Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I Went To The Library For A DVD

The growth of DVD and CD material in the last 4 years in our library is astounding. In another 4 years we will not have space for the books. I saw maybe 30 people using computers. I also saw 2 people reading books (you know, real books).

Monday, August 30, 2010

I Grew Up In This House

Last Saturday the owners of the house had a garage sale. It gave me a chance to see my old house (at least the outside).

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Old Man Palm Tree

Coccothrinax crinita, is well-known because of its stunning trunk that is covered with thick layer of wool-like fibers. The Old Man Palm is also known as Thatch Palm, Guano Barbudo, Guano Petate, Palma Petate. It is native to Cuba. I have an old one that is twice as big as this palm, but mine is bald. I feel for my old palm, because I am old and I have lost my hair just like my poor palm.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

It's Been In The Family For 60 Years

I have had it for 30 years. About 20 years ago it was divided into small plants. I keep only one small plant. Take at look to what I did now.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Now Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Has The Ae Ae Banana

The FTBG came to our garden to get a Ae Ae banana today. Now all 3 of the botanic gardens in our area have Ae Ae bananas from our garden.

They all got large plants. It's nothing that you could send in the mail.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Milt. moreliana 'Lizzie' AM/AOS

Our garden if filled with these orchids every summer. This is about 33% of them. Others are ready to bloom.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Douglas Entrance Stairwell

This plain stairwell at the Douglas Entrance was at one time used for a private apartment.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Coral Gables Youth Center


We just talk about the youth center, but once you go there you know that it honors our losses during the second world war. I read the names at the base of the flag staff and was moved by the many names that I knew. The first world war occurred before our city was founded. I do have a bit of sorrow that no other names are commemorated since 1945. And once again we put up more names.


Monday, August 23, 2010

My Public Library

This wing of the Coral Gables Women's Club was the public library for our city until the late 50's. When the county built a public library in the middle of the city, the Women's Club gave the space to a dental clinic for needing children.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Why Not

Ctna. Why Not is an orchid that blooms almost all the time.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Junior Chamber of Commerce Headquarters

The Jaycees had their headquarters in Coral Gables from 1960 to 2004. The building has been empty for the last 6 years.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Prado Entrance


I drive by the Prado entrance many times a week, not because it's the quick way home but because it's something that I want to see. I hope you like it too.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Milt. Binotii x Mlit. Motto Grosso

The two plants came from the same seed pod. The plants grow the same, but the flowers are very different. The parents of these orchid came from Brazil in the warm areas. I have a large number of orchids and I haven't bought an orchid in the last 3 years. But these are so fantastic I had to get two of them.

I would like to tell my orchid growing friends in south Florida to go an get one before they are all gone. They are at:
Carib Plants, inc.
26505 S.W. 203 Ave.
Homestead, Florida 33031
Click here if you need the growers name and telephone.

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Ae Ae Banana Is Going To A New Home


So far 9 plants have found new homes. This is part of the My Ae Aes Brother program. We have just one more that will be given away this season.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Four Pipes In The Front Of A Nice Building


What is the reason for those ugly pipes? Do other cities have them? I think that it is for water and sewerage pipes. The old pipes that were underground seem more safe.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The White Flies Died In Our Cold Winter And The Ficus Tree Might Live After All



The roots are showing new life for the first time in a full year.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Zephyranthes

This is Zephyranthes grandiflower, our largest Zephyranthes grandiflower

This Zephyranthes candida looks more like a crocus.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Nelumbo lutea, The Only Native Lotus Of America


This beautiful lotus is found growing in still waters throughout most of eastern North America. My lotus looks more yellow then most.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A Stinkhorn Mushroom

Yesterday it looked like a golf ball, today it opened up. It's a stinkhorn mushroom (Clathrus crispus).

Monday, August 9, 2010

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Desert Rose - Adenium obesum

This Adenium is a clone called Double Purple. It doesn't look too purple now in the hot weather. In May the flowers were purple.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Hoya carnosa


This Hoya grows in the oak tree, 20 feet up. The vine drops done in some places and that's when you get to see the flowers. I have 4 other species of Hoya, but this is the most common.

Friday, August 6, 2010

A Lotus At Our Front Door


A nice welcome for the visitors.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Squirrels Eat Them As Fast As We Do

We only harvest 50% of the avocado crop and the squirrels get the rest.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Fourth Day For The Lotus


The petals will drop by noon.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

We Eat Well In The Summer


The squirrels will eat every one of these if I don't get to them first.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

The Theme Is Bright Colours

Red seems to be the color that is the brightest of all.

The brightest color for me is the color that comes from a smiling grandson.

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