Gardener's Quotes and Sayings
"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the Plants point of View" by H. Fred Ale I got this from PAllenSmiths TV show, thought it was good enough to share!? Who amongst us can claim differently??
Certainly not I, I had a severe trial and error, to say the least. I was so sure my succulents needed water so badly, so off I went into watering them all. Then the temp dropped below freezing and half of my collection, kicked the bucket! OUCH, to say the least!! But I learned a lesson that I'll never forget! Keep them dry as a bone during cold snaps and they'll come through with flying colors!!
I'm willing to wager that you all have or have heard of charming, notable or pithy sayings that can help us, uplift us and make us laugh!?? Let's share them here, who couldn't use a new saying now and then?? Lucky Gardening and Happy Landings
Edited 10/25/2008 8:53 am by Scarlett007
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
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(post #12010, reply #1 of 106)
This is a timely reminder to me, just having had a couple of nights hovering near 32 degrees. I have one succulent in particular which I should be taking care of. It will stay outdoors for the winter, without water in a semi protected spot, in a pot.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
(post #12010, reply #3 of 106)
Thanks for being the first to join in, love your quote/saying, you know what I mean!?? What type of succulent is it?? If not know name, just describe, I can help there! Also, I neglected to say that when it's going to be 33 or below, I put newspapers all around; pots and plants, top with sheet, top with blanket or comforter! I'm sure the "proper" garden cloths would work with much less hassle, but we use what we have, right? I just need to have something taller than the plants (and 2 of them are a couple feet high, aargh!) that I can drape these heavier fabrics on, so as not to crush my sweet little beauties! Of course, they do need some water in winter, just about once a week at most during winter, depending on the type of plant it is. Like Aeoniums do need a bit more care than your usual species, ie: a tad bit richer soil, serious protection from cold, etc,blah blah blah. My FAVORITE website is: GoSucculent.com just take a look at the photo's you'll ALL be bowled over, I promise + great, beyound the best customer service anywhere! Plus so reasonably priced! Like I got an Aoenium Swartzkoph (sp)for 3 or $4.00 1-1/2 yrs ago it was small, yes, but so healthy that now it's almost 2 ft tall and huge, plus putting out 5 more stalks. Trust me when I tell you, it's due to where I purchased it from, not my fab gardening skills (remember the deep freeze?)Happy Gardening and Safe Landings, from Tucson, AZ
(post #12010, reply #4 of 106)
...and of course, there's the T-shirt that says "So may weeds, so little time." I'll look around for more.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
(post #12010, reply #5 of 106)
I've had that quote from Emerson since I first joined Fine Gardening. I forget it is there, most of the time. :-)
I made another trip to gosucculent, having been really happy with the first purchases I made there which are all doing fine. They are so varied and such interesting plants. I gave in and will have two more to watch. I'm keeping them in various clay pots in a partially shaded area next to the kitchen side of my house, where I often eat lunch on pleasant days.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
(post #12010, reply #7 of 106)
Cool, Astrid, please tell me what your picks were, there are SO MANY! What catches your eye, on GoSucculent of course!? Maybe we have some of the same and can exchange advise and reports of what's working, what's not. Naturally I'm willing to do so for everyone, you need but ask!!?!** Isn't it FUN to look at all the Beautiful photo's and read the info. My garden is all succulents with 2 cactus - All cactus are succulents, but not all succulents are cactus! Old, old quote from someone trying to explain to newbies about the difference between two cousins! It's pretty simple, the cactus have an aureole (SP??) from which their cluster of thorns comes out of. Succulents, no have. If you are able to look closely, one can see this difference quite clearly and what one thought to be a cactus - such as I, with my Night Blooming Cereus - was indeed not a cactus, but a succ. Mine is the type that grows quite tall, with many branches, tis not the one that hangs or grows on trees. That type wouldn't make it in dry zone AZ!! Meanwhile, I'll look forward, as will we all, to knowing what you've gotten! Thanks a lot! Rebecca in Tucson
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
(post #12010, reply #8 of 106)
I just made this one up, but it's probably as old as the hills, I just don't know it!: "God Bless us Gardeners, because God knows we need it!"
