Alyssum Carpet of Snow

First to bloom were  the Alyssum and they seem to be holding up well so far.  The seed packet says they are spreading plants and are good for use as a ground cover.  Once they take off I have a feeling we may not be able to see the pots anymore!  We shall see.

Carpet of Snow Alyssum
2011©Jennifer Martinez - Shot on iPhone 3GS - Collage designed on Diptic App

Viola Helen Mount

After all other Violas drown in flooded pots from Tropical Storm Maeri, we were left with a sole survivor (below left).  For a few days it thrived. This plant has sprouted taller than expected and is very sturdy.  The stem is very stiff and strong like a tree trunk.

Not capturing a photo during the week after the storm is disappointing to me, because it was truly a beautiful plant.  Honestly I took its rapid growth for granted assuming if it’s this pretty today just think what next week will bring. By the time my camera snapped it was too late.  The leaves had started turning a lighter colored green and thinning out.  It’s not looking good for our survivor.

But… we shall see.

Helen Mount Violas
2011©Jennifer Martinez - Shot on iPhone 3GS - Collage designed on Diptic App

The small specks of green growth (above right) are new violas sprouting  in the same soil. Replanting plans got put off by our daily life and we never got around to emptying these dainty tin pots.  Before we new it new life had shown its beautiful face!

Snowdrift Marigold Stems Turn White

After researching what could possibly turn a flowers stem white, I came up short. Rephrasing that 10 times or more and searching through tons of articles all contradicting each other, I quit.  Not the first time that internet research has failed me.  Makes me think it’s time to take a trip to an old-fashioned place we call the Library.

Snowdrift Marigolds
2011©Jennifer Martinez - Shot on iPhone 3GS - Collage designed on Diptic App

What I was able to determine is that one of the following is probably true:

  1. Too much water
  2. Not enough Water
  3. A case of Root Rot (moldy soil and roots, etc) which is a huge possibility due to the humidity in Okinawa, however the soil seems well-drained and dry 2 inches below the surface.
  4. Mites (which are nearly invisible to the human eye) are destroying our prize marigolds.

We will keep a close eye on our previously favored plants and try to determine what is causing this ugly white stem. Hopefully we can solve this problem before it’s too late.  But again, we shall see.

Note to self: No more playing favorites.  All flowers are created equal.

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