u/PleasantArm6887

I am new to this one, bought her 3 months ago and moved her to my covered deck that I bought a shade cloth for because it gets too hot in there without one. Seems to be the perfect fit, she is really putting on the fireworks! Hoya multiflora.

These are some of my own fry grown up, I selectively kept for breeding. Now they have a first spawn.

These are a select pair of my own fry, grown up now having their own fry.

Why did I wait so long . I am behind the eight ball.

My old girl is starting her bloom cycle, that lasts thru September. About 4 feet long .

I try to keep it simple and healthy. Low inflammation. Everything is gluten free. It’s avocado toast made with Franz sourdough gluten-free taste amazing toasts up really good. sardines with avocado, gluten-free crackers Cornishon’s grilled artichokes and dinner is. trader Joe’s, gluten-free shrimp and roasted organic vegetables. It’s very nutritious and keeps my inflammation and check. Easy peasy !

This is great best bloom cycle in years, not sure why but loving it!

Black Angelfish spawn from March!

Spawn from March still with parents but time to remove, Panda Angelfish with a few Silvers they fostered. Most of the spawn was eaten by the tetras, I couldn’t catch.

Trying to add more muscle, I have long skinny arms, because I am tall, trying to build muscles and at 65, it’s challenging to get more size. Do I look ok for my age?

If you eat better you feel better. Season is my favorite brand of Sardines. They are firm, whole, not mushy, have great flavor (not fishy). High Quality overall. Costco has a great price, when you can get them. They tend to sell out lately so stock up.

Back in 2022 I was on my way home from work and the neighbor 2 blocks away had 4 amazing dogwood trees in bloom. I was so agog, I pulled over to take pictures. It was a beautiful spring day, the sun was out and I was in tree lust. lol . Much to my surprise an electrical storm was brooding in the background, and as I took the pictures a streak of lightning struck and illuminated the backside of the trees from a distance. It was truly once in a lifetime moment. I didn’t realize how cool it looked until I reviewed my pictures while I held down ‘live view’ when I got home. Last year I finally found one for my own yard, and I can’t be happier with it. Pictures 3 & 4 are my tree. What you can’t see because it’s four around the corner is how absolutely stunning the four tree are. Enjoy! You can see my original post in my profile.

Trying to stay fit, but my body is not cooperating. 65 is rough. Too many injuries. Ugh

Rhododendron. ‘ English Roseum ‘ is a old hybrid from England that the Waterer family nursery of Bagshot and Knapp Hill nursery in Surrey England developed in the 1950’s, and introduced in 1958. It is a Catawba-based hybrid that is reliable in extreme cold , heat and humidity resistant and is a vibrant lilac-pink, with some lavender-rose overtones. The one pictured is the more pink form and is my shrub. It grows quite large reaching 10 feet in twelve years and grows wide also. It’s can become a showpiece in the garden but can be grown as privacy hedge as it gets tall and wide. You can prune it back if you prefer a more formal size.

Foliage: This evergreen hybrid is dense-growing and thrives in semi-shade in cooler climates. Plant in a dappled sunlight or partial shade that is protected from harsh winds. It is also great for filling in under tall deciduous trees. It grows as tall as wide, so give it room to spread. The leaves are smooth glossy, med green, dense habit. If you want to keep it smaller, prune immediately after blooming.

Blooms: Blooms mid early to mid May. This shrub is very floriferous by nature. Blooms profusely often covering the foliage. Blooms are light rose pink with lavender-rose overtones. Some may appear slightly more lavender in a more shaded setting.The blooms are a little smaller but because of the truss masses they appear larger than they are. As the blooms age they slowly fade in vibrancy.

Hardiness Zones: Thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8, offering excellent resistance to cold temperatures. Prefers partial shade, especially from harsh afternoon sun. Be sure to give it adequate water in the summer so the leaves don’t wilt or yellow, from harsh heat exposure. Water deeply and regularly when establishing a new plant.

Soil: Requires well drained highly organic and acidic soil. Use peat moss and pine needles to mulch the top. Keep the roots cool.

I bought a new ‘Scarlet Fire Dogwood’ last year for the back yard and it is really loaded with blooms. I Didn’t expect it to bloom so heavily this soon. Really happy with it.

The Rhododendron ‘Point Defiance’ is a clone from Seattle native hybridizer Halfdan Lem’s Walloper group. He hybridized several outstanding Rhododendrons during his time in Seattle and many of them grow very large and robust and have some amazing qualities you don’t see in your “big box” variety stores. They are all unique and share some great characteristics. Many of them grow into tree size specimens as they mature. Point Defiance is one of those and it is very highly rated. It has large succulent flowers that have pink picoteed edges making it a standout on its own. As the bloom progresses the buds are a deep bright pink and as they unfurl the picotee on the edges starts to fade and become lighter pink then white in the flower center. Among his star cultivars are Lem’s Cameo, ‘Red Walloper’ (which I featured last month), Point Defiance’, ‘Lem Halfdan’, ‘Anna’, ‘Lem’s Goal’ and ‘Replet’. Lem favored tall tree-like and heavily blooming varieties. A dedicated collection of his specific cultivars remain on display today at the Meerkerk Gardens on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Hybridizer: Halfdan Lem (1886-1969), was a legendary Seattle/Everett nurseryman and master hybridizer. He was born in Nordfjord, Norway. He was one of twelve children, all educated by a private tutor. He was internationally renowned for creating some of the world’s most spectacular Rhododendrons. He was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the American Rhododendron Society.

Photos courtesy of u/VoiceArtPassion, thank you!