March 21, 2012
TIME TO LOAD THE CANONS
Suffice it to say, the website has been noticebly (and in other ways, unoticeably) altered to for the benefit of everyone involved. After this next round of testing is over, I'll have another large batch of image updates and the like. Until then, it's nothing but plants for me.
February 4, 2012
KING DESMOND AND THE ACCELORATORS
For the most part, I'm fairly preoccupied with my "continuing education". Most of my time is split between classes, reading for class – rarely recreationally, some greenhouse trips for observations and watering, and fulfilling my duties as a dog owner. The latter of which is what keeps me sane most of the time. Otherwise, things are moving along at that speed which we all expect them to.
I have plenty of photographs to take and edit when I'm not soaking up information about plants as well as side projects and collaborations that will take the entirety of this year to complete. If the world doesn't end. Not that my plans are changing either way. I suspect I'll have a few more updates in terms of content this week, especially after the internet connection returns. The storm that blew through Texas knocked out the power several times and we're still waiting on that connection. There was a time when that would have been fairly crippling. Now, lack of a connection just means one less distraction from reality.
My plan is to revamp my pricing schedule to accommodate my current market and begin advertising my spring specials as I think most students are settled in and getting ready for their first round of testing.
Finally, I was lucky to have a few drinks with my friend Coleman, who I served with in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is still just as tall as I remember him, with vibrant red hair and a friendly smile. Funny that we're both at Texas A&M after all this time, just separate campuses.
January 15, 2012
PLANTING and PROPOGATING
I have been propagating plants like it is my job. Perhaps one day, it will be. I thought it would be funny to list what we have rolling right now so you can see the madness. These are a few of the plants I've been working with and propagating this semester and some info pertaining to each:
List last updated: March 6
- Ligustrum sinensis 'Variegata', Variegated Privet, various auxin treatments.
- Ficus pumila, Creeping Fig
- Ficus benjamina, 40 herbaceous cuttings in different propagation media.
- Other class group plants (x40 plants as well):
- Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Boston Ivy
- Hedera helix, English Ivy
- Lonicera japonica, Honeysuckle
- Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asiatic jasmine (Japanese Star Jasmine)
- Trachelospermum jasminoides, Confederate Star Jasmine
- Wisteria sinensis, Chinese Wisteria
- Staghorn Fern, Platycerum, spore propagation; prothallus emerging
- Microsorum (fern), spore propagation; prothallus emerging
- Corn seed for viability experiment with Tetrazolium, study finished.
- Cauliflower "Snowball" for percent germination and light effects, study finished; outdoor propagules transplanted.
- For a growing medium comparison experiment we used:
- Canadian Redbud, Cercis, direct seed No germination
- Tomato "Empire", Lycopersicum, direct seed, transplanted
- Marigold "Inca", Tagetes, direct seed, transplanted
- Zinnia "State Fair, Zinnia, direct seed, transplanted
- Sunflower "Sun Spot", Halianthus, direct seed, transplanted
- For germination tests with primed seed:
- Pepper "Jupiter", Capsicum, direct seed, study finished.
- Lettuce "Red Sail", Lactuca, direct seed, study finished.
- For dormancy, scarification, and stratification experiments:
- Texas Mountain Laurel, Sophora secundiflora, direct seed, scarification
- Peach var. "Nemaguard", Prunus persica, direct seed (with and w/o endocarp)
In addition to these plantings from my plant propagation course and lab, my plant breeding class is working with squash and cucumber (various cultivars) to make controlled crosses. As you can see, it is a plant-filled semester.