Sunday, July 19, 2009

Well, the neighbors have evidently learned...

It seems that all my neighbors have learned that if they set a plant out by the side of the road on trash day, that I'm going to pick it up. So they might as well just give them too me... Speaking of which, the rescued banana plant has started to grow and has put out it's first rather impressive leaf...


BTW - disregard the overgrown grass in the photo... that's the neighbors problem.

So, a lady down the street is downsizing into an apartment, and evidently will not have room for her plants... at least they're succulent...

First off, some sort of aloe. I have aloe vera here and that's it. Not a genus I've paid a whole lot of attention to for some reason. Anybody out there wanna give me a clue? And the pot, cute as it is, is a little too cute for me... not to mention that I'm just not sure that an aloe looks entirely comfortable in a pot that has daffodils on the side of it.

Next, a rather nice sized, though possibly etoliated, Chamaelobivia 'Rose Quartz' Now, I already have one of these, sent to me by Aiyana at Water When Dry, (see her blog to the right) and I'm going to have to find something besides that danged nursery pot to put it in... but it's a nice enough plant.

And this is some sort of Euphorbia, which is really in excellent shape. Again, I'm going to need a clue folks...

And I must say, I like this plants spiraled stems... but I don't know how big it's gonna get. For some reason just looking at it makes me think it could turn into a monster...

And finally, and probably in the worst shape... This Echeveria gibbiflora hybrid. Well, that's what it says on the faded sticker on the side of the pot...

He's definitely seen better days. I'm tempted to lop off the top and reroot it, and then let the leftover stalk resprout new plants. That's usually what I do with overgrown and etoliated Echeverias. I'm going to have to do some research on the plant though... a lot of this genus survives our winters outside, but I'm under the general impression that this one won't. Not sure though, I can't be expected to remember every detail of every succulent out there, can I?
So, these are my new additions... what do you think?

8 comments:

  1. Interestingly, I bought a smaller (unlabeled) version of that same spirally Euphorbia just yesterday. Garden Web searching suggests maybe E. tortilis. I am positive that you and I have the same plant, whatever it is.

    The Aloe sort of reminds me of one I have that was labeled A. saponaria, though davesgarden.com gives the current correct name as A. maculata. There's also an A. greatheadii var. davyana, which looks similar in one of the davesgarden pictures but doesn't much resemble the one I have that was so labeled.

    Because it's an Aloe, the final answer will be that it is neither of these, but those are where I'd start looking.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with Mr. subjunctive on the euphorbia. I've looked for one of these as I like the spiraliness (no such word) of it.
    Don't know on the Aloe. I'm not much for keeping up with Aloe species.
    Looks like the Aloe was well cared for, even if the pot is a little "cute" for you.
    You're quite lucky to have such generous neighbors, as long as they stick with good stuff. When they start dropping off old mattresses and washing machines, you may have to put up a sign!
    Aiyana

    ReplyDelete
  3. The aloe is good looking! I would try to find the sprial one! All great give aways!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love each and every one! The spiraly cactus is very cool! And I am drooling over your banana plant!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Don't you wish your neighbors would stop by and talk to you when they see you outside? Whatever happened to sharing a cup of coffee and a little conversation with real people? We walk in our neighborhood practically every day and really enjoy the times--though rare--when someone working in the yard waves us over for a chat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think you scored!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Claude...I have a spare moment to read a few blogs and just wanted to say hi and what great surprises you got from your neighbor! Awesome...I was going to say your aloe is Saponaria also...but I guess the new name is as Mr. Sunjective pointed out. My book still has the old name though.

    ReplyDelete
  8. In Florida, we stick aloe in the ground and forget about 'em. They're very hardy -- grow like weeds here and produce lots of pups. I'm sure you already know you can break off a leaf and put the jelly on burns. Very medicinal!
    The Echeveria gibbiflora is supposed to be pretty cold tolerant (by our standards. Down to the 20s). I just bought one. I was told it flowers once a year.
    I'm blogging about succulents (this week) at tinyurl.com/dirtblog. I'll share your blog with our readers. We can all use drought tolerant!

    ReplyDelete