Dye Project: Poinsettia Bracts

A few weeks ago I tried a new solar dyeing project, using the bracts that I collected from a Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) last Christmas. The plant was a gift from our gardener, Mr. Nygren, and was an especially vibrant red color. The growers' label described that the Aztecs used poinsettia bracts to create a pink-purple dye. I collected the bracts as they fell off the plant and let them air dry.

Solar dyeing with Poinsettia bracts - salt mordant (day 14)

I used a single dish towel (WOF is 2.7 ounces/77 grams) that had been scoured, mordanted with salt, brightened with ammonia, and previously dyed with cabbage (see Dye Project: Red Cabbage). I collected .7 ounces/20 grams of dried bracts, so the WOF% was 26%. Dyers typically recommend equal weight of fabric and plant material when solar dyeing, but I compensated with time (two weeks) to extract as much color as possible. I added 2 teaspoons of alum to the dye bath.

The results - a surprising greenish gray

The result is a surprising greenish-gray color (the photos don't capture it well), and certainly not a pinkish-purply color! Perhaps I'll try again next year with the next holiday Poinsettia bracts, and possibly a different mordant. Experimentation is part of the fun of dyeing with plants!

Field Notes for June

Welcome back to Field Notes!

June 1, 2024

I started a new solar dyeing project, using the bracts that I collected from a Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) last Christmas. The plant was a gift from our gardener, Mr. Nygren, and was an especially vibrant red color. The growers' label described that the Aztecs used poinsettia bracts to create a pink-purple dye, which sounded like a fun project to try. I collected the bracts as they fell off the plant and let them air dry.

Solar dyeing with Poinsettia bracts - salt mordant (day 1)

I'm using a single dish towel (WOF is 2.7 ounces/77 grams) that has been scoured, mordanted with salt, brightened with ammonia, and previously dyed with cabbage. I collected .7 ounces/20 grams of dried bracts, so the WOF% is 26%. Dyers typically recommend equal weight of fabric and plant material when solar dyeing, but I intend to dye for a couple of weeks, which may compensate by extracting more color. I added 2 teaspoons of alum to the dye bath. So far, I'm loving the color!

June 4, 2024

We've been observing our bird buddies via camera over the past month. It is fascinating to watch their feeding and interacting behaviors. Our most frequent visitors appear below, and include the Oak Titmouse (adult and juvenile), House Finch, Scrub Jay, and Chestnut-backed Chickadee (not shown is the Dark-eyed Junco).

Our bird buddies

June 7, 2024

My first Over-the-Hills Gang hike! I've been eligible for a long time, but I finally joined an over-the-hills group hike in the Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. The 55+ group meets monthly to explore the Regional Parks, and to learn about nature, history, and fitness. Mari (retired colleague and friend), Gaymond (new friend), and I joined the June hike, lead by Anthony Fisher. We had the best time hiking in the cool shade of the redwoods with a group of about 40 walkers. The pace and company was excellent (and someone brought cookies)! Check the website to learn more about upcoming events at Reinhard Redwood.

Hiking through the redwoods on a hot day

June 10, 2024

Saw this beautiful mural in Montclair today. The train seems to spring to life from its flat surface! Need to find out more info about the Railroad Trestle Mural Project, by muralist John Pugh! 

New mural in the Montclair district in Oakland, CA

June 13, 2024

I'm heading back to Juneau, Alaska today, for some more family time. This time I'm flying solo, because Aunt Char is travelling to Boston by way of Phoenix. She is such a jet setter! I'll miss her company but will look forward to hearing all about her adventures.

Back to Alaska!

June 19, 2024 🌞

Tomorrow is the summer solstice, and the longest day of the year! Even though summer starts "virtually" with the Memorial Day weekend, it "technically" starts on June 20 this year. Enjoy the new season!

North Douglas, the Chilkats, and More

Juneau, Alaska receives about 71 inches of rainfall a year, so when the sun comes out, you drop everything and get outside. You know the good weather will not last long, so you take full advantage of it. Forget any practical plans you made, and make new plans! My Aunt Char and I had a mix of weather on our recent visit, including several beautiful days (cloudless or nearly cloudless). On one of these days, we dropped our plans and drove out North Douglas road to the boat launching site with its spectacular views of Mendenhall Glacier and the Chilkat mountains. The scale of the panoramic view is enormous and difficult to capture in photos. Hopefully these snapshots convey some of the beauty. 

Mendenhall Glacier from North Douglas

Aunt Char at the boat launch (Chilkat Mountains in the background)

We visited my brother and sister-in-law on Basin Road and had a wonderful time catching up in their sunny living room. Their friendly cat, Ahku, greeted us and made us feel very welcome! Last year we enjoyed conversation around their fire pit and watched a raven that came for snacks (see Alaska - The Last Frontier). Basin Road is full of mining history and natural beauty, and is the launching off point for several hikes, including Perseverance Trail, Mount Juneau Trail, and Mount Roberts Trail (see Juneau Hiking & Trails). I've done all three hikes (but not recently)!

Aunt Char on Basin Road (Mount Juneau terrain in the background)

Tulips are just starting to wake up

We also visited my parents at their home, which is filled with many happy memories spanning the decades. They built the house together, one room at a time, as our family grew, and it has continued to host many gatherings, dinners, desserts, and visits as well as the beauty of everyday life. We ordered out for most meals (Mar y Sol, Bullwinkle's Pizza, and Canton Asian Bistro), and Mom made a delicious home cooked pot roast! We also enjoyed great conversations, delicious desserts (See's candies and ice cream sundaes), and watched episodes of Madame Secretary in the evening. Life is good!

Enjoying time together

Mom's delicious pot roast

Our fortunes are foretold

At the end of each day, Aunt Char and I settled into our room at Extended Stay America to reflect on our day, and read our novels. On our day of departure, we awoke early to heavy rain and gunmetal gray skies. We still chose to cross the street to Juneau International Airport on foot rather that call a cab. In Alaska, you don't let a little rain slow you down!

Rain over the Juneau International Airport

Summer Watch

We're starting to get some heat spells here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our summers are typically cold, overcast, and damp, with the full force of summer hitting us from August through early October. Still, a stretch of warm sunny days during the traditional summer months is always a welcome change.  Roses start to bloom this time of year, announcing the change of seasons. Opinions may vary, but I think this rosy pink color is the perfect shade of rose. 

Roses are a proclamation of summer

While we're on summer watch and counting down the days until the summer solstice, check out these summer roses: Roses at Bishop Ranch and Summer Details at Filoli.