houseplants

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My Orchid Blooms Again

Imagine my surprise when this orchid rebloomed.

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis also is known as a moth plant

Sure, in theory, they re-bloom, but that’s not been my experience. I received this orchid as a gift in November 2016.  I’ve been lulled into purchasing one or two over the years, but they’re pricey and usually end the same way.

Orchids are gorgeous when in bloom, and they don’t require much fuss. Eventually, like all flowering plants, the blooms drop away. What’s left is a small set of shiny green leaves. They look nice for a while, but apparently, I neglect them and the leaves fall off one by one. I’m left with compost-filler and a small, empty pot.

Phalaenopsis

Light filtering through the Phalaenopsis bloom

I don’t mind admitting that its a bit guilt-inducing when you lose a house plant. I have my green thumb reputation to uphold! It was ridiculously validating to round the corner behind my couch last November and find my orchid in bloom, three years after the plant moved in. Furthermore, it continued to bloom well into February of this year. February!

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis

Of course, I can’t take all the credit, but after some reading, I’ll let you know what I did right. I moved the orchid close to a window that receives filtered light. There are other plants in the corner, which help create humidity. I stopped watering with my watering can and let a few icecubes melt on the surface instead. Orchids need oxygen at the roots and they don’t like sitting in water.

Those small changes paid off in a big and beautiful way.

My next project will be trying to revive an African Violet. Our foster kitten sat on it. That said, Little Bit went to her permanent home in early January and the violet is still hanging on.

I remain hopeful.

Little Bit Foster Kitty

Little Bit lounging as one does

 

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My Crowded Kitchen Windowsill

When we remodeled our kitchen over a decade ago, one of the biggest perks was our expanded kitchen window. The designer suggested bringing the window down to counter height, then extending it out. I would have all that room to garden indoors.

kitchen window before and after

Our Kitchen Window, Before and After Remodel

Since then, my kitchen windowsill has gotten a little crowded.

Avocado Pits

My youngest son started growing avocado pits again, after finally succeeding with this one.

avocado pit collage

Growing Avocado Plants

It looks leggy but I’m under strict orders not to trim it back, even with my plausible explanation that it will fill out if we do. That’s okay. I live with two teenage boys, so I’m used to being the one that doesn’t know anything. I’m not complaining too loudly. It’s nice to see him show an interest in plants again after a brief hiatus.

Christmas Cactus

I re-potted three “Christmas Cactus” last year after covering clay pots with up-cycled Petra Paper. The pots held up well. Two of the three plants are flowering now, but the third and largest hasn’t bloomed for a few years.

Christmas Cactus

Fuchsia Christmas Cactus

covered petra paper pots

Covered Petra Paper Pots

A bit of research revealed this: I actually have two Christmas Cactus and one Easter Cactus. They flower at different times. I love Google!

Easter Cactus, left; Pair of Christmas Cactus, right

Easter Cactus, left; Pair of Christmas Cactus, right

The Easter Cactus is nearly twenty years old, so I wonder if the plant’s flowering days are over? Expecting it to flower in December, however, is pure folly.

Hyacinth Bulbs

Hyacinth are one of my favorite flowering bulbs. They’re both beautiful and fragrant and come back year after year. I bought a new variety known as William and Kate this year, and planted three of them indoors. The rest of the bulbs are in a garden pot just outside the back door.

William and Kate Hyacinth

William and Kate Hyacinth (I don’t know who’s who!)

hyacinth bud

Hyacinth bud

I’m also planting some Paper Whites indoors this year. I’ll write more later this week.

Windowsill Transformed:

Here’s my windowsill this morning after cleaning the counter tops and window:

kitchen windowsill

Kitchen windowsill with plenty of room

Here it is again with our indoor garden in place.

My Crowded Kitchen Windowsill

My Crowded Kitchen Windowsill

Additional Reading:

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Kitchen Window

Stunning Schlumbergera

Stunning Schlumbergera

When we remodeled our kitchen nearly a decade ago, we enlarged the kitchen window.  Not only is it wider and taller, it’s also deeper.  I’ve kept things growing there ever since.  It’s the perfect spot for plants, with indirect light, kitchen humidity and absolutely no excuse to forget to water the plants.

plants in the window

Trio of plants on the kitchen windowsill

Many of my houseplants outgrew their small pots and no longer fit in the window.  These Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera cultivar) are another story.  They like cramped roots and require very little care.  The plant in the center is new, but the plant on the right is 17 years old.  I gave it to my husband for Christmas, one year. He’s always been a fan of these pretty plants.  The plant on the left  side of the window was a house-warming gift and is now ten.

soft pink bud

Soft pink bud

I think it’s finally time to re-pot.  I’ve been searching for just the right vessel but without much luck.  The pots I like are either too small, too large, missing a hole in the bottom, etc.  You know the drill.

I decided to buy three clay pots and try my hand at decoupage.  Last year I added gold leaf to my outdoor clay pots with pleasing results.  It was also a lot of fun.

I saved the ‘wrapper’ from a pair of  hydrangea  with this project in mind.  It has a pretty, watercolor affect and it’s durable.  In fact, the wrapper is made from rock.  Pretty cool, eh?

Like a lot of things I want to do, but haven’t tried before, I’ve been procrastinating.  Now it’s time to get to it.  I hope they turn out well.

Do you procrastinate when you’re afraid to try something new?