Indentity

This morning I went out to water my plants. I noticed a strange "thing" growing on the tree I am trying to identify. Is there someone, anyone, out there that can help me and let me know what kind of tree it is that I am growing:



Thanks in advance!

Success!

I can not believe it. 1 of the clipped seeds has already sprouted! I only clipped and planted yesterday...not even 24 hours later!! Amazing.


So it may be hard to tell, but I can assure you it is what I say it is; a Royal Poinciana sprout. I had planted some in a blue container with a blue lid. None of those have broken through the soil yet. I planted some in a clear container with a rose colored lid. That's the container that the sprout is in. I did look at a few of the seeds in the blue container and you can see where the sprout is coming out of it, just not as much.

And I must make a plug for what I use for everything I plant. So here ya go :
Black Kow is the BOMB!

That stuff is amazing. If you haven't ever tried it, I suggest you go buy a bag. I bet you won't be disappointed. I know I never have been!

Science Fair Project

I must miss being young and in school for today I decided to do what I call a "science fair project".

Quickly a little history about what I'm doing:
I absolutely love the Royal Poinciana tree. I would like to have one in my yard. I never realized it, but my neighbor has a tree. How I have missed this fact I have no idea. My son went a couple of weeks ago and got me a handful of pods. They seeds have been just sitting around ever since.

Today I decided to see what would be the best way to germinate them is. I searched online and found several different ways. Not sure which would work the best (for me anyway), so I figured why not try all 3 ways and see what will produce results the quickest.

-The first batch I just put in some water to soak overnight.

-The second batch I boiled some water first, put the seeds in, let them sit for about 3-4 minutes and then added some cold water. I'll let those sit overnight as well and possibly plant them in some soil tomorrow.


-The third batch I snipped off a tiny part of the end of some seeds and then planted them in some soil that was pretty moist. I am sure I clipped a little too much on several of the seeds, but we shall see. I also put a tight fitting lid on it.

Just looks like a bowl of dirt, but there really are some seeds in there!

I found this tree growing in my yard. I didn't plant it there and it was right next to my blooming pear tree, so I removed it and put it in a plastic pot until I can identify it and then decide where I want it.

I was really hoping it was a Royal Poinciana tree since I have wanted one for awhile now. But then after doing some research online, I thought it could possibly be a Jacaranda which is okay by me too since I love the purple flowers on it. But the other day I could have sworn I saw what appeared to be small yellow blooms (which never bloomed by the way) which lead me to believe it wasn't either of the above, but a tamarind. Do those even grow in FLorida?

p.s. This tree grows so fast it's crazy. If anyone can help me to identify it I could be so grateful!

Whew

I wish I would have done with my older kids what I am doing with the younger ones. Brionna (my 3 year old) and I have made a butterfly garden. It makes me so happy when she squeals with delight at finding a caterpillar. Or when she finds a cocoon is even better. She loves "chasing" the butterflies around the yard and says they are her friends. She even named one the other day. It's name is "Banana Tree". Well she is only 3 and has quite the imagination you know.

We bought 3 topsy turvy planters at the beginning of Spring and that has brought alot of enjoyment to her as well. She loves being able to go out and pick a tomatoe, cucumber or pepper off the plant for me.

She wanted a purple garden, so we went to her favorite store, Home Depot, and got purple and white flowers. Then she decided she needed a pink garden, so we have gone a couple of times to get some pink and white flowers.

I have grown an avocado tree from a seed for her. We have 6 pineapple plants that we are growing from the tops of pineapples we're gotten at the store. We planted an orange seed and now have a seedling. It gives me joy to know she is learning something valuable from something that I enjoy doing.

I can't wait until Olivia (my 10 month old) gets old enough so that Brionna and I can teach her about plants, seeds and such.

Since I just created this blog, I really have no idea what I am doing or what this is all about in the first place. Just bare with me please...