Tomatoes

This year was not a good year for tomatoes here in zone 5b, not enough hot days and too much rain or cloudy days this summer.  The cherry tomatoes did well, but of course it’s because they are small and takes less time to ripen.

Cherry Tomatoes

I grew some Lemon Boy Tomatoes,  less acid in them then the reds.

Care Tips for Cactuses

Most of us including myself thinks cactuses don’t need much water and loves direct sun,  from my experiences and reading a lot about cactuses and succulents is a myth.    There are 2 different species of cactuses,  jungle and desert,  most of us unless you live in a state such as Arizona or similar we tend to have the jungle cactuses.  Jungle cactuses needs to be watered about twice a week during the hot season and thrives in morning sun and afternoon shade.  I have already lost some cactuses from direct afternoon sun.   If you want your cactuses and succulents to thrive, and not burn provide afternoon shade.

Since I have moved my cactus rack to face the east and have a sun block shade behind it to provide shade I have been noticing them grow and bloom.  This month of July is usually hot and very dry but for some reason this year we have been recieving a good amount of rain so I do cover the racks if it rains more than twice in one week.

Now the desert types of cactuses which are in the Madagascar family is most likely the ones that grows in Arizona, California, Nevada and similar states.

Water Drops

Love photographing water drops from the rain.

This is the Old Man’s Beard Cactus,  if you look carefully at the water drop there is a reflection of my elbow from taking this photo.

This has a reflection of the trees above.

The Hibiscus had some nice water drops too.

Even the cactus blooms had some drops on them.

Tomatoes

We’ve are having a record amount of rain for the month of June,  my tomatoes have grown so large and already have tomatoes developing.

Cherry Tomatoes has lots of tomatoes on it already but the foliage is so lush and full I cannot seem to capture a photo of them.

This year I am trying a Lemon Boy Tomato,  they have less acid and is a yellow tomato.

Mother nature is amazing,  just in the last two days of rain the tomatoes doubled in size and height.   Since we are getting so much rain I put down some epsom salt to maintain the nitrogen levels in the soil and to prevent blossom rot.

Cactus Photos

Almost every cactuses and succulents blooms and all with unique types and colors.

Bunnies Ears is one of my favorites

Peperomia Succulent

Succulent- sedum family

Not sure about the name, but it is unusual

I think this one is related to the tonque plant.

This is a miniature tongue plant,  my pinky finger nail is larger then this plant.

Prickly Pears

Hens and Chicks

This one looks like a crown.

My new Jade Plant

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Lewesia- Bitter Root

Astilbe

Japanese Bluebell Clematis- Roguchi

Blue Stars

Campanula

Black Iris

Clematis

Cosmos

Delphiniums

Dianthus

English Daisies

Lantana

Flax

Gazenias

Orange Gerberas

Gold Crest Honeysuckle

Daylily

Walker Mint

Miniature Rose

Rose

Rose

Salvia

Spiderwort

Talium Limon

Tickseed Coreopsis

Arrowhead Viburnum

Verbena-

Blanket Flower

Cobweb Hens and Chicks

Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

Using Digital Cameras

Many of us has digital cameras,  I like the canon powershot A630, and the Powershot S3 IS Image Stabilizer, and a 12X zoom.  The trick in taking great photos is the Macro Symbol on most cameras.

This is the symbol you need to look for on your camera,  you can use auto mode or aperature mode.  Make sure you have good natural lighting around you because macro mode does not use flash.  Don’t attempt to use macro at night or if it’s too dark.  Once you find this symbol press half way down on the shot button and it will focus the object for you then take the shot.  You can delay the shot for 2 seconds or 10 seconds to give you a better picture.

This camera is great to have and I have seen it on the internet for $189.00. This is one of my cameras,  the other one is great for image stabilizing, and a 12X zoom.

Here is the Canon Power Shot S3 IS,  6 Megapixel and a 12X Zoom and also has an adjustable screen.  This one has a super macro mode.

Freesias

Freesias are great flowers to photograph,  being a floral designer we get to use this wonderful fragrant flower.  They come in Pinks, purples, Lavenders, Whites, Yellows, and Oranges.

Just Flower Photos

Campanula

Campanula

Double bloom begonias

Fucshia

Harmony Blue Anemones

Mandrin Wind Hibiscus

Hyacinths

Hydrangeas

Pink Rose

Red Rose

Sun Stars

Autumn Joy Sedum

Autumn Joy Sedum is a great plant to have in the garden,  they are easy to propagate, hardy to -30 degrees,  drought tolerant and when they first bloom the color is usually pink and later in the season the color turns to a burnt color.  When the sedum starts to grow in the spring it’s a good idea to pinch them back so they do grow so tall and heavy.  Pinching them keeps them more compact and less likely to fall down.

In the early spring when they are just starting to foliage up you can pull a stem off to the corner and usually pull out some of the roots along with the stem and plant it so you can have another plant.   You can also cut a stem off,  take most of the leaves off acept for a few and plant it in the ground it should take root easily and it is best to do this when the weather is a bit cool.