Banos agriculture and a few flowers

During our walks in the relatively steep hills of Banos, we got not only bug bites and an appreciation for the lungs and muscles of these Ecuadorans, but great exposure to some of the local methods of agriculture.

They plant corn and squash on these steep hillsides.

Very recently planted squash on a hillside.

Another type of squash or eggplant sort of thing on the hillside.

Ambitious farmer.

Little round squash growing on a vine. 

A small passion fruit crop in process.

On the other side of the mountain, there were lots of greenhouses set up for tomatoes and oseedlings.  The greenhouses are erected of pipes, sticks and lots and lots of plastic sheeting and seem to be good for awhile, but then once the plastic is shredded, that greenhouse is frequently abandoned, and another is erected nearby.  I don't understand why they don't just repair - we saw lots of them in tatters..

Lots of greenhouses across the hill.

One functioning on the left, one in tatters on the right. 

Still functioning, but on its way out.  Growing tomatoes here.

Abandoned to weeds. 

Tomatoe trees (special sweet type), avocados and orange/limon/other citrus trees grow wild, too -- perhaps abandoned orchards or house trees? 

And this zinnia looking flower below was cool -- its blossoms grew directly out of the blossom below it -- some were five blossoms deep.

Bru

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Brugmansias grow wild here (many of you know I love and struggle with brugs).  Amazing smell in the evenings.  Above, a yellow brug, below a peacock (an imported pet) on a pink one.

Dahlias also grow wild here, along with thunburgia, impatiens and many of our houseplants and annuals.