"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Saturday 2 June 2012

Wild flowers and patience...

At the beginning of April, whilst walking on DD & WGuys property in order to take some photo's for them, I came across a tumbleweed.
Then, shortly afterwards, I encountered a bit of synchronicity.
Tumbleweed - the dried flower head
of the Malgas Lily
Diana unknowingly gave me the name of the plant a couple of weeks later.  It is the Malgas Lily or Ammocharis longiflora
Image source: http://www.plantzafrica.com/
plantab/ammocharlong.htm
 
I have seen the plants flat leaves "lying" on, or close to the ground, and they fascinated me.  Now that I know what it is I am even more excited. Why, I hear you wonder?

Well, I picked up the dried tumbleweed type flower head and left it in a box in the kitchen.  Last week when we returned to the farm I noticed that the seeds had burst out of the plant and were growing!
Malgas lily seeds - growing without any soil
There were some seeds still on the dried head and they too were bursting forth.
Seeds growing in the dried seed pod
Naturally, I had to plant those valiant little seeds.  They appear to be eco-friendly and water-wise, and as such will be given their opportunity to shine in my garden.


However, the patience bit enters the here - for apparently it takes 7 years until the plant produced from the seed will produce a honeysuckle smelling flower...


It's worth it - I can wait :)

18 comments:

  1. Dani - i love those little seeds! how resilient they are and so water-wise! not to mention beautiful! oh lucky find for you!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. kymber - I guess a case of being at the right place at the right time :) Now, I just need that patience I'm boasting about...

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  2. Fascinating, seeds that are so willig to germinate that water isn't even required...now that's a plant worth growing.

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    1. Mr H - Yeah, that blew me away too. At first didn't know what was happening, but seeing the seeds still attached to the pod cleared that up! I've planted those seeds, so let's see... :)

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    1. Jane - I am thrilled to have found this single tumbleweed - with seeds. All the other tumbleweeds had been blown away :)

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  4. That is just crazy! I wish some of my veggie seeds would do that.

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    1. Prairie Cat - Welcome :) And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Yeah - wish my veggies would do that too LOL I'd be able to harvest more - and I don't have nearly as many garlic's growing as you do!

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  5. Fascinating! Nature never ceases to amaze!

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    1. Linda - I agree - I couldn't believe my eyes. Never known this to happen before :)

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  6. Wonderful for you, free flowers brought to you by nature!

    I tried to force some agapantha seeds that I painstainkinly(sp) saved last year. Of about 100 seed I tried to start, I have 3 that I was able to transplant & they are doing spotty at best. Just goes to show you that you should let Mother Nature do her job & not interfere.

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  7. If these are found naturally on your farm,it is going to look stunning in Spring. Can't wait for photo,s, and who knows maybe in 7 years time you will be posting pic's of the one's just planted.

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    1. GG - Oh yes, I WILL post pics when they flower :)

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  8. My goodness, 7 years! Gardening requires patience but that will really test it. This is my first visit to your blog, you have lots of great posts, I was instantly blown away by the photo on your header, what an amazing landscape.

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    1. The mum of all trades - Welcome :) Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. And thank you for your very kind words.

      Yeah - am also figuring that the plants need to show themselves - quickly, so that I don't accidentally and absentmindedly "dig them up" as weeds in the meantime LOL

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  9. The seedpod is from Boophone disticha. The seeds from the malgas lily are quite different (unless there is regional difference between the names used )

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