TheBanyanTree: Change of Seasons

[Kitty Park]

With the imminent arrival of fall temperatures, a couple weeks ago I 
debugged houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors and finally brought 
them in last weekend.  The room that doubles as my computer room and 
playroom for the kids in the summer is now doing triple duty.  The plants 
have prime location at the sunroom windows.

I bought the hibiscus at the hospital gift shop several years ago -- at 
least 5, but probably more.  I transplanted it from its 8-inch container 
into a humongous pot which I set on wheels.  So I push it outdoors in late 
spring and roll it back indoors before chilly fall nights arrive.  I pruned 
it back quite a bit in the spring to get it to grow *up* instead of *out*. 
I fertilized it well and watered it frequently through the summer.  It was 
good and healthy, but through the whole season -- four hot months -- I had 
fewer than ten blooms.  It was a pretty, green shrub, but its forte -- the 
magnificent blooms -- were a disappointment in their quantity.

As I sit here today, reading mail and typing notes, I count *ten* flowers on 
the stupid plant.  And there are at least that many buds!

I guess I should be pleased that at least *I* can enjoy the blooms even 
though my neighbors are missing the show.

Kitty
kpark at sssnet.com
www.parkplaceohio.com