Chuck & Ellen took this photograph from their doorstep last summer. That innocent looking house belongs to Sandi and Tito and judging by the direction the storm is travelling, ours will be engulfed in a couple minutes too.
A dust storm here is called a Haboob. They usually occur during the summer monsoon season.
Click the following link to see an amazing time-lapse video clip.
Since we've started coming to Leisure World, in 2011, we've seen dust in the air before but it was never like this. This cloud was slowly creeping across Phoenix and covering everything in a layer of desert grit. Immediately following was a terrific rain storm that washed everything clean. Life is good here in Leisure World.
When you leave your house for the summer you can expect things to happen while you're gone. I think we got lucky this year. Our 6 ft curb-side Ocotillo was the only casualty of the summer. It apparently fell over during one of the summer rainstorms. As far as cacti go, it was on my least favourite list and I won't miss it.
Upon our return this year we noticed some changes in our yard plants. I had taken a few photos last year so I decided to compare a few of them. Except for the automated drip system and some wire cages around the low plants, these plants are left to fend for themselves when we leave for the summer. Determining how much water they need during the extreme heat of the summer amounts to nothing more than a guess. We were very pleased to see that all of our plants, except the Ocotillo, had survived the summer. Some days got up to 110 F (44C)
Click the following link to see an amazing time-lapse video clip.
Since we've started coming to Leisure World, in 2011, we've seen dust in the air before but it was never like this. This cloud was slowly creeping across Phoenix and covering everything in a layer of desert grit. Immediately following was a terrific rain storm that washed everything clean. Life is good here in Leisure World.
Upon our return this year we noticed some changes in our yard plants. I had taken a few photos last year so I decided to compare a few of them. Except for the automated drip system and some wire cages around the low plants, these plants are left to fend for themselves when we leave for the summer. Determining how much water they need during the extreme heat of the summer amounts to nothing more than a guess. We were very pleased to see that all of our plants, except the Ocotillo, had survived the summer. Some days got up to 110 F (44C)
Last year our grapefruit tree produced only 3 grapefruits. We didn't expect very much from it this year except that Perry, our neighbour, said it normally produces lots of fruit.
Well, Perry was right. This year, over 50 big fat grapefruits hang from our tree. All of them on the South side. Can't explain why the tree is doing so well except that I had increased the watering frequency over the summer and painted the trunk white to keep it cool. I've also had to trim the branches because some were touching the house.
Our little Hedgehog cactus only gets about half a gallon of water every month while we are here. During the summer it only gets watered during the occasional rainstorm. It flowered last year at the end of March so I assume it's getting adequate moisture.
This year we noticed two new stems on the Hedgehog.
That fat cactus in the foreground in front of the Red Yucca is an Indian Fig Cactus. We noticed it last year when it was only 12" tall.
This year the Indian Fig is almost 3 feet tall. The Red Yucca receives water every second day on our drip system and that's likely why the Indian Fig is doing so well.
When water is so readily available these desert plants do not develop much of a root system and they fall over because they get so top-heavy. I might have to move this guy for his own good.
This Sago Palm is one of three that we planted in our courtyard a month before leaving for Alberta lsat year. They receive approximately 3 gallons of water every two days throughout the summer.
This photo was taken in October after our return. The plant has filled out nicely and there are no dry or dead branches.
Our Totem Pole cactus cluster is mature and should not be over watered. It gets about half a gallon of water during the cool winter months.
During the summertime the Totem Pole only gets whatever water it can get from the summer rains. It's doing very well fending for itself. Note how it's filled out and has sprouted at least 3 new arms.
Last year we planted this Arizona Sweet Navel Orange and a Washington Navel. Both are well suited for this climate and are two of the recommended varieties for the Sonoran desert. I installed a wire cages around the trees to keep the rabbits from eating the leaves. Both trees flowered before we left in the spring so we had high hopes for some oranges upon our return.
Wishful thinking I guess. The trees have filled out a bit and are a bit taller and appear healthy but no oranges.
We'll have to rely on Perry's generosity again this year. He has plenty of citrus and can't eat it.
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