tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73160261300916181762024-03-25T01:10:15.896-05:00Nature AssassinNature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-5673276035530212442013-06-26T15:29:00.000-05:002013-06-26T15:30:21.007-05:00<br />
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Dear Friends, All Two of You;<br />
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Thank you so much for reading my plant-killing blog lo these many years. The posts have been sometimes nonstop, other times not at all. Always with my personal blend a little tiny bit of knowledge and wayyyy too much enthusiasm.<br />
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I'm so pleased to say that I've completely picked up and moved myself in several ways. First, career wise; I've finally let go of my PhD/med school ambitions succumbed to the world of plants. I'm working happily for a landscaper as a designer-in-training, loving what I do (even when it's shoveling mulch off a flatbed). I even manage to keep the occasional plant alive!<br />
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And I've moved literally. I've packed up my precious plants and moved across Chicago to start a teeny tiny urban farm. I live with the other two members of my gardening cadre, The Koumbit Collective. Growing and propagating plants is every bit as wonderful on a large scale as it was on a small one, and I even make a little money doing what I love. To keep up with me and my herbicidal horticultural misadventures, please check out our website and blog, listed below. And come meet me (and my roommates) at farmers markets and plant shows around Chicago this season. Maybe take home some of our plants and produce. It won't kill you (and if you take it away from me, it won't get killed either. Everybody wins).<br />
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I won't be updating this blog anymore, but the murderous saga is far from over. Thanks for your support.<br />
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-Nature Assassin<br />
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<a href="http://www.koumbitcollective.wordpress.com/">www.koumbitcollective.wordpress.com</a></div>
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Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-19493614643739721842013-01-13T21:36:00.000-06:002013-01-13T21:42:05.334-06:00Aeschynanthus<br />
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As you probably have guessed, I kill a lot of plants.<br />
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I also SAVE a lot of plants... from myself.<br />
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I have met more than one craigslist garden warrior from giving away plants.<br />
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But now I'd rather offer it to you, the avid indoor-gardener;<br />
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Would you care to rescue a plant from me, the Nature Assassin?<br />
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<b>Currently, all I have is a lipstick plant (aeschynanthus), ; type unknown. Do you like in the Chicago area? Would you like to adopt it?</b><br />
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.... I do this about once a month. My philosophy is, if you don't like it in my apartment, GET OUT. So it is for the aeschynanthus, and so it had been for the 3-4 behind it (I've killed, like 3 'Mona Lisa's.')<br />
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Search craigslist Chicago for Lipstick Plant.<br />
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I MISSED YOU.<br />
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Wait 'till you see some of the plants I'm growing :)Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-91928018661829410992012-08-20T00:22:00.003-05:002012-08-20T00:26:21.298-05:00The Murderous Saga Continues<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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What have I been up to since 2011?</div>
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Fall...</div>
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Picking zucchini at midnight.</div>
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Winter...</div>
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Agave parryi</div>
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Citrus x meyeri</div>
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Sedum morganianum</div>
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Ficus quercifolia</div>
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There's very little to report for spring and summer. Hardly any pictures, just jotted entries in my plant journals about watering and fertilizing. I filled my vegetable garden with drought-tolerant squashes that will accommodate my neglect. Concerning the alpha plants - meaning the houseplants - I've been so preoccupied that I've mostly focused on taking care of what I already, and keeping the "accidental" deaths to a minimum.<br />
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That being said, I bought a brand new Albizia today, and I've already killed that F. quercifolia. I can hardly wait to get another and try again. Insert evil laugh!<br />
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More soon.<br />
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<br />Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-46836435190654806542011-12-12T20:20:00.000-06:002011-12-12T20:20:53.526-06:00Pictures From My Shower... tradescandalous!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of me? Nuh uh, you wish. I don't think you're ready for the proverbial jelly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I shower, I like to feel like I'm in the rainforest, minus the tropical diseases. So I installed an overhead shelf and stocked it with orchids and tropical vines, including Tradescantia flumensis (possibly 'Quicksilver') and Tradescantia zebrina.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then there's a staghorn fern (platycerium bifurcatum), silver squill (ledebouria spp.) and an aglaeonema (noid). There was a long, luxurious, sessy ponytail of spanish moss (tillandsia uesnoides) hanging from the curtain rod, which brought me joy during every shower. But then I went to the Garfield Conservatory for their awesome plant sale, and <i>quelle surprise</i>! It turns out LIVE spanish moss is a pale foamy green, like mermaid hair. That made me realize that the brown spanish moss in my shower had been dead for, like, months. Months during which I was lovingly patting it, and soaking it in cool water with fertilizer dilutions, and trying not to spritz it with soap or shampoo. My love was really accidental necrophilia. Oh well, live and learn!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyhow, welcome to my THIRD post of 2011, mid December. It's been pretty weird. Why wasn't I documenting my summer?!? The whole internet missed my vegetable garden! Isn't it funny how you get busy like that?</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-72486966594015300212011-05-19T00:24:00.010-05:002011-05-23T11:57:30.032-05:00Merry Christmas, MotherfuckersDear Chicago.<br />
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What is up with this freezing weather? I am tired of my puffy coat. It's May.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">Sincerely,</div><div style="text-align: right;">Nature Assassin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">UPDATE SCHMUPDATES</div></div><br />
1) I entered myself into a lottery for a garden plot at my local park district, <a href="http://www.therubygarden.com/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ruby Community Garden</span></a>. And BAM, son! I got one! I am gonna grow shit so hard. I'm gonna be out there on the daily, digging and hoeing. People will be like "GIRL YOU BESTA QUIT HOEING IT UP." And then I'll say, "NEVER."<br />
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2) In this vein, I've got Romas, Super Sweet 100s, Russian Banana taters, strawberries, and zucchini all sprouting.<br />
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I know that these are not houseplants. I'm also sprouting some Albizia just to keep it kosher.<br />
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3) Latest project: worm composting! There's a big gnarly worm bin in my kitchen. I used a small drill bit to make about 120 holes in the lid of a plastic storage tub, just like the one I use for sprouting seeds. If the pictures look dark, it's probably because <u>it is</u> dark. In Chicago. Forever.<br />
