Kalanchoe Panamensis: Hidden Flowers

Kalanchoe panamemsis flowers:  dimpled heart-shaped pendants.

Since I started painting, I have become more observant of the little details of plants.  The desire to portray plants parts accurately, summons me to look at them more intensely than I used to.  Yesterday as I was walking in the secret garden (one section of my yard) where some succulents grow, I noticed something different with the Kalanchoe panamensis.  Some of the leaves seemed lacking the magenta color on leaf margins.  The initial question was, could it be that the terminal ends of these plants lose the pigmentation when the temperatures are low?  But upon close observation, it turned out that the plants were in bloom.  Then the next question was, why only now?  This plant has been in my garden for years.  Could it be that I was less observant then?  Or could it be that I was just not in the garden when flowering occurred in the past?

The flowers are generally light in color but some pigmentation were visible on random buds.

The Kalanchoe panamensis blooms on the terminal ends of the stems.  At this stage, the flowers look like heart-like pendants that hang in clusters.  They are beautiful now.  But I expect that these flowers still have to undergo several development stages.  And since all flowers must open, I'm excited to see how these ones will pave the way for pollination to happen.  Stay tuned. 😊

Kalanchoe panamemsis before flower initiation

Stroll in your garden and learn something new.  

It's Been Awhile...

Pomegranate 'Wonderful'

That' right, it's been almost six months since I posted here.  For those who have been following this blog, I apologize for the long silence.  Last year sometime in April,  I picked up a pencil and started to draw plant parts.  Then I realized I was challenging myself to learn botanical art without any training.  In other words I was and still am self teaching.  Needless to say that I have been enjoying my baby steps. However, time and time again, I am conflicted because writing about horticulture and photographing plants/gardening are like my old friends whom I love.  A big portion of my creative time is now devoted in getting to know my new friend - painting.  And yet, the only reason I love painting is because of my interest in horticulture.  Indeed they are NOT two different friends - they are one art - just expressed in different media.  Anyway, my initial point was to explain my long absence in the blogosphere and I resolve to make more frequent appearance here in the future. 😊

New in the garden this year are three abutilon varieties. 

The hummingbirds enjoyed the abundance of nectar.

Currently my garden is getting ready to go into its winter break.  It was a good productive year overall with the exception of the grapes which were heavily infested with Leaf-hopper (Ciccadellidae).  This is the first year in a long time when we did not make grape molasses. Sigh. Fortunately, there is always the promise of the next year.

Bartlett Pear:  The golden days before winter.