Welcome Surprise
The first week at home has been a blur. I came home with a chest cold. I was tired out from coughing and waking in the night. I expected all my plants to have suffered since we were gone from home so long this year. Imagine my delight, then, when I found that my kitchen plants had not only survived, they were and are still blooming!
Years ago, when we lived in Edmonton, Alberta,
I knew two older ladies who each grew African violets. One was our next door neighbor, Mrs. Cook, who could get anything to grow except for the clematis vine she kept trying to grow outside her back door. Her African violets always seemed to be in bloom. The other was Mom's and my friend, Mrs. Bouillon. She also had African violets she grew in her assisted living apartment. Since then, I have usually had some African violets, with mixed success. Lately, though, I have had many blooms from these three plants.
After coming to live in the United States, I have had orchid plants given to me. I always tried to get them to rebloom, usually without success. However, this one phaleanopsis has outdone itself. This is the fourth time this plant has bloomed. As you can see from the picture, the blooms are prolific. You can also see that I am still attempting to get other orchids to rebloom. I find orchid plants to be extremely cost effective, whether or not they bloom even a second time. The plant usually costs under $25, at least in the size I buy them, and usually at Trader Joe's. If I get them with only a few blossoms open, they continue to bloom for weeks on end. I am happy to be nurturing these plants that reward me with magnificent blossoms.
The first week at home has been a blur. I came home with a chest cold. I was tired out from coughing and waking in the night. I expected all my plants to have suffered since we were gone from home so long this year. Imagine my delight, then, when I found that my kitchen plants had not only survived, they were and are still blooming!
Years ago, when we lived in Edmonton, Alberta,
I knew two older ladies who each grew African violets. One was our next door neighbor, Mrs. Cook, who could get anything to grow except for the clematis vine she kept trying to grow outside her back door. Her African violets always seemed to be in bloom. The other was Mom's and my friend, Mrs. Bouillon. She also had African violets she grew in her assisted living apartment. Since then, I have usually had some African violets, with mixed success. Lately, though, I have had many blooms from these three plants.
After coming to live in the United States, I have had orchid plants given to me. I always tried to get them to rebloom, usually without success. However, this one phaleanopsis has outdone itself. This is the fourth time this plant has bloomed. As you can see from the picture, the blooms are prolific. You can also see that I am still attempting to get other orchids to rebloom. I find orchid plants to be extremely cost effective, whether or not they bloom even a second time. The plant usually costs under $25, at least in the size I buy them, and usually at Trader Joe's. If I get them with only a few blossoms open, they continue to bloom for weeks on end. I am happy to be nurturing these plants that reward me with magnificent blossoms.
posted by Mary at 9:02 PM
2 Comments:
I am so envious of your green thumb. Your violets and orchids are absolutely splendid!
My mom is like you . . . she can get anything to bloom. When my parents traveled around the states in their RV, Mom picked up something from a redwood. Now, she has a redwood growing in her backyard in South Carolina!
My thumb is very black. Whenever my parents leave town, I water their plants. My biggest fear is killing off something special . . .
I learned to grow African violets from my grandma, and used to have quite a collection as a teen. My house now has no window sills and poor light. I need to work on a way to have them again, you've inspired me.
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