ASSORTED MIDWEEK RAMBLINGS

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Some of the older plants that were stuck out in my garden are blooming.

These had been originally put out in the full Florida sun which immediately cooked them.

When they looked dead I stuck the pots in an secluded corner in the shade and forgot about them.

Seems that was the best thing for them as over several years they have flourished.

This one is some type of Begonia given to me by my brother in law. It was stuck away for at least five years.

These next two are both kalanchoes. I have no idea where they came from but figure that my wife must have bought them to stick out in the garden at some point in time.

They both were stuck away under a large fern until last December when I noticed them blooming and brought them back up front.

I put a picture of one of them on a blog post thinking they were some type of Begonia. Flowerlady responded to that post and identified them for me as Kalanchoe.

Since they are all well and blooming I deduced that these plants don't care for the full sun here to thrive. Also one of my hard learned South Florida Gardening rules has paid off . That is: If it looks dead give it 30 days before you chunk it. In their case they have been hidden for several years. But check out the result!

In other garden ramblings I found these Cuban Buttercups that have self seeded. I have since potted the small plants up to give to a friend.

They are Tunera Ulmifolia if you are so inclined. The grow well here in South Florida and bloom most all summer even in the worst heat.

They are supposed to be the official flower of Cienfuegos,Cuba.

I was given the original plant these came from so that makes my cost Free.

Need some motivation for an organic garden? In return for not spraying poison anymore in my garden Mother Nature has provided the promise of some natural
bug control.

These are Lizard eggs ready to hatch out in time for the rain and bug season as summer approaches.

And lastly some more progress on the 2010 challenge for this week . I put the challenge on the side of the margin to remind myself to do something toward it each week.

I started these seeds for the garden in the recycled yogurt cups with the homemade markers. Using some of my old seeds back to 2007.

They include two more hybrid Cucumbers Park's Pearl.
Two Grampa Ott Morning Glorys.
Four Dwarf Bolero Marigolds.
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BEGONIA SURVIVOR PERHAPS

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The other day I spotted a flash of yellow flowers emerging from under a large fern plant. Upon further investigation I found this plant covered in buds and starting to bloom.

Best I can recall I had stuck it way in the back crammed between some other plants in a shady seldom accessed corner sometime last year . It must have liked it there as he

is quite healthy and blooming now.

Going out on a limb here I am going to say this is a Begonia of some type. I could be wrong but that's my guess . It was in my plant hospital area. This is the shady area that I often stick plants that have been fried by the intense South florida sun.

It has small yellow flowers and is quite simple and unpretentious. Exactly what I wish to achieve with my garden.

I brought it up front out of hiding so I can appreciate it from my porch.

Here it is next to the Orange Crossandra. Both are enjoying the milder December weather after the summer heat.
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Now this guy is the completely opposite.

I know this plant is a Begonia. He is anything but unpretentious.

He is a showboat and demands your attention.

His blooms are about the closest I can come here in South Florida to a Rose. I

am not saying Roses don't grow here just that

they don't grow for me here. See the difference.

Even with all its flamboyance I like this plant also. It reminds me of an Orange Creamsicle straight from the ice cream truck.

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