Forcing paperwhites is supposed to cheer the gardener through the gloomy, dark days of winter. But this gardener is wailing and gnashing her teeth because the paperwhites aren't cooperating!
Christmas cactus
Lessons Learned Growing Houseplants
November 16, 2018 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingWhat do your houseplants teach you? Houseplants are the only plants blooming in November, but they are fascinating in their own way. Here's what I've learned from a few of mine.
Sometimes Plants Surprise Me: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day February 2017
February 16, 2017 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingSometimes plants surprise me. It surprises me that this 'Sweet Nymph' amaryllis is blooming. Why? Because I didn't follow any of the "rules" for getting an amaryllis to re-bloom. I did not put it (or my other amaryllises) in a closet in mid-August or early September. Why would I, when the plants were growing lushly? [...]
Christmas Cactus Saved From Near Death: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day February 2016
February 15, 2016 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingI have whined before, here and on Facebook, that some of my Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera hybrids, also called zygocacti) were failing. I got plenty of advice as a result, most of which I was already following, when I happened to stumble upon an old blog post of Matt Mattus'. In it he advised to avoid [...]
How to Have the First Bloom on Your Block: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day March 2015
March 15, 2015 – Posted in: Design, Mud Season, The Earliest Flowers, What's up/bloomingIt is more important to have the first bloom on your block than the first tomato. The first outdoor bloom is a potent morale booster, signifying that the back of winter has been broken. However, to have the very first flower blooming in your neighborhood is not a matter left to chance. You must employ [...]
Tired of Houseplants!: Garden Bloggers Bloom Day December 2013
December 15, 2013 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingI have nothing blooming for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Oops. I take that back. My African violet is blooming. It puts out flushes of bloom, despite the fact that I don't water it very consistently. I just happened to luck out this month. No Bloom From Thanksgiving or Christmas Cacti At least one of my [...]
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day February 2013
February 15, 2013 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingMy impulsively purchased orchid still looks fantastic, and while one forced hyacinth is past its prime, another is getting ready to take its place. This "Christmas" cactus was also an impulse purchase a couple of years ago. It blooms quite a while after my other two and thus extends the indoor winter bloom season.I also [...]
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day January 2013
January 15, 2013 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingI practice what I preach. I make sure I have plants to help get me through the winter.In fact, that pot of narcissus was in my last post about cabin fever. Flowers Now, and More Flowers Later Yes, that is the same red dragonwing begonia from last winter. Last winter I brought a fairly big [...]
The Great Houseplant Census of 2010
February 2, 2010 – Posted in: Plant infoMr. McGregor's Daughter, in an effort to promote domestic harmony*, has requested gardeners everywhere to tally up the number of plants they currently have growing inside. Here are my results: Outdoor Plants Wintering Over 1 rosemary 1 'Rehoku Sunrise' carex (an experiment) 1 apple seedling (my middle daughter's experiment) 1 orange tree grown from seed [...]
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