Sunday, November 18, 2007

Intricate and Interlace


Left: Coral Vine fading seed pods Right: stem of volunteer cantaloupe

Next to our local recycle center, the Master Gardeners have built a show garden. Although it is quite small, it is a pleasure to meander through, which I try to do at various times of the year. Each plant has a little marker, which helps promote more planting of these well-adapted plants as well. I couldn't have been happier that I got both 2 Things Challenge images while there yesterday.

The Coral Vine is nearing the end of the season, and what you see are the "intricate" veins of the fading seed pod encasements. This is the in-between stage -- in between when they are plump, pink clusters, and before they dry to thin papery brown pendants.

The picture on the right is a close-up of the "interlaced" markings of a volunteer cantaloupe! It was growing next to one of the demonstration compost bins. One summer I had a volunteer watermelon growing from my compost heap and thought it was remarkable. I guess happy gardening accidents from an untended compost pile are not all that rare an occurrence.

7 comments:

dianeclancy said...

Hi Debi,

These are great photos!! And what perfect shots for the Intricate and Interlace. Thanks for sharing them!

~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Bobbie said...

I LOVE both these photos. As you know I love closeup macro shots and these are the best of the best. Glad to see you back in the running for the two things challenge.

Bev said...

Great pictures from your new camera!

The veins on the seed pods are very intricate, and probably have something to do with providing them with water in a dry climate. I only wish the water system here was so good, as often they go to water standpipe as the Water Companies say we have a drought when we have an exceptionally hot summer, here, in England!

Also lovely interlaced pattern on the melons. I wonder why these fruits need such lovely patterns, what survival purpose it serves. Nevermind, they provide much visual enjoyment for everyone else.
I have seen some very nice ornamental cabbages with variegated leaves they sell round here, which they now use as bedding plants. But why are they volunteers?

dianeclancy said...

Hi Again Debi,

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment on my entry!

~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

My hats off to you. Great pics! I love the vine one, they remind me of japanese rice paper lanterns. Very delicate. I would just HAVE to touch one of course! I wonder how many people walked passed and failed to actually 'see' these 2 subjects? Thankyou for sharing! I'll be back tomorrow :)
PS: Yes please on the calendar lesson! Thanks so much for offering!

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are to be near the Master Gardeners show garden..I'll bet it gives you lots of photo opportunities!

Debi said...

Thank you Diane, Bobbie, Bev, Lisa, and Sandollar for your comments. And for your entries in the 2 Thing Challenge as well!

Bev, "volunteer" is when something you didn't plant grows. Er, something good grows that you didn't plant. Otherwise, if it's something bad, it's not a volunteer, but a weed. ha

Sandollar, I am grateful to the Master Gardeners for their efforts, free for us all to enjoy. After reading your comment I realized that I could lend a hand. While there I noticed debris that had blown in from the nearby recycle center. Next time I go, I vow to bring some garbage bags and while I'm no Master Gardener, I can be a Master Garbage collector.