greenhouse buds

Now that it feels decidedly winter-like outdoors, I am (forced) to turn my attention indoors.  Happily I cannot complain about "bloom withdrawal" since there are many buds/blooms, in the makeshift greenhouse, to occupy me during what otherwise could be a depressing time.  I thought maybe you'd like a preview of what's in store for the blog in the days to come??  You would??  Great!  Come with me...

We'll first look at the buds on my unknown African violet (bought impulsively last spring when I was desperate for a bloom of any kind):

Thankfully, I have not killed it!  Remember the flowers looked like this:

The petals remind me of spun sugar frosting for some reason??   Anything that looks that good is welcome to rebloom as often as it likes!

Next to the African violet is Streptocarpus 'Black Panther:'

I've had this plant for several years now (and posted about it a couple of times too).  Wonder of wonders, it repeatedly blooms for me.  A fabulous thing since the flowers are extremely fetching:

Wouldn't you agree?   I think about repotting it off and on but haven't had the courage.  I'm too afraid to mess up my luck!

Moving right along. 

I finally tired of cleaning up dried Hoya blossoms (in my bathtub below the birdcage) and switched out the Hoya with a Lophospermum scandens 'Red Dragon' plant I brought in from outside.

Not the best photo, for sure, but you get the idea.   

Lophospermum is also known as Asarina (and formerly as Maurandya ~ at least that's my understanding?)  The common name is "twining snapdragon."  I usually buy this vine for an outdoor container just as I did this past summer.  Unfortunately, it just sat in the container, showing little to no sign of life until I brought it indoors.  Now it is growing, almost before my eyes, and has developed a number of buds.

The buds often face downward, making it difficult to fully appreciate them, but hanging as they are in the birdcage, they are much easier to enjoy.  This is one plant I hope continues to do well thoughout the winter.  You'll know if it does, by the number of times it's pictured in upcoming posts!

Now, if you've read my blog at any point during the past two winters, you know what's coming next!  Yep, an Amaryllis!   This one is 'Zombie' ~ not far from blooming:

I'm always afraid of scaring people away by posting so many pictures of them but the sheer numbers are truthfully what help me survive the long winters.

That and my growing interest in orchids.

Like the paph above with a developing bud.  I think I have eleven various orchids now??  A couple phalaenopsis, three cattleya's but more paphiopedilum's than anything else.  If the trend continues I will seriously need a greenhouse and/or a twelve step program...

 

Comments

[Catherine]

I just got caught up on your last few posts. I know you don't look forward to the snow and cold temperatures, but your pictures of it are so pretty. We saw there is a chance of snow next week and already my girls are going crazy with hope that it might actually happen this year.
I love your idea of the plant in the birdcage! I'll be enjoying all your indoor blooms this winter since I have very few houseplants.

[Janet]

I love the pink bloom on that African violet.
I have an orchid place near us in SC....thinking about checking it out. There are so many pretty orchids, I don't think I could chose.

[Kala]

Thank you for sharing all of these images from your greenhouse. I especially love the second Black Panther African violet shot!

[Racquel]

Wow you have an abudant amount of blooms to look forward to indoors! :)

[Helen]

I can understand why you are obsessed with Amarylis I would be if I had your winters. I have been trying to get a Streptocarpus for weeks but they seem to have vanished round here

[Gail]

Kathleen, I love your indoor blooms~Keep them coming! ~and, don't worry that we think you're showing them 'again'! We aren't! Btw, ~I show PPPP and the Susans over and over! xxgail

[kerri]

I love the way you've displayed your lofo in the birdcage. What a great idea.
I bought this plant for the first time this past summer and it bloomed well all season (loved it!). I've cut it back now and it's resting, with no blooms in sight. Hope it produces some during the winter to brighten things up.
The pink A. Violet is so beautiful. Wish I could get them to bloom well for me but I have very little luck with them.
I love the Streptocarpus too. What a gorgeous color!
You do so well with house plants. They must love your bathroom. Ours is tiny, unfortunately.