Good thing the bank didn’t get busted on Mr. Stripey. ‘Cause the dude didn’t do diddly. Planted in rich organic soil, topped off with a handful of natural fertilizer, Mr. Stripey produced thriving happy greenery and cheerful blossoms throughout July and August.

By September he was ailing and all the blooms, bankrupt.

For lack of a better theory, the soaring temperatures probably didn’t do much for the poor guy and likely caused a serious (but unsurprising) case of blossom drop. Still, it was quite the let-down. This weekend he was ripped from his ginormous pot (the root system was vigorous, indeed) to allow the remaining plants on deck just a few more rays of sun.