My Winter Garden

I have enjoyed (and yes, even envied) photos posted by blogging friends who are in the southern USA  or southern hemisphere where the the weather is much warmer and flowers are blooming. Here in snowy cold eastern Canada we are in the depths of winter and the only blooms are on houseplants. I am tiring of  the cold, the snow and the ice. I'm ready for spring and colour! (I think I need a visit to the local nursery to enjoy some warmth and colour!)

Short of delving into my photo archives, the only blooms I can share with you today are those of my orchids. I have three which sit on my kitchen windowsill, I think of them as my "winter garden." I knew nothing about growing orchids when I got  the first one more than three years ago, and to be honest, still know very little. The only thing I claim to know for sure is that they seem to like where they are, a south facing window. The first one has bloomed almost continually since I got it, there was only one period of just over a month when it had no

blooms. My second orchid  purchase was a "miniature" orchid; it too has bloomed continuously. The third I've only had for six months, but so far, continuous blooms. So I guess I must be doing something right! I water them once a week, and give them fertilizer occasionally.
These blooms you see here are of my miniature orchid. The blooms are about 2" across.
Have you ever had an orchid? Do you have any orchid-growing secrets to share?

Peace,
Linda

"I must have flowers, always and always."  ~ Claude Monet

Winter Gardening...

It seems I may have lost my touch..... Maybe I should just stick to gardening in the summer. I purchased an Amaryllis bulb almost a month ago now, and followed the potting directions to a "T". I am not a "first time Amaryllis grower"... I have had many of these beauties before, (see header photo) and indeed still have a number of bulbs, in various stages (although, sadly, none looking like they will bloom this month). This year I bought "Minerva".







She has not budged. Nope, not one sign of growth. The bulb looks the very same as the day I potted it up, weeks ago. I think maybe I got a dud? Has anyone else had this problem this year? I keep telling myself to be patient, that she is just growing enormous roots and then will have a humongous stalk and multiple blooms.... But I'm beginning to doubt. I know, I know, I shouldn't be a doubting Thomas... "Oh ye of little faith" and all that... But I'm getting anxious!! Christmas is coming, after all.... Any suggestions from those experienced with growing Amaryllis would be appreciated. Usually these bulbs pop up pretty quickly. I'm hoping she is just a slow starter...

So it's a good thing I treated myself to another "special" plant this season. I could not resist this beautiful orchid at Sobeys several weeks ago. It has been "color infused"- in other words the blue color is not natural, and subsequent bloomings (if I'm lucky enough to get it to bloom again) will revert to the plant's natural bloom color which in this case is purple. (In fact, you can see the smallest blooms- the buds which have opened in the last week - have little blue and are mostly the natural purple color.) But isn't this electric blue, on top of the purple, gorgeous? (Kinda like those beautiful overdyed fabrics!!) Being a blue-lover, I just could not pass it by!! I have no experience with orchids at all, but I'm going to give it a try! This Phalaenopsis orchid has been named "Blue Mystique"  and comes from Silver Vase Orchids in Homestead, Florida (southwest of Miami). You can read more about Blue Mystique here.  I'll have more photos of my Blue Mystique tomorrow...

Do you treat yourself to any special plants at Christmas?

Peace,
Linda

"Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success." ~ Brian Adams