This is one of my favorite native vines, Trumpet Creeper.
"Creeper" is a great name for it, because that IS exactly what it will do ... creep into and onto everything ... which is kind of neat if you plant it in the right spot ... which I did not.
Years ago, I stuck a little rooted piece into the ground near a garden fence. I pictured a vine covered fence with hummingbirds dancing from blossom to blossom.
The Trumpet Creeper sprig pictured itself as the dominant plant in the garden and immediately sent out runners.
I battle it constantly, but love it too much to "kill" it.
"Creepy" thinks my blueberry plants are some kind of neat trellis that I installed just for it's climbing pleasure.
I did not.
Like a grape vine, it can take being completely mutilated and still spring back, so that is what I do.
From time to time, I whack the nectar out of it, and then enjoy my breathing space for a few months while it slowly plans a new attack. It's really blooming like crazy now since I cut down an oak tree that had overshadowed the blueberry patch. The increased sunlight not only improved my blueberry bushes, it also jump-started Creepy.
The blueberries are still ripening almost faster than we can keep up with them. Take a look at that guy above!
We had a peach, blueberry, pecan cobbler for desert last week. Not too shabby!
The home aquaculture system is up and running so I am including a short, narrated video to explain how it works. It's a quick fly through of the system.
Sorry for the abrupt ending, my memory card filled up just as I was about to close.
I now have pregnant shrimp by the way, so just when I thought I could relax, I have to set up a nursery and a brine shrimp hatchery to feed the upcoming larval prawns.
More on that when I know what the hell I'm doing.
21 comments:
well, I think what you're doing is wonderful. And you might have to restock the gulf, so should maybe think about expanding the operation...
I feel another hobby coming on when we get down there!
Hmm prawns and beer, sounds good doesn't it?
Yum...blueberries!
Interesting that your shrimp kids are breeding already!
You are really bringing back memories with all this talk of artemia culture.
At one point I had artemia and chlorella cultures spread out on an apartment balcony so I could feed my soon to be hatched lemon gobies.
Do you worry about birds harvesting the shrimp before you do or is there a cover we haven't yet seen?
The creeper is pretty. That blueberry is huge! And now I'm hungry after hearing about your cobblers! Mmmmm ...
I miss Pablo.
For a second there, I thought you combined pecan, blueberry, and pecan to make one cobbler. I thought you had invented the Neapolitan Ice Cream of cobblers.
Now THAT'S a blueberry!
Lightnin
What a pretty combo that orange creeper and blueberry make! I see trumpet creeper growing in the neighbor's old oaks across the street, where I can enjoy their beauty from a distance. So far, it's not jumped the asphalt. (knock on wood) I have my hands full enough battling Virginia creeper and golden pothos.
Jen,
Thanks! You're saying I should start a Gulf Ark for the sea critters?
I wish.
Dave,
Prawns steamed in beer and washed down with the same!
Cindy,
I can bring you some to the Bris if you want. :)
Myamuh,
They are in a tank with a canopy so I guess the birds are not seeing it as a food source due to that.
I will be growing my artemia in a 2 liter soda bottle after a plan from Harbor Branch. Advice welcome!
Ava,
It was a superior cobbler. Very good blending of flavors.
Dani,
Me too. The rascal. I didn't even know what "Coda" meant and did not realize when i first commented that he was exiting the blogosphere. He showed up as "Paul" at Rurality's site the other day.
I know it was him.
Just hope he and his family are okay. You get pretty attached to longtime blogopals.
Even if you don't know them.
FLblogger,
For a second there, you were right.
Peach, blueberry, and pecan all in one cobbler.
Lightnin,
They will grow great out on your place soon enough.
Floridagirl,
Orange and blue is pretty popular around here.
I'd much rather battle trumpet creeper than Virginia creeper. At least you get flowers and hummers with Trumpet.
You have a lot of projects: (Good to see you don't let what you don't know get in the way ...) Congrats to your son!
what a great aquaculture system!
we have some trumpetvines out here, i think the same kind of vine. they train well up a wall, should you be interested in doing that.
Wow, that's one epic blueberry! Those orange trumpet flowers look quite pretty against the blueberries--a naturally occurring Gator color scheme. Very cool!
that is a big mofo blueberry!
That trumpet vine is gorgeous and worth it!! (ya know I has one over the dawg pen garden). Hummingbirds!!
But, them blueberries need their own rights too. Post cobbler recipe ,please good sir?
oh! Blurry days--read all about Junior and grads and Father's day--what a grand grand time y'all done had, FC.
Congrats on yore academic champ--how fine ya trained him. Kudo to hos Mama too.
An' oh, has anybody said how much he looks his Daddy??
I love trumpet vines. We have them up here in Maryland, and the hummingbirds adore them.
Congrats on Junior's graduation! Well done, FC and Mrs FC. It's a poignant moment, watching that last fledgling step off the edge of the nest.
Sorry I've been so absent in Blog Land. I've missed hearing about the doings here at PFHQ.
Robert,
I only let ignorance slow me down long enough to learn what I need.
Then I forge ahead.
Kathy A,
Now I have to build a wall?
LOL!
Glad you like my aquatic endeavour.
Felicia,
And it's not alone, there are so many of that size or near to it!
I just ate a handful of them in a cup of key lime yogurt.
Doggy,
Welcome to Pure Florida! Huge isn't it? There IS a nuclear power plant about 40 miles from here ...
Aunty,
No, they all comment on how he favors his Momma, so you have just racked up a bazillion points.
The cobbler recipe is the peach/pecan one in the recent southern living, which I know you must get. Adding blueberries was our twist on that recipe. Thanks for the kind words.
You packed yet?
Miz S,
Well, you must know we miss your wit when you stay away so long. Thanks for the congrats!
FC -the 2 liter bottles work pretty well.
I would set up 3 or more depending on how many hatchlings you will be feeding. Extra bottles lets you stagger the hatch dates.
Be prepared for the lovely salt crust that accompanies this adventure and change your brine often if you are growing and feeding nauplii-it can turn foul and ooky in a minute.
BTW what happened to Pablo? Is the cabin in the woods taking all his spare time?
rube goldberg would be as proud of your setup as you so justifiably are. the plants are looking great too.
thanks roger!
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