Tree Growth Update

Yummy! 
  
Potted Navel Orange 'Cara Cara' January 2012, just before planting.  It's grafted on 'Flying Dragon', a true-dwarfing root stock and will grow to about 10' (~3 m) in height, one third typical size. 
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February 2014
Orange 'Cara Cara' photo 2-20caracara3966_zpsbd0f3e39.jpg
The flowers also have a heavenly scent.  Ornamental and fragrant and delicious. 

Baby Quercus agrifolia from acorn, January of 2011, protected from marauding rabbits by the wire screen:
 photo MightyOak6290.jpg
Three years later, February 2014.  It got a larger ring of wire screen last year, though it is likely safe from rabbits now.
 Baby Quercus agrifolia photo oak4054_zpse25f3df9.jpg
The pair of Aloe 'Hercules' I bought in November of 2010.  One remains in a pot, stunted. 
Aloe 'Hercules' photo AloeHercules0590.jpg
The other was planted in the ground February 2012.
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February 2014 (with a 2 gallon watering can for scale):

Aloe 'Hercules' photo alo4100_zps36156e7d.jpg
And look at the other one still trapped in a pot.  (Must plant...soon!)
 photo alo4113_zps3d7cfc81.jpg 
Incidentally, that Calothamnus villosus behind 'Hercules' was this size in February of 2011:
 photo BulbineLatifolia6839.jpg
Tempus fugit.  These plants seemed to have used their time well.  

Comments

  1. Nice article. The aloe looks incredible! I haven't heard of that variety before, actually, but I'm very interested now! I look forward to more posts

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    Replies
    1. 'Hercules' is a hybrid of Aloe dichotoma and Aloe barbarae; a few degrees hardier than either of the parents, with a great deal of hybrid vigor as well.

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  2. Is the 'Flying Dragon' you refer to Poncirus trifoliata? I have one of those, a hardy orange called 'Flying Dragon' that sports vicious 2" curved thorns. It produces fruit that I always figured was purely ornamental, but someone suggested using it for marmalade. I'm going to give that a go this year.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Poncirus trifoliata L. Raft var. monstruosa. It dwarfs the scion and apparently provides a little extra cold hardiness, (not that this climate needs it.)

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  3. What size is the 'Hercules'? It's difficult to get a sense of scale.

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    Replies
    1. You are absolutely right, Alan, thank you. I changed the picture out to one with a watering can added to better show it's size.

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  4. So nice to have your own oranges in the garden.

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    Replies
    1. It's truly wonderful! They taste better than any store-bought.

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  5. Everything in the garden looks wonderful, lovely greens and leaf shapes, the orange tree looks fabulous, lovely leaves, fragrant flowers and sweet, juicy fruit.
    xoxoxo ♡

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    Replies
    1. Well, I don't take pictures of the stuff that doesn't look so good!

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  6. Very happy to see how well your in-ground Hercules has grown. I'm about to plant one from a 15 gallon can...

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    Replies
    1. The name 'Hercules' is appropriate--hybrid vigor at its finest!

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