Comments on: Step into my sunken garden

By: Bipolar Christy

Bipolar Christy — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:22:09 +0000

Hi, Martha. If I may, I'd like to expound upon your "Did you know that tequila is distilled from the sap of the blue agave?" comment... I am a second generation Mexican-American who was born and raised on the Texas border. My mother used to be a private international banker who catered to wealthy/famous clients in and around Mexico City... One of her famous clients was Don Francisco Javier Sauza of the Tequila Sauza Bottling Plant. A couple of times a year, my mother would make official banking visits to his hacienda and distillery factory in Guadalaja, Jalisco off Lake Chapala. In the Fall of 1969, she took my father on one of those semiannual trips and accidently conceived ME... Anyway, because of this curious bit of trivia, I've made it a point to learn a little about this delicious nectar's actual origins. From my readings, I can tell you with certainty that this simple peasant spirit (known universally as tequila) is not a simple spirit after all... To begin with, it cannot be called a 'liquor' because it is uniquely distilled AND fermented. Second, and most important, it must be grown and processed in the small Mexican city of Tequila, if it is to be labeled and sold as 'tequila'. In Tequila, its farmers cultivate over 90,000 acres of a plant called Agave Azul Tequilana Weber - also known as the blue agave. Once rip, the Agave leaves are cut and discarded in order to reach its hard, meaty core called the 'pina'. The pina is then cooked until pulped, fermented for a pre-designated period of time, pressed into liquid and distilled into tequila... Unfortunately, this is all I know about my favorite alcohol, but I sure hope it helps!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:16:10 +0000

What a beautiful use for oxalis, I grow this same plant and have used it in my urns this year. I will have to propagate this over the winter to mass under plant next year, thanks for the idea.
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By: Keri

Keri — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:06:46 +0000

Hi Martha,
I just love your tropical plants. I actually have a bunch of succulents on my porch. They do very well there because they get so much sun!! I am actually an antique dealer and recently had a game on my blog asking people what there favorite antique collection was. I was wondering what yours was and why. I have heard that you are an avid collector of antiques and thought you might want to participate!! Thanks for the continuing inspiration.
Keri Seery from http://www.antiquetherapy.com

By: KJ

KJ — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:20:52 +0000

Have you thought of adding some bromiliads? (Sorry if I spelled it wrong) They are my favourite plants, and are so popular here is Queensland, Australia where we are in an awful drought. They store their own water, and suit our tropical climate. They also come in the most amazing colours- pinks, magentas, reds, organes, chocolates. I love them!

By: Mary Smith

Mary Smith — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:23:30 +0000

What an inspiring garden! I love the term "sunken garden"

By: Desiree'