Hoppo Bumpo (n): A children's game. Played by folding one's arms and hopping on one leg. Aim is to bump opponents, so that they lose their balance. Last person standing wins.


November 25, 2009

Mutants



The day I shuffle off the mortal coil, I may be remembered for a number of things, but my green thumb will not be one of them.

You see, I am a known plant killer; coming second only to Isopropylamine Salt of Glyphosate (my rival, Roundup).

But please don't get me wrong. I am not a malicious person: I love plants.

For example, I dote on the beautiful hydrangea bushes dotted around our garden. They were established plants when we moved in and I have tried very hard not to cut their lives short. I have learnt how to prune and nourish them in winter and protect them in our harsh summers.

Every now and then I try and do a little reading to learn more.



This week, I discovered that hydrangeas need aluminum in the soil to produce blue pigment. But importantly, in order to take up the aluminium, they also need the soil to be acidic.

If the soil is too alkaline or there is not enough aluminium then the flowers will be pink.



Which is puzzling. Because apparently one of our plants is doing both.



One day my epitaph will read:
Here lies Hoppo Bumpo.
Even when she got things right,
they were still a little bit wrong.
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By Liesl
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18 comments:

  1. trashNovember 25, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    It takes a very special person to bugger up a hydrangea you know.

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  2. SallyNovember 25, 2009 at 9:59 PM

    Thanks for making me laugh. I had a real giggle at that last picture.
    You should just say that you meant for that to happen. People will be really impressed. I know I would be!

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  3. Bird BathNovember 25, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    hey that is an interesting achievement - I'm impressed. Hydrangeas are pretty spectacular.

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  4. TaniaNovember 25, 2009 at 10:33 PM

    One thing Hoppo Bumpo will certainly be remembered for is her ability to have people choking on their tea laughing!

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  5. Karin van DamNovember 25, 2009 at 11:00 PM

    Hahaha. You are such a funny writer. But, to your reassurance: I have a hydrangea here in the backyard that does exactly the same. It just can't seem to make up it's mind. Part of it, the proud and a bit snobby part, wants to be blue. Those branches are high up in the air, you can see them wave in the wind. But the other part, the softer, sweeter, more shy part, just wants to be purple. Even a bit pink some days.

    I just have to love that. And I figure we, as humans, are barrels filled with contrasts (literally translated from a Dutch saying) ourselves, so I have to appreciate it in a hydrangea too, don't I? ;-)

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  6. TasNovember 25, 2009 at 11:43 PM

    I adore your epitaph! And at least it is a living, if somewhat confused, plant. You gotta be happy with that.

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  7. Jennifer RoseNovember 26, 2009 at 4:16 AM

    I can't get our hydrangea to flower :/ the ones to the left are blue, to the right of the flat are pink. pretty but odd

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  8. LeighBLouNovember 26, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    I would say that's a fairly common occurence among the hydrangea population. Fear not and just enjoy the beauty.

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  9. KatyNovember 26, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    I think they look beautiful! x

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  10. AndiNovember 26, 2009 at 9:29 AM

    Hysterical. Like a patchwork plant!!!!
    Andi :-)

    PS My favourite epitaph is the one Spike Milligan wanted for his tomb stone - "Told you I was ill"

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  11. AnonymousNovember 26, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Dear Mrs H. Bumpo, You are not the
    LONE HYD-RANGER!
    My green thumb is not so fantastic either. What ever survives here...is planted in multiples. Chele x
    P.S. I have started 2 shower caps - thanks to your tute!

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  12. renNovember 26, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    oooh pretty! I always wanted a hydrangea to experiment with color- Mine is doing something similar but it's still a baby so it isn't so noticable (I posted about mine yesterday if you want to see a pic)

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  13. prashantNovember 27, 2009 at 11:34 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  14. Cathy {tinniegirl}November 28, 2009 at 6:01 PM

    You forgot the last line of the epitaph "but how we loved her for it". xxx

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  15. CindyNovember 30, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    At least it flowered and really that is winning the battle surely.

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  16. BellgirlDecember 7, 2009 at 10:06 AM

    I like the mixed colour litmus paper look! But if you want to make them blue again you can buy a box of hydrangea blue-stuff from the nursery. It's right next to the Roundup ;)

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  17. SophiaDecember 18, 2009 at 1:33 PM

    Maybe it depends where the root lands? I mean if some roots end up being on alkaline soil, while other roots are on acidic-with-aluminum soil just inches away, then that's why they have different colors even though they're in the same spot in the garden.

    I don't know... just a thought... a guess... could be true, could be not. :-)

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  18. AnonymousDecember 21, 2009 at 10:30 PM

    I think the multi-coloured are the most beautiful. Anyone can have the bright blue type which frankly I think look fake!! Keep up the good work

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