One of the red cabbages did not make a head. Each of its interior levels grew above the one before, forming a strange, flowery tower as it went.
Frankly, it looks weird.
Being a little weird myself, though, I let it have garden room. It didn’t get harvested with all the others, either, but continued to add levels.
(If I were a serious gardener, of course, this mutant cabbage would have been removed quickly, to be replaced with something more productive or pretty. But you’ve probably figured out by now that curiosity and playfulness and fun have equally strong presences in my garden as either of those two.)
As time passed, I even began to grow fond of this aberrant cabbage and, without realizing I’d done so, gave it a name, rather like I did with Mophead in last year’s kitchen garden.
After surveying the wreckage of our latest fallen tree and having a lovely encounter with a preying mantis a few days ago, I realized Pagoda was glowing in the half-light of dusk, clearly wanting to have his portrait taken. Unfortunately, I couldn’t manage it without the flash. But you get the idea….
I wonder how tall the structure can go before first frost.
Remember, it’s still not too late to enter into the random drawing for free blog-birthday presents. Here’s the link to do so. Entries will close tonight at midnight, Eastern Standard time.
I’ve been touched and honored by all your lovely responses so far. It was a much bigger bash than I was expecting, and your kindness and generosity mean more than I can say.
Thank you for celebrating with me.
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What a unique plant your Pagoda is Meredith. I look at praying mantises (i think your preying is more apt) in a different light, after seeing one kill a hummingbird! Many joyous returns to your birthday bash. ;>)
Oops! That was definitely a Freudian slip. I do think of them as “preying” more than “praying.” The one I found was probably only a baby, being tiny and in no way capable of hurting a hummingbird — but I am sure witnessing that must have been horrible, Carol.
Mostly, I’m weirded out by the way they move their heads all the way around on their necks. It’s freaky!
Thanks for the good wishes.
I’m very impressed with Pagoda! He looks like a personality – you can’t leave him to the frost!
Merrilee´s last blog ..PS- Magnificence
I’m glad someone else thinks he’s as cool as I do, Merrilee!
We will probably let him go until the first frost, which typically sweetens the taste of cabbage — but not until the killing frost (usually a month or so later.) Before that comes, I will harvest him and at least attempt to eat him.
(Isn’t it strangely terrible that we vegetable gardeners lavish all this attention and care on things we intend to eat as soon as possible?
)
Well, now that you mention it…what does that say about us?
Merrilee´s last blog ..PS- Magnificence
GAAAHHH! IT’S A FREAKIN’ TRIFFID! EAT IT BEFORE IT EATS YOU!
That is all.
I’m giggling now. And yes, it does bear a striking resemblance to a triffid… I’ll be careful where I put my fingers.
Oh wow! It’s growing so funny! A tall cabbage!
meemsnyc´s last blog ..Fall Snow Peas
Isn’t that strange, Meems? Never saw its like before.
I’m glad you allowed it the freedom to grow despite it being different. I love praying mantis although I’m sure I would feel differently if I were to witness what Carol did…..poor hummingbird.
Serena´s last blog ..more journal pages
Carol’s experience sounds harrowing, to be sure. I am gradually — gradually — learning to appreciate the reality of Nature that includes not just pretty and sentimental and fun bits, but also fierceness and brutality and the necessity of death. I cannot live my life turning away from one half of the cycle. Things must pass away so that other things may live. That’s how it’s designed…
And yes, I do appreciate the praying mantises, just like you, Serena. This one was far too small to damage a hummer. I suspect it was a baby. I merely enjoyed the creep-out sensation of having its head turn all the way around to watch me.
You know the weirdest part? The “different” cabbage has now survived much longer than the “normal” ones — which have long since been eaten.
interesting specimen! I look forward to updates on this guy. Really pretty color!
Wendy´s last blog ..Garden to Table Challenge are you up for it
Wendy, I’ll let you know! I don’t know how much longer he’ll last. He is listing precariously after last night’s soaking rain, and I am trying to decide how exactly one would stake a cabbage.
Funky – but in a neat way.
Talon´s last blog ..Susie One and Susie Two
For some reason the combination of “funky pagoda” just made me laugh and laugh, Talon.
Im not sure what to say
about the cabbage that got away
No cabbage head it made
desk49´s last blog ..Missing- Short Story Page 1
“The cabbage that got away.” Awesome, Ellis.
Hi Meredith,
When vegetables go mad!
“Why should I be just like everyone else? Why cannot do something different in life? Why stopping growth in a head when I can go all the way to touch the sky? The first cabbage in outer space!”
I’m glad you let the ugly duck live, who knows, maybe a swan soon it’ll be
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last blog ..The Bird and The Shotgun
“When vegetables go mad.” I should let my readers come up with my post titles.
And I love his internal monologue. Go, Pagoda, go! Space is the limit. You can do it!
Something quite beautiful in its ‘wierdness’. Especially love the first image with the water drops!
Marcie, that’s my favorite image, also. I have many, many cooler shots of dew-spangled red cabbage that we ate earlier this summer. Cabbage and water droplets seem to do well together under the lens, especially in the early morning light.
Dear meredith, What a strangely stylish cabbage you have here. Ornamental and edible, what more can one ask? I am sure that it adds a Je ne Sais Quoi to the vegetable plot and is worth the growing space for that alone!!
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Set For Tea
It does add a certain je-ne-sais-quoi, yes, Edith. It’s just, I don’t know what it is exactly that it adds.
Mer
It is beautiful. It is probably a delicious pagoda as well.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary.Love your blog!
gemma´s last blog ..Traveler
Glad you find it beautiful, Gemma. I will whisper that to Pagoda later…
And thank you for those kind congrats and the compliment. I appreciate it.
I’m laughing because now you’re naming plants! I’m glad you gave Pagoda space to grow, and that curiosity and fun and playfulness are part of your gardening (and life) philosophy. Your experiences will be much richer for them!
Kathy´s last blog ..Waiting
Kathy, I feel very Anne of Green Gables-ish in the garden sometimes. My garden is teensy tiny, but I’ve named each of the paths, and several of the containers, and of course regular visitors, and now I’ve named two odd plant formations. It’s rather awesome.
Makes everything more intimate somehow…
aloha,
i love the glow! i sometimes, leave interesting foliaged veggies to develop uneaten because i also love the sculptural element that they turn into, happens quite a bit with cabbages and the colors on yours are amazing meredith!
Pagoda’s colors are his true glory, I think, Noel. Of course the structure allows him to show them off. Otherwise, they’d be hidden inside the head, and only glimpsed on the cutting board. So glad you enjoyed them, too.
That’s just darn interesting. What’s that about? I love that you have let it be though.
Lynn´s last blog ..Not in Macon anymore- fixed and shadow
As to what it’s about… well, I am about as close to guessing that as to defining the meaning of life.
You know me, Lynn. I’m all about letting things — and people — Be.