making babies

I spend so much money every year on my addiction - gardening.
This year, I'm trying to be smart and start some of my own plants.
Last fall, I brought into the house three big ice plants that I saved from the year before.  These plants have variegated, shiny, waxy leaves and bright red tiny flowers.  A great thing for spilling down the side of containers. 


Of course, I want more to put in my outside containers if and when it ever turns to summer around here.

So I checked my friend the Internet, and low and behold - directions.  Here they are:

Cut 4-inch pieces of vine with a sharp knife or secateurs.

Lay them out in an area of indirect light for a day or so.  That gives the cut ends time to callus over.
Fill planting containers that have drainage holes with good quality potting soil.  Water thoroughly.
Pinch off the leaves on the bottom 2 inches of the stem.
With a pencil, poke holes in the soil.  I put three cuttings in each 4-inch pot.
Push the stems into the holes, and press the soil down firmly.

Keep the cuttings in a bright area out of direct sun, and that's all there is to it.  So easy and cheap!
The cuttings have grown very well, and all survived!  I had a bit less luck with my geranium slips.  Two out of six didn't make it, but I have enough for my containers.  I think the problem was I didn't use rooting hormone before sticking them in soil.

weather glass

A mystery I can't understand.  Blown glass and coloured water can predict the weather!
This weather glass was purchased at Home Hardware for $14.95, and it has given me endless enjoyment.  It is a sealed glass globe with a tube open at the top.
It's all about barometric pressure.  When the weather is turning fair, barometric pressure is high, and it pushes down on the water, making it retreat in the tube.

When the pressure is low, the water rises in the tube, in this case, flowing over the top.
It means bad weather is on the way.