Blooming Thursday

 The garlic vine (mansoa alliacea) is blooming, the colour of the flowers will change tomorrow to pink and the day after to white and then die.

 I am growing orlaya grandiflora for the first time and I am quite pleased even though it took some time to grow from seed.

I planted out one of my loquats recently and am hoping to get some fruit in another year or so.

 Alocasia tea cups doing well in a soggy soil. These can be grown in shallow water and are great for pond banks.

 Remember the blackberry I had grown from seed? Well I transplanted it into a tyre pot made from a recycled tyre. Since I have read the roots do not grow deep I think this is an ideal container for it.

 The other two seedlings are doing well and I am looking to transplant them soon.

 I am also growing jicama for the first time and they do resemble a terrible wild vine we have call cow itch that is dangerous if the fine hairs off the seed pods get on your skin.

 The tuber is edible while the flowers and seed pods are toxic. The tuber is sweet tasting and is used raw in salads or stir fried with other vegetables.  These should be soon ready for harvesting as soon as the seed pods are dried. I read they can be eaten about now but I am waiting for seeds to replant. These were grown many years ago here in Barbados by the Taiwanese who were assisting our farmers on agricultural projects. When they left the jicama was forgotten.  I plant to resurrect this crop again.

 The leaves, flowers and seed pods contain rotenone a natural pesticide however that doesn't deter the slugs and snails. Rotenone is the pesticide most often used to kill fish. 

Rotenone is a naturally occurring compound derived from the roots of certain tropical and subtropical legume plants. Humans have been using it for centuries to harvest fish and manipulate fish communities. Rotenone kills by interfering with cellular use of oxygen.

I had some sweet potatoes that started growing so I cut off the growing tips and planted them in a container. I peeped and look what I found. Will harvest them at the end of the month.

The morning sunlight across the the orchard.  We have had rain almost every day in January. That was the wettest January I can remember. The garden is loving the extra moisture. I am hoping our dry season won't be as dry as last year. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day Febuary 2016

Mansoa alliacea, Cydista aequintialis, aka Garlic vine in its glory

 Hello and welcome to garden Bloggers Bloom Day where gardeners around the globe post what is blooming in their gardens. My garlic vine is in bloom and what a sight to behold! Each day it changes colour. The Garlic vine is used in traditional medicine in South America where it originated. The leaves smell like garlic when crushed. To see more blooming gardens please go over to Carol at May dreams gardens. Have a great week folks!

Homestead update

 The rains have been frequent as you can see the palms have been swamped.  The MacArthur palm doesn't seem mind at all.  Luckily the water recedes within a day or two it will be back to normal unless there is more heavy rain.

 One little puppy doesn't mind getting wet at all and doesn't

need any excuse to go for a swim. I believe he is part if not full Labrador. 

 The front patio is nearly completed, the lattice work is up and waiting to be prepared for painting. It will be painted in light green like the sunburst.

 I was really tired of this eyesore and had been itching to replace it.

I told Remington my carpenter what I wanted and showed him a few photos. He went to work on it and this is the results. The wood used is treated Honduras pine, it is a denser and stronger pine than the North American yellow pine.

 I applied Thompson water sealer for outdoor wood to prevent water damage and going grey. I  like the natural wood look and will have to continue to keep it oiled.

 I love my new gate! Thank you Remington! If you need a very good carpenter I can recommend Remington just drop me a line!

 On the other side of the homestead the garlic vine (mansoa alliacea) is making a spectacular entrance.

 

August has come to an end, the garden is now lush from the recent rains, slugs and snails are having a feast. My daily and nightly patrols have taken on a more urgent air. I am using salt to eradicate them. Some people say beer will help but I am not sure. Some have told me to use white lime and I will try it again. I am not sure how effective it is in this rainy season. Any non chemical method you use please share. 

It is also time to start pruning the poinsettias, the snow on the mountain and mussaendas if they need it. Now is the time to weed the garden beds, with all the moist soil weeds are easier to pull in our clay soils.  

Golden apples (spondias cythera) aka pommecythere, june plum are still small and are great for making juice. 

To all who are reading and following this blog have a great weekend!

Garden Blogger's Bloomday May 2013

 Cardwell lilies  in bloom these are easily propagated by seed.

 White mussaenda propagated by air layering, these were very difficult to grow.

 One of my favorite plumeria aka frangipani this one is named Kauka Wilder

 Cassia javanica in bloom

 Garlic vine (mansoa alliacea)

First blooms of Lagerstromeia speciosa aka Queen's crepe myrtle, Queen of flowers

Hello and welcome to Garden Blogger's Bloom day where gardeners from around the globe post what is blooming in their gardens. Spring has sprung in the Caribbean. With the recent showers everywhere is green with many shrubs and trees in bloom or getting ready to do so. The Rustic Bajan gardener has been busy with house renovations so many areas in the garden show some signs of neglect with lots of weeds.  If anyone wishes to visit me please bring along a change of clothing and some gloves. I promise I will feed you. To see more of what is blooming please go over to Carol at May dreams gardens http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/  Have a wonderful week friends.

Up on The Roof

It has been hazy all day so it was very difficult to take good shots.  I took the above two just before the sun went down.

My garlic vine (mansoa alliacea) is putting on the greatest show I have ever seen. The gazebo rooftop is completely covered with blooms and the only ones to take full advantage of this view are the birds. If only I were a bird up in a nearby tree! Have a great week my friends!