Summer

Now that summer is officially here the days are getting shorter. We humans may not yet be aware of the shortening days, but the plants respond to the change in light. I grow orchids although I do not have a climatized greenhouse. The Phalaenopsis orchids found in grocery stores do best in an inside home environment near a bright window.

There are many different types of orchids. The best place to view different types of orchids are in local nurseries specializing in exotic plants that can be grown locally. Miller’s Tropicals off RR 12 on the way to Dripping Springs is a local Nursery where a variety of plants can be viewed and purchased. It is necessary to make an appointment to visit their facility.

Many of my orchids spend the summer in my outdoor shade house where they receive shifting sunlight for short periods similar to orchids grown under a tree. As the days are getting shorter some of my orchids are beginning to spike. It can be months between when the orchid sends up a spike and when the flowers open.

Our garden chores have changed from weeding and mowing to watering and trimming. We can minimize the watering necessary by landscaping with native and adapted plants. My backyard is a wildflower meadow which has been mowed now that the spring wildflowers have gone to seed. I will not water this area. Yes, it is brown now, but when it rains the straggler daisy will reappear and the green appearance will return.

Many of our common landscaping plants will bloom again if the dead flowers are trimmed off.

Crepe Myrtles are at their peak now and if the dead blooms are trimmed off they often will rebloom before winter. The same is true for Lantana plants, Mealy Blue Sage, Tropical Sage, Pride of Barbados and Yellow Bells. Happy trimming!

Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master Naturalist