Looks like blight but is actually very special

Cactus can look like it's diseased with these strange white lumps growing on their leaves. While it probably isn't great for the plant, those lumps are actually a very special insect called cochineal. What makes them special is that they are a natural dyers dream. Cochineal is used for a particularly rich red dye. It isn't an easy process, but the results are magical. At one time in my checkered past, I did quite bit of natural dyeing of the wool I spun by on my spinning wheel. Cochineal wasn't an option at the time, so marigolds were my favorite go to for a rich yellow-orange hue. Even if cochineal had been available to harvest, my natural reluctance to do more than absolutely necessary to get results would have precluded any attempts. As mentioned, cochineal harvest and processing is very complicated. So next time you pass a cactus that is covered with what looks like goo, bow down before it.

 

Archway to hidden lands?

Have you noticed that even if you walk down the same street multiple times, there's always something new to see if you just bother to look? And the change of seasons, though not particularly as defined in SoCal as other regions of the country, still have their signature looks to announce them. Right now, honeysuckle is everywhere, and in addition to adding to the pollen count, it's creating an abundance of blooms and bees -- both very good things. Mostly the vines adorn fences, adding privacy and beauty. When I saw the arch over the garden entrance, though, all I could imagine is the doorway taking one to an enchanted land of hobbits or elves or wizards. Where would you like your enchanted door to go?

This year, more than past years, there seems to be an explosion of cactus blooms. They fascinate me because of their delicate beauty in stark contrast to the very thorny creature they spring from.

Just to prove there are gardeners and then there is moi, below is what I believe is an iris, abundant in so many gardens. Years ago, when I was still posturing as an actual gardener, I planted some so a corner of my critter cafė area would be a focal point of beautiful blossoms. Yeah. Well, that didn't work. I maybe get one or two blossoms from the wonderfully lush green. That's it. But someone a couple blocks away has what was supposed to be happening in my corner. Clearly they know what they're doing. Enjoy.

Gnomes in a tree

Sometimes the best decision I can make all day is to allow Nellie to determine the walk we take around the neighborhood. This evening she outdid herself. We stumbled upon the most amazing flowering cacti, a charming fairy garden of gnomes in the crook of a tree, and a trumpet vine bursting with blossoms. Considering I spent the day getting filthy working on a brick border along my three mile hedge (it's not really 3 miles -- just feels that way), it was refreshing to see vibrant color so powerfully on display.

Click on the picture so you can see the gnomes -- and check out the two on the upper right:

The cactus with a lavender hue is really stunning and the barrel cactus in bloom was a first for me. Awesome.

And last, but definitely not least, the trumpet vine.

And thus endeth a perfect day.

Too cold for tiling, but not cold enough to keep me from craziness

As I've mentioned before, the weather has to cooperate for doing mosaics or any tiling outdoors. If it's too cold to even wash the tile to prep for cutting, then it's too cold to actually get creative. So I turn to other activities to move other projects along. On a whim yesterday I decided to tackle the infamous thicket behind the mosaic planter box. It needed a good clearing out (just how much I'm still not sure) to realize my cunning plans for it's future look. Well, as whims go, not a bad idea. 

I happily started on clearing out the plastic and cardboard I put over cactus roots so they would die off and not re-sprout. So long to the large, decaying jade plants that were carelessly tossed in the area after the first clearing out to make way for the planter box. But here's where I should've stopped and been content. More cactus needed to be cut back. As always, the idea is to keep the most distance between me and cactus as possible. In this case, a loooong pole with a saw blade. To get the cuttings into a pile and the large tub for disposal (unlike jade and other soft plants, cactus is not allowed in yard waste bins) a long rake and shovel were used. Clever right? It seems no matter how carefully planned, cactus spines find their way into my skin. There must be something in the laws of physics that defends against such perfidy, but it doesn't work! 

That aside, now the only decisions are whether to cut back more jade or leave as is and work around it for my art installation. BTW: "art" is probably too strong a word for what I hope to do, but it sounds classier than putting stuff in made from rusted barrel hoops and other cast-offs. So yeah, we'll go with art.

So this is the thicket mess before clean-up:

The area cleared enough to make more decisions:

It's gonna be a long slog.