There’s something special about Sunday mornings. It’s a time that’s built for reading each section of the newspaper, undertaking the crossword puzzle, and lingering over a breakfast that’s a bit more intricate than an eat-and-run weekday meal. It’s a moment to pause and breathe.
For today’s Sunday breakfast, I’m serving up some flapjacks.
When I first spotted Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjacks” in the nursery, it was love at first sight. Symmetrical. Structured. Succulent. There was a place in the new front bed, the section that runs along the edge of the driveway, where they would work.
It never occurred to me that they would grow — I mean, why would a plant grow? And if it did occur to me, I didn’t have a clue about how it would grow. Fuller? Wider? Longer?
Taller. The Kalanchoe grew taller. And taller. And taller. My symmetrical, structured succulents became silly Seuss-like silvery-green stalks.
Each passing day, I was given the chance to look at my Flapjacks from new angles, to look at the structure and form of the plant, to gaze down the the length of the stalk. . .
To wait for the small flowers to bloom . . .
To imagine myself much smaller, walking through the valley between the fleshy leaves . . .
To play with the camera settings to see how the plant looked saturated with color . . .
To wonder if this was a new plant budding . . .
To debate keeping the offshoots here or to move them about the yard. . .
Even the neighbors marveled at the plants, asking me what I planned to do. My response each time was the same: “I don’t know. I’m just going to let them be and see what happens.”
In other words, I’m going to pause and breathe — because these flapjacks, just like a Sunday morning dish served with a side of crossword, are a daily reminder to do just that.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
A fine specimen for a Sunday morning.
Glad you like it, PBM.
What fun. There’s something almost Dali-esque about those twisted and contorted leaves in your second image. An the “Valley of the Leaves” shot is stunning.
Hi Daniel. It does sort of look like the plants are melting and distorted! I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut back the valley so those babies can do their thing! 🙂
I tried these indoors in a pot one winter and had similar results. They look much better grounded in your garden!!
MARIO!!! I feel that each time I plant something, it’s an experiment. I’m never quite sure what will happen — and this was so much fun and easy. Hope all is well with you!
Wonderful! 🙂 Kevin, I really enjoyed your philosophic thoughts about the correlation between your flapjacks and the sunday mornings. (And, of course, I enjoyed your photos of the your plants and how they develop!)
Have a nice week!
Michèle
Hi Michele. So glad you liked it. Be well!
What a lovely plant ! and to be able to plant it in the gardensoil instead of in a pot inside the house !
Hi Gwennie. There are so many northern houseplants that can thrive outside. It’s an adventure! 🙂
I bet it is ! I’d have a ball in Florida if I lived there and had a garden !!!
🙂
I should have seen that coming! Flapjacks. Who knew?
As always, Kevin, a beautiful post. Your pictures are fantastic. How many green thumbs do you have, anyway?
About the INDOOR flapjacks, my mouth started watering! It’s been a long time since this “Dedicated Diabetic” has allowed that delicious delight to pass her lips. I’ll just have to live vicariously — thanks for the fantasy.
Oh, one last thing, Kevin: Regarding the Sunday paper, PLEASE tell me it’s the NY Times. Please. We haven’t lost you to one of those Floridian papers (The Palm Beach Post, or something) — have we? 🙂
–K
Hi KKeevins. I do prefer the NY Times, but I will also go for the Sun Sentinel — it has more local stories, which I should probably keep up on. I’ve also noticed the Sun Sentinel prints the previous week’s Times crossword — so I can fool myself that I’m a crossword puzzle genius. 🙂
You’ll always be a genius to me, my friend!
xoxo
Fascinating (as Mr Spock would say)! Love the ‘valley’ shots as well. And I’m sure you’ll be finding a place somewhere for those offshoots. 😉
Hello M’Lady. I’ve already planted some offshoots in pots in the backyard and — good news — the iguanas have so far stayed away from them. Score a point for me. 🙂
Your photos are great! I started with one of these wonderful succulents, and now have dozens and dozens. They are just so rewarding and they do sell for a small fortune “out here” because the demand is so high. I have never heard them called “flapjacks” before and I’m thrilled to have that information. I also think your Dr. Seuss reference is just perfect. These are show-stoppers, Kevin!
Hi Debra. I’m glad you mentioned the price — that’s one the main reasons I love to propagate plants, to keep more money in my pocket. I’m always planting a seed or trying to root a clipping or planting succulent leaves to get them to become new plants. Be well, my friend.
Dr. Seuss-like, indeed! They look like the succulent version of mullein, which some designers use to great (or questionable) effect in the garden, but I can never figure out what to do with.
Hi Indie. Good call on the mullein — which I assume is used because of the height of the spires. I never expected the Flapjacks to grow — just not like this. Garden and learn. 🙂
At its core, gardening is an experimental art. Have fun seeing what happens with your flapjacks.
Hi Jean. It’s definitely an experiment — and I think that’s one of the things that really attracts me to gardening. It’s the chance to see what I’m able to do. Stay warm!
They grow like weeds there. Kalanchoe houseplants do too, but nothing like that. Yours have a strange, but cool growth pattern.
Hi Donna. I have to say that Zone 10 gardening is a beast unto itself. 🙂