OK OK, not that great, but I'll try and find some more interesting sayings, there's got to be lot's. Most Poets are/were gardeners, I only know this because I'm one myself (both) that is! But that's another story for another day! Alright, I'll brag and say that I'm a published Poet, but honestly, I still can't believe it, ya know? My scribblings?? They must be crazy! However, anyone can enter into a Poetry contest at Poetry.com Can find mine by putting my name in the search box ie: Rebecca Barclay. All those that pop up w/Rebecca are mine, and no the ones that say Lynn B are not me. OK that's enough of that. Good Luck, God Bless and Happy Landings from Tucson, AZ
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
Edited 10/26/2008 8:21 am by Scarlett007
(post #12010, reply #9 of 106)
I just love all your sayings, really I do, this is fun for me, I hope so for you, too!! You guys are the greatest, a real inspiration to me, totally! Remember to tell your pals here to give us some more sayings, they've got to be out there, yes??? You can even make your own up, I just did, and why not??? We're the gardeners; I love them all,but I do like the one about "cursing under your breath oh right, "Beware of gardeners bearing gifts. What part of the country are you in, and what is it that people try and foist off on to you???? Funny stories are always welcome, as well! We've got to have some place to blow off steam, once in a while. After all, to start this thread or whatever, I just made a suggestion that appealed to me. You ladies are it's bread and butter, put up anything at all you want to, don't be shy!******
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
Edited 10/26/2008 9:49 am by Scarlett007
(post #12010, reply #10 of 106)
I'm in the Nashville area, zone 6b. So we can grow a wide range of nasty beasties. Any gardener who enthusiastically wants to give you something that grows great for them, well they usually grow a little too great. And when people are walking through my yard and they admire something, if I'm off to get my shovel, it means I have ALOT of it and am more than happy to share.
(post #12010, reply #12 of 106)
AH! Nashville area, how pretty. I've visited just once, but it stuck with me. Really liked it! So, they give you something "purdy" and the next thing you know, it's taken over your lawn and squeezing out your fave's?? Is that about the size of it. I'll tell you one of mine, in the reverse: so, a young lady admires my succulents and begs for some cutting, so gave 5 stalks of Portulaca (succulent kind), 1 Aeonium Balsiforum beautiful (pardon spelling, Latin not my strong suit) and 2 others, asked her if she had pots and SOIL?? Oh yes, she says, AHEM, so I go by and take a look, like a month later. Oh she had pots alright, with no drainage holes and for soil, I think she went out back and dug up the sandy dirt from the back lot, ie: NOT SOIL, just dirt! I had to water them about 3 times to keep them alive and the last time I said, the heck with this and left the portulaca, but took back all the rest. Which are now growing again, and in fact looking lovely. That was probably wrong of me, but I just couldn't stand by and watch them die, could I????? She never said a word or came over and she lives 3 doors away??? That's my pet peeve, you give up your most beloved and well cared for plants, and the person doesn't take care of them. What??? WHY???
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
(post #12010, reply #11 of 106)
The other one I coined is, "REAL gardeners wash their hands *before* going to the bathroom."
But here's one I like - "You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt."
~Author Unknown
(post #12010, reply #13 of 106)
FUNNY, JUST GREAT, I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK, YEP, VERY FUNNY
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
(post #12010, reply #14 of 106)
I selected an echeveria , "Doris Taylor", and a cotyledon tomentosa that was pleasing to my eye. Both plants have a touch of red which I hope will make my current collection of all green more interesting.
