Author Archives: admin

The Daffodil Project is in bloom on Cortelyou Road

Posted on by
4

Cortelyou Daffodil
Cortelyou Daffodils

This evening I came home via the Cortelyou Road stop on the Q train. I wanted to stop by John’s Bakery to pick up some munchies. I had to cross the street: the Daffodils are just starting to bloom.

They’ve started on the north side of the street, as I expected. The south side has been shaded by the stores and apartment buildings until recently. The soil in the tree pits there has not been warmed by the sun which the north, unshaded side of the street has been getting.

Cortelyou Daffodils

Last fall, two dozen volunteers planted 1,000 Daffodil bulbs and 400 Crocus corms over two weekends. The Crocus are all but spent now; just a few raggedy blooms hanging on here and there. The Daffodils are just getting started.

Cortelyou Daffodils

As in past years, there’s no way to know what you’re going to get when you plant the bulbs in the Fall. I saw at least four different kinds in bloom today.

Cortelyou Daffodils

It seems a far remove from 9/11, the inspiration for the Daffodil Project. But it was very much in the consciousness of at least some of us who planted these bulbs. And certainly in the minds and hearts of my neighbors who took the initiative to request these bulbs to be planted in their neighborhood.

Related Posts

My Flickr photo set of this project
Cortelyou Crocuses!, March 6, 2008
Cortelyou Road Crocus Watch, February 4, 2008
Tree Pits are not Dumpsters, November 18, 2007
The Daffodil Project Plantings on Cortelyou Road, November 4, 2007
1,000 Daffodils for Cortelyou Road, October 27, 2007
The Daffodil Project: Grief & Gardening #5, November 26, 2006

Links

The Daffodil Project

City Planning Commission Unanimously Approves Green Initiatives

Posted on by
Reply

Update: The City Council approved the Yards Text Amendment on April 30, 2008.

54 Stratford Road, Caton Park, Flatbush, Brooklyn. This is not a parking lot.
54 Stratford Road, Caton Park, Brooklyn

I learned yesterday that last week NYC’s City Planning Commission unanimously approved two initiatives proposed last fall by the Department of City Planning.

I wrote last year about the Yards Text Amendment, which will prevent paving over front yards for parking, among other things. The other proposal mandates street trees – one for each 25 feet of lot frontage, and a minimum of one per lot – for new development and significant renovation. I’ve written several posts about street trees, though none about this specific DCP proposal.

These now go to the City Council.

246 (left) and 240 (center) Westminster Road, Beverley Square West, Flatbush, Brooklyn
246 (left) and 240 (center) Westminster Road

Related Posts

Preserving Livable Streets: DCP’s Yards Text Amendment, November 7, 2007
Basic Research: The State of the Forest in New York City, November 12, 2007
Factoids: NYC’s Street Trees and Stormwater Reduction, November 15, 2007
Barbara Corcoran Hates the Earth, November 18, 2007
The Luminous Streets, November 25, 2007
Factoid: Street Trees and Property Values, December 2, 2007

Links

Residents square off about new driveway limits, NY Daily News, April 1, 2008

GMail’s April Fools Feature: Custom Time

Posted on by
Reply

As of today (and likely only for today), GMail, Google’s email service, allows you to send messages into the past:

How do I use it?

Just click “Set custom time” from the Compose view. Any email you send to the past appears in the proper chronological order in your recipient’s inbox. You can opt for it to show up read or unread by selecting the appropriate option.
– Introducing GMail Custom Time: Be on time, every time

However, you can only send ten messages into the past, as they explain:

How come I only get ten?

Our researchers have concluded that allowing each person more than ten pre-dated emails per year would cause people to lose faith in the accuracy of time, thus rendering the feature useless.

Their findings:

N = Total emails sent
P = Probability that user believes the time stamp
φ = The Golden Ratio
L = Average life expectancy

That should clear things up.

What ten messages would you send into the past? Keep in mind that you can only send as far back as April 1, 2004.

2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale, Part 2

Posted on by
2

Continued from Part 1.

Thwaitesara ‘Angel Sound’
Thwaitesara 'Angel Sound'

Here’s the second round of photos from yesterday’s visit to the 2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show at the North Carolina Arboretum. There are the flower portraits, the closeups and other details, of the stars of the show.

I’m ignorant of orchids. I tried to take photos of labels so I could identify the flowers later. But the labels weren’t always so obviously associated with the plants. I transcribed the names as best I could. So take any names provided here with heaping teaspoons of salt.

