Kaseys Korner

vibrant leap day

Double pink Streptocarpus:

Amaryllis 'Lady Jane' (not quite in bloom):

and Pink Phal orchid with Amaryllis 'Red Pearl' in the background:

Not a bad way to wrap up February!!! 

Amaryllis 'Clown' ~ I ♥ u

If I had to pick the Amaryllis in my collection that had the largest bloom ~ hands down it would be 'Clown.'

I actually got my tape measure out (so that you wouldn't think I was bluffing) and measured 8+ inches in diameter! 

That's a full 2" larger than 'Razzle Dazzle' which also happens to be blooming now.  I set up a comparison shot so you could see for yourself:

I know I don't have to explain which is which! 

Pretty impressive, right? (not to take anything away from 'Razzle Dazzle' ~ I'm fond of all my "babies!")

Lucky me, there are three enormous bloom stalks that emerged from 'Clown' ~ two opening now & the third close behind.  It makes for one gigantic bouquet of red & white deliciousness:

The perfect early Valentine gift...

I'm particularly partial to the two blooms above that opened "back-to-back."

A waterfall of loveliness....

We'll see if it gets any better ~ my bulbs have been slow this year but finally I have about five more buds waiting in the wings.  Maybe they'll all bloom together for a big "finale?"  That would be a great way to end winter, wouldn't it?

Bonjour February!

Seriously counting down to spring now! 

Totally cemented after my Dad told me yesterday that we'd made it thru the darkest quarter of the year (Nov 4th to Feb 4th.)   There's life stirring deep down in the earth now ~ I just feel it.  And I.am.SO.ready!!!!

Tho January wasn't as hard as it typically is for me (thank you Pinterest!)  Amaryllis 'Blushing Bride' saw me thru the last days of the month:

The stalk broke when "someone" perched it precariously where it shouldn't have ever been and it fell.  *Ahem*

Thankfully it suffered the fall gracefully & looked every bit as lovely in a vase on the sill...

If I used my imagination (maybe too big of a stretch), I could pretend it was blooming outside instead of in!! ha

Now that it's February tho ~ there will be blooms outside with or without imagination. 

That is, as soon as the results of the latest big snowstorm melt. 

p.s.  A huge "thank you" to Jo-Anne at John Scheepers, Inc. for the above 'Blushing Bride' bloom.  She very generously sent me a second bulb when I questioned whether my original bulb was indeed her.  I am now indebted because, it appears, they are one and the same.  Many apologies and much thanks again for the opportunity to confirm it.

January bloom assortment

I know, I know ~ I'm still MIA because of Pinterest.  I swear it's going to stop SOON so I can visit everyone whose been kind enough to continue dropping by during my addiction.  (sounds like I need to check myself in or something, doesn't it?!!)

I'm forcing myself here today or my own Mother will probably stage an intervention.  It's not like there's nothing going on to blog about ~ I just can't seem to get past Pinterest when I sit down at the computer.  Who knew?  It has taken even me by surprise.

Normally I'd be running straight to the blog to share the BIG news about finding my first outdoor bloom  ~ a snowdrop!

Instead, you're getting it a day late.  There's no other explanation (then my new obsession) as a January bloom ~ in this part of the country ~ is definitely cause for proclamation!

Incidentally, I've sailed almost right thru January with no sign of the winter blues that normally affect me.  I have to credit Pinterest & the weather with that.  We've had quite a few unseasonably warm days (60 degree+) and very little snowfall ~ I was even out watering yesterday!  Those kind of breaks really buoy a spirit.

I could also attribute the plethora of indoor blooms to being upbeat.  The greenhouse/bathroom is brimming with them.  There's the pink phal orchid (given to me several years ago by a neighbor):

I re-potted all my orchids this past fall using an Orchid potting mix (not just bark) and they've all responded exceptionally well.  The three Phalaenopsis orchids have at least two bloom stalks each where I've usually only gotten one from them in the past.

