Memorial Weekend Update

I have a new job. I'm back to one full time job. This means my weekends are fee again. I might have to work the occasional Saturday, but I don't mind. It's Memorial Day weekend and I have three days off work. Took the time to stop and admire my growing projects:

Pieris - Nothing new to report. Hasn't died from the drastic pruning, so that's good. No new growth, but too soon to expect any.

Mugo - New growth seems pretty robust. I think it's going to survive the drastic pruning from last year. A lot of the new growth is in 'spokes'. I'm going to be a bit lazy (or cautious) and just leave this new growth for now. Don't want to over prune it. Let it get some more strength before cutting back some more.

Azaleas - I have a mixed bag of azaleas purchased last year and this year. They're all doing fairly well. Responding good to the drastic pruning. I keep wanting to mess with the growth. Cut it back. Wire it. Do SOMETHING. I think the best thing to do is to just leave them be for now.

Crabs - My poor crabs. They don't look so hot. As a whole, they look downright pitiful. I have them out by the alley, right by my mom's pear tree. There were some deer in the yard the other day. They were nibbling on the pear tree. Completely ignored the crabs! Says a lot about their pitiful state. Hopefully they'll get better if and when the weather warms up a bit.

Deshojos - At my last count, I have 46 seedlings. They're getting along pretty well. They all have their first set of true leaves. None have sprouted second set of leaves yet. I like to go out by them and just count them. Makes me happy to look down and say "I planted these guys from seed!". I still hate the burgundy color.

Japanese maples - These are the guys I acquired when I bought my kiln. I re-potted them once I got them home. I haven't seen any new growth, but I haven't seen any die back, except for one guy. They're doing good.

Overall, my growing projects are coming along slowly but surely. Nowhere near as fast as Phoenix, but I don't mind. Being I recently relocated from Phoenix, all this cool weather is still a novelty and I'm enjoying it. It's nice to be able to put some pants on without swimming in your own sweat. Good to be able to wear some shoes, too!