Plant Craze?

I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but lately, I’ve been adding plants to my place.  I was never into plants or good with them, but maybe taking herbology classes had something to do with it.

It began with a carnivorous plants booth at America’s Family Pet Expo in April 2005.  The exhibitors displayed three different kinds of carnivorous plants (venus flytrap, sundew, and pitcher plant), and they demonstrated how each one captured and digested bugs.  That seemed to have sparked my interest in carnivorous plants, and I began looking up information about them on the internet.  I had to know which types were the best for the climate in my area, how to take care of them, and the price.  After much self-debate, I finally ordered a Drosera capensis alba (cape sundew with white flowers) and Utricularia livida (terrestial bladderwort).  They are still growing after two years, but they are tough species. 

At the gift shop in Muir Woods on August 9, 2007, I came across a sample of coastal redwood burl with sprouts.  I then read the instructions on the ones for sale, and after a few minutes, I decided to buy one.  After returning to my place a few days later, I followed the instructions of soaking the burl and placing it in a bowl of water.

Now, I’m still waiting for something to grow from it.  The instructions said that it will take about 3-4 weeks.

For weeks, I’ve been looking at Cactaceae in the Wal-Mart garden center, and finally on August 17, 2007, I bought two mini cacti: a Mammillaria zeilmanniana (pink crown) and pink Gymnocalycium mihanovichii or Hibotan (moon or grafted cactus).

In case you’re wondering, I did not get the idea from Fuji Syusuke in The Prince of Tennis.  If I did, I would have bought cacti weeks ago.  I guess they just looked pretty, and are strong plants fit for hot and dry climate.  The hot summer weather could have influenced my decision, too.

I don’t know what’s come over me to buy quite a few types of different plants lately.  Maybe I was attracted by the store displays.  Despite all this plant craze, I still prefer animals, because they provide more company and entertainment.  I also like the soft fur.