MOCK TWITTER LIKE POST

YESTERDAY

I DECIDED to break the concrete under extreme heat caused by those
particles of dust from the Sahara, that is making our life miserable in this continent.
One can not see the clouds, the visibility is pretty much like London fog. Perhaps, if they make possible that dream of taxing countries for gas emissions... We could
do the same, tracing the origins of the dust making life more miserable than just
from the concrete/asphalt heat that gets worse day by day.

At any rate. With sledge hammer and chisel I started to make the hole. It was not
difficult since it is the third made on this side of the house. Approximately an hour
later, the mission was finished. Got rid of the debris, took out the soil about two feet deep, one in diameter from it and replacing it with my home made compost of soil,
dry leaves, earth worms and such. Pour out some water and that was that.

TODAY

OPENED my eyes at twelve am. Woke up to the rattle of Snow White, and two females, plus two
of her mentally challenged fairies. One house down, the children hollering as loud as possible at
that quiet time of the night. Fortunately this idiot is moving away. Blessed...

Later watched some tv. Nothing worthy of mentioning. Took a couple of Melatonin pills, falling
asleep.

Woke up before six, as usual. Took the DIVA to the water closet, feed her and changed the water.

Some time later, forgive the inexact times... Pulled out from the west garden facing the street,
a couple of Crotons that is all left from the original owners and Hibiscus that I had
propagated from my strolls in Santurce. The reason? I decided to keep just trees/bushes with
small leaves such as, Murraya paniculata and Calliandra haemathocephala for harmony.

Around 8:00, pulled out from their pots all the vines. No need to enumerate. Clitoria ternatea survived the vegetative cleansing, along with Oxalis, planted in the corner of the wall. A spiral wire for this vine was placed, to keep it happy.
The Bouganvillea, came later with some soil mix, similar to the one mentioned before. Water and soluble fertilizer and that was that.

The last chore was to make another spiral for the Bouganvillea, dark pink, in the left corner,
west garden to keep this long branch straight or less crooked, if you may. Swept all the pertinent
areas. And here I am..

Words of Wisdom

Is there anything sillier than TWITTER? Some folks invited me to follow them and they
promised to follow me. What for? None of these fools, men/women practice horticulture. Their posts seem just thoughts expressed aloud without purpose, just listening to themselves hoping that some other fool may be in the same mental wave trance. Farewell, until then...

GARDEN NEWS UPDATES

DEBATING trying to communicate with a wall, is a futile endeavor. One has to study,
meditate the issues. Particularly when one makes no money, does not give a manure about recognition or fame in the chosen vocation. Nor there is much sympathy for the cacophony of bipeds moving around zombie like without worries.

Check these names out, perhaps meaningless, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Manny Ramirez. Baseball players. If one adds the total salary of these individuals for ten years, it could probably reach half the national gross income
of Haiti. What is so important about this? ALL have been guilty of using performance enhancing drugs.

The fanatics admiring these folks could care less about the criminal actions of their
idols as long as their teams win, even better if they win the 'World Series'. It is forgoten totally, is put aside, it never happened...

Same thing happens with the destruction of our environment. Those preachers of recycling this or that, cleaning this beach or that beach, are unfocused, up in their
little niches, I have mentioned it before. Fishing in the murky waters, without knowing, showing any respect, working in unity with one single purpose. That is
why the environment remains the bandwagon to climb out of boredom, the trivial
urge of prehistoric solidarity.

IN THE GARDEN

The Ipomoea alba, from our only seed exchange, is about twelve feet long. In the next couple of days the first flowers will show their colors. The Black eyed-Susan,
Susanaojinegra, feels more comfortable coiling through the aluminun spiral shaped wire than the straight up string previously in place.

One of the Hibiscus, red, changed venues, from pot to ground. Did look terrible
for the first week, now, the leaves are opening and showing the green emerald color
with a couple of flowers blooming.

Cosmos sulphereous, yellow and orange, from Cupey and Orocovis respectively are
doing great, self seeding as is their habit...The Frangipanis, yellow, white, have no flowers but the pink one does.

Coccolova uvifera was attacked by two different insects of the chewing kind. Some
leaves look like crap, however, chewing is better than the sucking of sap, since the latter is often followed by diseases in the vascular system, often killing the plants.

