I have a clump of hens and chicks growing in my garden that I’ve watered but otherwise left unattended, even though I know I need to take some of the chicks and move them to new spots. Apparently, the cluster decided it had been ignored long enough, so it grew a spike of alien chicks that reminds me of a scary movie where strange-shaped monsters came out of a swamp. I think it’s creepy.
That group of tiny pods at the top erupted into an ever-expanding spray of what I think are fledgling chicks. I’m afraid to touch it until I get online and read what I’m supposed to do with this thing. I guess I shouldn’t neglect hens and chicks anymore.
On a less bizarre note, I like to plant gladiolus bulbs each spring. I buy them in bulk and keep hoping for a variety of colors but mostly get red and deep orange. This one, however, is a little different and my favorite so far. I got the black background by placing the vase in front of the television screen and then working the angle so I didn’t get a reflection from my flash. I love glads.
I also have tomatoes, summer squashes, green peppers, kale, and rosemary this year. And pansies. And a few shade-loving plants in a secluded corner by the front gate. Now, here it is almost September and time for garden clean-up. Sigh.
I never really thought of glads much until a woman I worked with years ago would bring them in whenever it was someone’s birthday. They were so pretty and cheery and different than the usual bouquets of flowers. 🙂
Hi Madeline! I’d like to coax some new colors into my flower beds next year so have already bought a new big box of bulbs.
Those are beautiful photos. I love cactus but can’t grow it. Too wet here and indoors I overwater it.
Hi Diane — I’ve never tried growing regular cactus plants here even though a good part of the year is dry. However, the succulents like the hens and chicks seem to do fine, even. That’s probably because I tend to underwater my garden.
Wow, Pat! Those are some plants!! I’ll be really interested to know what you find out in your research on them. Your glads are gorgeous, by the way.
Hi Margot — I learned that the base plant will die when it shoots up that spectacular blooming stalk. However, there are so many chicks around that big hen, I suspect I’ll still have plenty of plants to fill a rock garden. Now if only I had a rock garden! 😀
I was just going to help you out there…but I see that you have your answer. That is the bloom stalk. Yes, that stalk dies afterward. Separate the “chicks” and spread them out or give them away. There are some truly spectacular forms and colors of this succulent. There’s even one that looks like it has a spider web in the middle.
Hi Cynthia — Thanks for the added information. There are lots and lots of chicks to move. I might have them all over the place next year.