Campanula portenschlagiana bloom

This is Campanula raddeana – I hope

Androsace Cuttings

The Androsace sarmentosa made a lot of red runners. I had to cut them up, because in that trough there is no more space for new plants to root. But some of the new plantlets had already nice little roots formed:

So they were ready for making cuttings. I cleared them from the runners and the lower leaves:

I use for rooting medium coconut fibres. I like it more then peat and sand. But it also has no nutrients in it, so the rooted cuttings must be planted out in normal compost. For to avoid this, I put on the bottom of the pots compost and I hope the roots will grow in it. The cuttings were put in a 1 cm layer of coconut fibre.

I observed that the hairy leaves of the Androsace sarmentosa don't like too much moisture, the pots have not to be covered with anything, just to avoid drying out. When the color of the coconut fibre becomes a lighter brown, I water it.

Making a Miniature Rock Garden

It has been cold (8-10°C) for a few days, with awful winds and rain. However, this is better for the new miniature rock garden made last week, than 25°.

In fact there was an old one overgrown with not too interesting plants, which was remade.

This was the old:

I have made it some years ago when I was an absolutely beginner. Now I am just a beginner :))

And here is how I made the new

1. On the bottom I put a layer of 6-8 mm granite grit, then the compost, in which I put the stones brought from the mount Ortler:

That is a Draba parnassica seedling, moved from the old trough. I don't know if it will live...

2. Between the stones was filled with the following mix (of mine): sharper and finer sand, perlite, granite grit, vermiculite, a small amount of peat and a small amount (about 1/10 part) of garden soil:

Then I watered and planned the planting,

and then I left it alone for a day for three reasons:

• the compost to subside
• to sleep over the plan
• I had no more time at that moment

Next day I made a new plan :) and planted in the seedlings. They all are this year's seedlings. They are still very young but have already true leaves. My main tools for planting:

The new trough is not yet too showy, I left also free spaces, because Campanula zoysii is germinating!!! Here is a picture with plant names:

It was christened the "Slatespot" (=pot/trough with slates). I hope that in a year I can show a more interesting picture.

May

Aquilegia coerulea:

On one single stem the calyces and the spurs are bluish:

Lewisia pygmaea – every flower lasts only one day.

Lewisia cotyledon colors:

And the "garden", in front with the Androsace sarmentosa:

Androsace ciliata

I've got an Androsace ciliata as a present. I am so happy, it is a very nice plant, especially when in flower. On the weekend I planted it in a trough to have time to establish itself until the summer hot days come.

I know very well that the alpine plant's root system is usually much larger than the plant above the ground. But still I was amazed seeing the roots of this little, single rosette plant.

I put it on a 1.5 cm wide artificial crevice and I hope for the best. Here it is planted:

On a close picture can be seen the little cilia on the leaves:

Our "Garden" Now

From one corner:

And from another:

                 In February:                                                      now: