ノコンギクのピンクの花が咲く品種「桃山」を買えました。以前からうちにあるのは濃い紫色の品種で、できればピンクのも欲しいと思っていました。この↓写真は咲いたときのイメージです。
I found Japanese aster plants with pink flowers being offered on the internet. The variety I already have produce purple flowers and I always wanted the pink version as well. The photo below is just the image of what is to come, since the flowering season is long past. However, aren't they beautiful for wild flowers?
Aster microcephalus var. ovatus
メ〇カリで個人同士の取引なので、届いた苗の状態は手作り感満載です。
I bought the plants on a site used by private individuals (sellers and buyers), so the goods that arrived really looked 'personal', instead of business like. It brought a smile to my face.
The price was about 4 US dollars, including postage, and said '2 plants'. In fact, she sent me 4 plants and I am so grateful.
まだ小粒ですが、２月頃の完熟に向けて徐々に実が大きくなります。とても甘くて美味しい品種。何年も前にぷちまる苗が一般に発売された当初、大変期待して買ったことがありますが、その当時のぷちまると今のとでは、味、実のサイズ、豊産性で別物のような印象です。いったん人気が無くなったあと、品種改良がなされたのでしょうか。
梱包の際に根っこを湿らせてありましたが、念のためひと晩水につけて置いたら、翌朝には葉っぱがシャキッとしていました。
I left them in a bowl of water overnight and the leaves looked crispy in the morning.
地植えで冬を越せば、春までには根っこが張っているはずです。
The roots should spread well during the forthcoming winter. I am so looking forward to seeing the flowers next autumn.
タイガは私の庭仕事を監督。
Taiga overlooking my work from her post.
この時期、野鳥のエサが少ないのか、タイガの向こうに写っている種無しスダチが齧られていました。キンカンとは違い甘い果実ではないのに、皮が薄いので突くのが簡単だからでしょうか。ちょっとショック。
One of the seedless Kabosu was partially eaten by a wild bird. They must be really short of food in winter. The skin of the fruits is thin and I hope they will enjoy them but, unfortunately, these are not as sweet as the seedless kumquat fruits.
種無しキンカンの「ぷちまる」は、苗を２-3年前に買って以来10号鉢のままです。今年はじめて成長を感じられる枝ぶりになりました。
The seedless kumquat has grown well since this spring. I bought the plant a few years ago and it hardly grew until now. This year, it has a decent amount of fruits.
The fruits are still small but they should continue to grow towards their maturity in February. They are very sweet, just like the normal kumquat, but these are seedless. So, it is very nice when eating fresh, as well as candied versions.
