With growing tips from the society, the couple's orchids have been blooming ever since. The garden has become more than a hobby. Julius created a pond in the front with a mister that comes on automatically to keep the area humid and the plants moist. The area is also home to more than a few frogs that have found it a downright frog heaven. In addition to the tropical plants, the couple has planted grapes, guavas, oranges, papayas, persimmons, kumquats and figs all over their property.
Kumquats always grow particularly well.
We have so many kumquats, we advertise for people to come and pick them. As the weather cools, the kumquats get sweeter. We have three trees that are only about 5 years old, but they produce many kumquats. Leah Stratmann is The Log's features editor and can be reached at 654-8445.