I'm glad you have "signed on" with this site, it is inhabited by a many interesting and funny people, with lots of good ideas.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
(post #12010, reply #15 of 106)
OOOH! You got two "fuzzy" ones, I love both of your choices, Doris Taylor is a sweet echeveria and the cotlydon (sp) commonly called "cats paws" who could resist that. You must be very strong, to be able to order just two, you should see me, I have to delete so many from my list before checkout, coz I just can't afford them all! I love the crassula's all of them, but especially the Un-Named-D, Falcata and especially the Perforata (sp) and the one above it, the Brevifolia, I've had all of them but the Brevefolia was especially pleasing Pls forgive my spelling errors. I can't seem to get anything correct! Oh well! Each one I mentioned came through best!!! It was that freeze I went though that killed them badly!!?? Well, I was just learning, oh well, I'm glad about the one's you picked! Meanwhile, all my best from Rebecca in Tucson
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
Edited 11/17/2008 11:23 am by Scarlett007
(post #12010, reply #19 of 106)
I don't know if I'm the first to have thought of this - and I mentioned it on another post some time back - but my "old" saying is: "the way to know you're a garden geek is if you can use the the phrases "lovely load of" and "horse manure" in the same sentence and be serious."
Still looking...
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
(post #12010, reply #20 of 106)
Absolutely!
(post #12010, reply #21 of 106)
Thanks ladies, you're all just great. Love all the new posts, beautiful sayings, the one that had me laughing out loud was the "horse manure" one, I split my sides on that one! Thanks for your input!
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
(post #12010, reply #62 of 106)
Though I don't have succulents, except for a few of the humble "hen and chickens" of old, I do appreciate them. In Bloomington, Indiana where I live, there is an annual garden tour featuring about 5-6 gardens each year. My friend and I still talk about the one several years ago that was all succulents. This guy had taken a tiny backyard and landscaped it with boulders/rocks/gravel etc. to create the perfect environment for succulents....and he had many varieties. It was a memorable garden. My favorite nursery in Bloomington also happens to have quite a collection of succulents and cacti and I always enjoy looking at them. .....So you are a poet, too. So send me a flower sonnet or something. Pat/Lunaria
(post #12010, reply #64 of 106)
Hi, Lunaria,
My husband and I went to Longwood Gardens (near Philadelphia) and saw a door that was covered entirely in succulents in a design. Truly spectacular.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
(post #12010, reply #65 of 106)
A door to what?! And how on earth did they do that?
(post #12010, reply #66 of 106)
Yes, if you found out, please tell us about succulents on a doorway?? Do you mean that they covered the door itself, or all around it? PS I imagine this may have been done with chkn wire or some type appropriate, moss and then plug in the cuttings. Arrange a bottom tray so the water doesn't run inside and proceed CAREFULLY. This is the way wreaths are made on a form, they may have done it all on a door sized "form", kept it flat, until the succ's started to fill in or out, then hung it up!!???????????????????????????????????????????*******
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
(post #12010, reply #67 of 106)
Good morning,Scarlett...always glad to read your posts. I see you are trying to figure it out, and I agree with most of your solutions....but you know what?...you might not even need a bottom tray to catch water - succulents are so tough they could probably get by with an occasional misting, especially if there is some humidity normally. What do you think? Once I get my hen and chickens started in a container, I ignore them for the most part. .....I want a bunch of these cuties in my garden (which is too wet), so last year I tried to create a little specialized location for them - a slightly raised area with "sharper draining" soil mix. I had to create this area for some iris, since they didn't like the wet either, so I planted the succulents with them. Hope we hear from our friend with the door today. Pat/Lunaria
P.S. So tell me....do you tuck any drought-tolerant annuals among your own succulent plantings? If so, what?
Edited 2/6/2009 8:31 am ET by Lunaria
(post #12010, reply #68 of 106)
No, I don't really have the room, in pots, to put any annuals in with them. You'd think I'd get some more containers for flowers, but I already have about 50 pots with plants and half of them are very heavy. I can still lift them, although I will confess, that some days are just better than others! Well, we've certainly strayed from the "sayings" but then again, there are only so many, and it is, after all, Winter! I'm sure we'll be more inspired, come spring??!?******
P.S. Don't Iris like to have moisture, but not wet in roots? Your succulents will NEVER tolerate that!! Just a thought, although the sharp draining, is fabulously perfect soil for them!