The Bouganvillea in the corner of the south garden in front of the house has reached
some height, but not one flower. Not a big deal. It was planted for shade and security. The thorns are much better than barbed wire with the added value of aesthetics.

Time to go.

OPINION DEPARTMENT: GONE FISHING

ALTHOUGH THE vast majority of plants manufacture their own food supplies by
a process called photosynthesis, mushrooms, molds and other fungi-- which some
biologists include in the Plant Kindom--rely on foods created by green plants for their sustenance, as do animals. Most plants spend a lifetime anchored in one place, yet a few simple, one-celled forms are capable of swimming to different locations in the
waters they inhabit.

IT is this kind of diversity and amazing variety of shapes, colors and lifestyles that
continually excite our interest in these organisms called plants.

As we delve into the science of botany, we shall largely be concerned with the two groups of plants with which we as gardeners, most often work. One, known as the
flowering plants or Angiosperms, is the largest group in the Plant Kingdom and
consist of about 250,000 species. The name "Angiosperm" refers to the fact that
seeds from these plants are formed inside containers that we call fruits (Greek:
angeion, vessel; sperma, seed). The flowering plants most often decorate our homes
and landscapes, supply almost all of the vegetable matter in our diets, and the source
of of the world's hardwoods. They are the most sophisticated of plant forms and are
best adapted to survive in a wide range of climates and places.

Second are Gymnosperms, plants that produce seeds in the open spaces of cones--between the flaplike parts that make up a pine cone, for example. The Greek words
gymnos, "naked" amd sperma "seed" describe this form of development. On the evolutionary scale, Gymnosperms are more primitive than Angiosperms but are of
considerable economic importance as well as interest to landscapers for their compact forms and richly-colored, needle-shaped or scalelike leaves. Softwoods
such as pine and fir are not only used to make products called naval stores--pitch,
turpentine and rosin. The cypress, fir and pine, are the largest living things on earth, the giant sequoias. Many ornamental shrubs, including varieties of
Chamaecyparis (False Cypress) amd Thuja occidentalis (American Arborvitae) are
members of this group and least typical of Gymnosperms, Cycads and the beautiful
Maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba, a broadleaved species.

All the information above: Botany for Gardeners, by Brian Capon, Timber Press, 1990. Introduction, page 13.

Epilogue: As I start getting tired, I will get back to basics, botany, propagation, maintenance. I am not made to be the water drop hitting the rock, or going
over the top, smoothing the rough surface.
One advice to self proclaimed environmentalists, mostly at the keyboard bandwagon; picking up garbage twice a year in the depths of the Atlantic, shores anywhere, does not make any juan an environmentalist.

Go clean El Canho Martin Penha, stop environmental elitism. Start studying it; ecology, botany, environmental issues, move away from your little niche. Put the puzzle together, in focus, perspective instead of preaching at random impulse, without substance as in target practice.

THE ORIGINAL GLOBALIZATION PART l

MOST OF THE TIME, we remember what we learn later, more clearly, in life. I have had great difficulties believing teachers, preachers, friends, mentors, parents all my life. Everyone tells, paints according to their limited resources.
I would prefer to tell/paint as JOAQUIN SORROLLA, did with those incredibly happy, naive, pure, innocent, pastel, ochre colors in many of his works. Paintings that could force a smile even in a sociopath without remorse.

Unfortunately, I always end perceiving people and reality as probably FRANCIS BACON did, a distorted, pained, nightmarish constant. I prefer the first, but the second is dominant, in a struggle to share with others what I see. It is similar to
onion skin, it peels off. What matters to me: nature, ecology, environment. Too many people, are capable of incredible imbecility and cruelty. That is why their
place is distant and far in this scheme of things..both enough of that.

GlOBALIZATION

STARTED, probably, when the first plant collectors, from England and Spain began to send to their countries, plants, trees, and seeds to study and research. Planting and propagating in nurseries. The intention could have been any: profits in the case of crops, medicine, species, tannins, you name it, almost forgot, plain aesthetics. This subject is a great one to study for gardeners, vision shapers, critics and chatty people always in need to be centers of attraction.

