Small resistance

I have lived in a country house on the edge of the mountains for 22 years.

Wild deer, wild boars, monkeys, martens, moles, snakes, lice, centipedes, giant hornets, and other troublesome creatures continue to invade the premises.

Deer have broken through the electric fence installed on the mountain side and are eating away at the new buds of potted plants.

At night, I once encountered a wild boar with huge tusks like a deer god.

Two years ago, I had a gardener put up a net at my front door, and I take it off in the morning and evening.

However, deer can easily jump over heights of 2 to 3 meters, and a charging boar can break through the net, including the supports.

After less than three months, the net fell down, complete with its supports, and I had to replace it myself.

It takes a lot of time to remove the nets in the morning and evening, and it is inconvenient for visitors, delivery workers, and residents to come and go.

Deer nets are not an effective means of controlling wild animals, they are just a distraction, but this is also a way of life in the countryside.

Blue gradation cuttings

The blue gradation of the double-flowered hydrangea flowers I bought at the hometown market in June

was so beautiful that I made a seedling and took cuttings for the first time in my life.

Three months have passed since I researched how to propagate blue hydrangeas using cuttings, prepared soil for growing them, watered them, and was careful about where I placed the pots.

In a separate pot, I also took cuttings of a single-flowered hydrangea to use as a talisman for the summer solstice, but the leaves are a little lighter in color, probably due to the difference between sun and shade.

I looked up how to propagate using cuttings on YouTube, soaked them in Menedel solution for a month, and after confirming sufficient rooting, I inserted them into the pots I had prepared.

Today is the first day of winter. I would like to continue to take care of them with all my heart so that they can survive the winter and welcome spring in good health.

For the winter

Tomorrow is the first day of winter.

This year, plants have brought us much joy: potted Tsubaki flowers, rosemary flowers, cuttings of cold chrysanthemums and hydrangeas have taken root, and Takasago lilies that were planted in the ground have made a comeback.

I hope it survives the winter well and heals us next year as well.

Mountains, rivers and plants all have Buddha nature.

We are grateful for the work of nature and will use its power to overcome this harsh winter. I'll do my best!

Yellow cold chrysanthemum

The kangiku has buds.

The small buds turned yellow.

The cold chrysanthemums that bloom this season as the weather turns cold are a ray of hope, both in the color of their flowers and in their green leaves.

I felt energized.

There are days when I feel it is difficult, but I will do my best.
😊p(^-^)q

Daurian Redstart

I haven't seen it, but I've been hearing its twitter voice for about a week.

The Daurian Redstart is a winter migratory bird that migrates from neighboring countries.

They always come to our garden from mid to late October every year.

Due to unseasonable weather and hot summers followed by warm winters, the migration period is delayed year by year.

Every year, they fly among the branches and peck at persimmon fruits, chirping to each other.

2023/11/4, today was the first day I saw a Daurian Redstart this year.