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
Edited 2/7/2009 6:15 am by Scarlett007
(post #12010, reply #69 of 106)
You've GOT IT! I totally missed the idea of "misting" which works like a charm! Don't put down "hens & chicks" this includes some very selective groups, such as echiveria, sempervivums, jovibarba's and many more, I'm sure. On someone's suggestion in the "succulent" discussion I went to Squaw Mountain Gardens.com, run it all together, probably?? They have HUGE selections and I think they're located in the North!?** I'm going to order some from them, for $2.90 you can't beat it for the sempervivums and jovibarbas, which are a bit more $ and will work anywhere it gets cold, really, really cold, as they come from the Alps in France and parts colder. Well, natch, since they grow on side of very tall MT'S. they'll need the fastest draining soil, but you've got that going already!! If you find, as I have often, that store bought, even garden stores, that you have to amend again, to make it faster draining, remember that the sand, MUST BE BUILDERS SAND, no other type will do! For ya'll near the coast line, NEVER< EVER use beach sand, it mats, that says it all, I reckon, Good Luck to You, my dear and let us know how it's going, love your posts, too!
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
Edited 2/7/2009 6:38 am by Scarlett007
(post #12010, reply #71 of 106)
I do love succulents - local nursery has a nice collection - but just don't have room or conditions to expand collection. I can't believe how much one "hen" costs to buy, though. It is rediculous. About Iris - I know they want water as needed, but I never "water" them. And these are bearded iris. I also have Siberians and I know they like and tolerate "wet." We had a wet spring last year and they were spectacular. I just hope my white bearded iris thrives so that I can take some pictures for this site. When they are healthy they are huge. The offspring at my brother's was last year, but his soil is better than mine. The dirt I started with was "dead" and I am still working on it, but can't do a lot at my age, so have to choose my favorites. Most of my perennials do OK in spite of dirt - it's just their nature. This year am giving my iris my attention since I want to preserve this wonderful old variety. Used to have the same size yellow ones, too, but only know of one source for offspring. I have other colors - lavendar, purple, mauvey. One I particularly would like to find is an old one with I believe white center and purple falls. This bicolor is a stunner. I watch for it in my drives around town hoping to get a start from someone. Maybe I should make a new post about this and might find it on this site. ......Going to nursery today - snow is melting and it is 50 degrees! But alas, still a little early for violas! Pat/Lunaria
(post #12010, reply #72 of 106)
You won't be disappointed with Squaw Mountain. Very inexpensive and very nice plants.
Jeana
Never try to baptize a cat.
(post #12010, reply #73 of 106)
It was a door to another room of which there were sooo many. Here's a picture of it with a friend of ours.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.
(post #12010, reply #74 of 106)
Oh my word, that is amazing! Lunaria
(post #12010, reply #75 of 106)
Well, that is a VERY interesting arrangement, I can't quite make out what every plant on it is, however the top part is AGAVE ATTENUATA, very soft, bright green, well, there it is, then the sides are covered in two diff kinds of cactus, that I can't find, yet! I think the succulents surrounding them may be some type from the Crassula or Kalanchoe families? ***** That's all I've got this morning, anyone else??? Thanks and happy landings,, it sure is interesting! Appreciate the PHOTO!
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!
Edited 2/8/2009 11:19 am by Scarlett007
(post #12010, reply #79 of 106)
That is beautiful; thanks for posting the photo. Some people are so creative!
(post #12010, reply #82 of 106)
Hi, I found and copied/pasted this over here from Gardening Geeks, thought it pretty cool!:::::********
8103.15 in reply to 8103.6
I have 1 to add: when you keep on working even though you are exhausted, sore & are getting blisters because the plant/bed/planter will be so much better when it's done.
Chicagoland Zone5
"Well I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused." D. McManus
I like them both, keep on working and the quote itself, too cool for school! Happy Landings and great Gardening, spring is almost here, yes/no??????***********************
live, laugh, love, Rebecca
Check out GoSucculent.com ask anyone!!