Agave Tequilana

Agave Tequilana in an artistic color - captured in Casa GrandeAZ

Agave tequilana,
commonly called blue agave, tequila agave, mezcal or maguey is an agave plant that is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, due to its role as the base ingredient of tequila, a popular distilled spirit. The high production of sugars—mostly in the form of fructose—in the core of this plant, are the most important element for the preparation of alcoholic beverages.
The tequila agave is a native of Jalisco, Mexico. The tequila agave favors high altitudes of more than 1,500 meters and grows in rich and sandy soils. While commercial and wild agaves have different life cycles, both grow into large succulents, with spiky fleshy leaves, that can reach over two meters in height. Wild Agaves, however, sprout a shoot when about five years old, that can grow an additional five meters and are topped with yellow flowers.

The flowers are pollinated by a native bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) and produce several thousand seeds per plant. The plant then dies. The shoots are removed when about a year old from commercial plants to allow the heart to grow larger. The plants are then reproduced by planting these shoots; this has led to a considerable loss of genetic diversity in cultivated blue agave.

It is rare for one kept as a houseplant to flower; nevertheless, a fifty year old blue agave in Boston grew a 10 m (30 ft) stalk requiring a hole in the greenhouse roof and flowered in the summer of 2006.

Tequila is produced by removing the heart of the plant in its twelfth year. Normally weighing between 35–90 kg (77–198 lb). This heart is stripped of its leaves and heated to remove the sap, which is fermented and distilled. Other beverages like mezcal and pulque are also produced from blue and other agaves by different methods (though still using the sap) and are regarded as more traditional.

Researchers from Mexico's University of Guadalajara believe blue agave contains compounds that may be useful in carrying drugs to the intestines to treat diseases, such as Crohn's disease and colitis.

I hope you'll enjoy the read! Thank you foe all the comments on my last post!

Susanne

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You cannot ever be ugly

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly.  You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.  

~Roald Dahl~

Hi my friends,

I love this quote! 

Quotes are always telling the true of meanings in life and are mirroring the good and bad things happen around you - quotes are like talking pictures.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for the comments too. Sometimes I wish, there would be some more, but that's fine with me how it is now. I know you all have a lot of things going on in these days - Christmas is just around the corner.

If you're looking for a special gift for that special someone, maybe I have the answer to it:

Buy my photography as a print, framed or stretched on Canvas here. 

Happy Tuesday!

~Susanne

oh, I almost forget to tell you: it's only 37F in Florida, just now! brrrrr....brrrr....

Tranquility

The poor long for riches, the rich long for heaven, but the
    wise long for a state of tranquility.

~Swami Rama~ 

Hi my friends,

Happy Monday!!! I hope you had all a great Thanksgiving Weekend with your loved ones and friends. By us it was very quiet and relaxed.

It's raining like crazy today in the Sunshine State. 

But, we need the rain badly and that's why it's good and we are thankful for the water - it washes off our car too  :))

Thank you very much for all your wonderful comments yesterday, 

I'm happy you liked my post so much.

~Susanne

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My European friends buy the calendars here

Crane Flower or the Bird of Paradise Flower

Bird of paradise flower - captured in San Diego CA

Birds of Paradise, 

also known as Crane flowers are one of the most beautiful Exotic Flowers. Birds of Paradise are native to South Africa. Birds of Paradise bloom from September through May.

The flowers of the Birds of Paradise resemble a brightly colored bird in flight and so the name Birds of Paradise.

To read more about go here 

Hi my friends,

Thank you so much for all those kind comments in my last post.

For today I have a pretty Crane Flower for you, it is better known as the Bird of Paradise.

Yeah, weekend is here, soon - and I wish you a wonderful one. Make it to your best!

~Susanne

All my CALENDARS 2011 are available to buy here: 

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Make your mental blue print

Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. 

Make your mental blue print, and begin to build.
Robert Collier

Hi my friends,

I like this quote very much and it's true. 

Everything in life begins with a mental blueprint. 

Let's start today!

Thank you for all your kind comments, they are like always, very much appreciated.

~Susanne

I have created some NEW CALENDARS 2011 - they make a nice Christmas gift, don't you think? 

Now, they are all available to buy too!

My friends and fans in America buy it here:

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My European friends and fans buy my calendars here:

http://www.mygall.net/calendars.php?calendar_id=1021 Amerika

http://www.mygall.net/calendars.php?calendar_id=1013 ZEN

http://www.mygall.net/calendars.php?calendar_id=1018 Memories

Red as Blood...

Red as blood

This planet Earth, the act of putting a roof over our heads, 

our flesh and blood existence, it's all very temporary.
Melissa Auf der Maur

Hi my friends,

thanks for all the comments from yesterday, very much appreciated, every single one!

