Wednesday, June 30, 2010

THE MINIMAL GARDEN AND NEW MEMBERS IN THE COLLECTION

IT has been raining cats, dogs, whales and dolphins in Puercorico, USA. During the last sixty days it has rained probably in fifty.  If your soil is mostly clay, good luck.  Mine is mostly sand.


The new members are Myosotis and Cuburbita.  The first is rare.  I have not seen it around in many years, a present.
I have a pink and white flower variety.


The second, from some seeds that Crispin, my former friend gave me six
months ago.  Originally planted in the first hole dug in the concrete driveway, it has reached the third one twenty feet
later.  A pumpkin is already growing, the size of a Passion fruit, that bai di guay, are also bearing fruit.


Moving to the next subject I decided to list some of my all time favorites at this moment, in case you are interested in having some kind of collection, without
much space.


Many of these plants can be grown in pots. I prefer fiber glass, rectangular ones. Think of aesthetics, color, shape and budget when the buying. Pick your own, thinking of water retention to avoid daily irrigation, rhyme and all.

Round plastic terracota looking pots look like shit with the tropical sun, UV rays after six months. Actually the color does not matter. Think of it.


TREES

Pithelobium dulce
Coccoloba uvifera
Bauhinia
Citrus sinensis
Citrus Aurantifolia
Carica papaya

VINES
Merremia quinquefolia
Antigonum leptopus
Clitorea ternatea
Thumbergia alata
Passiflora foetida/pallida l./edulis
Bouganvillea

SMALL BUSHES
Turnera ulmiforme/subulata/diffusa
Cuphea hissophilia

GROUND COVERS
Barleria repens
Tradescantia pallida/zebrina
Asystacia gangetica

HERBS
Rosmarinus officinale
Capsicum
Lipia micromera
Ocimum basilicum

FOR FRAGRANCE
Gardenia
Plumeria
Mirabilis siciliana

I reiterate that I live a mile from the Atlantic ocean.  When picking your plant collection be aware of your micro climates, heat, temperature, shade/sun salt breeze.  How much time do you have to irrigate, monitor for pests/diseases?

CAPSICUM SAUSE 
SECRET RECIPE 
BONUS

As you probably know yours truly is a fan of spicy, hot gastronomy from India,
Mexico, Thailand and China.  Those are Meccas in the subject.

In Puercorico, USA, the homemade hot sauce looks like dirty, yellowish water.

This is what it takes.

1/4 pound hot Capsicum
800 ml water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
Fresh peeled garlic
Oregano
Basil
Onion 

Boil the above for 15/20 minutes.
Divide and place all the solids in the 200 ml
glass bottles.
Pour the liquid.  Leave them bottles outside for one day under the sun.
You do not have to keep it in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!

EDITORS NOTE
Bouganvilleas are woody. In some circles they are not considered a vine, but they behave like some.  Most people in Puercorico are pruning slaves of this plant/tree/vine.  Let the damn plant grow, then determine what is the best shape, size for your garden.  Do not be an idiot, pruning in anticipation. You will RUIN IT.

Hot sauce wise, everyone is an expert.  Mine is not written in stone.  I tell you more, the best in the market is: 'Tuon Ot Sriracha'. www.huyfong.com

Apagad e idnos o apaga i vamonos. Time to go.



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