Kaseys Korner

Cattleya Orchid 'Greenwich'

When a bud began to unfurl on 'Greenwich,' I wondered if it would be any less exciting (considering the exuberance of Spring in the garden right now):

Not so!!!  Just as during the dregs of winter, I found myself eager to see it open again (you might remember this orchid was purchased in bloom last spring.) 

Today, the anticipation came to an end:

It's every bit the thrill as last year.  Maybe even more so because this time, I'm the one who got it to this stage (a major accomplishment for someone still new to the world of orchids.)  It wasn't a complete success tho, there were a total of three buds ~ the other two turned black (rotted??) and fell off the bud scape when they were still quite small.  I'm still trying to figure out why (??)  If any experienced orchid grower out there can suggest an answer, I'd really like to find a fix before the next go around.  Can you imagine three of these gorgeous blooms???  It would have been amazing!

I have to tell you, 'Greenwich' also has a heavenly fragrance.  I wish there was a way to send a waft over the air waves...

I guess there's still room for Internet improvement!!! 

yellow phal orchid

generously sprinkled with spots and the teeniest dash of pink:

blooming in the greenhouse/bathroom. 

Such a pretty way to start the day...

Lots coming up in the garden too although my camera and I have not been working as "one" lately.  Need to get back in unison so I can post more. 

Every day something exciting is uncovered & discovered ~ it makes you wonder why Christmas gets billed as the "most wonderful time of year," doesn't it? 

Happy Spring (a week early but it sure feels like it here right now!)

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!!! 

restless discontent

Normal for me in February but worse this year because of the continual news coverage about the "winter that never was."  What??

Everything in my garden is white:

and HAS BEEN since October (for the most part ~ January provided a little relief.)

I run the risk of being considered monotonous and a bore if I perseverate much more but let's just say it's been a loooonnng five months.

Half the fifteen days of February have brought snow and colder than normal temps ~ oh wait, I said I was done complaining....

Okay, I'm done now.  Bible...

Instead I'll try to focus on the pink phal orchid, still blooming in the greenhouse/bathroom, instead of the snow encrusted landscape outside:

and view the glass as half full ~ we're partway to March right?

Surely it will warm up in March.  Even here.  Won't 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...

 

It's a colorful orchid world

I have the good fortune to live in!  Uncertain what percent my contribution is ~ I'm only in charge of acquisitions & care ~ the "magic" is all on them which is absolutely out of my league.

Starting the 2012 parade of blooms is old favorite, Cattleya 'Alvin Beggman Poem:'

Paphiopedilum 'Robert McCabe' followed:

The combination of stripes & dots (worn so beautifully) never fails to enthrall me. 

If I tried to do anything similar with my wardrobe, I'm absolutely certain I would commit a grievous fashion faux pas!  Perfection in the natural world most definitely cannot be rivaled.

That last sentence = the perfect opening for the latest acquisition & bloom ~ Cattleya 'Carolina Sunrise:'

omg ~ is that not to die for or what?!

The tag said "fragrant sunset colors" ~ are we disappointed??

I think not!

The colors should deepen as the bloom matures.  I'll be sure & share the developments...

Hope your New Year is off to just as terrific a start.  My daughter doesn't go back to school until the 9th of January so we are still "holidaying."  (that's my excuse for not being around ~ that and Pinterest ~ I've become way too obsessed!)

Happy New Year all!!!

Turning up the heat

with some indoor blooms ~ enough of the frost already!

Temperatures soared immediately when buds were discovered on the Clivia.

Forgiveness was granted for its perplexing habit of blooming way down in the foliage (instead of up on a proper stalk) because who's kidding who ~ the color is AMAZING:

Bloom on ~ the perfect balm for a winter weary soul.

Attempts to cultivate a lantana topiary caused the thermostat to inch upward even more when it became loaded with buds/blooms. 

Okay, maybe not so much in the above photo but look below:

If that isn't an instant tropical escape I don't know what is!

The value of a winter bloom can never be overrated ~ my northern gardener friends know this all too well.

One more thing bound to blow the mercury:

Paph Orchid 'Robert McCabe' ~ on track to be open for Christmas!

Could be the warmest holiday ever.....

(we'll just skip over the part where staying indoors is necessary to achieve that!)

 

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?!

 

oncidium orchid revival

Back from the dead:

The oncidium orchid shipped from Hawaii (this January) by my most thoughtful brother.  You might remember I wasn't home when it was delivered so it was left (rather carelessly) by the front door in below freezing weather and died.  or so I thought.

Lucky for me, I thought WRONG and luckier still, I didn't toss it!

Now it's loaded with buds.  Buds rimmed in sunshine yellow.  A color I failed to notice when they were drooped over, withered by cold. 

It could have something to do with how distraught I was too...

I think it's the ultimate garden/life lesson of never giving up.  Because, like many things, you just never know... 

p.s.  Thanks again Thomas ~ it's even more beautiful than I imagined and all the more treasured because of the journey!

not wind, sleet or hail

can stop spring from rolling along, even when the gardener questions it.  Looking around, it's obvious spring has sprung.  The bed under the aspen trees is awash with color:

as is the back corner bed anchored by the giant bleeding heart:

Out front a pair of yellow tulips flank 'ocean magic' muscari with a peach hyacinth blooming in the background:

By the pond 'Miller's crimson' primula japonica is beginning to bloom:

and buds have appeared on the Virginia bluebells:

It's hard to believe it was 39 degrees yesterday and hailing!  At least the little bletilla striata bulbs blooming in the "greenhouse" are protected:

Our normal last frost-free date is Mother's Day weekend so it better warm up fast!