HANGERS-ON

Although I'm in the process of saying goodbye and doing fall cleanup, there are some gifts in my garden that are just not ready to give up yet. These flowers look lovely and vigorous, oblivious to the chill in the air and date on the calendar, behaving as though it's July and not the end of October. I think there is a lesson to be learned from my hangers-on, stand strong in the face of adversity.

GOODBYE

During the month of October the weatherperson is the most important person in my life. I listen closely to the daily forecast, hoping I won't hear the "f" word, FROST. At least four times this month I have run around with old sheets covering my tender perennials and tropicalsA couple of the Brugmansias have not even bloomed yet and there are still plenty of buds on the Tibouchina. The Dahlias are blooming like crazy. I can't bear to say goodbye to any of these plants until the last bud has opened. Tonight, however, the forecast is for a hard frost. I have to say so long to the growing season. All is not lost though. I cut as many blooms as I could and made bouquets. Ah, the lovely bouquets look so nice on my front porch.

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

The first time I saw a Christmas Cactus in bloom (about 35 years ago) I was overwhelmed, to say the least. How in the world could such a beautiful orchid-like flower emerge from such a flat ugly leaf! Actually, the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera sp) is found in the same environments as orchids. They are epiphytes and native to the jungles of Central and South American. Although I've had at least one Christmas Cactus plant over the last twenty or so years, the bud production on my plants this year is the most abundant ever.

I had repotted my three plants in the spring, using potting mix and a slow release fertilizer. The cacti spent the summer outdoors in a shady area along with my other houseplants. They got a dose of liquid fertilizer a couple of times during the summer. About a month ago I noticed flower buds forming. This was about the time when daylight was noticeably shorter and night temperatures noticeably cooler. According to research, cool temperatures or long nights are required to induce bud formation. However, if temperatures remain in the range of 55 to 65 degrees for a six week period the plants will develop buds regardless of day length.

I think my plants will be in full bloom within the next couple of weeks. Hmm, does that make them Thanksgiving Cacti? Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is actually the more common plant. Bloom time, however, is not necessarily what distinguishes the Christmas Cactus from Thanksgiving Cactus. The leaves of Christmas Cacti have rounded leaves as compared to the sharply serrated or "toothed" leaves of the Thanksgiving cactus. Also, flowers of the Thanksgiving Cactus are asymmetrical and have wings on their ovaries.

Okay, okay, I guess my Christmas Cactus is really a Thanksgiving Cactus.

HOMECOMING

Saturday was beautiful, near eighty degrees with a perfect blue sky. The orange, yellow and red leaves of the maples that line many of the city streets provided a perfect backdrop for the day's events. The person in charge of selecting Homecoming weekend this year must be a psychic.

The morning parade featured the university band, floats, politicians, and a variety of non-profit groups and retailers promoting their messages and products. Oh yeah, there were bagpipers too. It's always fun to watch a parade

The football game didn't start until four so there was plenty of time for tailgating and socializing before kickoff. Alumni were welcomed back with chili, burgers and brats provided in the tents hosted by the different schools, departments, and organizations. Crazy competitions, such as the cardboard boat race, provided entertainment.

The football game was the icing on the cake. It was a good, tight, hard fought game and just as it should be, the home team came out on top.

TEMPTATION

It's nearly the end of growing season but there are still lots of temptations in the garden centers.

I think I already mentioned my fascination with pansies and violas. Both of these are members of the genus, Viola (Violets). There are over 400 species of Violets. The cute-faced, fragrant blooms of pansies and violas can be found in white, shades of yellow, blue, red, and bi colors. Not only are these wonderful flowers a treat for the eyes and nose, they are edible, high in vitamins A and C.

Here's a little know fact, Ancient Greeks considered Violets a symbol of fertility and love and used them in love potions.

Fall bulbs are another temptation. I have no problem by-passing ordinary tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, it's the more unusual bulbs that grab my attention. Fritillaria, a member of the Lily family is said to have a skunk-like smell but I like the droopy bell flowers. Alliums or ornamental onions are show stoppers. The larger allium bulbs are a little pricey but I consider them an investment. There are several species available and I am having a hard time deciding which species to invest in this year. I do like the smaller alliums, like "Drumstick" also. I wish the garden centers had allium variety packages. Maybe bulbs will go on sale soon.

MEMORIES

While I was in Maryland recently, I visited an historical site that is being restored and upgraded into a beautiful park area. I don't remember the area as it had been. Growing up, I had no reason to go there. All I knew about this wharf area is that it was at the bottom of a steep hill and there was an ice house somewhere near the wharf. My grandmother had an icebox and I remember my uncle bringing huge blocks of ice to cool that icebox. As I remember, the ice block wouldn't fit exactly so uncle had to chip it to size using an ice pick. Lucky for us kids because we got to suck on those crystal clear ice chucks my uncle chipped off. Oh boy, what a treat that was on a hot and humid, Maryland day!