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My poor grandchildren came up from down south to visit us one summer and they experienced a day when the high was 44 deg C outdoors.

We were visiting an animal sanctuary in the morning and had to retreat into the air-conditioned car after an hour or so. The air-con just couldn't cope. We drove to an ice-cream parlour nearby and stayed in there for over an hour trying to drink water and eat ice-cream to fight off the heatstroke and dehydration!!

They still talk about that day and it was years ago now!

I agree so very striking,Klahanie. How lovely to have them visiting.

:))

I know, so many people cannot comprehend that the heat index is more important than the actual air temperature in high humidity. It can be the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which is very deadly. We have a very good heat warning system in place here in San Diego and all of California, especially after the horrible deadly summer of 2006. I still remember the mid July 2006 heatwave heat index of 132 degrees f (56 c). It was the hottest temperature I’ve felt in my life. By 9:00 am the heat index was 108 degrees f (42.2 c). I knew it was going to be horrible. The AC unit couldn’t cool down the house.

It sounds like it should have plenty of light.

Shirley tulip,

Thanks 🙏! That’s very strange it won’t allow it as your favorite.

Balcony,

Thanks 🙏! I can’t imagine growing a bird of paradise plant from seed. It takes a very long time to bloom. One popped up in my front yard three years ago (from birds, I’m sure). I gave it away last year.

Are birds of paradise plants available for sale there? It’s a very common, cheap plant here for landscaping.

Wallabies do the same thing here. It can be hard to keep them at bay during a long dry season.

Exactly! It's a difficult thing to explain to tourists though. Most really don't understand what a hot and humid summer can be.

Glad to see that we are heading towards spring SBG.
I could also see few patches of Snowdrops coming out.

That's a beautiful Hebe, Shirley!

The sunlight that comes into our kitchen first has to pass through the double glazing & then through the horizontal blinds (or Venetian blinds as we call them here). Whenever the sun shines we get it in the kitchen from about 1pm till it sets. It can get so bright that it's almost impossible to be in the kitchen!

Yes, it must be very satisfying 🙂.

That's quite novel!

Lovely. I have just one clump of Snowdrops, the first flower to open has already been nibbled by a critter.

It certainly is.

It will always be Hebe to me ... this is very pretty ... :o)

Beautiful photo.

I love this photo ... tried adding it to my Favourites but not happening ... :o(

Great capture!

I do like a Pittosporum or ten!

Julia, this is outstanding!

That's a relief Shirley...I always think the same.

It certainly does!

It has to be Meadowland because the sky colour changes so quickly..

I went to Kew gardens a very very long time ago Sheila.

Wow! The heat index can be a killer. Whenever I travel to the tropics I want to know the heat index temps, because that’s what it feels like to one’s body.

Balcony,

Thank you! Many varieties of cane begonias are very common here. They grow very fast and tall. They do need a lot of light, even full sun for part of the day to produce many flowers. Morning sun here is best! It gets hotter here, so all day sun will fade and burn the plants.

Stan,

Yes, the 10 or 12 Kentia palms are in my front yard. I have a total of 15 or 16 Kentia palms in the front yard.

These palms get burned practically every year during the bad heatwaves. They receive reflected heat off the red tile roof, which they hate!

I have some baby Kentia palms from the seeds from the larger palm. I think it took over 4 years for the seeds to ripen. Typically, it takes 4 to 7 years for Howea fosteriana seed too ripen.

Bushbernie,

Yes, Kentia palms are very ornamental and easy to grow, they do like regular watering, though.

Thanks Linda :)

Thanks Bernie!

Rose, so far, so good. They are very heavy. Even the plastic ones are doing well. So far….

This is only one of many. This one will have to be cut back soon.

I used to grow several Acalypha in Fremont. They grew very well. In winter they would loose about 40 percent of their leaves and come back fast and strong in spring.

There are quite a number of Canada Geese in Kew Gardens, you have to be careful where you walk!

Stan,

There’s several Ficus species that produce copious amounts of aerial roots here. F. craterastoma, rubiginosa and thonningii are some that produce many aerial roots here.

Thank you Klahanie..I try to avoid people sitting against it..pompoms are rather sensitive!!

Lovely.

Yes,I agree Klahanie..
I don't have many.

Mine are just pushing through in several places too. Nice to see them is not it?

Welcome back Penn. I don’t remember you either but look forward to hearing & seeing your developing garden😏👍

Thank you Rose and Lindak...fleeting shots!

Good luck with sorting out your garden. I am sure in time (maybe a lot of time) it will be just as you want it.
I am on the N E Coast and when it is an easterly wind, it is very cold but on the plus side don't get worst of the weather like the west of the country does.
It would be nice to see pictures!

Good photo Meadowland. We've had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. (When the sky is clear!)

I would give my left pinkie for that. Looks super exotic and from what I've read they don't need misters or sprinklers wetting the whole lower part of the tree to grow those awesome roots

The Acalypha looks great. Just not see in local nurseries.

Mine in the backyard is now just about seeable from the street over the house. I planted it in 1993. It makes seeds. But its fronds are sort of gray color I think the heat of roof causes that but not sure.
Are those ten from your garden?

nice to see how your garden has developed. you've been away a long time. Nice to 'see' you again.

I found my first one of these today too.
such a cheerful sight.

That's what Toria's cats do too. They also flick the odd pieces on the floor too.

as long as the ground isn't water logged or frozen they will be fine.