I've thought about it Ursula..I was thinking U bolts on the patio side of the bench , with a piece of rebar...then on the yard side just sink rebar in and get some of that long PVC pipe and make a hoop arrangement. Then cover with that heavy duty construction plastic..and pin or weight it down. Then I would only have to bring the few vandals in. The trouble has been lack of time, mostly...and being in denial about the weather patterns!





but meanwhile, I'll get to enjoy this adorable Pot. Coral Gold 'Pacific Rainbow' on my dining room table!

Pacific Rainbow is lovely.

That's just a little treasure. But Lindsey, please don't let the "vandals" in . . (that's a typo I've made before, too)

I am schlepping orchids in this afternoon, too. Looks like this week will, indeed, feel like Florida's version of winter.

The PVC hoop setup sounds like a great idea, too. I was bending pieces of bamboo over to make hoops for my big shade cloth tent when my DH came along and said "why don't we just use PVC instead, so it will last?". We'll see if he steps up and makes it happen for me, but in the meantime I am just the "haywire specialist". The bent bamboo canes are working for this week. (and for the few days I actually use it, it really doesn't need to last . .. ) He did make me the nice roller system for my frost cloth tent.

spell check...ya gotta love it!
the only way I can type VANDA is in caps... you would think after a million times of trying
it would at least give me the option!

Hm, when I put down vanda mine just underlines it in a red wavy line. Then if I right click, there is the option to "Add to Dictionary". (I just did this myself, btw been bucking the system for ages apparently). But when I type Vanda with just a capital V it treats it like a proper name and doesn't question my spelling . . .

Beautiful cattleyas Ursula & Lindsey. Finally some nice cool weather in south FL. Just got back from Tampa visiting my sons at USF , can't get over the change of weather in 4hr drive.

first time to bloom!
Bl. Yellow Bird....a plant in a bag baby..I'm amazed that it bloomed so quickly after liberating it from the bag.
Since the cold weather was forecast for a few days, I brought my plants into the house instead of the garage
so they could get some sun...I found this hitch hiker taking a nap. He was perched on the stump of an old
flower spike.

Drooling on all those beautiful blooms!

Hmmm I might have to bring my Vandas in tonight. I left it out again last night, which is not good! I will be mad if I lose the 2 spikes on my V. Pachara Delight - Pink.

It looks like you just awakened that frog, Lindsey.

Wonderful! Yellow Bird is definitely one of my favorites for blooming generously an often. You'll enjoy the color change as the flowers mature.

Umm, sorry to say that frog is an invasive Cuban Tree frog. Very destructive to native wildlife. Although it will eat bugs off your orchids, it will also eat every other living creature in its surroundings (except you). I'd advise you to euthanize it if you can catch it. Wear gloves when you handle it, too. They have a noxious irritant in glands on the backs of their necks that will zap your skin, and it can also poison your pets. (do I recall you got a dog?) Put it in a ziploc bag and into the freezer. If you have trouble catching it, try spraying it with some kind of antihistamine spray like Benadryl to slow it down.

I'm with you, schlepping orchids around trying to let them get some light. It's warm enough outside for them right now, but by 5pm I'll bet they'll be coming back in again.

We have "nice" frogs here.

Only have toads in the yard. Haven't seen those Cuban frogs yet . Good to know

Brenda, there's an invasive toad around too. Bufo marinus. If that's what you've got, again be careful - they have the same poisonous stuff in glands on their backs. Here's U. of Florida's page on it:
http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extensi...

Here's the page on Cuban Tree frogs:
http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu...

Thx Elaine, Someone told me to throw mothballs all around the house and yard. I wonder if that works

Hmm, the smell of moth balls, not so nice....

My Cattleya loddegesii opened a couple of blooms, and there was a double rainbow yesterday.

Thanks for the links Elaine.. I've seen these small khaki colored frogs in and around the bench.. I've also seen a larger, darker spotted frog out and about. But great tips for control.., thanx!


Saw this blooming at work today. I asked the 'expert' what it was... She said I don't know but it usually blooms at Easter...

Here is Blc. Pamela Hetherington 'Coronation' FCC/AOS and it is her first time to bloom for me. She's 5 1/2" in diameter and so far only has a hint of fragrance.

I am playing around with a new macro-setting.

Beautiful, Ken

Lindsey, I am thinking in the neighborhood of Dendrobium primulinum?

Ken, that is one gorgeous floofy flower!

, Ken that flower is true loveliness.