fishman0422

While I still have new leaves unfurling from the basjoos time is definitely running out. The days are usually still in the 60's - 70's and last week we even hit 80 a day or two. Today was nice t shirt weather. The nights have gotten down to MAYBE upper 40's lower 50's a few times.
Let me say I don't envy most of you guys. I'm not pulling a darned thing out of the ground! I only cover up my nanas and cut down and mulch over my cannas and elephant ears. Last year I pulled out my imperial taros and boy did I regret it. I don't have a garage or basement so I stored the bulbs in styrofoam containers in my shed. When I opened them up in the spring they were mushy and had fungus. Later I learned I should have been fine leaving them in the ground. From what I hear others have had problems storing those bulbs for the winter. So this year we ended up purchasing more elephant ears only they weren't imperial taros, I don't know what type. I also pulled out a couple of the cannas last year that I thought would be vulnerable due to their location. In the spring those bulbs seemed to be so-so. After splitting them up I gave some to my father and planted in four locations for myself. ONLY ONE came up for me and that bulb even had a little growth on it when it went into the ground. All of my fathers came up. Every single canna that I mulched over in the ground came back and I easily took pieces from those for planting in other spots. If those vulnerable areas don't work out next spring I'll just do more of the same. I'm constantly checking out different plants and their hardiness...usually with disappointment. Gingers, lillies, and bromliads always catch my eye. Someday I may have a few things which I will have no choice but to bring in........ew.

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The Reluctant Gardener