63 - A sub-tropical fantasy

Rhubarb flower spike

 My massive rhubarb had produced a just as massive flower spike in only two days, I do not joke!

One of the things I know, and I certainly don't know everything, is that you have to remove flowers when you want the energy to go to the leaves (thank you, Monty). So I cut it off yesterday. But when I threw the rhubarb leaves onto my compost heap, I did not have it in me to destroy that impressive flower as well, so I took it home. And will you just look at it now!

I put it in water, and I swear it has grown another 25 cm. Wow. That is some growing power. I am in awe. And, obviously straight away, for I am forever curious, I wondered if this strength to keep alive will make it produce water roots. If and when it does, it will get a nice large container on the balcony, and become a companion for my beloved hostas.  Large leaved plants are super cool. 

The jungle vibe

The sub-tropical gardens of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles are a wanna-create dream of mine, but knowing that my heavy clay will never be able to allow me to create a garden like that, perhaps I will be able to create a Dutch Delta equivalent, using the only plants that seem to thrive here. Like rhubarb. And artichoke - the proof that they survive my soil is around me on my own allotment club. The next experiment is going to be courgettes and squashes, bananas being out of the question. And I'll try cannas, cannot not try, it goes against my nature. According to gardening God Monty Don cannas do well in heavy clay, as long as you feed them. He says liquid seaweed, well, my garden centre does not sell that, so ordinary plant manure will have to do.

The frog pond

Meanwhile, my frog pond is teeming with what I suspect are mosquito larvae, so I am thinking about putting signposts up for those frogs that still have not found their way there. Jemima has been absent these past days as well, perhaps she's in a huff about the large branches I have secured the waterlily with.

The good news is that the cup-and-saucer-vines (all 6 of them) have survived their first few nights away from the greenhouse. They are already climbing up their bamboo frames, made for me by mentally challenged people another gardener knows.

Right. Time to go walkies, Puck says by deep sighs and sideways looks.

You can read more about my gardens on Instagram@songsmith2962 and see some more photos on Pixelfed@DutchDeltaWoman . Not bad eh, for a semi-digimoron? Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!