Peduncle Preservation

Peduncle of aloe ferox

Sunday’s marathon garden wrangling included the pruning and trimming of dead and dying plant matter. Very satisfying to remove this messy stuff leftover from Winter’s wind and rainstorms … a good clearing-out really opened up space, literally and visually; and open space is inspiring (and fillable!)… But, while it was satisfying to see our green city-provided yard waste container fill up, it was hard to throw some of the trimmings away … I’m talking about the peduncles of some of my prized aloes. (FYI: Peduncle is the botanic term for the stalk or stem that supports the infloresences, or flowers, of plants; and a really cool word!) The dramatically twisted peduncle, above, may have lost its gorgeous rust-orange blossoms, but I couldn’t just throw it away. It was just too sculptural, too colorfully sophisticated, too House of Xtravaganza voguing battle to be forgotten … So, I add a calcified spherical vase, some stones in simpatico hues and textures, and with the whir of my camera created a worthy memento of a faded natural beauty.

Peduncle of aloe barbadensis

More remembrances of blossoms past … and these long stalks need tall support. An interesting ceramic vase with pressed decorations in artful colors, mimics the almost balletic curves of these peduncles. Add a pitted round rock in red tones, and an angular chunk of green slate, and this vignette pays homage to an aloe’s winter blooms.

I’m hoping that by removing these spent peduncles, the aloes will be provoked into producing new stalks with new inflorescences … and, wouldn’t it be great if they were in full bloom for the tour?