tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post6541031945847183444..comments2024-03-21T14:08:47.185-05:00Comments on It's Not Work, It's Gardening!: Miscellany from AmsterdamAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13393082652312828458noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-85171657759816069372015-09-22T04:42:06.676-05:002015-09-22T04:42:06.676-05:00Alan: Himalayan balsam is a plant with two sides. ...Alan: Himalayan balsam is a plant with two sides. <br /><br />Its dark side is that it's able to invade river and stream banks and out competes native flora. But, is only able to do so because the majority of those habitats have to much nutrients due to human activities (mostly farming practices). If those habitats have less nutrients the Himalayan balsam grows in less numbers or even completely disappears. <br /><br />Its good side is that it blooms well into autumn and by doing so is providing the needed extra energy for pollinators. This long blooming season is also why bee keepers really like it. Not only bee keepers like it I do to because the make really lovely honey out of its nectar :)Stefan Hagemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14990460163511657466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-90776904201433019562015-09-21T21:00:05.302-05:002015-09-21T21:00:05.302-05:00Cool images of your trip! How exciting to have b...Cool images of your trip! How exciting to have been able to visit more than once. Hope you had a great time!outlawgardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08273973572989510382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-68882455938797318162015-09-21T07:46:49.385-05:002015-09-21T07:46:49.385-05:00Maywyn: Balsam looked quite nice to me -- too bad ...Maywyn: Balsam looked quite nice to me -- too bad it's invasive there (as Stefan said).<br /><br />Hoover and Charlie: You can't imagine the bicycle traffic, and how different it is from US bikers. It's rare to see a helmet there, and people do all sorts of things while riding, including reading books and looking at their phones. Really great and crazy!Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13393082652312828458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-80895552118951194382015-09-20T14:53:10.888-05:002015-09-20T14:53:10.888-05:00Your photos are amazing...I ride my bike everywher...Your photos are amazing...I ride my bike everywhere so I really enjoy a city that is so focused on using bikes to eliminate car traffic.Charlie@Seattle Trekkerhttp://seattletrekker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-53381490438320069172015-09-19T17:27:45.122-05:002015-09-19T17:27:45.122-05:00That must have been fun, looking around a place so...That must have been fun, looking around a place so different from home. Lots and lots of bicycles, eh? Perhaps you and your wife will get back there for a vacation someday.<br /><br />I remember flying into Detroit, and seeing a badger running in the grass along the runway. Hoover Boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03083294821646284424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-65128638996812276352015-09-19T02:38:07.463-05:002015-09-19T02:38:07.463-05:00I love balsam. I have the kind that grows on an up...I love balsam. I have the kind that grows on an upright stem. The seed packet stated miniature impatiens. When the hanging basket plants didn't quite hang, I knew something is amiss. The seeds pods pop open like an impatien plant. The colors are white to a bright salmon. Those flowers aren't as frilly as the ones in your photo.Salty Pumpkin Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10116105220109225010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-40421863081681564062015-09-18T13:32:02.890-05:002015-09-18T13:32:02.890-05:00Stefan: I had a feeling it was an invasive. It'...Stefan: I had a feeling it was an invasive. It's not as prevalent as that one grass that seems to be taking over most of the park wetlands though.<br /><br />Gerhard: I'll work on it. :)Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13393082652312828458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-45678448284457010482015-09-18T11:24:06.863-05:002015-09-18T11:24:06.863-05:00It seems everybody's been traveling lately! I&...It seems everybody's been traveling lately! I've only been to Amsterdam airport, not the city proper, so it was nice to get a few glimpses. Would love to see more!Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17583583634141549759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306285038402649171.post-31651230019561209972015-09-18T10:09:18.423-05:002015-09-18T10:09:18.423-05:00The flowering plant is Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens...The flowering plant is Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) a very invasive species in the Netherlands. Stefan Hagemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14990460163511657466noreply@blogger.com