Salvaged Plants

  Sometimes when gardening, the unexpected works best.  Expensive things can just get in the way while "recycled" or "repurposed" ones seem to fit the bill.  I have used many odd things as flower pots or yard structures.  Usually, these are donated by a hurricane and it is easier to make use of stuff than try to find a way of discarding it. 

  The same goes for plants.  I am finding more and more that purchasing seeds and plants is ridiculous as the seeds do not germinate or the plants die quickly.  Case in point.  Just recently, my nephew sent a surprise package of assorted tropical seeds and "starts" from Hawaii.  He lives on an island in the South Pacific and was passing through Honolulu when he spied the packets.  Knowing I am game to try most anything, he sent an assortment.  Sadly, most did not even sprout even though I followed the instructions to a T.  At about the same time, my brother salvaged a dead looking plant from the garbage and brought it to me.  He thought I may need the pot.   Well, I did but when I started removing the dead plant, I noticed that one small shoot appeared to still have some life in it.  This was one of the same plants that were in the parcel from my nephew.  Well, it could not hurt to try and salvage the plant!

  Needless to say, that plant is thriving!  The expensive ones are dead.  Perhaps the salvaged one just appreciated being helped and is rewarding my efforts.  Now I have a lovely Hawaiian Ti plant that is doing well surrounded by purple basil.  Nice!