So here I am in my third abode in 18 months, and I do not feel much like The Consummate Gardener right now.
My new place has a nice 11' x 14' courtyard, which already had a few plants in it. I put down cardboard to kill most of the weeds as I unpacked, but I have reached a standstill with unpacking, so some areas still have weeds and I have no money to build the raised beds I want right now.
To make it even worse, some of my favorite plants are dying. My Thanksgiving cactus (pictured above) has died completely, just rotted away. My beautiful staghorn fern that I babied back to life this summer got badly sunburned, so it's indoors trying to recuperate. My purple epidendrum orchid looks like it's not going to make it, and the beautiful Rhoeo that a nice FB member sent me died as well. Many of the leafy tropicals had lost most of their leaves, but are doing o.k. now that they're indoors.
My problem is lack of shade -- and lack of funds to create shade. With this heat, I can't put the sensitive shade plants outdoors, and they aren't getting enough air circulation in here due to the insane heat making it impossible to open windows for very long. The front picture window has plenty of light, but not enough to keep them from stretching.
It's so depressing watching my favorite plants bite the dust one by one, but maybe it's the Universe's way of telling me I need to put the past those plants belong to behind and start anew. Or maybe my plants just can't adapt to the climate here. Some have been struggling ever since I got here. They were so used to being outdoors all year around in SW Florida, except for a few cold snaps, and they don't like being indoors in the heat and a/c.
I'll eventually create some shade outside and put whatever survives out there, if anything makes it past this winter. In the meantime, all I can do is try to do the best I can and hope I don't lose too many more.
Lots of adapting going on at your place. Including your own.
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Seems to me the lack of shade will be good for winter food crops. And winter is a much time to any projects that are going to be mostly SWEAT work anyway.
And you are skilled enough to not need any advice or suggestions to accomplish anything.
It's also my opinion that removing shade is much more difficult than creating it.
It is also true that you are experienced with your OWN adaptation.
But remember, if you do need some outsider input, or help with any physical stuff, you can always post over at Grow Gainesville.
With affection, Faith Carr
Thanks, Faye. I am adapting to so many changes, but am finally in a nice place where I can settle in. Everything else will fall into place.
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