look like.
Patti's Mystery Plant
The biggest mystery is how a succulent that I had never had previously could appear on the bottom of a pot of soil. Any ideas? Any other "Mystery Plants" out there?
And now what is it?
If you are wondering why a plant hasn't bloomed, move it to a slightly sunnier location. Even a slight adjustment can bring it into bloom.
It is good to view your garden often. It is exciting to find new blossoms as well as unusual plants that sometimes appear.
Watering requirements need to be adjusted with the season. Plants require less moisture during the cooler weather. The exception is when the humidity is low and there is quite a breeze. My potted plants that are under cover, but outdoors, get watered once a week. They have all adapted to this schedule whether they are orchids, pothos or cacti. The exception is a few water thirsty plants on our deck which get more wind and sun.
The most important factors in raising healthy, happy plants are: good location to fit the plant's needs, good air circulation, soil and fertilizer according to the plant variety, moisture and "confidence".
Plants like Fish Emulsion (read direction labels). It does NOT have a pleasing scent which is an understatement. If you accidentally pour it over your head while watering a plant taller than yourself, you'll know what I mean.
Rubbing alcohol works well on a cottonball, cloth or paper towel for removing aphids (and other insects) from budding plants. It has many useful uses on foliage for cleaning and disenfecting purposes.
Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos is a plant that brings wonder and pleasure to tropical gardens. It begins as a healthy, refreshing small plant. We have several hanging and in containers on our porch. They require very little maintenance and thrive well. Watering once per week from a plastic mustard type squirt container works well. Every few weeks, I add a few drops of liquid fertilizer. Every two months, I place each plant in the sink and spray all the foliage well. This plant acts like a "Jack in the Beanstalk" if placed underneath a tree in a pot or planted in the ground. It will climb the tree quite quickly. The leaves continue to get larger as they climb the tree sometimes reaching the length of 18" and width of 10".
It is amazing to say the least. Pothos enjoy partial shade to partial sun. They are a great plant for seasonal members. Enjoy them indoors or on the porch or patio while on Sanibel. Then place by a tree when you leave. You will return to much amazement. One of our sons had a large ornamentation on a wall between his patios. He placed a potted Golden Pothos beneath it. It creeped up the decoration quite quickly and is very attractive. Several other vines robustly climb trees. Syngonium, Vanilla Orchid Vines and Hoya Carnosa Wax Plants are among them.
Just like Jack's Beanstalk!
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you and live in the moment.
My garden is calling me.....
Patti from Paradise