Needless to say, I'm going to purchase more of that potting mix!

The last batch of paperwhites are also blooming:

This is the second round ~ the first round bloomed in time for Christmas but I never photographed them because of you know what.

There's also a 'Cajun' Hibiscus blooming.

It was purchased on a greenhouse expedition about two weeks ago.  I thought I was buying a replacement for the one shown below (that I lost overwintering last year):

Alas, as you can see, they are not AT ALL the same.  I will definitely keep looking as that one was superb. 

Blooms extend beyond the bathroom "greenhouse" too ~ the forced hyacinths on the kitchen window ledge opened and smell quite divine:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

For some reason, I focused only on the white ones? 

If you'd like to see a little pink tho ~ there are tulips in the watering can vase on my table:

and Amaryllis 'Purple Rain' is on the sofa table.  The photo below was shot at night:

I would ordinarily regale you with photos from all angles of a new Amaryllis but this one has been a big disappointment.  I had great expectations but the best I can say about its bloom is "ho hum."  Maybe I am getting jaded because I've been spoiled by so many outstanding varieties? 

Something I'm sure we're in agreement about ~ there is plenty of beauty all around me ~ too much to keep my face buried in a website!  Now that I've "come up for air" maybe I can turn myself around??  Fingers crossed...

 

Amaryllis 'Exotic Star'

and a Christmas wrap up.

First things first tho because we always have our priorities in order around here! ;-)

Amaryllis 'Exotic Star:'

Another holiday bloomer. 

Purchased as a fill-in for 'Papillio' which hasn't re-bloomed in over three years (squashing any notions of an "Amaryllis Whisperer" in this house...)

At least 'Exotic Star' is prolific ~ below you can see two of the three bloom stalks she generously produced:

No reason for discontent tho.  Besides 'Exotic Star' and 'Cherry Nymph' (which continues to be sensational), a serious talk was had with the Clivia. 

It (or rather the bloom stalk) was told to "get up out of the foliage and grow!"  ha

Who says plants can't listen? 

There is a believer in this house because look what happened:

A bit of a stalk!  Woo hoo.  More talks are planned!

Outdoors a chinook (or snow eater) wind blew throughout the day yesterday and uncovered a bit of the frozen tundra also known as our garden.   Who knew what excitement a few visible blades of grass could create??  All things are relative, right? 

I'm sure we'll see more of this before winter is over:

but for now a twinge of spring fever is stirring...

It's a safe bet that twinge will switch to full on "spring fever mode" after the holidays are completely over. 

Meanwhile there is Peppermint Cheesecake cake to finish (recipe from the December 2011 issue of Southern Living:)

A real hardship....  :-) 

And a Christmas Day mishap (everyone needs one, right?) involving the Lantana topiary I was carefully cultivating. 

Completely decimated by a green-seeking puppers:

We can now testify with 100% certainty that Lantana is NOT toxic to dogs! 

Hopefully it will make a comeback (in its new elevated position, safe from the reach of a certain small, four-legged friend!)

 

 

Amaryllis 'Cherry Nymph'

opened on Christmas Day:

A more perfect holiday bloom could not be imagined.

An exquisite combo of red, green & a touch of white. 

Compounded by two bloom scapes opening simultaneously.

Double flowering blooms = double deliciousness.

What a wondrous Christmas treat....

Thank you 'Cherry Nymph' for beautifying our holiday.   You're another "keeper" Amaryllis with exceptionally impeccable timing! 

Would you mind repeating the performance next year???!!

Amaryllis 'Prelude'

Another frosty morning here ~ we sure have had a LOT of those lately. 

Lucky for me, Amaryllis 'Prelude' has bloomed to ward off the chill.

Now there is a beauty to melt the frostiest of hearts!

It's melting mine ~ already I feel the cold draining out and the warmth seeping in.

So glad to have 'Prelude' keeping me company as I hustle around the house this morning. 

