Graptophyllum pictum, commonly called caricature plant, is most likely native to New Guinea. It is a tropical evergreen shrub that will grow to 6-9’ tall. Container plants typically grow as rounded 2-4’…
Next Plant Exchange, November 14, 2023
Join us at our monthly plant exchange, second Tuesdays in Hawaii Kai
Checking in – A new lease on life
I’m back. This time, perhaps as a real person and less of an anonymous online persona. My SO (that’s internet speak for “significant other”) and I dropped our child off at college…
Gardening with Blood and Bones: and it’s not even Halloween yet
Bone meal and blood meal are organic fertilizers used in gardening, but they have different compositions and purposes. Bone meal is for plants that require a phosphorus boost for root health, such…
Next Plant Exchange, October 10, 2023
Join us at our monthly plant exchange, second Tuesdays in Hawaii Kai
Community and our Social Contract
At this month’s plant exchange, watching three young boys cavorting while squeezing juice out of fresh rosemary leaves brought a flood of emotions. First, hope. The hope that there is hope for…
Windward Plant Swap: September 23, 2023
How big is too big for a plant exchange? It’s just a rhetorical question. So far, as our Hawaii Kai exchange has grown, so has the kokua and support needed to run…
More Santa G plant presents for the September exchange
Just got this email from ardent gardener and plant exchange donor G. He’s bringing a number of starters for our upcoming Tuesday exchange on September 12. Here’s his list. I’ll add this…
Duckweed: I can’t believe I’m going to grow this stuff
Many years back, I received a gift of duckweed. I put it into my aquaponics tank, where it was quickly gobbled up by hungry tilapia. I didn’t give it a second thought….