Left At The Cow

I can easily direct us to our favorite garden center. A right turn here, a left turn there, another right, a number of traffic circles/rotaries/roundabouts (depending on where you're from). A brief 7 kilometers/4 miles from home. Then turn left when you see the cow.

SO GLAD THE COW DOESN'T ROAM.

We picked up a rental car from Sergio after lunch and drove up to Vivero La Vega. Vivero translates to "nursery" or "garden center." San Geraldo hadn't yet figured that out on our first expedition (click here). That time, when we arrived at the third nursery, he said, "Look. This one's also called 'Vivero.' It must be a chain."  He's smarter now and, since Vivero La Vega is our garden center of choice, there's no more confusion. We turned left at the cow and pulled into a parking spot (click here to learn how we've improved since the first time).

THIS ONE'S ALSO CALLED VIVERO!

One would have thought that having already purchased around 30 large plants at Vivero La Vega, and having transplanted 14 bougainvilleas we brought with us from Sevilla, we couldn't possibly need anything else. Unfortunately, we've been learning the Spanish names of the pests that can destroy plants. Pulgones (aphids), Cochinillas (mealy bugs), Mosca blanca (white fly). They like the heat. They like the ocean breezes. Some things (six Bottle Brush trees — Callistemon), we've cut back and are hoping to nurse to health. Others (three oleanders), we decided to bid adios.

SO DIFFICULT TO DECIDE. I WANTED AT LEAST ONE OF EACH.

Cacti seemed like good replacements. We didn't get carried away, although it was tempting. Maybe the fact that it was our hottest day so far had something to do with it. Nothing really to complain about — although San Geraldo did — 33C/91F. But it was hotter in the hills than by the sea. And the greenhouse was stifling. Even I was sweating.

I GOT THEM TO OUR DOOR WHERE THEY SAT FOR TWO HOURS. NOW THEY'RE ON THE TERRACE.
SAN GERALDO HAS SOME WORK TO DO THURSDAY.

It was too hot for San Geraldo to bring the plants and pots upstairs. So, after he came up empty handed and then sat in front of the AC, I shuttled. (Not a good idea to try and carry two cacti at one time. Damned pricks!) OK, to his credit, San Geraldo did (mostly) load the car. He did help empty the car. And he did return the car to Sergio. And he did cook a delicious dinner. He can stay... forever.