Friday, February 1, at home in Arizona
Now that I know how to propagate plants from cuttings, no plant is safe from my pruners!
I may have mentioned somewhere on this blog that the property to the rear of our property is unoccupied. Not only that, it is not maintained and, from the looks of things, hasn’t been maintained in a very long while.
Grass and weeds are hip-high.
An enormous vine has taken over the porch, including the porch roof.
Well, I’m in the backyard with a brush and a can of sealer-stain. I’m working on odd places here and there on the fence, like close to the ground or around gate hinges and latches.
Reggie and Roger are on the other side of this gate, relaxing in their beds that I placed in the sun for them. Last I checked, they were stretched out in their respective beds, peacefully snacking on pecans.
I check again.
Looks like Reggie is instigating a tussle!
Whoops! You asked for it, Reggie!
Anyway . . . .
Back to my story.
After awhile I pause again from my trim work. Taking a little break, I wander around the yard, eventually opening the back gate that gives access to the rear property line.
Hmm . . . That vine had white blossoms and the birds went crazy for the berries . . . .
I sprint to the patio and retrieve the hand pruners.
I’ll just mosey over there and take a few snips . . . . Nobody’s gonna’ care . . . .
Leaving the boys to their play, I set out on my mission. I make my way through the weeds that have overtaken the neighbor’s front “yard,” picking up stickers in my pant legs as I go.
Snip, snip, snip, and I head for home!
Oh, for heaven’s sake. I don’t believe it. Here comes Madame Troublemaker up the street, returning from her daily stroll to the mailboxes. What timing. She’ll have something to say. . . .
Suppressing laughter, I dart through the gate before any verbal missiles are lobbed my way.
Haha! Made it just in time! I love you, fence!
Later . . .
The thrill of the hunt subsides and I calm down to examine my capture.
Maybe this isn’t such a great idea. This thing looks like a weed and I don’t know if it’s toxic to pets.
I toss the cuttings.
Gee, there’s a Texas sage bush over by the mailboxes. Silvery-gray-green foliage against the cedar fence, purple blossoms that last for several months. Oh, yeah.
“Reggie? Roger? I’ll be right back, sweeties.”
I back the Perfect Tow Vehicle onto the street. The boys watch through the chain link.
Soon I return with my prizes!
Would you look at that! A levitating place mat!
Internet research informs me that woody cuttings are best rooted in potting mix, rather than in water like I did with the Mexican petunia.
By the way, those Mexican petunia cuttings produced copious, strong roots and continue to do well since I “potted them up.” Here are a few of them:
Pots, less than a dollar each. Four green place mats for a dollar. (Thrift shop, of course)
Also on the internet I discover that cuttings of Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) are easy to propagate. Ideally the cuttings are taken from new growth in the spring. However, success can be had from cuttings taken in fall or winter.
I plan on success.
Texas sage, aka purple sage, Texas Ranger sage, Texas barometerbush, etc. is available in different varieties.
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“Un-uh. No digging.”
“Sorry. You know the rules.”
rvsue
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NOTE: To learn more about Texas sage, check the following websites:
houz.com: “Great Design Plant: Texas Ranger Explodes With Color”
gardeningknowhow.com: “Texas Sage Cuttings: Tips on Rooting Texas Sage Bush Cuttings”
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