Persimmons Update

In the beginning of this blog back in March, I had a posting titled, "The Persimmons Mystery" and I borrowed a pretty pic from the internet because this plant is a complete mystery to me.  It was offered at our nursery for winter plantings and so I tried it out.  I've been impressed by the simple beauty of this tree.  It has grown slowly and produced only 1 fruit....the one you are looking at.....it is currently not ready to eat. It will turn an orangish/red color in November and be the last remaining thing on this deciduous plant before it turns completely bare. People love to use this word when writing about this plant...."astringent."  It has performed well during the summer heat and I am very glad to have it in the landscape.  I'm not sure what this fruit will taste like, but a final pic will be taken in November for your viewing pleasure along with my impressions of the flavor.  The fruit just turned this yellow color.  There are not many surprises anymore in life so this is something to look forward to next month:)

This week has been an incredibly busy time period for me.  I am currently working on my Day of the Dead projects with my students for an art display plus I had a SMART Board and some new furniture put into my room. As with anything, you have to bust your tookus off to get these things for your students because no one hands them over for free, but my room is now perfection.  Therefore, the blogging took a break just as things do when they get busy.  I am working currently on a lot of interesting posts that will be upcoming this week and into next.  This blogging is not only a record and journal of our grounds here at El Presidio but for me a fascinating look into the amount of things gardeners have to do besides just rake the leaves or blow the dirt off the patio......it's so much more.  Tomorrow's blog will be on shaping certain plants and appropriately titled, "Shaping:)

Plant Update

Pic courtesy of diglloyd

The Fuyu Persimmons Tree

This weekend I was out of town and very anxious because I wasn't working in the garden. It's weird how I feel this way but I am afraid that if I leave the place, everything will go to hell. However all is well and everything is alive...or is it?? This winter I planted A LOT of plants. Some are doing well while others seem to be struggling. I have major issues with the juniper trees. They don't seem to work for me...partly because I don't think they get enough sun. I've been re-evaluating it and considering something more productive for the property corners. Perhaps several orange trees?

Roses are starting to put out blooms and they look wonderful. I did spot several aphids and clean them off. However someone is picking the flower petals off and just leaving the stem. I was a bit pissed....I don't know why as the rose buses are for everyone....but that's just it...they are for EVERYONE!! They need to be clipped, etc, but still.....people shouldn't be picking them yet. I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post soon. They are quite beautiful.

The Red Baron Peach tree is doing alright and seems to look normal, but it hasn't leafed out too much. The lilac bushes haven't done much. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I'll hold out for them a bit more to see if they will grow.

The castor beans. Several have sprouted while others have not...I am waiting for more to come up....so I am crossing my fingers. The elephant ear bulbs or caladiums STILL have not popped their little heads.....and speaking of no budding, my persimmons tree has popped a single bud. The plums, nectarines, apricots, peaches, apple, and fig have all started leafing out, but not the persimmons. Temps have been in the 70's and mid 80's with lows in the upper 40's to lower 50's.

My ash tree looks amazing and the verbena are so vibrant and purple....it just sprawls and looks amazing. An oleander bush almost fell over so I put a stake up to keep it in place. The bamboo has yellow on the leaves but that is normal for this time of year....soon this stuff is going to start shooting up.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more......