November

It's November, and I signed up for National Blog Posting Month. Why not give it a try? It's raining, we just had a time change (meaning it's getting dark early) and I'm working less (thankfully, more time at home and for my hobbies).

Today was our first day off work together, and it poured rain all day. We thought about driving to Medford, Oregon but the exit for I-199 was closed, probably from a landslide from all the rain. We drove to Brookings, Oregon instead. Gas is cheaper but groceries, not so much. We came home with a 6-pack of Italian beer. I never tasted Italian beer. We are not really drinkers, but it's nice to relax once in awhile.

If you have been reading my posts you might have noticed my succulent-collecting spree. It was nipped in the bud by the sun slipping south and my growing areas now shaded even more than in summer. The only spot that gets good sun is my upstairs spare bedroom window. Oh well, so much for growing succulents outside. In a last-ditch effort I bought a plastic Halloween prop, a black plastic "cauldron" that will make an excellent large, cheap pot that I can place by the corner of the garage for some Aeonium starts. I have learned they are winter growers, but they need full sun. Thus the corner of the garage location. I'll post some pictures later.

Now that I know my two growing areas are "iffy" for succulents, I've been thinking about what else I can grow there. Here is my climate:
Maritime zone 9
Summer days: mid to upper 60's, some 70's, rare 80's, dry, sunny.
Summer nights: low 60's, some 50's, some heavy dew.
Winter days: mostly in the 50's, some 60's, partly sunny or cloudy.
Winter nights: mostly in the 50's, some 40's can get light frost in January, heavy dew, fog.
Storms: winter storms bring heavy rain, sometimes very high winds, rain events can last 2 or 3 days.

So I'm wondering---Cymbidium Orchids? I suppose I could grow what grows naturally here, but I'm not interested in Hydrangeas or Rhododendrons, which are bushes and need to be planted in the ground anyway. With only a patio and gravel, I'm stuck with pots. There is a Fuchsia Society but I am not interested in them, either. >sigh< I don't want to spend a fortune, and I don't want light stands in the house.