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Anyway, vermicomposting is fabulous, eco-friendly and fun... until you actually see the worms. Then you sort of die a little inside. They led a revolt the other day; a dozen or so climbed up the side of the tub and almost escaped through the seam of the lid. Needless to say, there was some screaming, and I nearly Avada-Kedavra'd them right off the balcony. Repugnant little.... ew. Just ew.<br />
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4) The Kombucha War rages on. Every time I get a new Scoby (which stands for symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), it tries to kill me... mostly by mold contamination, but the last one was more proactive. Photo below of the first tasting, which was gross, but did not kill me. I put the whole brew on top of the fridge and forgot about it... when I finally remembered to check on it, it had swollen up, eaten all the liquid in the jar, and was trying to climb out. Again with the screaming, and this time, I showed no mercy. I channeled my inner Sigourney Weaver, and sent that freak out the airlock.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLyQsvW3JaDKePduP2h2bvNoKwMILxlzNTLi8AOsfrCE2wMfyLuz7JiCSK6dQMH7KRBfPZTYvuxtu2WJCGc4gP6W70tMqlAFEpMibGxSIcVocM1HFwmGLwwfAa2OmQpkVUdvkdL-XRtS8/s1600/kombucha1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLyQsvW3JaDKePduP2h2bvNoKwMILxlzNTLi8AOsfrCE2wMfyLuz7JiCSK6dQMH7KRBfPZTYvuxtu2WJCGc4gP6W70tMqlAFEpMibGxSIcVocM1HFwmGLwwfAa2OmQpkVUdvkdL-XRtS8/s400/kombucha1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
5) My citrus x meyeri brought aphids into the compound. You know that I do not brick with that shit. Normally I would just throw them all out. But since I've gotten all attached to my citrus trees, I hired some teeny tiny assassins instead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzKYxgwxSotRFsNLruINUnoNj3kas1TU7E5RfkWLxm9EaSTMbhdMX4dMv1a-29ZM5kM6nimR1gvr452kmGBkyGLC_aLdpEc2rePy-hYMn33CDeJDarc_sPoaA5Ku0TncKCD00QMYgNVT4/s1600/ladies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzKYxgwxSotRFsNLruINUnoNj3kas1TU7E5RfkWLxm9EaSTMbhdMX4dMv1a-29ZM5kM6nimR1gvr452kmGBkyGLC_aLdpEc2rePy-hYMn33CDeJDarc_sPoaA5Ku0TncKCD00QMYgNVT4/s400/ladies1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHL5zz7o7DFXmFIWP4-ec9oRHP-MZ2K1T_9_uiICl0cyfES8gNaLjxWFyFi-WWeE0SbgliTD0MhImqQpTwpv3Iz7lZiWbH8Z3JavMT2rm_tsnY0TwM5b5Arkp76j7Clvv6GDacESXHef7/s1600/ladies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHL5zz7o7DFXmFIWP4-ec9oRHP-MZ2K1T_9_uiICl0cyfES8gNaLjxWFyFi-WWeE0SbgliTD0MhImqQpTwpv3Iz7lZiWbH8Z3JavMT2rm_tsnY0TwM5b5Arkp76j7Clvv6GDacESXHef7/s400/ladies2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry for the blurry photos. Those are ladybugs. I'm releasing about a dozen every day into my plant room. Weird? Yes. Extreme? Totally. But you know, there's something about watching those angry little tanks grab an aphid and SUCK IT EMPTY THROUGH ITS FACE that I just find to be really... hmm... satisfying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>So, lesson for the household organisms: don't mess with me, or I will kill you. Possibly with fire. Or pestilence. Now and then, a melee weapon.<br />
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More soon.Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-52361270279431525812011-03-09T10:57:00.003-06:002011-03-09T11:03:00.535-06:00Bam!Sorry for the long delay, y'all! Here we go.<br />
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I love to germinate seeds. This spring, as usual, I'll give away asstons of seedlings. I'm going to germinate way more plants than I could ever reasonably use, just for funsies. The seed catalogs are pouring in, and I'm already in love. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=266(OG)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Moon and Stars Watermelon</span></a> </span>has got me waiting by the phone, crying, pining away. Anyway, growing tender seedlings indoors, with two cats around, can be somewhat... complex.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4haWC0uEzclxXhLEmSI2gzlwOvVSoVsib36-xEwbX6xDcmb5d-CeI8qweG9K5pJ5gSwZxLeYSLNJT3ff5Gr1gjELge6R3abX3_O3Rs1TYWlxfuehaUGAUc_vGQXNimHvs8DAKB0aoIeJ0/s1600/terrarium1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4haWC0uEzclxXhLEmSI2gzlwOvVSoVsib36-xEwbX6xDcmb5d-CeI8qweG9K5pJ5gSwZxLeYSLNJT3ff5Gr1gjELge6R3abX3_O3Rs1TYWlxfuehaUGAUc_vGQXNimHvs8DAKB0aoIeJ0/s400/terrarium1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dear cat. You're in my terrarium, crushin' my pachira, with your fat truck ass. What gives. Sincerely, your Overlord.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Everything has to be critter-proofed this year. I put a giant metal shelving unit right next to the heat radiator, figuring that the heat would speed up the germination process. Next, I needed a tough airtight container, like a seed incubator, but those things are wicked expensive. I've tried the soft plastic-covered trays that you might get from a home improvement center... unfortunately, <a href="http://www.jiffygroup.com/jiffy/catalogue"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Jiffy brand</span></a> did not center their product design around domestic critter-attack. I was totally at a loss, until a smart friend said to me, "What about those plastic storage tubs, like they have at Target?"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">BAM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzqbrrkfG9oJNS05em3LLGB-KaT5cgOPexFAOhhP3m9XuPFSXJpgTRSqX2rYk0KK1tuor_Z061SrQH968rZ7Ikz7xVMjBeGwvJXZelIqIlJvEKL5NbVsUjgjsDfIr_Q_UI07ve8MEPTnW/s1600/shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzqbrrkfG9oJNS05em3LLGB-KaT5cgOPexFAOhhP3m9XuPFSXJpgTRSqX2rYk0KK1tuor_Z061SrQH968rZ7Ikz7xVMjBeGwvJXZelIqIlJvEKL5NbVsUjgjsDfIr_Q_UI07ve8MEPTnW/s400/shelves.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />
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It looks a little jacked up, but it works just fine. The upper shelf contains my smaller tropical plants, enclosed in plastic. The front panel pops out so I can water and refill the humidifier. The second shelf is my seed incubators. The first seeds to go in were <i>Dyckia</i> 'Brittle Star,' provided by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08904631179453850255"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Turtlewalker</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span>at the fabulous blog <a href="http://succulentbromeliad.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Succulent Bromeliads and Others</span></a> (thanks again!). Preparing Dyckia seeds for germination is a tricky process involving sugar, bleach, and prayer. Once prepped, I popped them in peat pellets and...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">BAM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpIreahPoCVRQ8LGd_MMxs31blcbVDIYd-CmmpX913C89iHYg5Nw_12pwQ2RjIG8z3ibkrgfiqq-G2PAQNHTdYZg1EGlwNx6p-37NqMNhwWSbJPLv922I8ZESB2sgwl51aWl-nJfYfgz6/s1600/dyckia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpIreahPoCVRQ8LGd_MMxs31blcbVDIYd-CmmpX913C89iHYg5Nw_12pwQ2RjIG8z3ibkrgfiqq-G2PAQNHTdYZg1EGlwNx6p-37NqMNhwWSbJPLv922I8ZESB2sgwl51aWl-nJfYfgz6/s400/dyckia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't it cute?!? And it took no time whatsoever... maybe two weeks. More updates to follow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-86608342647057344062010-12-07T11:12:00.002-06:002010-12-07T11:14:34.882-06:00BRING OUT YER DEADSo, this is my latest casualty list, Scottish-style. I guess I'm feeling a little gaelic. Like the black plague sweeping through the highlands in the 1300s and 1600s, I have swept through my indoor garden, leaving death in my wake. Seriously, look at how long this list is. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Abutilon striatum 'Thompsonii'</span> - <b>Ah fergot to water et!</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Alocasia infermalis 'Kapit'</span> - <b>Ah fergot to water that, too!</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Araucaria heterophylla</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Adantium pedantum</span> - <b>good riddance, ye misbegotten bastard of a fern!</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Breynia nirvosa 'nana'</span> - <b>poor wee little bonsai.