Blooming and Growing

Our April 14th blog entry showed photos of our tall, strong and graceful Ohia trees ** covered with beautiful red Lehua blossoms.  This week, we had an unexpected treat because one of the Ohia trees we planted a year ago had its first YELLOW blossom.  Most all trees bloom red, and yellow blooming trees are rare.  Even more rare are salmon colored blossoms. 

When we moved, we spent months reclaiming our one acre from the encroaching jungle vines and ferns, and many of the islands introduced invasive species.  Next we began planting our mini-orchard with a variety of fruit trees.  We found a local nursery man who had his own yellow Ohia tree and we got two small rooted cuttings from him about a year ago.  The trees are less than three feet tall at this time, so we didn't expect to see blossoms for a few years, but we got lucky as one of them bloomed.

Patiently (sort of) waiting for breakfast on the front porch.

Dexter and Reba are being tolerant and polite with each other, but Dexter prefers to be inside the house, and Reba has been an outside dog for year, so that helps with the family dynamics.  Ao-Pokole (Poko for short -- and "Poko" means short too) is growing fast and has more than doubled his weight and length.  We are taking turns with the early morning breakfast preparation; each of them gets different proportions and Dexter has Rx added to his food as well.


** The Ohia trees are the most abundant native trees in Hawaii and are among the first life in new lava flows. According to Hawaiian mythology, the tree represents a young warrior. Pele, the goddess of fire, wanted to marry the warrior. When he refused, she turned him into a tree. The other gods weren't able to turn him back, so they turned his true love, Lehua, into the blossom so the two lovers could be reunited. It is also thought that if you pick one of the blossoms, it will rain – representing the tears of lovers.