Genesis of the Kareds
Expanding knowledge of
horticulture and botany requires experimentation. This
experimentation sometimes leaves behind legacies, sometimes disturbing
legacies. Sometimes, those legacies may be available for a
significant discount on standard retail prices. Welcome to
the
world of the Kareds.
The concept of Kareds started thanks to Deanne DeWitt of Soapy Hollow,
who asked
for assistance with moving a particularly pernicious rosebush out of a
planting bed on the side of her house. The rose already had
such
a reputation for blood-drinking that she'd named it "The Killer Attack
Rose of Evil Doom," or "Kared" for short. By the time we were
done, we looked as if we had been whipped with band saw blades, but
Kared was in a new location, and I had a good half-dozen healthy rose
cuttings covered with my own blood. A bit of cloning gel
later, and the first of the Kared race was born.
Destiny of the Kareds
Right
now, the Triffid Ranch is bursting at the seams with other Kareds, of
any number of varieties of plant. Some, such as a collection
of Echinocactus texensis cactus (known
locally as "horsecrippler cactus"), were rescued from a ranch in West
Texas where they would have been destroyed during a construction
project. Others,
such as a variety of Euphorbia
and Datura
cuttings and seedlings, are examples of other propagation experiments
that were much more successful than expected. Still others,
such
as Capsicum
peppers,
are part of an ongoing experiment in herbal bonsai to use peppers as
training plants for beginners. And then we have the roses,
with
the original Kared clone being joined by climbing and bush roses,
miniature and tea. They all need homes. Yours.
Revelation of the Kareds
Just because the Kareds aren't the main focus of the Triffid
Ranch doesn't mean that they're neglected. At shows and
events,
each Kared is labeled as such, with an instruction guide as to its
needs and wants. Whether it's a pineapple or an aloe, your Kared will
be ready for its new life away from the Triffid Ranch.
Remembrance of the Kareds
Want to bring others into the Cult of the Triffid Ranch?
Download "Say
Hello To Kared" (PDF) and give it to friends.