</b><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Citrus x meyeri (Meyer lemon) seedlings</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Citrus hystrix (Makrut lime)</span> - <b>It's DEED, DEED and a doornail.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Codiaeum 'Picasso's Paintbrush'</span> - <b>AHM STILL GLAD YER DEED, YE NEEP-HEIDED </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>ARSEFACE!</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Coprosma noid, possibly 'Evening Glow'</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Grevillea robusta</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Juncus spiralis 'Variegata'</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Mandevilla splendens</span> - <b>To hell with ye, ye great barmy vine.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2V48byrv1X6z4teul-I-usYtQ4gmek3QD6REaGxkuiChvIzs7at3XKiZItSWTBHkU2_ua0LAAW-BPsOq7mmIK_Opb_mo7JylW-40wzmMrbUThgeywBOMgQfsTNKJvulHE_dzzXt0De9_/s1600/mandevilla1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2V48byrv1X6z4teul-I-usYtQ4gmek3QD6REaGxkuiChvIzs7at3XKiZItSWTBHkU2_ua0LAAW-BPsOq7mmIK_Opb_mo7JylW-40wzmMrbUThgeywBOMgQfsTNKJvulHE_dzzXt0De9_/s320/mandevilla1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Nematanthus wettsteinii 'Variegated'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Neoregelia 'Kimberly'</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Nephrolepis exaltata 'Emina'</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg68qOUw6WKNY3DwQ47NcEhvyY1YmUn5RRrXggyFjl1aUL1tGObLetA_SCRKmF89oY_X7SWcsleftBQzJDjEZbuLgsNGtE-FTJ-5wA1anMFeEOgF5QlXSebgX6QlMEY55BDswMtj9EDFBI/s1600/nephrolepis+emina1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg68qOUw6WKNY3DwQ47NcEhvyY1YmUn5RRrXggyFjl1aUL1tGObLetA_SCRKmF89oY_X7SWcsleftBQzJDjEZbuLgsNGtE-FTJ-5wA1anMFeEOgF5QlXSebgX6QlMEY55BDswMtj9EDFBI/s320/nephrolepis+emina1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Passiflora noid</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIo4bXTn7sJ5NNwbYWjcLzlXyWj_vG7tc10GiKEo9LfyxGwNCucu34_6mpySwt3KL7MIKhYbfHh4HK3a7y-wGqswKgmTTRkWB4jo6MueEZcpPOe2uPS9ZH4eS-L7K8fhBs7ybY0pC0Z5a/s1600/passiflora1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIo4bXTn7sJ5NNwbYWjcLzlXyWj_vG7tc10GiKEo9LfyxGwNCucu34_6mpySwt3KL7MIKhYbfHh4HK3a7y-wGqswKgmTTRkWB4jo6MueEZcpPOe2uPS9ZH4eS-L7K8fhBs7ybY0pC0Z5a/s320/passiflora1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Podocarpus 'Bird's Tongue'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sansevieria rorida</span> - <b>Ah'll never ferget you. Ah'll play a doleful tune, on me pipes, o'er yer grave.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sedum spp. cutting</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">s</span> - <b>FECK YOU, APHIDS</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Tillandsia (various)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Yucca elephantipes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, keep in mind that this group has been accumulating for several months. It's not as though one weekend I just went on a massive killing spree. And I <i>did</i> manage to re-home several other plants on craigslist before they contracted a fatal case of kitten, otherwise this list would be longer. But you have to admit, it's still a pretty impressive death toll. I'm that monster in the scary story that plants tell their plantlets, to keep them in line. Hopefully some experiential knowledge was gained from all this, hopefully these failures have taught me more about success.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopefully.</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-26100272686595191402010-12-06T13:44:00.002-06:002010-12-06T13:44:37.627-06:00Euphorbia Yum Yums<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Being in need of flowers and a project, I thought I'd try my hand at oversummering cyclamen tubers. Unfortunately, when I went out in search of a specimen/victim, none of the cyclamens I encountered really called out to me. I was looking for something small, simple, and pretty, and all I could find were giant fluffy freaks that were all bedazzled to hell. And yet, on my way out the door.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-6Re9vN18bsJIiG2Ix7ytz02sJ9GrSB7B7g_qKss0DCjhCQUrwggefjBn_5sIAN-_CHJGwYDZJCQ2CdBr3laWR6HC5qvMhTiVCzeTmJ8KLqtOqlXnsf-nEdHVmnJeYXyezi_n3_Om_ht/s1600/poinsettia5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-6Re9vN18bsJIiG2Ix7ytz02sJ9GrSB7B7g_qKss0DCjhCQUrwggefjBn_5sIAN-_CHJGwYDZJCQ2CdBr3laWR6HC5qvMhTiVCzeTmJ8KLqtOqlXnsf-nEdHVmnJeYXyezi_n3_Om_ht/s400/poinsettia5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Euphorbia pulcherrima NOID, a.k.a. poinsettia</span></i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">What?! Dude, I don't even <i>like</i> poinsettias. At least, I thought I didn't. But something about this particular coloration was just so <i>goddamn festive</i>. I looked at it, and suddenly I was tasting candycanes and hearing Bing Crosby music and feeling all warm-towards-humanity and stuff. It called to me. And as I was arguing with myself about dropping hard-earned kizzash on some disposable holiday bullshit, a counter-argument surfaced. It is possible... kind of... to oversummer poinsettias. And if there's one thing I enjoy, it's an irritating botanical project with little chance of success. So, I was sold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Out the door I went, with a big stupid Christmasy smile on my face. And then suddenly...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9oo2HdZmeBHH7yXuHrkpFITBAGkEOGR-iIBO6udDg-XKT7Nh_tC4_LOsaKg_OxA1bCQvVAQbtyTC01PnhAcqgtMt1vbQwXlUw26SeeNU1TNF_XalNwCInwA8tQNdTt7gOA_nW8nd8WTZ/s1600/trigona1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9oo2HdZmeBHH7yXuHrkpFITBAGkEOGR-iIBO6udDg-XKT7Nh_tC4_LOsaKg_OxA1bCQvVAQbtyTC01PnhAcqgtMt1vbQwXlUw26SeeNU1TNF_XalNwCInwA8tQNdTt7gOA_nW8nd8WTZ/s400/trigona1.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day-yumn! Look at that awesomeness. It's <i>Euphorbia trigona</i> 'Red,' my poinsettia's nasty cousin from down south. <i>Euphoriba trigona </i>can get pretty big, and the idea that I could eventually have a giant RED one in my apartment made me quite pleased. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckUE1tFNgtl3iK4RaOAtDsYFZjDRdYxdEZeC6YNSYY7FEPZ1NEnX46gcS6gHYHSkErsjVaMiBUHhxGdR3TbpU339FV0zz8hFOqzJ5u_0IZy5Y6NB_TJbjNwlLnfOBvpCrJPiwdDgph0hs/s1600/trigona+booboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckUE1tFNgtl3iK4RaOAtDsYFZjDRdYxdEZeC6YNSYY7FEPZ1NEnX46gcS6gHYHSkErsjVaMiBUHhxGdR3TbpU339FV0zz8hFOqzJ5u_0IZy5Y6NB_TJbjNwlLnfOBvpCrJPiwdDgph0hs/s320/trigona+booboo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It does have this weird little blister on one of the stalks. I don't know what that is... I'm half expecting a small, phallic baby alien to burst out of there. More likely is it will rupture and just become scar, which would be no biggie. We'll see.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw5sDd0OuCjqNMQ9lVBT61RSSKifa5YknPoFr4oF-ykHGsK1yeCpJQeF7yqIR4jqBBTX6LfhXrmfC-UtI_hEVNpMM-aGJb7Ex1TCkIMzW_3POesg7-jouGiv9m4W4m4qKI_lsupaTqLUW/s1600/trigona3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw5sDd0OuCjqNMQ9lVBT61RSSKifa5YknPoFr4oF-ykHGsK1yeCpJQeF7yqIR4jqBBTX6LfhXrmfC-UtI_hEVNpMM-aGJb7Ex1TCkIMzW_3POesg7-jouGiv9m4W4m4qKI_lsupaTqLUW/s400/trigona3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's all for now. Coming soon, I kill a bunch of plants, and brew some Kombucha. And possibly die from drinking homemade Kombucha. I guess if the posts stop altogether, you'll know why. Send someone over to water my plants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Parting Gift: I try to base my plant-shopping etiquette on this clip. Robbed from the film "The Room," which was robbed of the Oscar for Best Picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-5154143886701289542010-11-30T14:52:00.001-06:002010-11-30T14:53:17.767-06:00Doin it, and Doin it, and Doin it right.<a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/"><img alt="www.marriedtothesea.com" border="0" src="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/080809/water-them-shits.gif" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/">www.marriedtothesea.com</a></div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-78488989629790285662010-11-15T12:48:00.005-06:002010-11-15T12:59:48.442-06:00Whoopsie Doodles, and Other Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey y'all, remember that Homalomena that I just rescued from certain death?