A few pics from last week. The big Persea palustris which was basically undamaged in the past severe winters. The small thing in front of it (to the left of the Sabal*) is the Schima argentea that I'd already mentioned. It looks like it was about 1" caliper before the first cold winter killed it back - you can see the old trunk that was lopped off. What I'd never noticed is that along the wall was another Schima, that looks to have recovered even better last summer from the damage of the prior winters. Surprisingly, this was labeled as Schima wallichii, which I thought was considered more tender than S. argentea. But it looks better than the S. argentea, perhaps becaause of the wall protection. (this wall is to the north of all of the plants) Next a Mahonia 'Soft Caresse'; I can't figure out whether this one is the one that's been there or a while and was severely damaged in the cold winters, or replanted. It sure looked dead after the first cold winter, so I think it's a replanting. In any case, it's apparently Mahonia 'Delicious Caresse' to the lop-eared rats, because they've almost eaten all of the leaves off. Finally this species Camellia, C. yuhsienensis that I mentioned in another thread. This was the earliest camellia blooming after the first cold winter. Likewise, it was now still blooming well, even though we'd had some cold spells by last week. It wasn't the only camellia blooming in the gardens though, something that looked like Camellia 'Korean Fire' was blooming. Small flowers but I certainly would make place is my garden for such a cold resistant camellia. * - yes you will notice to the right of the Sabal minor is a Butia! I have no idea what they are thinking in planting that. It already looks mostly dead after this mild (so far) winter.

Yes I've heard of this theory and though I don't subscribe to it (I leave the scape on so as to follow the natural process, not to bring unused nutrients back into the bulb), it never hurts to leave the scape on (in the case of a healthy, rooted bulb) but in this case, the bulb will quickly adapt. I'm surprised it hasn't rooted, actually. Though it is really hot in Phoenix I would imagine the roots wouldn't have to suffer as much. Then again, a pot sitting outside all day is likely going to raise to that hot temp anyway. This article is for bonsai... but it applies to ALL plants as far as I know Ryan

Yeah, it's the end of the line here as well. Tomorrow night's low is supposed to be 34 degrees, 29 on Sat. night, and 32 on Sunday. I have a few pots here at the house that could go in the garage, and could cover a few things here, but I don't have anything large enough to cover all of the plants down at the community garden, so the kids and I will be spending the day harvesting everything tomorrow. I'll try and post some pictures on my grow log thread once it's all done. We're pretty much right on schedule. The first freeze is usually the first or second week in October, although we often get a light frost or two in September.

Mine longtime kitchen obsession has been vintage cookware from the 50s or older. I have a lot of Guardian Service cookware. I love that the stuff is practically bombproof. At the thrift store the other day I found an ancient but still perfectly workable Presto 4 qt pressure cooker. The hammered texture on the lid caught my eye. It has beautiful wood handles too. I love that I can still get gaskets and overpressure plugs for it which I did because while the ones it had were serviceable they looked a little old. I also found a manual for it. Using some common sense and some internet research, it's incredibly easy to use. Since then I have experimented with making a few dishes in it. French onion soup is awesome in it and beans come out creamy textured. Presoaking gets better results though if in a hurry I can start from dry. Seasonings get right into the beans instead of staying in the broth. I am looking for a big oldie so i can use it at the next chili cook-off!