Bumping Up 2007-8/#6

Sarah, Anne, Nanci, John and David helped finish off our container plant work on this work day, though Paul did drop by. At the end of the day we had 1,600 restoration plants, 146% of our goal. All container plants are in 3-4 inch pots, use TOLN potting soil, include 9 month slow-release fertilizer and are mycorrhizae inoculated, including Glomus intraradices. The pot size is ideal for restoration planting. Click here for ending plant inventory.
There are two restoration planting dates set for Feb and March, see calendar for specifics. So our plants are destined to get in the ground. The Willow area will be mowed and probably seeded right around planting.
We left the seed flats under frost cloth as temperatures are expected into the 30’s until next week. If there is a prolonged forecast of low-30’s, then we’ll also cover the container plants with frost cloth. Stay tuned about the new structure for our Tree Inventory. The proposal will be presented to The Laguna Canyon Foundation board this Monday at their next meeting. See slideshow for pictures. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Ending Plant Inventory 2007/8

Bumping up 2007-8/#5

Sarah, David and John came by and we continued to bump up and we fixed existing pots. Our plant numbers are at 125% of our goal of 1,100. We would have finished off our list, but a few plants just we not ready. We probably won’t have our final plants ready until a few weeks. David again graciously volunteered to come by and check on things over the next few weeks.
We started this work day later in the day to account for the continued frosty weather; and low-and-behold everyone was very happy about starting later. mmmmm this only took me 4 years to figure out! The seed flats had been under the frost cloth for 2 weeks, and they looked AOK. This looks to be promising technique. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Frozen Work Day

The Seed flats were frozen, so no “bumping up” to containers was done. Paul, Nanci, Sarah and Ranger Barbara came by. We covered the seed flats with frost cloth, after they had thawed out. According to Ranger Barbara there’s been frost for the past few days. So until the weather breaks, the seed flats will remain covered. We did a mini-restoration in drainage ditch with about 30 mule-fat sticks. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Bumping up 2007-8/#4

Volunteers today were Sarah, Nanci, John, Paul and David. We bumped up 106% of plant goal, a total of 1,170 restoration plants. These container plants are put in potting soil from Tree of Life Nursery, have slow release Scotts Ocmocote fertilizer added, and are mycorrhizae inoculated. The Nursery is filled with plants for park restoration. See slideshow for more pictures. (Click any pic to enlarge)
The Dec 8 work day was cancelled. How come? Two species have taken longer to mature, and once we bump them up, we're essentially done: Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus, and Spiny Rush, Juncus acutus. Not included in the restoration count are the 350+ "other" plants we've done.
This may be our most bountiful year, but is unquestionably the record time: 3 months. The work days have been fun and "work" I look forward to. I am reminded that I work best with competent people.
I’m waiting for the frost cloth to get here (long story), as the temperatures in Aliso Viejo are in the 40’s, which means the Nursery is in the 30’s.

Bumping up 2007-8/#3

Sarah, David, Paul and John volunteered. This is our 3rd work day to bump up seedlings from flats, and our day's work brought our total of restoration plants to 846, or 77% of our 1,100 goal. Very good progress.
Our potting rate is about 38 pots/hour/person, or 2 flats/hour/person. We are only 254 plants short of our goal. At this rate, we should hit our goal in as little as 1 more work day. But most likely it will be 2-3 work days, as I'd like to have more plants than promised.... "just in case". We just can’t stop at the Restoration plants. We’ll have a few hundred of trial and “just because” plants. Click below to see G-rated video.

More bumping up

David, Nanci and Anne helped today. Together they bumped up 324 plants: 30% of our goal today; moving us up to a total of 54% of our goal. Started new seed flats for White sage, Purple needle grass and Goldenbush.