I potted my mini stumpery this week, using my treasures found by the roadside. The pot is a lamp base I inherited from my parents. The stump found by the roadside has native Southern Needleleaf air plant (Tillandsia setacea) growing on it. These have purple flowers and turn reddish at some point. I added a purple Cattleya Orchid to the branch and underplanted it with Fishhooks Senecio.
My other find, the repurposed planter, had holes drilled in the bottom and was filled with Bromeliads, then placed in a dark corner of the garden. The silver one is a Aechmea fasciata; purples are Luca Neoregelias; the small green and red ones are Fireball Neoregelia. These should grow together and spill over the pot. The Aechmea has a pink flower.
My tomatoes are steadily bearing fruit. I have learned (the hard way) I have to pick them before they show too much color or the birds pick them for me. These are Yellow Pear and Riesenstrube tomatoes. I would grow both varieties again. The San Marzanos were a bit of a washout, though the soil is better when these are growing. I always have better luck with cherry tomatoes.
The mangoes are coming along. These are Glenn Mangoes, they are still dropping some of the smaller fruit. Hopefully the rest will grow to full size.
These are Nam Doc Mai, a Thai dessert mango. They are flatter and longer than the Glenn Mango and nearly fiberless. A coconut flavored Mango. Very good to eat.
The butterflies are at it again. I think these are the eggs of a Florida White Butterfly. Reviled by cabbage farmers, these beautiful white butterlies with purple markings host on members of the brassica family – this is Arugula, at the end of its season in my garden. Soon to be consumed by hungry caterpillars.
That’s my six for this Saturday. To see more SOS posts of increasing variety from the world over visit Jon the Propagator at http://www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
Happy Gardening!
The Shrub Queen 
We have problems with caterpillars where ever you are in the world. Interesting plant selection
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I encourage most caterpillars as I love butterflies.
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Against caterpillars and butterflies I use bacillus thuringiensis. Very effective and organic treatment. My cabbages are safe for months.
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It will be too hot here shortly for Arugula, I am leaving it for the caterpillars! I plant larval hosts for butterflies and didn’t realize Arugula was one – or lime trees! My nasturtium caper jar is filling up.
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😀👍🏻good news !
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I put them in a caper jar and may fill it. The nasturtiums are really going to seed.
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Your planters are looking great, they’ll be even better once they fill in and are putting on a flower show. Great finds!
Thanks for reminding me it is champagne mango season, must look for them in the stores!
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Thanks, Eliza. Mangoes are not ripe here yet. Some Tommy in stores, not worth eating.
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Those tomatoes look good! Enjoy them.
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Your 2 salvaged planters look incredible. You have achieved an hint of the ancient that adds a melancholy fascination to the garden. I am reminded of Miss Havisham’s poetically derelict compound.
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Love it, you are a good writer, I always enjoy your posts.
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Looking through your SOS is like looking through a tropical glass house for us.
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And your temperate gardens are like a reverse glass house to me!
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Your tomatoes are looking good. It is so frustrating when the birds peck them. I have not have problems with my arugula, but that butterfly does not sound familiar.
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Thank you, I have been pondering if the tomatoes are worth the time expended on tending. Lately watering 2 or 3 times a day…I think it is a Florida butterfly, very pretty will try to take some pictures.
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Tillandsias are surprisingly easy. I was not impressed when I saw them starting to appear in nurseries years ago. I thought they were there to exploit those who succumb to impulse purchases. However, over the years, I have seen many doing quite well. They only need to be misted or watered frequently to compensate for the lack of humidity here. Several at work were left out over winter, and are now doing quite well. They live on a sculptural limb of a Eucalyptus pulverulenta. They do not seem to mind that it is Eucalyptus.
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The Tillandsias are interesting and a few decades ago Floridians sold so many that they became endangered and now it is illegal to collect them…I find them here and there, I think they like oaks best.
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