I wish you a nice day - happy Thursday every one!

See you soon - be happy :)

Susanne

ADD  COLORS  TO  YOUR  LIFE!!!

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On a Red Afternoon

I call this photo: "On a red afternoon" - it is a variation of my "Wordless Sunday" photo from yesterday. 

I like it in red, actually I like it way better than the wordless photograph. 

What about you?

btw, thank you for all those wonderful compliments! You all made my day :)

Susanne

And then again: of course, ALL my photographs are for sale! Thank you!

My Wordless Sunday #32

Eye of The Day

Hide and seek with a little Daisy

Bellis perennis
is a common European species of Daisy, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "Daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy or occasionally English daisy. It is native to western, central and northern Europe. The species is widely naturalised in North America, and also in South America.

It is thought that the name "daisy" is a corruption of "day's eye", because the whole head closes at night and opens in the morning. Chaucer called it "eye of the day".
Daisy is also a common girl's name and is a nickname for girls named Margaret, after the French name for the oxeye daisy, marguerite.

Hi my friends,

Thank you for liking my last post and I hope you'll like this one too. Sorry to bother you on your days off, it's weekend, I know.... but don't forget to come back again tomorrow! 

My "Wordless Sunday" photo will be online - a picture to enjoy without any words :)

Sunshines to you!

Susanne

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My Monday Flower

I think it is a "Spider Lilly" but I'm not sure at all - does anyone knows the real, sophisticated name for this pretty flower? :))

Hi my friends,

I hope you have/had all a great start in the new week. August is almost gone, only some days left....enjoy these last days of a hot month in summer. And, yes... thank you all for those nice comments and compliments to my last post. I do appreciate every single one.

See you tomorrow!

Susanne

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Some people walk in the rain

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.  

~Roger Miller~

Hi my friends,

Thank you again for all the nice comments yesterday! I'm back to my preferred ZEN photos and the matching proverbs. I just love this stuff and wish you do that too :)

Have all a wonderful day - a very special weekend is just around the corner!

Susanne

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Add color to your life!

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Seagrape or Coccoloba uvifera

Coccoloba uvifera 

is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae, that is native to coastalbeaches throughout tropical America and the Caribbean, including southern Florida, the Bahamas, Barbados and Bermuda. Common names include Seagrape and Baygrape. It is a sprawling evergreen shrub or small tree that reaches a maximum height of 8 m (26 ft), but most specimens are little more than 2 m (6.6 ft) tall. It has large, round, leathery leaves (up to 25 cm/9.8 in in diameter) with a primary vein that has a red color extending from the base, and the entire leaf turns red as it ages. The bark is smooth and yellowish. In late summer it bears green fruit that gradually turns orange, to red, until there is a purplish fruit, about 2 cm (0.79 in) diameter, in large grape-like clusters. The fruit also contains a large pit that takes up most of the fruit.

 Abstract leaf of a sea grape

Hi my friends,

Thank you all for visiting my blog. Yesterday was no post there, I know. 

I just don't felt like posting anything and that happen sometimes to me too :))

I wish you a nice weekend full with sunshine and fun for you!

Tomorrow, there will be my "Wordless Sunday" again - come back and see it and comment. Every single comment makes my day. 

Yep, you can make me happy with little things in life...*smile*...

Susanne

Have a look also to my online photography shop and if you see there something, buy something - you'll make my day. Pep up those gray walls at home - or in your office. Add some colors to your life!

There is nothing...

 

There is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon.

~Basho~

Hi my friends,

ZEN proverbs and flowers are the ideal match - Enjoy!

Thanks again for all the comments.

Susanne

Buy my photography printed, framed or stretched on Canvas here

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My Wordless Sunday - #14

It's pretty and it's blue...

Lets find those pretty blue flowers!

Hi my friends,

Thank you all so much for the great, nice, kind, sweet, funny and wonderful comments to my strawberry post from yesterday. You made me smile :)

This is my gift in reverse for you ALL out there - a pretty blue flower hanging over the wall of a house in Key West.

I wish you a sunny day and I'll see you tomorrow again. It's time for me to get out of the house, it's just to good weather here and nice warm, after all that rain from yesterday....

Take care and see you soon...

Susanne

***

Have a look to my NEW website and if you like something, buy it, 

pep up your office and your house. 

All the photographs are available in prints, framed or stretched on canvas.

Spring is around the corner

Hi my friends,

thanks for ALL your wonderful comments and good wishes from yesterday - I love you all! Dave is at home and he feels fine. We are happy that everything is (almost) back to normal again.

