|
Texas | Having tropical plants in an area that will only sustain them for most, but not all, of the year is a less than great idea. However, where is the fun in making smart decisions?
I happen to be fond of Tropical Hibiscuses. They will survive outside here in North Texas for about 8 months of the year. A freeze will kill them, and they do not like when the temperature gets below 50F.
In order to keep them alive, they need to be brought indoors for the cooler months. They also require sunshine. Supplying them with that combination has been difficult. Most winters they stay alive inside but start losing leaves. This winter I did a particularly bad job with them. We had 6 of them going into winter but are now down to 3.
The weather has warmed up this weekend. Mid 70’s today and around 80F. tomorrow. I decided to put them outside in the sunshine. That is when things went downhill. Most are small enough that I can easily carry them, but one of them, my favorite of course, is really too heavy for me. However, I was not smart enough to let that stop me. I came up with the stupid idea of using a two wheeler and tarp strap to move it. Got is outside and lost control of it. Predictably, it toppled and went splat.
At least I was in a good enough mood to laugh at the situation. I dug a plastic pot out of storage and dumped the remnants of the rootball in that, topped it with soil, and carried the destroyed terra cotta pot to the dumpster. This is at least the 4th. pot this plant has been in in under 2 years.
I was informed less than an hour later that the wind had blown the plant over. So, I had to stand it back up, stuff dirt around it again, and put other plants around it to support it. They are definitely not worth the trouble, but I am still trying to keep them alive.
Pictures: First picture is of the big mess I made this afternoon. I know there is an even bigger mess behind it, but that is a story for another post. Second picture is of the flowers the plant produces. Looking at its flower photos has kept me from tossing the plant in the dumpster on several occasions.
 (fullsizeoutput_1445 (full).jpeg)
 (fullsizeoutput_1446 (full).jpeg)
Attachments
----------------
 fullsizeoutput_1445 (full).jpeg (227KB - 320 downloads)
fullsizeoutput_1446 (full).jpeg (172KB - 256 downloads)
| |
|
What a Mess
