July 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

A few pics taken this morning before work.
Narcissus "Mondieu" a Glenbrook Bulb Farm introduction,


But "Atlas Gold" is only just waking up!


Massonia depressa is finally in flower, but sadly the "red" one is no longer with us


A patch of colour attracted my eye and I discovered a second flower open on the Iris planifolia seedling! I hadn't expected that.


cheers
fermi

[Lesley Cox]

I was going to say "Pleione and Galanthus both called 'Otto Fauser.' What a co-incidence. Did you know there is also a MAN called by that name? "

Mygod, 'Mondieu' is very good. My 'Atlas Gold' is somewhat ahead of yours Fermi. Must get the camera going again now that there are a few crocuses. C. chrysanthus 'Zwanenburg Bronze out today, or would be if there were any sun to open it.

[vanozzi]

Good to see "Mondieu" flowing at your place Fermi.Are you doing any hybridising with it?
"Mondieu" is indeed a fine cultivar.It is  N.romieuxii X N. romieuxii sdl.It is a huge 55mm  petunioid bloom on a 15cm stem.

[Maggi Young]

Fermi,

I think that Otto has himself, or are you claiming ownership? 

I'm looking forward to claiming an Otto cuddle in 2011 at the Alpines 2011 conference.........

[arillady]

Otto if you are lurking in the background I hope you have a great trip and send our hugs to all.
Like Fermi I noticed some blue on our drive. It was a lovely crisp blue Iris unguicularis flower - will have to check its name in the morning.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great show Fermi !!!

[David Nicholson]

Lovely stuff Fermi. Narcissus 'Mondieu' is a cracker.

[kiwi]

Garden today.

[Ragged Robin]

A few pics taken this morning before work.
Narcissus "Mondieu" a Glenbrook Bulb Farm introduction

Fermi, I just love this Narcissus especially as it is opening out its crinkles 

[Ragged Robin]

Garden today.

If that's just today's, what will be in tomorrow's, Doug?  

The butterfly is spectacular and the hellebore colour

[Gerdk]

Doug, Is the butterfly a monarch (Danaus plexippus) and introduced into NZ? Do you know what are the feeding plants of its caterpillar?

Gerd

[Lesley Cox]

Fermi,

I think that Otto has himself, or are you claiming ownership?  

I'm looking forward to claiming an Otto cuddle in 2011 at the Alpines 2011 conference.........

He's very good at those Maggi. I'll get some in September. I've booked my flights.

[Lesley Cox]

The butterflies will feed on anything with nectar but the larvae prefer or require the so-called Swan plant, Asclepias fruticosa (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) or perhaps one or two others in that genus. Every year the plants, with 1-3 caterpillars are available to buy from garden centres but the single plant is never enough as they're voracious feeders so it's a good idea to raise a batch of seedlings and grow them on for feeding purposes. We even have a monarch butterfly trust, that sells the seeds for $5 a packet so that people can encourage the butterflies into their gardens. They are the lovliest things and huge compared with our regular butterflies like red or yellow admirals.

If the swan plant is eaten to death, the larvae can be kept alive for a few days on fresh cut pumpkin flesh until more plants can be found but (in my experience) they don't pupate on pumkin and if the right food is not supplied soon, they will die.

[galahad]

Wow, time goes fast.  just going through the NZAGS seedlist and it doesn't seem that long ago I did that

[Lesley Cox]

In case Doug's still in bed on a Sunday morning, I'll answer for him. 

Yes, the butterfly is a Monarch. The adults feed on anything with nectar but the larvae require or prefer the so-called swan plant, Asclepias fruticosa (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) or perhaps a couple of other species in that genus. Every year local garden centres offer the plants with a couple of caterpillars in residence but the plant is never enough as they are voracious feeders so it's a good idea to have some more plants available. We even have a Monarch Butterfly Trust which supplies seeds (about 50) for $5 a packet so people can encourage the butterflies into their gardens. They're very big, about 10cms wing tip to wing tip.

If the swan plant is eaten to death, the larvae can be kept going for a few days on fresh pumpkin flesh until a new plant is supplied but in my experience the larvae don't pupate on pumpkin and if the right food isn't found very soon, they will die.