Never Give Up!!!

In my garden, plants or potted plants are not always right, some of them can get sick, and die,  but it is all about gardening, to gain, to lose, to care to make things right.

My cycad had brown leaves, and the leaves become dry, and I did know why.  After it had a good trim, it was planted in a new pot a few years ago.

Repotting the Cycad,  7 Feb 2012.
There was no sign of life after a few months, or so, then it was transferred onto a smaller pot, and it has been there since and sitting/hanging onto a sunny place along the fence.

This month Feb 2015, it grows a leaf, a single new frond.  How excited I was to have seen it.  I am hopeful now that it comes back and it is growing, soon there will be more leaves.

Pictures were taken, 10 Feb 2015

A new leaf

I am sure the cycad will have more leaves.

It needs tender loving care from now on, and I am hopeful that by the end of the year it will have more leaves. 

Topiary

The Swan topiary has been not well again, and it is terrible not knowing what the cause is.  But this summer, it is growing back, and it is looking pretty good

The Swan

Maidenhair Fern

Maidenhair Fern

A part of our Christmas decoration for 2013 were Maidenhair ferns, I got two of those, they were so pretty, soft, lush green, that made our table so beautiful and festive.  After a while the ferns were not too happy, losing the leaves and they were none, only black twigs.

No more leaves only twigs

The maidenhair fern is looking good.

I decided to keep them outside with the hope they will be alright.  I keep them moist, but only one or two stems showing off in the following year.  But this year one of them is doing so well, it came back beautifully, but sadly the other one is not very good at all.  I will keep it though, I should never give up

IVY 

Ivy cutting in rooting tall vase

Ivy plants are hard to get, I have been visiting the nursery in Traralgon and Morwell without any success.  At least I tried.

I may have to ask friends for some cutting,  I am sure one of them has it in the garden.

Indeed, a dear friend-Lyn offered some cutting, and she brought them around the other day.  Now I have a few in my rooting pots.  One of them is in a tall vase (pictured on the right) and is sitting inside the house.  I do look pretty.

It has been good to have a garden and to care for the plants.  Even the journey of getting a new plant or plants could be exciting.  

Perseverance is the Key of All.

Until Next Post

Susy

Zucchini - Flower

Male Zucchini Flower

Zucchini vines have two types of zucchini flower-both, male and female can be used in cooking.  The colour can be yellow or orange.

My potted zucchini is not giving me enough fruits, so far I have harvested three, but the plants are growing well, and producing flowers.  Flowers, after flowers which never become fruits.  Most of the flowers are male flowers, I often pick them for my mixed salad, but only today I have decided to cook them, stuffed and steamed.

Freshly Picked Male Zucchini Flowers

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Stuffing: saute spinach and fresh herbs.  Add egg, cheese (ricotta, or Parmesan) and salt to season.

The Stuffing

Deep Fried:

Stuff the flowers with the stuffing, dip in a light batter, and deep fry.  The result is you have a flavoursome fried food with crispy crumbs.  All have to be done with the right technique.

For a healthier option, Steamed instead of Deep Fried.

Microwave Cooking

As above process (no batter needed), place the stuffed zucchini (3) in a buttered plate, add tablespoon water, cover with baking paper, cook in a microwave oven for 99 seconds (it works in mine).  Everyone knows the capacity of their own oven, so you could prepare them accordingly.

Cooked steamed stuffed zucchini flowers

Stuffed fresh zucchini flowers are
ready to steam

Cooking in a Steamer

Place about 3-6 stuffed zucchini on a steamer (depends on the size of your steamer) and steam over boiling water for 4-5 minutes.  Please adjust the time, as I have not done this, I always cook the stuffed zucchini in the microwave.

How to serve

Serve as you like, decide the flavours that you prefer.  My stuffed steamed flowers are served with fresh tomato and herbs yoghurt.  

Steamed Stuffed Zucchini Flowers served with Tomato and Herbs Yoghurt.

Lunch is Served

To all dear friends and gardeners out there, this is a note for you, enjoy the zucchini if you have in your garden, use the flowers and try the preparation as I did, you may like it too.  Have fun and happy cooking.

Until Next Post

Susy