Hustle I am too as today I'm preparing for tonights book club meeting ~ I'm hosting this month.  There's no book, just a pot luck dinner.  My contribution:  Cranberry Lime margaritas plus ham & turkey sliders.  If I get to it before they disappear, I'll photograph the margaritas for you!

No matter what anyone else brings, Amaryllis 'Prelude' will be the perfect accompaniment.  It couldn't have been planned better!

Hope everyone is staying warm ~ after tonight I hope to have more time to visit around blog land.  I feel like I've been super busy lately, like many of you I'm sure. 

November ends

on a mellow note, capping off a week of milder than normal temperatures. 

 

It's been an absolute delight. 

Especially since it came on the heels of 20+ inches of snow (end of Oct & beginning of Nov) which brought a sudden violent and premature end to Fall.

If the weather forecast is correct, tomorrows calendar flip also marks a switch in the outdoor thermostat as well ~ 5 to 8" of new snow and highs in the twenties.  Ouch.   That's a forty degree drop.

I doubt I'll be ready.  I never am. 

It will be DECEMBER tho so I guess it's inevitable??? 

Time to move the "party" indoors.  At least we enjoyed the warmth while it lasted ~ hopefully it won't be TOO long before the mercury eeks upward.

Above:  Amaryllis 'Red Lion' ~ originally purchased as 'Prince Carnival' but who can complain?! 

I'll be back as soon as I dig out from under the Christmas decorations (and the snow)...

 

 

Amaryllis 'Gervase'

There aren't many things I enjoy photographing as much as an Amaryllis.

The first one of the season has opened here ~ I thought it was 'Blushing Bride' but now that it's bloomed, it looks more like 'Gervase' to me?? 

How bad is that ~ to be on a first name basis with so many Amaryllis???!!

Ordered from John Scheepers in June, it didn't waste any time producing a bud scape.

When I wrote the company to inquire about a possible mix-up they very generously offered to send me another 'Blushing Bride" bulb.  I will be a bit "red-faced" if the second bulb blooms identical to this one but I thought it was terrific customer service.  Any company that responds like that, definitely has my repeat business!

Even if it isn't 'Blushing Bride,' it's SO lovely, it's impossible to be disappointed. 

Best of all, the Amaryllis season is now officially ON!!  :-)

What to grow in November

in case you're already experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the garden (like me.)  There are many ways to "feed" the obsession and lots to

if you just switch focus from outdoors to in. 

Bulbs are the fastest, easiest means to get a bloom "fix" (aside from purchasing something already flowering)  Believe me ~ I know all the methods as I'm sure many of you do too.

Paperwhites will flower in just two or three short weeks:

I enjoy the growing process more than the actual blooms so I plant them in tall, clear, cylindrical vases for the best visual effect. 

There are always Amaryllis.  Oh the Amaryllis.  The more the better I say.  One of the few reasons I look forward to winter.  They really are the showiest (IMHO) of the winter bloomers and fairly quick to reach the flowering stage as well. 

'Blushing Bride' arrived the middle of October (with my outdoor bulb order) and is already about to open:

That's pretty fast but I think normal since most Amaryllis bulbs say "bloom in 4 to 6 weeks."

Orchids are another way to beat the winter gardening blues.  The shorter days must spur them to bloom because I have a number sporting buds and/or spikes right now including this Paphiopedilum:

and of course there's the Oncidium orchid I've shared with you in the previous post.  It's reached full flower mode since I posted:

Wow!  Why was I having withdrawals??  I can't remember, looking at it!

There are always houseplants too ~ or pond plants ~ like the pitcher plant I saved from freezing:

I don't know if it will bloom for me but I hope to at least keep it alive for next spring.

If none of these interest you, how about planting some cat grass?

It's pretty to look at (once again thru a clear planter) and your cat will love you immensely for it!!! 

What's not to like about that?!