Reviving Azaleas

Photo: New growth on water-deprived azalea bush

My new azalea plant was one of the few plants that suffered while I was away on a long weekend.  The high temperatures and lack of water turned this plant into crisp.  Since then, I have watered it everyday, and weeks later, I am happy to report some new growth.    

Peppermint Back from the Dead

Photo 1: Dead mint.  One new mint shoot is growing out of the edge.

Photo 2: Mint growing out of the drainage hole

I neglected to water my wall planters for three days, which meant instant death to my container plants in this California summer weather.  Although my peppermint looked completely dead, I continued to water it hoping it would return.  See Photo 1.  Weeks later I noticed some signs of life in an unusual place.  The mint is growing out of the planter's drainage hole!  See Photo 2.  That mint is one tough cookie!  

Tomato Stem Split in Half

Photo: Attempting to repair a split tomato stem with strips of plastic from plastic grocery bags

I was careless in the garden with my Pink Brandywine tomato plant that was already forming fruit.  The stem split in half at a long diagonal.  Instead of starting all over, I had two options.  I could piece it together and hope the halves fuse back together or I could stick the other half in the ground and hope it takes root.  

I decided to try and piece the halves together using strips of plastic taken from a plastic grocery bag.  I first cut small strips to tie the stem back together.  Then I took long strips to wrap the two pieces more firmly back together.  Part of the tomato plant looks a little sad and wilty.  I am hoping it survives.