migratory plants

[15_the_circle]

[OT from cottage renovations]

this staghorn fern is an offshoot of an enormous one that has been in the family for over 30 years.  I brought it from southern California a year and a half ago, mounted it on a slab of oak bark from our last hurricane and hung it on the bathroom wall over the tub where the skylight gives it the kind of ambient lighting it prefers and where the humidity can be agreeable.  it took the longest time to settle in -- over a year -- but for a while now it has been sending forth new growth. 

since it seems to be better off this year, I went ahead and put it out on the porch for the summer, but on an experimental basis.  it will need an eye keept on it to make sure it can handle the change. 

(click through this thumbnail for higher resolution image)

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platycerium

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another seasonally migratory plant is a large (nearly my height) fern which moved from the front room out to the rear deck this morning.  it used to summer on the porch but last year when set on the rear deck to keep it out of the way of construction activity it did much better there. 

Comments

[peach-salsa.livejournal.com]

I like how you described that whole process. You rehabilitate and nurture things. Not many people do that, anymore.

[15-the-circle.livejournal.com]

thank you, that's very kind. 

but it does have a darker side -- with weeds and invasives one has to take a firm stand and the process is gentle only toward the species one tries to protect from them.  a neighbour has given me permission to try to clear out a tree afflicted with the worst ivy infestation I have ever seen.  I have had to take an axe to the ivy stems, some of them several inches thick, circling its trunk (a chain saw might be more expedient but it would cut too quickly thereby increasing the risk of inadvertent damage to the patient).  once loosened the ivy boughs can then be pried off the tree trunk below the cut with a pickaxe, preparatory to having their roots dug out with the same implement.  above the cut it's best to leave them in place to come down on their own as rushing that process could further harm the tree as well. 

since it is still alive at the top I do think there is a chance that the tree can be saved.