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0ZLM3MctsCtntBYVdD3E7k1q1tqA11gZKzif-KE90g3qPPMe_7TwKdeVz_XeBgGF2mVdse7vAkxmGdXoaLBVpD8xKPVzNPtgl2lT0rqrV8HEwNaxPNXwcpjVfUB2E2a7X-v-SEp23boI/s1600/homalomena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0ZLM3MctsCtntBYVdD3E7k1q1tqA11gZKzif-KE90g3qPPMe_7TwKdeVz_XeBgGF2mVdse7vAkxmGdXoaLBVpD8xKPVzNPtgl2lT0rqrV8HEwNaxPNXwcpjVfUB2E2a7X-v-SEp23boI/s400/homalomena.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">MUAH HA HA HA HAAAAAAAA!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Damn, I'm good! Now come up to the lab, and see what's on the slab.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXt-yfs0YoT0fqwDRCUBV4IW-tIEDrUwZVW6S_vH_EObGlc_W6ckh2YeONKEa1cTX8g_W17CApzxR3Qt3LRq5Sf98bXWVDBxaTFdoaiss2b7LoODFtndWfNTeqNWcVGq7VGpgp2J4v3pn/s1600/agave+parryi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXt-yfs0YoT0fqwDRCUBV4IW-tIEDrUwZVW6S_vH_EObGlc_W6ckh2YeONKEa1cTX8g_W17CApzxR3Qt3LRq5Sf98bXWVDBxaTFdoaiss2b7LoODFtndWfNTeqNWcVGq7VGpgp2J4v3pn/s400/agave+parryi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Agave parryi is back inside, beginning the adjustment to winter quarters. This is my first experiment with tender perennials. Will it survive? We'll see. Is the cat tail more a <a href="http://thisisphotobomb.memebase.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">photobomb</span></a> or a <a href="http://derp.memebase.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">derp?</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOHR1fAiWwG-pSPLvkpmoo32Mb14s-cVWlO_P4KxT9sR1DWkANf7T6x6R4uHwLQfO98XojGBP40MpzgL_0-RH-p0sY30DIrTtQumzLNiW-arjCuMw_leZXlJdrBv4rH7eAmC0FMMmk4qh/s1600/diff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOHR1fAiWwG-pSPLvkpmoo32Mb14s-cVWlO_P4KxT9sR1DWkANf7T6x6R4uHwLQfO98XojGBP40MpzgL_0-RH-p0sY30DIrTtQumzLNiW-arjCuMw_leZXlJdrBv4rH7eAmC0FMMmk4qh/s400/diff.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dieffenbachia (noid) had to be rebooted. I don't know what went wrong... maybe it was a watering problem, because all the leaves went chlorotic. In any case, this is still an open project... after being cut back to square one, new leaves are sprouting nicely!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuGcFvhbFg6mvs5LsX3r6Uufii9lDMWBHBT3MkcI-UMWCsUd_UJs1As8sR3tPwvenMTxm5UcVDRR3W3yCTFYrpK1QVpyjbLi4enLIc067WzhZottJx-KWMNOzmXyvDu6i6G6r8_85NYC1/s1600/amaryllis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuGcFvhbFg6mvs5LsX3r6Uufii9lDMWBHBT3MkcI-UMWCsUd_UJs1As8sR3tPwvenMTxm5UcVDRR3W3yCTFYrpK1QVpyjbLi4enLIc067WzhZottJx-KWMNOzmXyvDu6i6G6r8_85NYC1/s400/amaryllis1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Amaryllis hippeastrum</i> 'Sydney.' Man, I really should put a cute soil cover on that to hide the plastic. By the way, if you want to have an Amaryllis bloom in time for Christmas, you need to get started... well, a couple of weeks ago actually. But there's no harm in starting now! You may get a bloom in time for the holidays, and if you don't, think of it this way: won't you be needing a little botanical cheer in your life come January, when the christmas lights are all down, and there are no flowers to be had until spring? With this in mind, I'm staggering a few bulbs for continuous bloom. Including...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgaV4MOcR-zkynrRWMAzQDE7WbJ73aJbbzHdZCQfave_YV498EhGe_Tlxg2WUvgSIp1HH7RxDZyA4Srg-rd3ojX_nm4LNJ2il_ZTyKtqidIEXdj7bA0SuqTNYoXsFxU-zx65sEz1eq_3s/s1600/narcissus1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgaV4MOcR-zkynrRWMAzQDE7WbJ73aJbbzHdZCQfave_YV498EhGe_Tlxg2WUvgSIp1HH7RxDZyA4Srg-rd3ojX_nm4LNJ2il_ZTyKtqidIEXdj7bA0SuqTNYoXsFxU-zx65sEz1eq_3s/s400/narcissus1.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Narcissus tazetta (paperwhite); an oldie but a goodie. DANG I need to get some soil covers going on. Maybe I'll buy some of that heinous neon-green dyed moss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8FriuxGHJhZyswQ_MTKQuQpq8SYk_hFV2nxxBBPbfA2GW3zcpCrdlLogJ64b-gVJviOt69xD_9jpaeG9jJn7bKy8hzIxQWYVOvdeojDazLAm_scvsPMi_oUaS6_Gzv94aQw-wRxYh-DW/s1600/sedums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8FriuxGHJhZyswQ_MTKQuQpq8SYk_hFV2nxxBBPbfA2GW3zcpCrdlLogJ64b-gVJviOt69xD_9jpaeG9jJn7bKy8hzIxQWYVOvdeojDazLAm_scvsPMi_oUaS6_Gzv94aQw-wRxYh-DW/s400/sedums.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, a mixed grouping of sedum cuttings, plus some sempervivums and one opuntia. Don't ask me why I keep growing different opuntias, because I don't know. "Opuntia: A Genus of Assholes." Anyway, I'm hoping to have them all rooted in time for spring container planting! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmrk9QbX9ts&feature=fvst"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Parting Gift: That Homalomena was such a Momma's Boy.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-6424411723177950962010-11-10T13:16:00.000-06:002010-11-10T13:16:43.919-06:00Botanical Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like John Fortune in China, like John Tradescant in Russia, I will gladly cross faraway lands in search of plants. Last week, I went on just such a mission. At <a href="http://www.grandstreetgardens.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Grand Street Gardens</span></a>, I obtained several cute <i>Peperomias</i> and an <i>Auracaria araucana</i> (a.k.a. Monkey Puzzle Tree). Emboldened by success, I threw caution to the wind and ventured south from my kingdom, into that lawless wasteland, The South Suburbs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg4t0SiuXUPOI0GldBsI0j-i_AqKKWjTgXn3TaBBTP8L3kED8DGFs6m1JXiRDP6i-u0m2ZTovKJ_tx6o78U6bVUYJNzPzhSls4BsdzQDycECeG_w_G4c6Je9L76A35P0ECL0CmJ4TTXfo/s1600/araucaria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg4t0SiuXUPOI0GldBsI0j-i_AqKKWjTgXn3TaBBTP8L3kED8DGFs6m1JXiRDP6i-u0m2ZTovKJ_tx6o78U6bVUYJNzPzhSls4BsdzQDycECeG_w_G4c6Je9L76A35P0ECL0CmJ4TTXfo/s400/araucaria.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forging through an ocean of K-Marts, subsisting only on Portillos, I finally arrived at my destination: the Black Gates of <a href="http://www.tedsgreenhouse.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ted's Greenhouse.</span></a> It is appropriate that this unholy garden center be located in Tinley Park, for Tinley Park is a godless and inhospitable backcountry, providing the perfect protection for Ted and his minions. Yes, I have returned from this journey with plants, and with the truth of the matter: Ted is guilty of witchcraft most foul.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-Jv17Y0ji0UDRNiOz3Gjzj__9b5jhRaTqc70cJ5Lb4-HP2Hli48pI_AxXu2vKSSBfbwRMD6N8ty6uDhyoY1q8pRbvcktRr0S2-j7PsyAtjTPMsY54joM4Rg1fDPj354BTDk5RNNu1RyV/s1600/ficus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-Jv17Y0ji0UDRNiOz3Gjzj__9b5jhRaTqc70cJ5Lb4-HP2Hli48pI_AxXu2vKSSBfbwRMD6N8ty6uDhyoY1q8pRbvcktRr0S2-j7PsyAtjTPMsY54joM4Rg1fDPj354BTDk5RNNu1RyV/s400/ficus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ficus rubiginosa 'Variegata' </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<i>Alright, what are you talking about</i>," you ask. I will tell you. <i>They are just too good</i>. Their level of expertise may be partially explained by green thumbs and horticultural degrees, but at least part of it has got to be Black Mass. Not only does this greenhouse grow FOUR kinds of passionflowers, including a PINK one, but they have got fruit. FRUIT! Upon this observation, I basically ran around until I found an employee, and made him look too just to be sure I wasn't crazy. No, he explained, those dozens of juicy, perfect orange spheres really were passion fruit. But, he continued, they are empty fruits because we don't have the correct pollinators in this area. He grabbed one off the vine and opened it for me to see... it was totally hollow. That's when I really began to suspect that Satan was involved. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrCRlzPMDByB67EtFyfCsNOoopr6p3SdlGA66FrVFF3yduND3oPXI2y42euq3kLnyV44qY3LVve_aftxl3UufkrvCOvupGdGCGMougBRZ4ni6quhrrv8TiqUCHA7tg1DHeg9dv3E6ANtm/s1600/agave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrCRlzPMDByB67EtFyfCsNOoopr6p3SdlGA66FrVFF3yduND3oPXI2y42euq3kLnyV44qY3LVve_aftxl3UufkrvCOvupGdGCGMougBRZ4ni6quhrrv8TiqUCHA7tg1DHeg9dv3E6ANtm/s400/agave.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Agave </i>NOID.