Garden

 After returning from Maine a few weeks ago I knew I had to get my butt in gear and plant my garden. If I didn't do it soon it was going to be too late. I had already purchased tomato plants; squash plants; pepper plants and a few different kinds of flowers. They were taunting me every time I looked at them.  

The problem was that the garden had been tilled so long ago that I now had to turn the soil all over again. And this time I would have to do it by hand. (like my Dad used to do back in the day). To say it was hard work is an understatement. It was hot; exhausting; grueling work and I actually enjoyed doing it. I had Dad uppermost in my mind the entire day while I worked. It was comforting and made me feel close to my Dad.  

Once every plant was settled into their new bed I spread straw all over the top of the garden. This was not something Dad used to do but I've found that it helps keep the moisture in; helps keep the weeds down and is a natural product that benefits the garden as it rots. People that know me, know I don't like artificial ingredients in my garden so the idea of using plastic sheeting has always been distasteful to me.  

Of course the amount of rain we've been experiencing since the garden was put in has seriously compromised the peppers. They have gone from looking like the happy plant pictured above to an unhappy yellowish plant trying to survive in unfavorable conditions. I've had to adopt a more relaxed attitude toward the garden this year because of all the rain. If I get something out of it that's great. If I don't get anything....well, there's always next year. 

Indian Pipe

I have come across this plant a few times on my woodsy hikes. Now I know it's called Indian Pipe. The following information came from this website:  

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/indian_pipe.htm

I hope you enjoy reading about this plant as much as I did. 

IIndian Pipe, also known as “Corpse Plant,” is one of the easiest plants to recognize. Unlike most plants, Indian Pipe doesn't have chlorophyll, the stuff that makes plants green.

 Indian Pipe is a waxy, whitish color. It turns black when it gets old.Indian Pipe grows only four to ten inches tall. It has flowers that droop and tiny, scale-like leaves. 

When they look at it, most people think Indian Pipe is a fungus.

Indian Pipe is usually seen from June to September. It grows in shady woods with rich soil and decaying plant matter. This plant is often found near dead stumps.

 “Corpse Plant,” is one of the easiest plants to recognize. 

Indian Pipe has two special relationships; one with a tree, and one with a fungus. Actually, it's one relationship, where Indian Pipe takes nutrients from both the tree and the fungus at the same time.

Here's how it works: Since Indian Pipe has no chlorophyll, it can't make its own food like most plants. Therefore, it has to "borrow" nutrients, either from decaying plant matter, or from another organism. The way it does this is by having its roots tap into the mycelia (root-like threads) of a fungus. The Indian Pipe can then take nutrients directly from the fungus. Meanwhile, the fungus itself has another relationship going on with a tree. The fungus's mycelia also tap into the tree's roots. Many fungi and trees have this type of relationship -- it's called a "mycorrhizal relationship." The fungus gives nutrients to the tree and the tree gives nutrients to the fungus. Both organisms help each other out.

Indian Pipe, however, does not give anything back to the fungus or the tree. It takes nutrients from the fungus that the fungus had gotten for itself, and it also takes nutrients that the fungus had received from the tree. Since the fungus then has to take more nutrients from the tree, this makes Indian Pipe a parasite of both the fungus and the tree.

Indian Pipe doesn't become a parasite of every fungus and tree, only certain species. We don't know all the species yet, but we do know they use Russula mushrooms and Lactarius mushrooms. Some trees that have mycorrhizal relationships with these mushrooms, and are used by Indian Pipe, include American Beech and pines.

Indian Pipe is a food source for small bumble bees, which visit flowers for nectar. The bees help the plant by pollinating it. Later, the plant grows tiny seeds.

Even though Indian Pipe is a beautiful plant, don't bother picking it (You shouldn't pick wildflowers anyway!!!!). It wilts and turns black very quickly.

Mushroom, Fungus and What Have You

I have been told that I have a  mushroom fetish. Well that's just not true! All these photos came from our hike to the Indian Council Caves in Barkhamsted. 

Can I help it if these wonderful varieties of mushroom keep jumping in front of my camera?

They are so photogenic and interesting. Aren't they?

This one for instance is called Indian Pipe....and it's not even a mushroom. It's not technically a fungus. It's a plant that lives off the fungus that grows on rotting tree stumps. It's an amazing little plant and so captured my interest that my next post is going to be on that very plant. Don't shy away....it won't make you a mushroom fanatic just to read it. I promise. 

Now how could I possibly pass by a tiny little burst of perfect orange in the middle of all these shades of green??

And this little fella was just so darn DIFFERENT sitting there all alone on his own. 

Of course yellow catches the eye easily too. I'm beginning to think these various mushrooms WANT to be noticed. 

Pretty little button like mushrooms....so interesting!

Ok, this was just to see if you were paying attention....no mushrooms here. That's a tiny mass of bubbles forming at the base of a tiny little waterfall. Come on....it's cute!!

This one is obviously trying to imitate coral from the sea. They were all different sizes but always white.