#coda di cavallo acquatica

[mafaldinablabla]

Before and after the haircut! It was a tad, erm, overgrown maybe? *nervous chuckle*

Before starting the real autumn work, I needed to clean it up. So this was like, prepping it for the actual makeover of the next weeks.

First it was the Iris, because it has more easily cuttable leaves. There were so many I had to make it in two times. Btw that vase had once a square shape, and if you enlarge the picture you can clearly see it's not longer the case, lol. I only left the younger leaves marking the plants for the repotting (not really necessary), and given how big the plant became without producing a single flower, I'm giving it until next June (even if they actually bloom in May) and then if nothing happens we'll say goodbye, because it means it isn't working between us.

Without the other leaves I could work on the water plantain and its branches, which was the most difficult thing, even if it doesn't show on photos, because they're massive and rigid and most importantly ALL TANGLED TOGETHER in one airy undetachable mess. I left only two little branches that had still to bloom bc I felt guilty cutting them too (although one doesn't stay up alone so it awkwardly dangles backwards and outside). I have also to say I'm very pleased to see that it hasn't dried up and died! There are a lot of new little leaves, I'm very glad to see it recovered from whatever happened this summer.

The mare's tail only needed some pruning for the dried parts (since I've done the resizing already). Glad to see it's in good shape and still trying to escape the pot, but I won't be fooled anymore! Biggest surprise and success is the canadian waterweed reaching surface level!!!! Never ever happened until now! Rejoice! Fingers crossed that next year it'll even make some flowers!

I'm very satisfied with the result and super excited for the next steps! Until next time, I wish y'all a happy autumn equinox and a lovely sunday :)

[italian-wizarding-world]

Ippocampo

                                              art by Tira-Owl

L’Ippocampo, è un'imponente creatura acquatica caratteristica del mar mediterraneo. Esso ha la metà superiore estremamente simile a quella di un cavallo, e quella inferiore metà inferiore simile alla coda di un pesce. È famoso sia per la sua bellezza ed eleganza data in parte dalle scaglie che brillano di molteplici colori che lo ricoprono completamente, sia per la sua velocità dovuta alle lunghe zampe palmate e molteplici creste membranose che gli permettono di nuotare addirittura più veloce dei tritoni, una tra le specie più veloci in assoluto. La loro dieta è composta principalmente da alghe e coralli morti, ma sono noti per risalire in superficie per nutrirsi di piante terrene. Gli Ippocampi infatti similmente agli Alastyn o ai Kelpie, sono in grado mutare la loro forma trasformandosi in cavalli comuni, per appunto esplorare la terra ferma o nutrirsi di piante terrestri. Nonostante il loro temperamento mansueto, seppur talvolta schivo gli Ippocampi possono essere degli avversari formidabili dato che le loro scagli sono dure e resistenti a molti tipi di magie, questo unito alla loro capacità di controllare i flutti e alla loro forza straordinaria li rende estremamente pericolosi.

The "Ippocampo", (Ippocampi plr.) is an impressive aquatic creature characteristic of the Mediterranean Sea. It has the upper half extremely similar to that of a horse, and the lower half similar to the tail of a fish. It is famous both for its beauty and elegance given in part by the flakes that shine with multiple colors that completely cover it, and for its speed due to its long webbed legs and multiple membranous ridges that allow it to swim even faster than newts, one of the fastest species ever. Their diet consists mainly of algae and dead corals, but they are known to rise to the surface to feed on earthly plants. "Ippocampi", similar to the Alastyn or Kelpie, are able to change their shape into common horses, precisely to explore the mainland or feed on terrestrial plants. Despite their docile temperament, although sometimes timid "Ippocampi" can be formidable opponents since their scales are hard and resistant to many types of spells, this combined with their ability to control the waves and their extraordinary strength makes them extremely dangerous.

[mafaldinablabla]

18th of August

What a surprise: the flower from the last post wasn't actually the last one, we had another new one blooming!!

As y'all can see, I've downsized the mare's tail, because it escaped the vase and the part that was outside was stronger while the one inside the vase was weaker and suffering.

I also reduced the water lilies's leaves because there were too many of them and in doing so I discovered that the pink water lily too has exploded outside of its vase and that's the part that's making new flowers. Which just keeps on proving me right re: they're too big for a mini-pond. I'm sorry because they're lovely, and the first plants I've got (with the water plantain), but I'm afraid I will have to change them with (a?) smaller one(s?).

The one plant that I was most concerned for its growth was the canadian waterweed since it's an invasive species, but so far it's the one that's taking it more slowly than the rest. Go figure.

Next works to do: cutting the old iris's leaves, downsizing and re-potting it, cutting the dead water plantain's flower branches and last but not least removing a lot of hornwort. Again.

Score: pink waterlily 9, white waterlily 3

[mafaldinablabla]

7th of august

8th of august

Other plants

All the new flowers in all their glory and also new leaves from the water plantain, which means its not dying on me yet (miraculously), and from the iris, which is at the end of its season (hence the yellow leaves). No flowers from it this year :( I don't know why, I have plans though so I hope for the next!

Score: pink waterlily 7, white waterlily 3

[mafaldinablabla]

6th of august

I wake up and go to the kitchen and? GASP! A NEW FLOWER!!! *takes pic immediately*

Then of course I also had to took another hundred

I'd say this spot on the garden is a good one since everything grew and keeps growing a whole lot. I'm removing handfuls of hornwort every time I pass by the pond and it doesn't even seem to make a difference, that's how much there is!

I will be queuing the new water lilies posts for the next days as to not posting all of them at once.

Score: pink waterlily 6, white waterlily 3

[mafaldinablabla]

Okay so day ?(I forgor) of the spring clean up or whatever it was that I started more than a month ago and got around to finish only today!

The white waterlily flower is in its last day, the second pink waterlily flower blossomed, the bud of the third one is halfway out of the water, and Guenda checked out that everything was in order before I began.

The bigger pot I ordered for the water plantain is actually too big, so it stays in the broken one until I buy another one of the same size. Or I change the iris one with an oblong one, since they tend to grow at the border, and use that one for the water plantain. Or both. I'll see.

I rotated the position of the pots so the water lilies will receive more daylight (I think), planted the water mare's tail and the canadian waterweed, let's see how it goes this time. Now it looks worse for wear but they'll stabilise in a few days. Also the (earth) snails are back trying to feed on the iris and the water plantain so I'll have to deal with them asap.

Bonus pic of a bug I saved from drowning!

Score: pink waterlily 2, white waterlily 2.

[mafaldinablabla]

First two taken last Saturday, last two taken this Tuesday, you can see the difference by looking at the common mare's tail growth and the flower that's open and then closed.

The open waterlily is... one I didn't realise was new! I don't remember where it is, actually, bc I took pics but haven't paid enough attention, since when I took them I was always coming in or going out. But I know it's new by looking at the leaves around it. I think?

Today I only managed to take a quick pic of the mare's tail, plus bonus creechur (for size).

Score: pink waterlily 3, white waterlily 2.