Dick Dale, the Father of Surf Guitar, is coming to The Ritz 10-7-2016. I mention this to friends and all I hear is “crickets” (except for Zoidy: “Shut up!”). So for those of you who aren’t familiar with him, here’s some vintage video from his gig at the old Cactus Club in downtown San Jose (courtesy of Bay Area Backstage):
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From the 2016 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show (3-16 through 3-20)
These 2 HUGE, animated insects greeted everyone at the entrance to the show. The praying mantis would rise up and spread her front legs – while the grasshopper emerged from the surrounding vegetation and “buzzed” his wings (sounded very cool).
This was also the 1st year they (finally) had a carnie (carnivorous plant) vendor!! And one I visit frequently, as they are located in Half Moon Bay: World’s Rare Plant Store.
“My Booty”
Clockwise from far left: large Ping (aka Butterwort), Tillandsia usenoides (aka Spanish moss), Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plant), lithops (aka living stone), and the jewel of my new collection – Darlingtonia california *. The Ping & Nepenthes have settled in and doing well in their new home.
I also took a tour around the Bonsai exhibit, but my fascination lies more with the miniatures accenting the larger bonsai specimens (hence the name “accent plant”).
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* Darlingtonia californica (California pitcher plant, cobra lily) It is native to Northern California and Oregon, growing in bogs and seeps with cold running water. I’ve heard they’re tricky to grow as they don’t tolerate high temperatures and require COLD water. So far, these babies are doing well and I’ll have some close-ups for you soon. Wikipedia
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