Arizona in Photos

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At that this time of the month for the last few years I have always travelled to the state of Arizona. This year will be an exception as the current situation with the pandemic has literally ended all my travel intention. I thought therefore I will reflect via some photos on the areas I have visited in the last few years.

Sierra Ancha is a mountain range in Gila county in central Arizona. It now has improved roads which makes it easier to penetrate, and visit the many archaeological remains which exist.

Arizona for me is still the land of Agaves with many other succulents thrown in to the characteristic xeric landscape.

I love the succulents and I love them when the flowers are in bloom.

And it is important to remember this is the state of wonderful saguaros.

Plant Nurseries are numerous which means that if you are looking for seedlings and young specimens, you will find lots of them in Tucson and in Phoenix.

And there are the cities with active people.

Winston James in a cold wet London

Photos from Aripo Valley

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The Aripo Valley is like a guardian of the northern range in Trinidad, and in many ways is a significant stop on your way to the main mountain peak, El Cerro del Aripo. Any time I visit the island, I make an effort to do some exploration within the area.  These photos demonstrate my love affair with nature especially as described in these tropical habitats.

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Trees are always fascinating, and become much more so  when you encounter and experience the intricate going ons of the tropical jungle.  Lianas which are very prevalent are more than a curious surprise. Trying to work out where vines start or end is quite difficult.  Also interesting, at this level, is the way most other plants manage to survive without being intimidated by the numerous vines.

 

The ginger flowers and heliconias are always conspicuous in this setting, as the climate and humidity makes it easy for them to flourish.  It is not a valley that orchids and bromeliads  show off their bloom in great abundance, but the species are there to be observed.  Of course, the birds are everywhere, and without compromise make their music for us to hear.  Sometimes I feel ashamed that I am not able to identify the species as they flutter around.  But, I do know the humming birds,  and that’s a start.  Below, two photos from the Asa Wright Centre, which is great introduction to the Aripo Valley.

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Agave Parryi var huachucensis

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Sometimes a plant becomes an obsession. That is the way I feel about Agave parryi.  It is definitely one of the few Agaves which always present a great show whenever they are encountered.  There are variations in the species exhibiting many forms.  I love them all.  I love the truncatas, the couesis, and even the distant cousin neomexicana.  In habitat they are even more attractive, and are definitely worth the sometimes perilous journey to observe. They are exceedingly tough plants which can handle unpredictable wintry conditions very well.  Therefore, if you are that way inclined. and would like to try your hand at growing, seeds are the easiest route to take.  Careful nurturing will ensure their survival.  And that way you can never have too much of them.

 

Gran Canaria

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These are some of my old photos taken years ago, relating to the time when I regulsrly visited Gran Canaria. I found the island very curious, but very different frm the tropics where I come from. Yet I can see the attraction for the visitors. For me it was the landscape that attracted me, sometimes full of vegetation, and at other times very bare and almost barren. Still, very much worth seeing. Winston

The obvious sight of Gran Canaria is the sun and sea which brings in a lot of tourists.

End of February

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On this last day of February 2024, I will list some of my favorite Agaves.

Agave. americana mediopicta aurea
Agave parryi var huachucensis
Agave ovatifolia
Agave parryi var truncata
Agave ‘Kissho Kan’

Agaves are easily gtown from seeds or pups. Obviously, seeds take a much longer time to deverlop, and with pups your efforts are very easily appreciated. these plants are definitely worth a try.

Winston James

New Plant: Blue Amaryllis

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Here is my Plant of the Month, the charming Blue Amaryllis, and officially called Worsleya Procera. Native to Brazil, it is definitely worth growing, and strives best in a very humid environment.

Consider special Growing Medium  ** Worsleya needs a loose, airy medium that drains very rapidly, and provides plenty of moisture to the roots.** It would be perfect for a tropical greenhouse or conservatory. Go out there and grab one if you can find one. They can also be grown from seeds.