The picture I have posted today is a symbol for spring time, a time of new beginning in everything, everywhere. Spring time is the most beautiful season of the year - for me.

Stay with me, stay tuned - and see you tomorrow.

Susanne

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Have a seat and relax

Captured in Seaside, Florida





Hi my friends,



thanks for all your visits to my last post.

You always made my day with you kind comments :))



It's sunny again here in Florida but a cool and steady wind is blowing.

You need to take a warm enough jacket for a walk on the beach.

btw...Finally, Hubby is getting better, thanks God!



I'll see you coming Sunday again with my "Wordless Sunday" photo online?

Have a good time - until then!

See'ya...!

Susanne







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Phalaenopsis Orchid

I LOVE Orchids!

Phalaenopsis

are among the easiest and most rewarding orchids to grow. An American Orchid Society demographic survey showed that Phalaenopsis have become America~s favorite orchid. The plants adapt well to the environment of the home or office. From the time that the first flower bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next 2 to 3 months.

LIGHTING

Sufficient lighting is a must for successful cultivation. Phalaenopsis prefer either an east or a lightly shaded south facing window. West windows should be used with caution. Depending upon the location of the home, the west window may become very hot during the late spring through early fall. The foliage on your Phalaenopsis may burn.

TEMPERATURE

Phalaenopsis thrive under normal household temperatures. For the best results, provide nighttime temperatures between 60 to 65°F and daytime temperatures between 75 to 85°F.

WATERING

Depending upon the temperature, Phalaenopsis potted in bark should be watered about once or twice a week. During the summer, the plants may need to be watered every 4-5 days. The rule of thumb for watering should be as followed : More heat more water, less heat less water.

Phalaenopsis potted in New Zealand sphagnum moss should be watered less often, about every 7 to 10 days.

Phalaenopsis prefer to be kept on the moist side. This does not mean that they like to be left in standing water,however try to water the plants early in the day so that the foliage will be dry by nightfall. To prevent bacterial and fungal disease use Physan 20 once a month.

To learn more about Orchids, read here - you can buy them here too





Hi my friends,

I'm happy I could bring some sunshine to you with my beach scene post from yesterday. That's what my blog is for, to enjoy YOU with my pictures :))



Today we have a beautiful flower online - the Orchid. This one was the flower in the garden of my neighbor friend down in Key West. From her I've learned a lot about Orchids and I learned to LOVE these flowers and still do it today!

Aren't they beauties?



Susanne





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Keep love in your heart

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.”

~ Oscar Wilde ~

Hi my friends,



how true is Oscar Wilde's quote! I wish you all a weekend full of love!

Thanks for the wonderful comments and compliments to my post yesterday.



Love you all!

Susanne

Buy my photography printed, framed or stretched on Canvas, here

The Color Green is for HOPE

Green Ivy in my yard - captured 2008 in Charleston SC

Any plant of the genus Hedera,

with about five species of evergreen woody vines (rarely shrubs), in the ginseng family (Araliaceae). The name ivy especially denotes the commonly grown English ivy (H. helix), which climbs by aerial roots with adhering disks that develop on the stems. English ivy is frequently planted to clothe brick walls. The stems bear leaves with three to five lobes; as the stems reach the top of their support, they become horizontal or hang, sometimes developing unlobed (entire) leaves and small greenish flowers. Numerous cultivated and geographical varieties of H. helix exist, including many with variegated leaves. Native to Europe and much of Asia, this genus has been introduced into many parts of the world.

Many varieties of ivy are cultivated in gardens. Growing them is an extremely simple matter, as they will thrive in a poor soil and endure a considerable depth of shade, so that they may with advantage be planted under trees. For example, the common Irish ivy (a variety of H. helix) is often used as a ground cover beneath large trees where grass has difficulty in thriving. A strong light is detrimental to the growth of ivy, but there are few hardy plants that may be compared with it for variety and beauty that will endure shade equally well. Ivies, in their many forms, are also popular houseplants.

A question of practical importance is the relation of the ivy plant to its means of support. A moderate growth of ivy is not injurious to trees; still, the tendency is from the first unfavourable to the prosperity of the tree, and at a certain stage it becomes deadly. Therefore thegrowth of ivy on trees should be kept within reasonable bounds. In regard to buildings clothed with ivy, there is nothing to be feared as long as the plant does not penetrate the substance of the wall by means of any fissure. Should it thrust its way in, its natural and continuous expansion hastens the decay of the structure. For unrelated plants called ivies, see Boston ivy; poison ivy.

Hi my friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday! Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments, compliments and good wishes. I very much appreciate that.

I wish you a good start in the new week .

Sunshine to you!

Susanne

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