ICE BOMB!

Southern California simmered in weather advisory level heat this last week with temperatures over 100 F even in coastal areas. I ran a DIY bucket swamp cooler to lower heat to 87-90 F in the space while raising the humidity. I also chose to transplant the larger Ice Bomb before the heat really intensified, probably in good service of the plants. I left the remaining smaller plant until the balance of my airpots arrived then headed south to San Diego for 4 days, leaving my adult spawn to care for my plants with strict instructions of bottled ro water plus a measured amount of Cal- Mag. When I returned, the heat wave had ended and the bigger plant bushed out with growth over just 4 days. On transplant I continue to use EB Stone Formula 420 Soil ammended with approximately 1/2 gallon of perlite and a handful of worm castings per 3.5 gallon pot. I took time to thoroughly break up compacted soil with my hands, moistened the soil with ro water plus Cal-Mag, humic acid and root microbes. I made a hole for the plant, sprinkled with mycorrhizae and microbes and snuggling the roots in. The roots on both plants looked nicely developed. Did some topping and mild defoliation of lower leaves. The new growth looks and feels very healthy. My transplant was much easier thanks to a tip from @GardenofAutos who slips her airpots into a pair of pantyhose to help contain dirt that escapes through the holes. Just tie off the legs and voila, your plants are stylin’!