Winston James in London

‘Atlanta’

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It was my first visit to Atlanta in about twenty years, a big surprise when you consider how important the city has become. I am not sure how and why I ignored Atlanta, the obvious is that I had almost no connection there. But then I go to Los Angeles almost twice a year even though I have no family there, either. This time it was quite brief and the photos do not do it justice, and are probably limited to my horticultural interest and leanings. I stayed at the Westin Hotel in the Perimeter North area and was quite impressed. But I am promising to come back soon, and do the shopping and see much more of the city; and then I would be able to present much more appropriate photos. As you can guess a lot of my time was spent at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Winston James

Visiting Munich

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It has been quite a while, and I would say more than ten years. The city of Munich looks much busier, and crowded. In many ways I hardly recognized the downtown area. I had travelled from London with British Airways, took the train from the airport arriving at Hauptbahnhof Station. I stayed at the Kings Center Hotel in the downtown area which was within walking distance. It was a very pleasant weekend as the weather was warm, and it certainly orientated me to making more trips like these to other German cities.

Let us start out with an image which is very much a place where all the tourists go. Marienplatz is a central square in the city centre of Munich, and in my brief visit there I can easily appreciate why. While I was there, it was teeming with people, and I can easily see the attraction for the crowds, the stunning architecture, and restaurants and cafe if you need them. It also suggested it was a place for you to browse if you are passing through the city on to another town. Either way it was an impressive sight.

All these photos illustrate the area around the Central Hauptbahnhof Station. Go down one level and you will get to the food hall in many varieties, and at two level down you will find the trains ready to transport you to your destination.

Above are images of the King Center Hotel where I stayed. Below, the wedding I attended in Munich.

The real reason I was in Munich was to attend a family wedding of ALEX and CHRISTINE. It did give me an opportunity to meet with some of my relatives and some old friends. At the same time the wedding was a genuine celebration, a well organised ceremony, followed by a five course meal, and later a dance party occasion. All in all it was absolutely enjoyable.

It was only for four days, and it was a truly enjoyable time. It reminded me how much I had missed out out on my visits to Germany. I will soon catch up.

Winston James

London: July 2023

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This photo of Leicester Square to me describes the image of todays downtown London. In this short posting I intend to highlight views of the city that I witnessed in the last month.

The PRIDE MARCH on July 1 brought out not only people committed to equality, but also added a festival atmosphere to the weekend, culminating in a Trafalgar Square concert with Adam Lambert.

Memories of the Chelsea Flower Show, the annual attraction by the Royal Horticultural Society which is always a a visitor’s dream for plant lovers. This is where you can check out the latest trends in plants, explore the show gardens, and of course catch up with your latest accessories, for home and the back garden.

The streets of London are numerous as you would expect, London Oxford Street is still a crowded path to tread on any regular day; Regent Street is eagerly trying to catch-up with selective shops, and there is Chinatown seen above, an area which has created its own ethnic flavour, and a definite food attraction. Below, inside a department store called John Lewis.

Images around London Bridge where you are always within walking distance of the River Thames, and the famous Borough Market.

Winston James

Around the Greenhouse

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It is almost the end of June. The sun is here, and the plants in my greenhouse has finally woken up, and is growing in earnest. Let us have a look at what is happening.

To start off, let us look at this unusual Aloe hybrid of A distans and A pearsonii, called Aloe ‘Hellskloof Bells’ in the first photo.

The Pereskia species are very close to my heart , and even though they are very difficult to grow in our temperate climate. I firmly believe they are worth the effort.

The challenges of online selling are numerous, and even after many years I find myself wishing I was doing something else. But it does provide you with some financial rewards which in some ways make up for it. But I do get unmoved when I have to repeat the cycle of taking photos to keep up with the demands of EBAY.

As far as my Agaves are concerned, the Agave montana has been my conspicuous seller, and that has taken quite by surprise.

Maybe I should end with flowers, using some of my back catalogue. Few of the Pereskias are ready at the moment,

Winston James in Manor Park in London

Around Phoenix AZ

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I have just spent a few days in Phoenix. Here are a few photos to prove it. I stayed at the Sheraton Downtown, and I was pleased as usual with the lovely bar which provided for all my needs. Although there are numerous hotels around I would rather be in the centre, because it gives me access to to all corners. But pride of place is always going to be the Desert Botanical Garden which takes a full day of my time.

Winston James