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw many other plants which confirmed this suspicion. They have got variegated things there that... well... just SHOULDN'T be variegated. Their cactus and succulent department has shelves marked "Not For Sale," and the plants on those shelves are CLEARLY the product of the Dark Arts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMzqA1nVbvDp3A_dST-_lL2rrFxi175EzMwtGCWohlJhjlId1wGNVbcZWTi__76LyPgXB-IvlUCL8UX8qb2AKsu-XVmboZlJNy-xqQTYGaudDzB4CmJBW8qwOvy0qvQU3jMOjXDAHSHx4/s1600/pachypodium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMzqA1nVbvDp3A_dST-_lL2rrFxi175EzMwtGCWohlJhjlId1wGNVbcZWTi__76LyPgXB-IvlUCL8UX8qb2AKsu-XVmboZlJNy-xqQTYGaudDzB4CmJBW8qwOvy0qvQU3jMOjXDAHSHx4/s400/pachypodium.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pachypodium lamerei</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obviously I could not resist the pink passionflower, ficus, or pachypodium. I also brought home a really amazing lithops, a <i>stapelia hirsuta</i>, some hard-to-find abutilons, and a gorgeous <i>grevillea robusta</i>. Another employee told me a wonderful story about the days when grevilleas were a popular holiday plant. Before poinsettias were improved to their modern state, grevilleas were used to fill the middle of circular plantings of poinsettias to obscure their legginess. Nice try, guys. You may have sold holiday poinsettias, but I think at this point we all know that you were acutally celebrating WIZARD SABBATH.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1ZRXGsmjsfAOygyAWQRH7xHVp72XLUsIikYveOGCNp-FnSn_aCt04ozIZYg0_hERbBGn93CXFmVinqgD8z2K0sZCijOzbsEQkgvf8RP_UrWlB5jsGZf-B17w5mg7l5zJT_P85osHR0JE/s1600/grevilliea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1ZRXGsmjsfAOygyAWQRH7xHVp72XLUsIikYveOGCNp-FnSn_aCt04ozIZYg0_hERbBGn93CXFmVinqgD8z2K0sZCijOzbsEQkgvf8RP_UrWlB5jsGZf-B17w5mg7l5zJT_P85osHR0JE/s400/grevilliea.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm lucky I escaped with my soul... and all these awesome plants. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CqxWpofTJc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Parting Gift: A little Deathklok, in honor of all things evil. I suggest you crank it.</span></a></div><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-22655691541733994262010-11-01T10:35:00.002-05:002010-11-01T10:38:11.951-05:00Oh Nomena, Homalomena!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXNVq40YbC9bvs_7-7nWidI87IC9ptGv4AjJltzTkfqaqLck7E_kyyJCVjYg9HB-VmjOT2rW4PkSlSs8COA6vYSWiG6vgZfDPY8F6xklXqaenWFx5egJa9N7slS7cla6BsaKZf0yqKDQ7/s1600/homa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXNVq40YbC9bvs_7-7nWidI87IC9ptGv4AjJltzTkfqaqLck7E_kyyJCVjYg9HB-VmjOT2rW4PkSlSs8COA6vYSWiG6vgZfDPY8F6xklXqaenWFx5egJa9N7slS7cla6BsaKZf0yqKDQ7/s400/homa1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only because it was exotic and cute, I purchased a <i>Homalomena</i> (<i>wallisii</i>, possibly 'Camouflage') from <a href="http://natureassassin.blogspot.com/2009/08/shoop.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Helm's Deepot</span></a>. Literature on this houseplant was pretty scant, but I should have known better than to let it dry out, since I had just read <i>exactly that advice</i> <a href="http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2008/11/patsp-learning-moment-2.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">via Mr. Subjunctive</span></a>. But what can I say... when it comes to screwing up plants, I have a very special gift. So, after only a couple days in my house, the poor Homalomena was ready to give up the ghost. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC0Q4gjoK2xml-mk3SUfJTLVAISVcGC7Eq1rzThADZ9z4uF26eYu4rAALHPh3CMIYmQE5Z8yJYDVXuPCmXe-RuV_HY9xoulWBB6GmUbjXi3zyFgcxqmhqLlOJAlc7-Qft820AP43YwG-l/s1600/homa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC0Q4gjoK2xml-mk3SUfJTLVAISVcGC7Eq1rzThADZ9z4uF26eYu4rAALHPh3CMIYmQE5Z8yJYDVXuPCmXe-RuV_HY9xoulWBB6GmUbjXi3zyFgcxqmhqLlOJAlc7-Qft820AP43YwG-l/s400/homa2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first emergency care step was to rehydrate the soil and shower the leaves in the sink.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA0GINVAHIn4w1pFA2OHTMu0gaUghyphenhyphenCI5Zb_FSdfwq4LouCj8XU3-sael7AFFN0Ghbac34anIAPQV_RhA-GRSV94zpaJG9oPCNMslF6bQKNKI5BPvp0AM8DmbWKnlaHvHrgLd6xx7EGm4/s1600/homa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA0GINVAHIn4w1pFA2OHTMu0gaUghyphenhyphenCI5Zb_FSdfwq4LouCj8XU3-sael7AFFN0Ghbac34anIAPQV_RhA-GRSV94zpaJG9oPCNMslF6bQKNKI5BPvp0AM8DmbWKnlaHvHrgLd6xx7EGm4/s400/homa3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I employed a humidity bag. This is a really useful trick whenever your plants are suffering from dry air, are recovering from spider mites, or recently wilted from underwatering. Any clear, roomy plastic bag will work. Make sure you let your pot drain thoroughly before you bag it, to protect against drowning and rot. For example, I use a rubber band to affix the bag to the <i>sides</i> of the pot, so the drainage holes are still uncovered and breathing free. I also inflate the bag before I seal it up, so that the leaves aren't laying against moist plastic. Who knows... the plants may appreciate the carbon dioxide as well.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLaVQqefdWX0VdmY5C4d3b4dltjwuHr61r5N4kkrD4pijs_G4DjpmStZSckqdSN9CM_NQ2Am-NmfemJhGV1IFYa3YnIoYHbvbSvDfRx7GafDfDmdk7yJweuzC79GvSrDP0rnoq8JLHOKg/s1600/homa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLaVQqefdWX0VdmY5C4d3b4dltjwuHr61r5N4kkrD4pijs_G4DjpmStZSckqdSN9CM_NQ2Am-NmfemJhGV1IFYa3YnIoYHbvbSvDfRx7GafDfDmdk7yJweuzC79GvSrDP0rnoq8JLHOKg/s400/homa4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And look: by morning light, satisfactory bounce-back! The humidity-bag treatment has a certain window of efficacy; given too much time without water, and there is no possibility of recovery. I have tried to revive many a wilted Abutilon with a humidity bag, without success. And as you can see, a couple of the lower leaves on the homalomena died (they will have to be removed). But all in all, a successful crisis intervention.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1794274143"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Parting Gift: </span></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9iZFwUnqI&feature=fvst"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My Homalomena is named Cindi Mayweather</span></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-1730279682267804382010-10-31T21:20:00.001-05:002010-10-31T22:08:50.315-05:00A Halloween Photo Essay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part One: In Which Nature Assassin goes to some Interesting Parties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Part Two: In Which I Stumble Home, Eat Candy, and Collect Seeds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ikvM_vu2yMr07wLAtHv-A-9QUs5AA6R9HnUmf5GXV5RCCJXyDHZMMGAF8f-LOm_0XcBOZhZjpyNn14CTlfTbM0ZVzBEkd3fBZMO2cbq9jBWUVrBoJyuV_C-v_jSdHApszhvpJQKaYxJt/s1600/essay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ikvM_vu2yMr07wLAtHv-A-9QUs5AA6R9HnUmf5GXV5RCCJXyDHZMMGAF8f-LOm_0XcBOZhZjpyNn14CTlfTbM0ZVzBEkd3fBZMO2cbq9jBWUVrBoJyuV_C-v_jSdHApszhvpJQKaYxJt/s400/essay1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Halloween Everybody!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-56734172993406212982010-10-19T12:13:00.002-05:002010-11-01T10:36:53.715-05:00Snack time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, what's in the fridge?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgWmTuTViPF3CdKfHF5D-VcGFcl-lJ7YyAmOF15YuHry-DjrK2_ctmrSoTH0EfHxdWFpSAzCGD2NKBVsijcF7mA0jFxkdZzZUzvZnknY2bgZ_D9LSdlh1WqqvDRr3O394iba9c7_xUcSn/s1600/fridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgWmTuTViPF3CdKfHF5D-VcGFcl-lJ7YyAmOF15YuHry-DjrK2_ctmrSoTH0EfHxdWFpSAzCGD2NKBVsijcF7mA0jFxkdZzZUzvZnknY2bgZ_D9LSdlh1WqqvDRr3O394iba9c7_xUcSn/s400/fridge2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Collected seeds* in the vegetable drawer... any vegetables whatsoever?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0SAIyRYp-TaHgjQNeLgR5ho_n-4btMkSun8lLHWEjgZ8psjxpb0ckZ_oJhd_XlNe3dSAoUHvh-i0J7bAtZizQ6DMrr3UIvcUMooKgGI90gDOWJK5jgRhsHSPx-lFTItcI9JBS2y2iggA/s1600/fridge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0SAIyRYp-TaHgjQNeLgR5ho_n-4btMkSun8lLHWEjgZ8psjxpb0ckZ_oJhd_XlNe3dSAoUHvh-i0J7bAtZizQ6DMrr3UIvcUMooKgGI90gDOWJK5jgRhsHSPx-lFTItcI9JBS2y2iggA/s400/fridge1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">If you go hunting in the freezer, watch out for the container of flies. <i>Sarracenias</i> gotta eat too.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb6Jm_xJZyIa5VQMHbdyVI1-w3A4XVgnbLHM-8OH1AZNpLrQA0tO2_cKZK4JRWY8Zdy3ImmwTMW4boYvE5iUWHSRTxqUDpAusOE1j9xrfN2ozFUhqIRcLBQQCSpzjfhe4NYqQY1f4McNZ/s1600/fridge3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb6Jm_xJZyIa5VQMHbdyVI1-w3A4XVgnbLHM-8OH1AZNpLrQA0tO2_cKZK4JRWY8Zdy3ImmwTMW4boYvE5iUWHSRTxqUDpAusOE1j9xrfN2ozFUhqIRcLBQQCSpzjfhe4NYqQY1f4McNZ/s400/fridge3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Parting Gift: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6BPyilmanI"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> If you're still hungry, here's some tasty music.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Holler if you're interested in trading. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've got mainly annuals and perennials, some houseplant varieties. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-63104838047867068022010-10-18T11:45:00.004-05:002010-11-01T10:37:20.846-05:00The Heat is On!Crap, crap!!!<br />
