I know exactly what this flower is, as do many of you, I’m sure! The garden, at least what I have planted this year, is growing well, with all of the rain we have had and the flowers are almost finished now. In this part of the world, if you grow potatoes you know you will be bothered by Colorado Beetles (potato bugs) and potentially other pests. A lot of time is spent going through the plants, picking off the adults and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water and squashing the eggs. It’s a constant battle. This year I kept going over the bed, looking for the bugs and eggs and apart from one batch of eggs very early in the season, which I squished, I haven’t yet seen one bug or batch of eggs*. Soon after I transplanted some mustards, greens and arugula plants next to them and it seems that this is the reason for my lack of infestation! A short while ago I was reading a news article explaining that the mustards and arugula apparently give off a gas which repels the beetles. You can read the CBC article here if you are interested. Whatever the reason for the lack of pests, I don’t mind as it saves me loads of time every day. The potato flower is an underappreciated one I feel, so this is your treat for today, my friends, along with your lesson in home gardening! *Edit: I have seen 3 bugs yesterday and today, so perhaps I need to replant fresh arugula/mustards. A Flower a Day #327
To view the info and Flower a Day gallery…
The August Flower a Day Gallery with current content is below. Each day a new photo will be added. With today’s post there are now 327 to view on the full Flower a Day gallery.
A gallery of flowers shared on a daily basis to cheer myself and hopefully you, the viewer too, during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic period. Posts from August 2021
If you wish to you can subscribe here if you have not already, to be sure to get my daily flowers in your inbox!
Cute…and saucy…is what came to mind when I looked at your post today, Ellie. Is that plant sticking its tongue out at me? Well I don’t mind…just makes want to pat it on the head – sort of. This flower is a bit misleading insofar as we think of the potato as the product of the potato plant and I guess it really is. However, the real fruit is the small green ‘tomato-like fruit which is what these flowers turn into at the end of their life. Unfortunately, or maybe not, these small fruits just dry up and fall off rather than turning into mature produce. That leaves us with the good stuff, the roots of the subject. Thank you, Ellie, for showing me the pretty side of the potato plant. Some of us city folk don’t often get to see that.
I thought I had responded to this but it must have been all in my head. (I guess it’s good to know something goes on in there..) I thought to say that I hadn’t noticed the little fruits, though I must have seen them in the past. Seeing and noticing are two different things as I know well. It is too late for me to find any now as they are all finished. Soon will be little potatoes, growing into big ones! I’m glad you like seeing this image from the country, my city mouse friend! Thanks for the comment, Janet.
It is very lovely by itself. But it is also beautiful to see a whole field of potatoes in blossom. Very pretty to see the purple blossoms on the blue potatoes as well. Thanks again for sharing hope you don’t get too many more bugs..
Thanks Linda, I hope I don’t! I have several baby mustards that are soon ready to transplant and you know how arugula style seeds so I should be okay if that works!