TIME LAPSE RESCUE

IT'S BEEN A LONG WINTER

The sun has been longer in the sky since the time change and the plants certainly have enjoyed the rain - but it is sure nice to have Spring upon us soon. The above plants were all abandoned by their owners. The Jade in the back by the next door neighbor and the Asparagus Fern and the succulent mix by a friend who asked me to take care of them while out of town but never came back for them. They have surely withstood the winter and look forward to meeting new friends as Plant Rescue is on a mission to save your plants!

IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE

1. I traded a redwood seedling for this grassy friend from the SoEx gift
exchange in December.

2. I felt awkward about the exchange because I knew in advance that I was picking the redwood seedling that John had brought to the holiday party.

3. I let the new grassy friend hang out too long without companionship and care.

4. Grassy friend is no longer green and has been buried under new soil.

DESIGN RESCUE

Ok, so I thought I would try my hand at some design. Well actually - design by default. I planted various clippings that had fallen off of some of my plants today. They have been sitting in a jar of water growing roots for about 6 months. They seemed happy together so I took the whole root ball and planted it along with a couple of other rescues - including the Echeveria from the sidewalk. I am not sure how well the Purple Passion Plant (Passiflora incarnata), Amber Waves Ivy (Hedera helix), Echeveria crenulata, Echeveria elegans, Flower Dust Plant (Kalanchoe pumila), and Aeonium will fair through the rest of the winter but I look forward to seeing what comes of it.

DOWN THE STREET RESCUE CON'T

This rescued Sago Palm has settled into its new home. I removed the rotting roots, freshly cut the bottom of the Caudex and dipped it in rooting hormone to encourage new roots. The Palm was then planted in a mixture of perlite, orchid bark, and organic soil for quick draining. Let's give this little one three to six months and see what happens.

DOWN THE STREET RESCUE

Fellow blogger Tilthy Rich called upon me to rescue his Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta). He just about put it in his thriving compost! I was happy to take it into care and the Palm was surprised by how close it would be moving to its new home - about a block and a half down Bryant St.

The Palm will create a certain challenge and I hope that I can live up to the task. I might have to reach out to the experts, but will do my best. The Palm could have reached the point of no return but perhaps there is still time. First, I will remove the Palm from the moist soil and inspect the roots. Perhaps I can remove the rot if any and create a more easily draining soil for the Palm to go back to once there are signs of rebirth.

To be continued....

SIDEWALK RESCUE

OFFICE RESCUE

This String-of-Beads (senecio rowleyanus) is in need of some tender care. It has been a victim of an attack of the mealy bugs!! I took off some of the more healthy strands and submerged them in cold water. After soaking in alcohol and allowing to root for a couple of weeks this beauty should be able to begin start a new bug free life.

SUCCULENT RESCUE

SOMA RESCUE

Here is a winter update to the Jade branches that were
rescued in SOMA this Fall. The images on the left show
how well the plants are enjoying the Folsom St. sun.

FALL RESCUE

After a couple of months this Hydrangea is doing quite well. By the spring it should be blooming. Updated 1/19/09.

The heat really got to this Hydrangea. The brown leaves were cut back to foster new growth. Plenty of water and shade will help the hydrangea form new buds.

INDIANA

The attached picture is of a rescued plant that Kristin and her boyfriend Dan and have named Indiana. A few years ago Dan helped a coworker move out of his apartment on Indiana Street in Potrero Hill. The coworker was going to abandon his dying plant that was living in a cracked pot with shards in its soil. Dan decided to bring Indiana home and after 3 years and lots of love he is finally thriving.

Plant Rescue Launches online!

Plant rescue is ready to receive your plants that are in desperate need of revitalization. If you live in the Bay Area and have considered putting your plant in the compost bin, or for heavens sake the garbage can, think twice and email plant rescue.

We will arrange a pick up or drop off location where you can bring your plant(s) to give them a second chance. Your plant will be documented on the plant rescue blog. Once your plant is showing progress you will be asked whether or not you would like to take your plant home with proper care instructions or to receive a photograph to place where your plant once lived.

You will also be encouraged to leave your plant comments to promote healthy growth and a sense of well-being.

Plant rescue strives to foster a community of plant appreciation and cultivation to promote healthy plant practices and care. In the future, plant rescue will place rescued plants up for adoption. Stay tuned...

Plant Rescue begins

This spider plant was the inspiration for plant rescue. It was found on the corner of 20th and Bryant Streets in San Francisco. It was abandoned curbside along with an easter cactus in 2005. Since coming into the care of plant rescue, the spider plant has propagated a sister plant and enjoys the company of other rescued plants.