Kaseys Korner

Garden bloggers sustainable living

Jan, at the beautiful thanksfor2day blog, is very kindly offering a free Fiskars rain barrel to one lucky participant in her "Keep Mother Earth Green" challenge (in honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2010).  In this contest, garden bloggers were asked to write about what they are doing to keep their environment green.  I've been thinking about this question ever since she posed it and feel like I've come up a bit short? 

The biggest and best thing I do is recycle.  According to our city newsletter, our town has one of the most active recycling centers in the country.  I can believe it by the size of the blue recycling cart I roll out to the curb compared to the gray trash can:

Everything gets dumped into the cart without being sorted ~ how EASY is that?  With them doing the sorting there is no excuse not to recycle.  Items in good condition, that can't be recycled in the cart, I try to donate to Goodwill, etc.  I figure the more things I keep out of the landfill, the better, right?

As you all know, I also tend a garden and nurture the plants in my yard, trying to provide more natives and wildlife friendly choices every year.  Hand in hand with gardening, at least in my book, is feeding the birds. Different feed is provided year round; seed & suet during the winter months, nectar and jelly in the summer months.  Water is a constant thanks to a bird bath heater.  Until I installed one, I never knew how much it would be appreciated/used ~ now I can't imagine not having a heater. 

One thing I don't do, but would like to, is compost.  I've been thinking about it for years but haven't ever acted upon the thought.  I think the garden would thank me for it if I could ever get it started.  My garbage disposal would get a lot less use too!  :-)

I think that wraps it up for me.  Thanks again to Jan for offering such wonderful gifts and prizes and for making us more conscious about our carbon footprint.  Hop over to her blog if you would like to check out the contest or maybe even participate.

Amaryllis 'Picotee'

just may wrap up the indoor bulb show at my house.  I've come to the conclusion that most of the Amaryllis I have from previous years are not going to bloom this year (there is the teeniest bit of hope for 'Papillio' but that's it).  I think the blame goes directly on our weather last summer??  It couldn't be anything I did, right?!!!  Seriously, none of the bulbs developed as many leaves as usual so I guess the few that they did get, weren't enough to feed them.  Hopefully they can make up for it this summer and put on a nice display next winter.  'Picotee' is the remaining new bulb that was ordered summer of '09.  It took forever to do anything.  In fact, I wondered if I had received a "dud."  Maybe, presupposing bulbs have brains, it was waiting until everyone else finished up so as not to share the spotlight?! 

Now that she's blooming, all the fretting has fallen by the wayside and I am enjoying her all the more for waiting.  Isn't that always the case?  I have to say, once 'Picotee' decided to put up buds, she went for it with gusto ~ shooting up three bloom stalks at once!  What is it with these all or nothing bulbs?!!!

There's not much I can say that she can't say better all by herself.  A true illustration of a picture being worth a thousand words.   I added 'Picotee' to my list because of the delicate red edging around the outside of each petal.  I thought that bit of color to be such an exquisite touch.   Below is a closer look at the piping of red:

It's as if someone held each petal and oh-so-carefully dipped the edges in red ink. Incredible.

Then there's the wayward shot below, of pollen laying as it fell, on a petal bed:

Not sure why I liked that?  I just did. 

I applaud you for staying with me thru another season of Amaryllis blooms.  I know I bombarded you with quite a few posts on the various bulbs and there are only so many ways to say "how pretty, or that's beautiful."  So hooray for you!  On that note, let's all go out and have a great weekend! (the last one in February ~ more cause for celebration!)  :-)

a quickie

this morning ~ a disjointed, conglomeration of fun things my daughter and I noticed yesterday both at home & on a drive doing errands.  In our garden, the first bulb has opened!!!!  I am stunned ~ thought it was way too cold for anything, even bulbs, but apparently not for the snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii).

These are a bit mangled because they've been mashed under the ugly pond panels but I think the panels are also what provided the extra warmth to elicit blooms??  I'm going to do a search today and see if there are anymore.

Next, on our drive, I finally took the time to stop & photograph these two cool birdhouses I've admired for quite a while.  They are mounted on either side of a long driveway about a mile from my house. 

I don't know if you can tell from the photo above but the birdhouse roofs are made from rusted tin.  That combined with the paint colors, stenciled flowers (or free-hand??) & antler perches make them quite arresting & unique.  I'm going to have to notice whether any birds nest in them this spring...

Finally (I told you it was disjointed) I snapped a photo of one of the many red-tailed hawks that can commonly be seen perched a top the power poles lining our road.  We saw three yesterday, spaced about every eight to ten poles apart.

I wish it was a better quality picture but I was lucky to snap this one.  Right after I did, he took a short flight to move one pole down.  Obviously camera shy.  I did not want to keep harassing him (in an attempt to get a photo) so I decided to drive on and leave him in peace.  

Today is supposed to be in the 40's and sunny.  Hopefully some snow will melt.  I'm dying to see my garden and what's underneath all those mounds of white that have been piled up all winter.  Happy Friday everyone. 

calling all clivia growers

Help!!!! 
I need you ~ desperately.  I spent some time yesterday afternoon (to no avail) searching the web for answers to why my Clivia is blooming down in the foliage again.  I don't know what I'm doing wrong that it doesn't put up a stalk???   See how the buds are all mashed between the leaves?

