A little time down south and a BNut meetup

[Hartinez]

Just about to finish up a little trip I took to spend a week with my momma in southern Mississippi. She lives in Diamondhead which is a little retirement community just east of New Orleans. This trip was just myself and my youngest son, Ozzie (6 yrs old). My other kiddos are off on there own adventures seeing there other parents and grandparents. It’s been a great little Dad, son trip so far.

Almost dealt with a tropical storm as the warnings were constant. Turns out this sorta thing happens all the time down here. Alarms are sounded, warnings are Grave. Then nothing major takes place and its just another heavy rainstorm. We got 9 inches in one day and night, which is 5” shy of New Mexico’s average YEARLY rain fall. The moisture has been a nice break.

First day in I checked on my moms little bougainvillea i sent her several years ago, that she just loves and is doing well. Then we went out in her yard and we dug up a dwarf yaupon volonteer that sprouted in her yard a year or two ago. was able to come up with a decent mix and we started a new leader and wired. Not the greatest candidate, but she loves it!
I also dug up a few azalea volunteers and a water oak volunteer that I’m going to mail to myself. Maybe a waste of time with the climate differences, but why not.

 

[Hartinez]

We did a swamp tour a few days in that i really enjoyed. Finally got to see what all the hype is about with wild bald cypress, their forms and those dam knees and buttressed roots! dam incredible really, and with gators swimming amongst them it made quite the scene for this desert dweller.

 

[Carol 83]

We did a swamp tour a few days in that i really enjoyed. Finally got to see what all the hype is about with wild bald cypress, their forms and those dam knees and buttressed roots! dam incredible really, and with gators swimming amongst them it made quite the scene for this desert dweller.

Sounds like a fun father/son trip, minus the alligators!

 

[Hartinez]

While here I also wanted to link up with some of the bnutters down south here @Brian Van Fleet and @Mellow Mullet . Unfortunately Brian being in BHam was a little further a drive than was practical. But I was def able to get to Jon (mellowmullets) house. His collection did not disappoint, though I’m sure my pictures will! His collection of azaleas almost entirely from smaller propagated stock from a local azalea guy or from cuttings was really inspiring. I e always wanted to start an azalea but my climate and water is not conducive. I def had azalea envy. His arakawa that he’s got a thread on is incredible also with bark and shape that’ll make you drool. My fave trees of his were the cypress though. Way bigger in person than you see in person. His tree with massive knees is mind blowing with little to no evidence of chops. Most of his cypress were started from seed or cuttings also. And these things are huge!!!! He’s also got his impressive ficus nerifolia forest that is also much bigger and much more impressive in person. And 1 juniper nana that is humble but quietly as impressive and stunning as the rest. Very well formed and shaped with great trunk movement. His wife and him were incredibly hospitable feeding me and hooking up a sampling of his dragons seasoning made from dehydrated and ground spicy peppers he grows. I felt bad that my only offering was a six pack of beer. Here’s only a few pics and I could have taken many more!!! My only regret was not getting to take a pic with Jon. A great dude and a pleasure to meet and chat with.

 

[Hartinez]

There’s a few azalea neagari in here that’s Jon started from scratch that @Cadillactaste may enjoy!

 

[Hartinez]

Just look at the scale on that ficus group!

 

[River's Edge]

Love those road trips with memorable side trips.

 

[Hartinez]

His bald cypress with knees was just incredible. Again, can’t speak enough for how great Jon and his wife were to hang and chat with. True southern hospitality.

 

[Carol 83]

hooking up a sampling of his dragons seasoning made from dehydrated and ground spicy peppers he grows.

That's very nice, but did he share any of his magic Pixie Dust?

 

[Hartinez]

Love those road trips with memorable side trips.

It’s been a great time for sure. Such a nice break from the stifling 104 degree dry New Mexico heat. Though I’m sure the 90 degree heat with a million percent humidity would get old quick as well! Also, we flew in to New Orleans so the driving has been minimal. Made the drive to Mobile a pleasant one.

 

[Hartinez]

That's very nice, but did he share any of his magic Pixie Dust?

I wish he would with as nice as his trees are!

 

[River's Edge]

It’s been a great time for sure. Such a nice break from the stifling 104 degree dry New Mexico heat. Though I’m sure the 90 degree heat with a million percent humidity would get old quick as well! Also, we flew in to New Orleans so the driving has been minimal. Made the drive to Mobile a pleasant one.

The minimal driving made it much easier with a six year old I suspect, or at least if memory serves me right!

 

[penumbra]

Sounds like a fun father/son trip, minus the alligators!

Funny Carol, when I visited the Everglades 4 years back, alligators was at the top of my wanna see list. I wasn't disappointed.
Of course the bald cypress were cool too.

 

[penumbra]

Sorry man , I had to jab at the critter comment. Sounds like a fabulous trip. Wish I had been able to do that with my son but his mother was in battle gear.

 

[just.wing.it]

with gators

Very cool pictures! Thanks!

 

[Hartinez]

The minimal driving made it much easier with a six year old I suspect, or at least if memory serves me right!

Really though. I will say, though I am biased, I’ve got a pretty great 6 year old. My 12 yr old would probably complain more!

 

[Hartinez]

Quick shout also to my extraordinarily beautiful and understanding wife, who is watering all of my trees twice a day while also being in PA school while my son and I are on vacay. She’s a badass.

 

[HENDO]

Thanks for sharing!

Mr. Mullet (Jon) has such good content online and is always super helpful with answering questions so I bet he's a cool dude to visit in person - great to see candid pictures of his awesome trees and setups.

I'd definitely be willing to pay more than a six pack for a visit like this!!

 

[Hartinez]

Thanks for sharing!

Mr. Mullet (Jon) has such good content online and is always super helpful with answering questions so I bet he's a cool dude to visit in person - great to see candid pictures of his awesome trees and setups.

I'd definitely be willing to pay more than a six pack for a visit like this!!

He really is and his threads are some of my faves. And you said it, felt silly with just my beer. You can bet I’ll be sending him a little something.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

It was great meeting you too, Danny, and really the beer was plenty and actually not required for the vist (it was delicious, though), getting to meet another nutter and the great conversation was reward enough. I also hate we did not get our picture together, and, I wish I would have "sucked in my gut" for the ones you took, the corona virus shutdown really took a toll, lol.