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You know, I never worry too much about my outdoor plants getting cold damage in the fall. I'm conscientious enough to start bringing them in early, one by one, and lackadaisical enough that if a couple get left outside too long, I don't stress out. Today... tomorrow... I'll make it happen.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The outdoor crowd, back from a poolside-summer. The chlorotic </i>Datura<i> will be overwintered, dormant, in my basement. The others are in for a long haul.</i></div><br />
But my great fear... my redoubtable fear... is heat. My apartment has radiators, which are controlled my my landlord. He is a kind and benevolent overlord not to freeze our asses out, and also the heat is free, so I really can't complain. BUT, here I go. When I first heard that bubbly hiss of the radiators kicking on this morning, I went directly into amber-alert.<br />
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CLEAR THE RADIATORS AND THE PERIMETER!<br />
GET THE CALATHEAS TO SAFETY!<br />
SECURE THE HUMIDIFIERS!<br />
THE FERNS! SWEET ZOMBIE JESUS... WHERE ARE THE FERNS?!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1atqBQ_NkAILUCucjTkT29gwVuECWDdinQ7zYLQjEeZt8z1aESOrCDvHfVan-GdI59BhWWvbFzVM3Yzc1VEIP5NSlDQt8_vj9YsOuUKJTWVFqlubBvgzHGcm-ewhQlHzNCp3iHExPtQG/s1600/ferns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1atqBQ_NkAILUCucjTkT29gwVuECWDdinQ7zYLQjEeZt8z1aESOrCDvHfVan-GdI59BhWWvbFzVM3Yzc1VEIP5NSlDQt8_vj9YsOuUKJTWVFqlubBvgzHGcm-ewhQlHzNCp3iHExPtQG/s400/ferns.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Just in time, my 30 gallon seedling incubator was re-appropriated to serve as a winter humidity chamber, so any fern or tender plant less than five inches wide and twenty inches high has a real shot at surviving this winter. The others had better evolve REAL fast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXfsp1C1oxIa29siCSH1B4uWibYjkewfzJBrKKNBZ0efnaV29PcyKZIhgy5YVwKNV5oZl8C5pdxLv2ToQQg_BUCaK7vccKmVe0TcXOuEdYczeAoPsBwgvGSAF36s7dO2A5QEo0guTewT5/s1600/calathea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXfsp1C1oxIa29siCSH1B4uWibYjkewfzJBrKKNBZ0efnaV29PcyKZIhgy5YVwKNV5oZl8C5pdxLv2ToQQg_BUCaK7vccKmVe0TcXOuEdYczeAoPsBwgvGSAF36s7dO2A5QEo0guTewT5/s400/calathea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Good luck, Maranta. You're gonna need it.</span></div><br />
Meanwhile, I finally found a greenhouse that was willing to babysit my Philodendron ('Black Cardinal?') for the winter, or as they call it, the "semester." The price, while very reasonable, was still too steep for yours truly, and so the philodendron is staying home once again (Sorry, buddy, no semester abroad in a tropical spa for you).<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITsi5QP90yOPDIQLKYPuJMedqUAmL8zpE4XQzXpM1OLiy9TCGP2K9WWdT9QqFyI9HLhBTdfpszsnYLIEcvGCpdxygk1H4tpJgRfLF6GGezt91DvlJrBtvtABX4d2604qved_Iqm4W7M0V/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITsi5QP90yOPDIQLKYPuJMedqUAmL8zpE4XQzXpM1OLiy9TCGP2K9WWdT9QqFyI9HLhBTdfpszsnYLIEcvGCpdxygk1H4tpJgRfLF6GGezt91DvlJrBtvtABX4d2604qved_Iqm4W7M0V/s400/photo-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit to my Tweesy, taken with her i-phone. Holler from yer girl, Twees!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So folks in the Chicago area... get 'em inside. Get 'em quarantined and treated for pests.... then get ready for the humidity crisis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Parting Gift: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWsvkW6rKkQ"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Do you need some music to listen to while you're doing your indoor gardening? Treat yourself.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-56733122262634551052010-10-02T10:17:00.002-05:002010-10-02T14:41:27.637-05:00Congratulations, it's an Anarchist!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I've added another minion to my crew. This fearsome beast is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambit_(comics)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Remy LeBeau</span></a>... six months, and five pounds, of pure destruction. Like any baby, he eats several times a day, wakes me up in the night crying, and constantly wants to be held. Unlike a baby, he is agile, lightning fast, and really sharp at the corners. He's a fanged, concealed-razor carrying ninja-baby, and my whole apartment is his dojo. The houseplants and stemware have sustained massive losses. Needless to say, I think it's cute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfIlgkp5NIbRcsOamig8lcX7tizXWcdzl4RT-dSJOhTwBpYiXjKMDmZzfT2repB0eEzCbOiM5MEAG0q_t6lsUD1MZTBtzicCxC_OAn0MQ7cdhYuchWeIAdCmL593jhhMH9O3gLLAHUkE_/s1600/remy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfIlgkp5NIbRcsOamig8lcX7tizXWcdzl4RT-dSJOhTwBpYiXjKMDmZzfT2repB0eEzCbOiM5MEAG0q_t6lsUD1MZTBtzicCxC_OAn0MQ7cdhYuchWeIAdCmL593jhhMH9O3gLLAHUkE_/s400/remy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">You learn well, young grasshopper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Felines, I have found, have a natural affinity to plant murder... or just murder in general, I guess. Also, being independent and low-maitenance means that they themselves are resistant to accidental assassination. You don't see any puppies or parakeets around here. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apEZpYnN_1g"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Evil scientists</span></a> don't have the necessary skills to keep most pets alive. Flying monkeys? Yes. Goldfish? No.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmMav3skQ_PGT8OEZ-Wbb8tnGd_u3wRY40-qKItyH_1phNm1gGCDWn8BqA1MxoQVDnb2I-2eYnmAWbxmZqVqPxoML1Kemg2i7Ved4lUZ4jhxG9omnddsyuPHDEqryvwNfxEAx_RMS29p5/s1600/remy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmMav3skQ_PGT8OEZ-Wbb8tnGd_u3wRY40-qKItyH_1phNm1gGCDWn8BqA1MxoQVDnb2I-2eYnmAWbxmZqVqPxoML1Kemg2i7Ved4lUZ4jhxG9omnddsyuPHDEqryvwNfxEAx_RMS29p5/s400/remy1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Meh, I guess I didn't need that Yucca anyway.</i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmMav3skQ_PGT8OEZ-Wbb8tnGd_u3wRY40-qKItyH_1phNm1gGCDWn8BqA1MxoQVDnb2I-2eYnmAWbxmZqVqPxoML1Kemg2i7Ved4lUZ4jhxG9omnddsyuPHDEqryvwNfxEAx_RMS29p5/s1600/remy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Speaking of lack of nurturance, my other henchman (henchwoman, actually) is less-than-thrilled with our new acquisition.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4150UTG-GUWRCuEF0Ejh4IUVTMy2kuJwg5X7_7ufUsOnjManLFmpCOUpplPdg6i9sZjwLKd_7Y8A_PYjN-32C6beJtKPr8bQi3MBR0atWC0hpLO2GlF-YKKoHqYPCYBps7RuJK9a_8BbQ/s1600/hai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4150UTG-GUWRCuEF0Ejh4IUVTMy2kuJwg5X7_7ufUsOnjManLFmpCOUpplPdg6i9sZjwLKd_7Y8A_PYjN-32C6beJtKPr8bQi3MBR0atWC0hpLO2GlF-YKKoHqYPCYBps7RuJK9a_8BbQ/s400/hai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that she's laid the smackdown on him a few times, they're getting along really well. He understands... she's alpha minion, he's beta. She's Bellatrix Lestrange, he's... I don't know, Fenrir Greyback or somebody.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMrNb-7rrXlNXB-CcMeEdTu062NBPkRgPp02OpM4HXZMnOXDk4y4H2NYwCsTEBhmWEZ4S8pW9YQHQt_B3iSZp8W_u-c5JxHQsQYaAx9nGI6ZhrU7QJ7N75YbuwYTx577pmrVx8f51wAbd/s1600/powderpuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMrNb-7rrXlNXB-CcMeEdTu062NBPkRgPp02OpM4HXZMnOXDk4y4H2NYwCsTEBhmWEZ4S8pW9YQHQt_B3iSZp8W_u-c5JxHQsQYaAx9nGI6ZhrU7QJ7N75YbuwYTx577pmrVx8f51wAbd/s400/powderpuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, look what he did to this <i>Calliandra</i>, and the <i>Monstera</i> beside it. I'll never put the vacuum away again. Not even in kindergarten, and he's already defoliating at a third-grade level! I'm so proud. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-15676927774836638052010-09-21T09:48:00.012-05:002010-10-02T13:22:33.304-05:00Are You Guys Ready For Fall?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fA_enXe0qmI_H_5_z_79f8zwLwDCvsA1rIFegEcF7PWQbOiKft5kLUR-yGIRoE-x7ENAR8Iwzry421gSxVROXu00k-2uoXZ1lViN2vchGa8vK9CCeqYAzICYzCTAh5OH8oChdZi0g_a0/s1600/Halloween10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fA_enXe0qmI_H_5_z_79f8zwLwDCvsA1rIFegEcF7PWQbOiKft5kLUR-yGIRoE-x7ENAR8Iwzry421gSxVROXu00k-2uoXZ1lViN2vchGa8vK9CCeqYAzICYzCTAh5OH8oChdZi0g_a0/s400/Halloween10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> I know I yam! Get it? Yams? Oh man, the seasonal hilarity!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2009/10/20nissan.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">It's time to bust out the traditional paraphernalia!</span></a> Me, I decided to buy a houseplant that had some nice fall color: Codiaeum 'Picasso's Paintbrush,' aka Croton. Flaming orange, red, and yellow leaves... how could I resist? I don't have a picture, because it started to go downhill the minute I got out my credit card. Let me just tell you, I have never disliked a plant so venemously; finally I just stopped watering and let it die. And I enjoyed every minute of that. Of course, I wrote a letter...<br />
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</blockquote><blockquote>Dear Codiaeum 'Picasso's Paintbrush;' </blockquote><blockquote>You are a piece of crap, from the bottom up. From your inbred, genetically-inherited sissyness to your low-quality growers soil, you have been nothing but a disappointment. I'm glad you're dead. I'm going to hire a voodoo priest to raise you up, just so I can kill you again. Then, I hope Russell Edgington gets you, and then Voldemort, and then a Rancor, and then a Terminator. And I mean a T-1000, not some fluffy Arnold Terminator. Ugh, you disgust me!</blockquote><blockquote>You broke my heart. I curse each one of your offspring to live in a novelty pot covered with puppies and inspirational messages about grandchildren, with an aquaglobe on top. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAV0XrbEwNc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Here is your eulogy song</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">.</span> </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: right;"> Sincerely, </blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: right;">Nature Assassin</blockquote><br />
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Well rampant hostility aside, Happy Fall Everybody!! Coming soon... kitten pictures!Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-28943515832256623232010-08-31T15:21:00.005-05:002010-08-31T15:29:41.159-05:00Party At?I'll start posting again, right after I watch a few more episodes of <i><a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/archer/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Archer</span></a></i>. Did I say episodes? I meant seasons. In the meantime, if you've been wondering where the party at, get a load of these upcoming Chicagoland houseplant events:<br />
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September 11 + 12: Lakeshore African Violet Society Show and Sale. <a href="http://www.chicagobotanic.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Chicago Botanic Garden</span></a>, 10am to 4:30pm.<br />
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September 11 + 12: <a href="http://www.gethsemanegardens.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Gethsemane Garden Center</span></a> Annual Sidewalk Sale - This is a great time to get pottery, out-of-flower orchids, and more on the cheap. Between you and me, they have tradescantia, ferns, cyperus, breynias, and many other indoor-friendly plants marked for sale as outdoor annuals. Time to stock up! 9-6pm.<br />
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September 18: <a href="http://www.hawthorngardens.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Hawthorne Garden's</span></a> Houseplant Seminar. Acclimatizing your pre-existing plants, and adding new ones. 10am.<br />
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October 3: <a href="http://luriegarden.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Lurie Garden</span></a> Workshop, "Garden Blogging: Porting Your Garden Journal to the Digital Age." Lecture by <a href="http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Mr. Brown Thumb</span></a>, hosted in the 1st floor Garland Room, 10am to 12pm.<br />
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October 9 + 10: <a href="http://www.iosoc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Illinois Orchid Society</span></a> Show and Sale. <a href="http://www.chicagobotanic.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Chicago Botanic Garden</span></a>, time TBA<br />
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October 20: <a href="http://sprouthome.stores.yahoo.net/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sprout Home's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span>Terrarium Building Class. Registration required (info@sprouthome.com), cost approximately $35-$75, depending on selected materials. 6pm.<br />
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Everyone's invited over to my place before these events for pregaming, BYOBNature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-78921959999522696062010-07-12T11:21:00.005-05:002010-10-31T22:11:41.290-05:00New Plant Roll Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ABUTILON!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You sure do need a lot of water. And I'm not sure I like you as much as I like my two Abutilon thompsoniis, <a href="http://www.labarc.com/Black/SimonRiverRoom2.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">River and Simon</span></a>. Nevertheless, your flowers are very cool. Carry on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ALOE PLICATILIS!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keep in mind that you are here as <a href="http://www.uamineralmuseum.org/wp-content/gallery/cactus/AloePlicatilis.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">a long term investment</span></a>. You want to grow slowly? Fine. Carry on.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ASPIDISTRA ELIATOR 'MILKY WAY'!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You have proven yourself to be of high aesthetic quality, while requiring minimum maintenance. Also, the new leaves are looking swell. Carry on.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">It has come to my attention that you are a fern. Also, you are not dead. To exist under this botanical dualism in my home is rare indeed... most impressive. As a caveat, I must warn you... I've had bad luck with indoor-outdoor ferns. If I find a single scale or mealybug on you, I'll make you wish you'd never been germinated. That is all, carry on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PASSIFLORA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't trust anything with such... <i>racy</i> looking flowers. I've got my eye on you. Just keep those tendrils to yourself!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">PEPEROMIA CAPERATAS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Never met a Peperomia I didn't like. At ease.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BEGONIA REX NOID!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't think that you get special treatment, just because you were a gift cutting. We don't take kindly to begonias around here. You better keep that growth habit bushy and compact or I will equalize you, for serious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SENECIO MACROGLOSSUS VARIEGATUS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are climbing that hoop like a champ. Great job. Take five.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHiqwEjHAVY_BFjPwydGITz5rGzfyYeu7cMRMqjBy_JptTGMRRY5EqPweSXPuEdPFzzo4iowAH7PA7_Ui1pvaLHwh8I5iUYzzSe5M1blv-dDUAuux7K5GSOov92FMIglzt88lVaXPIVeT/s1600/senecio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHiqwEjHAVY_BFjPwydGITz5rGzfyYeu7cMRMqjBy_JptTGMRRY5EqPweSXPuEdPFzzo4iowAH7PA7_Ui1pvaLHwh8I5iUYzzSe5M1blv-dDUAuux7K5GSOov92FMIglzt88lVaXPIVeT/s400/senecio.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's it, now everyone, BACK TO WORK!</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-16864162674719176042010-07-12T10:58:00.007-05:002010-07-12T11:29:53.243-05:00Death is Everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Hey guys! Let's look at what's new and exciting in my garden. After a pretty bad leaf drop, I aggressively pruned my Coprosma x kirkii 'variegata.' It's recovered remarkably well, and I think it will make a really nice specimen for... um...<br />