Imagine how gorgeous they'd be if they weren't pressed together like pancakes.  I read that most stalks grow to about 18" ~ argggg.    I know there is some little trick that would make all the difference if only I could figure out what it is....

This is my first year growing Clivias (added them along with the orchids last year).  I really dived into houseplants, didn't I?  Not just any houseplants tho ~ blooming ones to get me thru the winter months.  They've done their job too and I'm so grateful about that this long winter.  But dang it, I want to see these beautiful blooms!  I thought I had followed the care instructions carefully ~ I dutifully took them downstairs (in my unheated basement) for a prolonged cooling & dry period then brought them back upstairs & began re-watering.  They have been moved from my "greenhouse" bathroom to cooler locations in my home.  Buds appeared, hooray for that, just not on a stalk above the foliage.  

Maybe there's a learning curve?  I'm not supposed to get it right the first time "out of the box?"  If anyone has any hints tho, please, please, please, pass them on. 

Anybody????  I would love you forever (and my clivia probably would too!)

winter "daffodils"

aka the little orchid 'Alvin Beggman Poem' sure know how to brighten a girls day.  They have opened in the "greenhouse" bathroom and boy are they cute.  Please allow me the pleasure of sharing them with you ~ I would feel entirely too guilty hoarding them all to myself.

How's that for a sunny pop of color?  Sweet yellow petals with a zip of fire-orange frill. 

In the photo below, I moved the pot, hoping for better lighting, but maybe got too much of a good thing??  Notice the top bud has opened just the teeniest bit more:

I'm always fascinated by how flowers unfurl ~ especially when it's my first time watching the process.  Anyone else quirky that way??  Below you can see how the "trumpet" part of the orchid is held inside the bud, then the petals open around it ~ a new-to-orchid-growing description, if you've ever heard one.  I'm sure there's a very specific name for that particular part of the flower ~ you're just not going to get it here.  That is, until I get more educated about them, which I hope to do!

Nice, huh?  These two blooms are the only ones on the entire plant.  No complaints about the "sparse" number of buds tho, I feel privileged I got ANY since I've been winging it with orchids for about a year now.  I think I had beginners luck with the perfect setting???

btw, They aren't really called "winter daffodils" ~ that's just my nickname for them since (I think I told you before??) they remind me of that pretty spring blooming bulb.  Just wanted to clear that up!

Have a great day.  We are supposed to start thawing out a little today and that is very welcome news!

catching up

Hello blog friends.  It's been a while since I've been on the computer.  I came down with a nasty bug the end of last week and it did me in.  I'm happy to say I'm pretty much recovered now just a little weak.  The weather hasn't helped speed my recovery along either.  It started snowing last Thursday and just stopped last night.  I'm sure you know how that affects my mental health!!!  This morning, for the first time in five days, the sun is out and the sky is back to blue.  May the melting begin...and for goodness sakes, turn off the snow machine & turn up the thermostat! 

In case you'd like a little evidence, here's my backyard, standing on the patio looking toward the arbor:

 

See that big lump of snow in the middle of the yard??  It's been a permanent fixture since October.  The snow had finally started melting around the edges a bit before this last storm.  If I weren't so over it, I would think the photo below almost magical:

 

It looks almost like "twinkle lights" around the antique bird feeder?  Maybe Nature's version??  I don't know.  I think I'll have to come back & look at it again in July.  When I'm not feeling quite so frozen.

Spinning around and looking the opposite direction (toward my north walkway & the gate arbor):

 

The only tracks here are from my dog.  I haven't been able to see the pathway, let alone walk on it (without boots) again, since October.  I can't remember a winter like this since I moved here.  A little wider photo of this same shot:

 

My neighbor usually walks across the grass between our properties and hops my fence when she wants to see me.  That hasn't happened since early fall either.  I wouldn't say we've had an over abundance of snow this year (not compared to other parts of the country or other years), just consistently cold with no warm ups to melt it.  One more view then we're done ~ my backyard again but this time the bird bath and veggie box:

Thank goodness things inside are considerably more springlike.  The other hyacinth bulb I was forcing has opened.  Guess what?  It's NOT pink!  gasp.  I know.  Hard to fathom.  Aside from the fact it's leaning, I like it ~ a LOT:

 

I'm hoping it will right itself and I'll get some better pics.  Meanwhile, the pink bulb has continues to mature and has developed an interesting striped pattern:

Very striking, wouldn't you say? 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to test my recuperation level by becoming best friends with the snow shovel.  I hope it doesn't wipe me out again!

the garden is showing

signs of life.  You have to work for it ~ they aren't in your face ~ but if you get down at ground level, yes sirree, they are there.  Whoopdedoo!!  I guess spring is on the way even tho it doesn't feel like it.  Here's how I know:

Rearranging the leaf cover revealed Hellebore 'Blue Lady' buds:

You'll understand my excitement better knowing this will be my first year to have Hellebore blooms.  I planted four varieties last summer (after drooling over them on your blogs in the spring).