Unknown Moth Orchid
Unknown Moth Orchid

Some kind of ladyslipper
Unknown Beauty

Pharg. ‘Ashley Wilkes’
Pharg. 'Ashley Wilkes'

Detail, Flower Arrangement
Detail, Flower Arrangement

Another unknown beauty, perhaps a Cattleya relative?
Unknown Beauty

Moth Orchid, Dtps. ‘Elmore’s Pink Silk’
Dtps. 'Elmore's Pink Silk'

These little guys look just like Turkish dervish dancers to me
Turkish Dancers

The name on the label was Paph. JulisRothschildianum ‘Eureka’ x Lowii ‘Princehouse’ AM/AOS. I guess this is a hybrid of two “Paph.” (Paphiopedalum?) varieties. Anyone want to translate?
Paph. JulisRothschildianum 'Eureka' x Lowii 'Princehouse' AM/AOS

I’ll close out with two detailed portraits of two amazing orchids.

This is a detail of Phrag. caudatum, some kind of ladyslipper orchid.
Phrag. caudatum

That’s beautiful enough. But check out the lateral petals. They’ve evolved into straps hanging down over 18″ on each side of the bloom.
Phrag. caudatum

Here’s a view of the entire plant. I can’t imagine how one would even transport such a thing
Phrag. caudatum

It’s a little hard to pick out from the mass of foliage surrounding it, but the hanging basket (seated, in this setting) in the center of the photo contains a specimen of Chamaengis harotiana. You can see this won First Place in something.
Chamaengis harotiana

It doesn’t look like much at first glance. Let’s take a closer look.
Chamaengis harotiana

Hard to appreciate it, so I put my fingertip in the photo for scale. Ten of those flowers could fit on my fingernail.
Chamaengis harotiana

Related Posts

2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale, Part 1

2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale, Part 1

Posted on by
3

Display Room of the Western North Carolina Orchid Show in the Education Center of the North Carolina Arboretum
Western North Carolina Orchid Show

This morning I attended the second day of the 2008 Western North Carolina Orchid Show and Sale at the North Carolina Arboretum. Although I’ve gardened outdoors for many years, I cannot keep a houseplant alive. I certainly haven’t ventured into the Orchid world. My experience of an event like this is much like how I describe myself going to Sunday services: like a dog in church. I enjoy the sights and scents for their own sake, and have no interest in tapping into the deeper religion of the event.

So here is my report from today’s visit, emphasizing the visual experience, which was more than satisfying to this orchid-ignorant gardener. This first part gives the overview and most of the exhibits. When I get home I’ll be able to filter through the flower portraits for Part 2.

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

The event was sponsored by the Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS). The event was held in the Education Building of the North Carolina Arboretum. Specimens from WNCOS members occupied the central display. All of these photos are from the members exhibit, taken from different vantage points around the room.

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Western North Carolina Orchid Show

Displays from vendors and other orchid societies covered the perimeter of the room. The vendors tables themselves occupied two other rooms.

Carolina Orchids
Carolina Orchids Display

South Carolina Orchid Society Display
South Carolina Orchid Society Display

Ironwood Estates Orchids Display
Ironwood Estates Orchids Display

Marble Branch Farms Displays
Marble Branch Farms Displays

Elmore Orchids Display
Elmore Orchids Display

Orchidview Orchids Display
Orchidview Orchids Display

Carter & Holmes Display
Carter & Holmes Display

One thing that struck me – and I wonder if others have the same impression – is that orchid society seems to be disproportionately male. If one were to judge the demographics of gardeners by that of its bloggers, one might come up with a distribution like this:

  • 70% women
  • 30% men
    • 15% straight
    • 15%gay

It’s hard to say what the breakdown would be at today’s event. Men seemed to be in the majority, at least while I was there. As for the rest of it, I would not presume to infer. I’ll just say that the orchids weren’t the only eye-candy on hand today.

Links

Program and Exhibitors for the 2008 WNC Orchid Show and Sale [PDF]
North Carolina Arboretum
Western North Carolina Orchid Society (WNCOS) [Note: The site was completely unavailable when I wrote this post.]

Outside Clyde

Posted on by
5

Anemone blanda, Outside Clyde
Anemone blanda

This afternoon I had the pleasure of visiting with CC of Outside Clyde. I’ve been following his chronicles witnessing the succession of growth and bloom on the resident gardeners’ hillside. This is just my small contribution.

There’s no single vantage from which you can take in the entire hillside at once.

Daffodil Hill
Daffodil Hill

The trails wander and intersect organically, having evolved over three decades of clearing, planting and gardening.

Over the hill, through the woods
Over the hill, through the woods

The trails are rough, and steep at times. But it pays to stop often and look around, and up, and out.

Daffodil “Rip van Winkle”
Daffodil "Rip van Winkle"

Narcissus, cyclamineus tribe
Narcissus, cyclamineus tribe

Possibly “King Alfred”
Possibly King Alfred

Shelf fungus
Shelf fungus

Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria

The threatened thunderstorms never materialized. CC’s site is adjacent, and we hiked along another trail to get there. There was only a sprinkle of rain.