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Aw, shit. Well, anyway, I found another vendor who carries Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black,' which I absolutely love. My last Leptinella came down with a bad case of root nematodes, and so now it swims with the fishes. This new specimen seems totally robust, and...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aw, shit! Okay, moving on, my Aeonium arboreum atropurpureum (possibly 'schwarzkopf') finally put on some new...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VehHGgOSxSoTdFXALLzefdmkrUn55tiHyJ4RBFEzsq9qh2a_EongXQw083-m3ibiYscH3zviejYa2EEnc9NzsjNBrn8BYe4xPLwHr5vkmgBhU3hrgDe1yNaKC8rN_wAsWAp4FGaPEl4v/s1600/aeonium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VehHGgOSxSoTdFXALLzefdmkrUn55tiHyJ4RBFEzsq9qh2a_EongXQw083-m3ibiYscH3zviejYa2EEnc9NzsjNBrn8BYe4xPLwHr5vkmgBhU3hrgDe1yNaKC8rN_wAsWAp4FGaPEl4v/s400/aeonium.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
AW SHIT. Well, at least my monstera deliciosa 'cheesecake' has been doing really OH SWEET JESUS NO, ZOMBIES!!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjio7RG7nVKozlEtguS1InQmZx_yWKyyHuBV5RwjagpysfDlIdi9KKoGgmqZJEAtsEbEzS18geDjkoPL-MwT3D8cmrjIkgi-jsFsLB3WIAeK44Gz7-xWJgQWa6xznr2HdINwJZ6yuo-ylTz/s1600/DSC02134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-PhEoP7BzWblfTEtzaPGxO-NDQBrUMyjfkb1oDgzf2CHYME0LGYhOTC1pmhgDHf7jo0226y4WaKkFoK8C3666AaBZish_DuCQjsMNIUbYIE3F62rbpPZuUD7SSDJNnkn4IULloIZZ4aH/s1600/DSC02135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-PhEoP7BzWblfTEtzaPGxO-NDQBrUMyjfkb1oDgzf2CHYME0LGYhOTC1pmhgDHf7jo0226y4WaKkFoK8C3666AaBZish_DuCQjsMNIUbYIE3F62rbpPZuUD7SSDJNnkn4IULloIZZ4aH/s400/DSC02135.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Dammit. Does malathion work against zombies?<br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-8640074916825358612010-07-11T23:29:00.001-05:002010-07-11T23:29:59.086-05:00Comparisons 09-10 : musa acuminata 'novak'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>musa acuminata</i> 'novak,' a.k.a. dwarf banana, february 2009. a new purchase, at the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">march 2009</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it was a tough winter for the banana. luckily, it rebounded in spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">june 2010. living poolside, it's happier than ever! not much height gained, but the foliage is definitely healthier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-10146789052521960822010-07-11T23:24:00.002-05:002010-07-11T23:31:19.914-05:00Comparisons 09-10: alocasia 'calidora'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>alocasia '</i>calidora', a.k.a. persian palm/elephant ears, march '09</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">june '10. that one leaf is an absolute monster. no, seriously, how will i ever get that plant back indoors?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">other than that, not much change. i'm just pleased that it survived the winter!</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-16895468663354372762010-06-26T19:53:00.002-05:002010-06-26T19:55:13.803-05:00First Forays in Aquatic Plants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dear Cyperus (diffusus?) Number One:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone told me that the only rule with you was constant moisture. So, the whole not-watering-to-death thing is <i>totally</i> my bad. To be fair, you could have given me more warning. I'm really sorry you had to die just to teach me something I already knew; your sacrifice paves the way for future plants, who theoretically will not succumb to the same mistakes. I'm sure you understand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Dear Cyperus Number Two:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. Probably.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;">Sincerely,</div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;">Nature Assassin </div></div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-50669785674887739782010-06-17T11:45:00.004-05:002010-06-17T11:52:44.364-05:00Busy as a Bombus <br />
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The posts have been sporadic and spontaneous lately, I know. I've blown right by a few important things... first, the blog was nominated for a <a href="http://mouseandtrowel.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Mouse & Trowel</span></a> award, so thank you to everyone who voted! The winner of the Best Indoor Gardening Blog category went to<a href="http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Plants Are The Strangest People</span></a>, which is my favorite houseplant blog, including my own. My <a href="http://www.oneseedchicago.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">One Seed Chicago</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span>seeds came in (<i>Monarda</i>!!), terrariums have been constructed and deconstructed, propagation projects have come and gone. And of course, several houseplants have been murdered. So where are all the posts?<br />
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Well, I'm super busy people, really and for true! I work full time at a garden center, which suits me pretty much perfectly. Both of my days off are spent in pursuit of my bigger dream... to enter a PhD program in clinical psychology. I spend one day at a lab as a research assistant, and one day as a volunteer intern at a rehabilitation center for teens. Basically, I have zero days off, and almost zero time for anything else but watering my plants and sleeping. Thank god for Boyfriend Assassin, who has taken on the household duties.<br />
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So, that's a little insight into my life outside of Nature Assassin. In relevant news, spring is over, and the sun is finally shining in Chicago like a good yellow star should. Gardeners of the world rejoice! We've had rain, we've got humidity, and now there's light and heat. Pack up the humidifiers and bust out the fertilizer; everything's gonna be fine! Until October, anyway. <a href="http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/July-August-2002/exhibit_julaug2002.msp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Here's a little W.H. Auden on the subject</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">.</span> That's all for now; stay in touch for more posts, and thanks for reading!<br />
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</div>Nature Assassinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951932729955216912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316026130091618176.post-60605064417197637082010-06-10T23:37:00.005-05:002010-08-31T15:25:52.245-05:00just some plants i am growing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i am going to do some how-to posts very soon. but for now...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. sansevieria trifasciata</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. peperomia argyriea, post-division</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. microsorum thailandicum and schefflera</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. more p. argyreia (post division, after all)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. abutilon hybrid</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. strelitzia (nicholai or reginae?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. senecio macroglossus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8. aloes and agaves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9. cotyledon tomentosa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10. nephrolepis 'emina'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11. phalaenopsis 'balinese splendor'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12. sansevieria 'crazy-ass fool' (i can't figure out which</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> cultivar this is)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13. fatshedera lizei</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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