Also, even tho the ground is hard as cement (frozen), somehow crocus are managing to push their way up:

Pretty amazing.  It won't be long now and I'll be making daily rounds.  I know you know what I'm talking about...

On a different note, while I was out scrounging for hellebores I noticed something was bothering the Primula 'veris' seedlings.  I worked so hard to get those seeds germinated that no way, no how am I going to let that continue.  Here was my solution:

A metal cloche over the prized seedlings stuffed with leaves.  That ought to do the trick.  There's only three but those three are really important to me. 

We cold climate gardeners have to take heart at the smallest signs of life, so thanks for humoring me today.  I promise it will get better ~ it's a matter of time, right?!

 

window accessories

On my way to the coffee pot this morning, I was greeted with a wonderful surprise ~ one of the forced hyacinths had opened!  I had forgotten what color bulbs I bought last fall but it wasn't too big of a surprise to find out (at least this one) was pink!  ;-)

My apologies for the not-so-great photo. 

I knew they would open soon because just two days ago, they looked like this:

The fragrance from even one little bulb is heady (as those of you who force bulbs can testify).  They are positioned in the perfect place for me to breathe it in too, accessorizing the kitchen window, where I spend so much time doing dishes or preparing food.  I like how translucent the pale pink flowers appear backlit by sunlight:

Every winter/spring, this one especially not an exception, I'm so glad I took the time to chill bulbs.  A lone bloom can mean so much on a cold winters day. 

Aahhh, now you see it better moved out of direct sunlight.

Pretty, pink hyacinth ~ thanks for brightening my day. 

One down, one to go...  want to place bets on the second bulb being pink too?!!!!  

keeping me going

I don't know what I would have done without using my bathroom as a makeshift greenhouse this winter.  It's helped so tremendously in combating the seasonal blues I get every year about this time.  Something has been in bloom there practically all winter which is why I previously referred to it as my "happy place."  Thank heavens since absolutely nothing, zero, zip, nada, zilch, is blooming outdoors!

Check out the latest happenings ~ New violet tubeflower buds/blooms:

Gotta love them. 

The Paph orchid (unknown name) at center stage and rightfully reigning over the room:

Easy to see why, isn't it??

The Hoya was recently re-potted and decided it wanted to reside between the bars of this metal birdcage:

Excellent choice, wouldn't you say?

Also, another orchid has decided to bloom for me.  Not yet (I got ahead of myself) just buds so far:

It's a miniature cattleya variety called 'Alvin Beggman Poem' ~ I purchased it last spring for $7.00 ~ because it reminded me of a daffodil??

Maybe just the sunny color??  Anyway, looking forward to those little blooms. 

Last but not least, after torturing me since October by sitting in its pot refusing to do anything, Amaryllis 'Picotee'  suddenly sent up three bud stalks (practically) at once:

I don't know what was going on but thank you for electing to make an appearance ~ better late than never.  A full reveal will be forthcoming as soon as the first bloom opens. 

Of course, there are a few more things (like seeds, dahlia tubers, etc.) that are sprouting but I thought you might like me to save those for another day....  Happy Bloom day everybody and President's Day too (especially if you happen to have the day off).

Amaryllis 'Aphrodite?'

I think NOT!  There seems to have been a big mix-up in the world of tagging Amaryllis last fall.  I've read various accounts from garden bloggers about having a different amaryllis (upon bloom) than they thought they ordered/bought as a bulb.  Add me to that mix now.  Here's what I thought I purchased:

Very pretty, right?  Exactly why I wanted it!  But SO NOT what is blooming in my home right now:

It's still a gorgeous Amaryllis (I mean, have you meant one that isn't??) but it's NOT 'Aphrodite.'  Darn, darn, darn.  It looks more like 'Dancing Queen' to me??  I guess that's the chance you take when you buy Amaryllis in bulb form.  Oh well.  We'll just enjoy it for what it is, right?  A very beautiful, double flowered (downright frilly) bloom. 

Speaking of "double-flowered," the jury is still out on my feelings about them.  This was my first year to grow double-flowered varieties (remember 'Elvas' and 'Siren'?)  They definitely seem more finicky/persnickety than single flowered Amaryllis.  Everything from withering and not opening to drooping has occurred which has never happened to me before.  'Aphrodite' or 'Dancing Queen' (or whatever we have here) started out that way too.  The first bud to open, was drooping so badly I thought it was going to break off under it's own weight:

 

Fortunately the remaining buds appear to be opening just fine (and the first one is straightening a bit).  In the photo below you can see two of the three bloom stalks, blooming or about to bloom.

Sweet, huh?  I can't imagine a lovelier Valentine.  (unless we switch to food and go straight to chocolate)

Sweet wishes to you too.  You deserve it, especially after all those nice comments you left me regarding my blogaversary.  They made me squirm and blush and even feel a bit mushy inside.  I thank you for that.  They are the perfect feelings for carrying in my heart today.