Lichens
Lichens

Old foundation
Old foundation

Last year’s Goldenrod
Last year's Asters

Claytonia
Claytonia

A lovely afternoon.

Hawthorne Street, Stewards of Street Trees

Posted on by
Reply

Hawthorne Street, one of my blogging neighbors in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, the northeast reaches of greater Flatbush, posted some tips about how to watch over new street trees planted this Spring:

If you have a recently planted street tree in front of your house or building, maintenance is a key factor in ensuring that it continues to be healthy. The first year after planting is a critical time. Now that the danger of frost is dissipating, young trees need a lot of water. Watering should be done slowly, allowing the moisture to permeate the soil deeply. This allows the tree to develop a deep root system rather than depending on shallow roots.
– Caring for new street trees

They have additional info, and links to other online resources, so check ’em out!

Sustainable Flatbush featured in “A Walk Around the Blog”

Posted on by
Reply

BRIC, the non-profit Brooklyn arts organization which produces Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT), has been doing a bi-monthly series called A Walk Around the Blog, interviews with Brooklyn bloggers talking about their neighborhoods. The latest edition features Anne Pope of Sustainable Flatbush talking about, what else, Flatbush and sustainability.

I make an appearance from 1:53 to 2:54 in the video.

If you can’t see the embedded video above, or if you want to view it at a higher resolution, it’s also hosted on blip.tv.

Related posts

Greening Flatbush a success!, February 24, 2008

Links

Sustainable Flatbush
A Walk Around the Blog (Blog)
A Walk Around the Blog (Blip)
BRIC

Persephone Rises

Posted on by
4

The Return of Persephone (1891), by Frederic Leighton (1830–1896)
The Return of Persephone (1891), by Frederic Leighton (1830–1896)

The vernal equinox of 2008 occurs at 05:48 UTC on March 20, or 01:48/1:48am my time, after midnight tonight. And a blogging neighbor wishes everyone a Happy New Year 1387.

I used the same image above for last year’s Vernal Equinox post. Not that I want to just phone it in. I think the painting is gorgeous. And I like the story of Demeter and Persephone. In comments on last year’s post, Blackswamp Girl (Kim of A Study in Contrasts) expressed discomfort with the story. I responded:

The way I keep the story in my mind, Winter doesn’t occur because Hades is evil/dark/etc. Persephone was not the keeper of the earth. The earth didn’t miss her, Demeter did. Demeter grieved for her loss, and neglected her gardening duties, and that’s why Winter occurs. Demeter rejoices at the return of Persephone, which restores her interest in the world, and that’s when we get Spring.

Related Posts

Happy Vernal Equinox, 2007

Links

Wikipedia:Equinox

Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park Historic District Designated

Posted on by
3

700 East 17 Street, Midwood Park, Flatbush, Brooklyn
700 East 17 Street, Midwood Park, Flatbush, Brooklyn

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) today approved the designation of the city’s newest Historic District. Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park, in Flatbush, becomes the city’s 91st Historic District.

Map of the boundaries of Midwood Park and Fiske Terrace, as presented to LPC on October 16, 2007 (PDF)
Midwood Park - Fiske Terrace Boundaries

776 East 17th Street, Fiske Terrace, Flatbush, Brooklyn
776 East 17th Street, Fiske Terrace, Flatbush, Brooklyn

Here’s the description from the LPC’s press release:

Bound on the north and south by Foster Avenue and Avenue H, and on the west and east by the Brighton subway line and Ocean Avenue, this district comprises 250 eclectic houses that were largely completed and occupied by 1914, and were built by two prominent local builders and developers.

The primary developer of Fiske Terrace, which lies south of Glenwood Road and is named for George B. Fiske, an oil merchant, was the T.B. Ackerson Company, whose owner once boasted of transforming the area “from woods into city in 18 months.” Approximately 75 percent of the houses in the Midwood Park part of the district, which lies north of Glenwood Road, were constructed by the John R. Corbin Company.

Most of the houses in the district adhere primarily to the popular early 20th-century architectural styles, especially the Arts and Crafts, Colonial Revival and Dutch Colonial Revival styles. The houses were typically constructed in one of three forms: the box-like foursquare, crowned by a hipped or pyramidal roof; the temple-house, featuring a prominent front-facing gable; and the bungalow, with its low profile, deep porch with thick tapered columns, and broadly overhanging eaves.

Related Posts

Times admits past errors: We are not all Ditmas Park, March 15, 2008
Other posts on Victorian Flatbush

Links

Map of the Fiske Terrace – Midwood Park Historic District (PDF)
New Landmarks Include Webster Hall, New York Times, March 18, 2008
Press Release (PDF) from LPC, March 18, 2008
Coda: Fiske Terrace/Midwood Park Designated as Landmark by LPC, Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn, March 20, 2008
Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park in Flatbush Gains Landmark Status, Brooklyn Eagle, March 20, 2008