CENTERS OF ORIGIN OF AGRICULTURE
AND SOME OF THE
THEIR FIRST CROPS

INDIA, MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA
1. Banana
2. Coconut
3. Ginger
4. Mango
5. Mustard
6. Orange
7. Radish
8. Rice
9. Tangerine
10. Yam

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

1. Avocado
2. Bell pepper
3. Cashew
4. Corn
5. Lima bean
6. Papaya
7. Peanut
8. Pineapple
9. Potato
10. Pumpkin
11. Sweet potato
12. Tomato

When I think about the historical importance of agriculture in the development of every culture, anywhere on earth, it is difficult to understand the constant destruction of what made/makes it possible; soil and water.
The apparent disconnection and indifference of most people in urban centers and cities regarding these issues allowing us to survive is much wider than I suspected.

Fortunately, it seems that in other regions of the world, agriculture is still important. and people do what they have to do to survive, even when encountering difficulties that city folk would not stand, physically, spiritually or intellectually.

This list appears on Botany for Gardeners. On following posts I will provide the reference. It is
not the first time I mention this subject, but now it may get a wider exposure, judging from whos.amung.us. Until next...

WHAT IS MY MOTIVATION?

DOES IT MATTER? The editor at 'TURF' magazine inquired once, why
was I so angry. My response? Because I can. That magazine along
with 'Landscape Management' are the only two worth checking out
to understand the mentality of people in the landscape maintenance
industry.

If you as gardener have no idea of what I am writing about, lets do it in
one sentence. In Puerto Rico and USA, plant propagators/nurseries are
the ones running the show. In your country is probably the same.
Plants are chosen according to the final profit and growth behavior
inside the nursery and later when put for wholesale close to you.

If the plants, trees, bushes, pass away or survive at home, if they look cool or stupid, get sick or not
in not meaningful. The sale is what matters. That partially explains, why every garden everywhere looks the same: no options. That is why I propagate my own and you should learn. To have a unique garden.

What else can you learn looking at the pages of these magazines? The landscape companies owners justifications for cheap Mexican or any other immigrant group labor. Often with a compassionate humanitarian hint that could make tears run down if one had a chance to listen to Vivaldi's, Four Seasons while reading.

In times of drought, and believe moi, I some states in USA, there has
been no rain water in years. Their solution? Irrigation! Believe it or not.
Instead of planting resistant species for drought/heat, often available
in nature, no good. Irrigation is what we need. All the time these irrigation computerized systems get more sophisticated and expensive.
Oh guess what, they operate with electricity.

Another feature that your garden MUST have: jaccuzzis, ponds, water
streams, fire pits and entertainment facilities. If they look corny and
artificial it does not matter. The sale is the important thing, not aesthetics
or proportions.

Other things, snow plowers, cute irrigation heads, resistant to lawn mowers and trimmer damage, new resistant to this and that turf seeds,
for shade, heat, sun, wet you name it. Gasoline operated trimmers, pruners and blowers. Lawn mowers using propane, diesel, gas/oil. And on and on.

The environment, ecology occasionaly, becomes the subject. Often in times of crises. Just as it is happening know, when many people either do
their own silly lawns or let it grow as in a praire for lacking money.

You get the idea. I would like to end with a discovery that now that I think
of it, seems very logical. The stupidity and foolishness demonstrated in our pictures here, regarding maintenance, garden installations, custom and use, is not necessarily a patrimony of Puertorican islanders. In USA, the exact same or worse thing takes place.

PLEASE VISIT: http://www.finegardening.com/item/8939/why-not-replace-your-plants-with-styrofoam.

I found it very enlightening for one reason. Besides being written in
a non abrasive smooth fashion, there seems to be some anger, irony and sarcasm also, just a little bit cooler. Spread the word. Stupidity, ignorance, is pandemic. Lets put a stop to it. If possible.

MARTA AMUSING MAGICIAN MUSE

PERHAPS YOU, remember a few words mentioned about the character in the tittle. Wordy, made one thinks of the jester in the court, without the humor. As a consequence memories came flying forward about that somewhat marvelous city,
New York.

In Manhattan, on week days, or week ends in some boroughs; farmers, edible gardeners travel hundred of miles to come to the markets created by/for them to
sell their produce. This markets are always fun, placed in areas reachable by
public transportation or walking.

There one may find seeds, apples, cherries, plums, peaches, blueberries, tomatos, lettuce, cucumbers, many weird vegetables and things that are healthy. Some are known only to the initiated, fanatic vegetarians, enemies of meat and others..

But one can also find eggs, pastries, breads, jellies, honey, flowers and plants. The list could be endless, since the possibilities change with the season.

The people doing the selling are most of the time the farmers themselves or their
friends and relatives. Most are friendly and simple, not with the barista
attitude found in those artificial coffee places in which one with cream cost the equivalent of a quarter of pound.... and is never better than my own.

Well what is all this for? To demonstrate that in Puerto Rico, people in groups doing this or that, environmentalists, edible gardeners and such do not show much imagination to develop concepts or ideas that cost nothing to improve the conditions
of their bag of predilection.

IN THE metro area of San Juan, on week ends the streets are just like those tumbleweed, ghost towns in USA. Imagine if all the people cultivating this or that, cooks, bakers, everyone with something to sell, got together in a street market such as this. To add a little medieval touch, jesters and buffoons could tell stories about
Puerto Rico, when there was no electricity, water and refrigeration, during Spain times and early USA.

Cooking classes, cultivating, propagating techniques could be offered for free to the public. Performers of instrumental music, preferably without irritating percussion and amplification could be placed away from each other to entertain.

The most important things to conclude are: CLEAN PORTABLE TOILETS, and parking directions. In Puerto Rico most people will take their cars instead of walking four or five blocks.

To organize this type of event one does not need to go to Harvard. Why in the Metro Area? Many people will not travel to Marta's neck of the woods, with the cost of gas
shitty roads, traffic jams. If the city does refuse to give permits...do it underground or in a clandestine manner, just as GUERRILLA GARDENERS make our surroundings better.

For some reason this type of fair is always fun. For those not suffering from social
dysfunction, a great way to mingle without spending much money. Sorry if I have
failed my critical, with abrasive tone duties. Until then. Perhaps you could do something like this in your country. Bringing the farm, garden to the asphaltconcrete.

ENDEMISMO TRASNOCHADO NEWS UPDATES

SOMETIME, around 4 June 2009 I reported on the first vertical garden in Puerto Rico in the the Golden Mile area in Hato Rey. A piece of manure well documented in that post. Worth mentioning that this geniouses are probably in the millionaire scam of lawn/palm planting/propagating/selling of Gonzalez Bauza from Gramas Lindas, who is in turn a partner of NOSFERATU Candelabro, the bufoon and writer, guru of landscape maintenance installation, fruit grafted trees, in this pathetic concrete asphalt isle. It is all in the family.

Well, yesterday I went to check this aberration(vertical garden) noticing the first plants are already dead or in the process. Lucky fellows considering that the whole May, and June have been more rainy than the average. Besides the problems that will make
this monster fail, is the constant sun: morning to afternoon and the microclimate created by the concrete surroundinds, and pavement. Since the plants have no nutrients except water from pipes...you may guess how much longer they will remain with us.

On other fronts. Check please, the pictures out to the right of the blog...Rio Piedras
Botanical Garden front entrance installation. If you look carefully you will observe
a compacted soil. Well? Guess what...The scam artists bought the grass from Gramas Lindas in squares and placed them on the compacted soil. Result? There are weeds as tall as the the shitty yellowing turf. Already half dead. It looks horrendous and getting worse as the ugly abused plants grow.

But that is not the worst site I had the pleasure to view. Yesterday was ecoturism day and I went to Carolina, a clean, very clean and ugly town, with a dead downtown, almost a ghost town. I used a secondary road the 65th Infantry. All the median is now overcrowded with half dead palms, chefferas, red acaliphas and some ornamental grass. Hundreds of them.

NOW if you want to go to the airport or to CAROLINA you have to watch the painful to the eyes installations: hundreds of palms, about ten percent already dead, at a cost of 2 million bucks! A total rip off from these politically connected nurseries, ripping
off left and right the fools in government, without any knowledgeable, humble servant as yours truly to stop it.