Kaseys Korner

Introducing our new Persian "baby"

something which should not be done with this dirty of a face!

I hope she'll forgive me for being in too much of a hurry to wipe it!  She was just so darn cute watching me take photos of the orchids, I couldn't resist turning the camera on her!

We picked her up this past Saturday from a lady who couldn't keep her anymore and even though we weren't quite sure we were ready for another cat, she's doing a fabulous job convincing us!

More photos to come and next time, I promise, she'll be primped, scrubbed clean and camera ready!!!

p.s.  She came to us with the name of Druscilla but we are wavering about whether or not to keep it??

Thoughts??

forcing hyacinths

as demonstrated by 'Splendid Cornelia:'

Many garden bloggers/readers are savvy about such topics but if you're not, or you're still learning (like me!) maybe this post will be helpful?

1.  Kind of a "no brainer" but the earlier bulbs are purchased in the fall, the sooner they can brighten a winters day.

2.  Since they need at least a 12 - 13 week chill period, timing is everything.  I still haven't figured out how to get blooming hyacinths for Christmas when the bulbs are not even for sale (at least here) until October???   

3.  A dark, cool place (I use the refrigerator) is ideal.  Optimal chilling temperature is between 40 - 48 degrees.   Never let them freeze!

4.  If using forcing vases, water level should be just beneath the bottom of bulb, but not touching the bulb.

5.  You'll know it's time to remove bulb from chilling when roots fill the glass and there's approximately 1" of top growth on the bulb.

Note from author:  Don't let step 5 trip you up like it often does me ~ as easy as it seems to follow ~ impatience is still a temptress.  I count out 12 - 13 weeks of refrigeration and remove before there's an inch of top growth.  Maybe that's why some of my forced blooms are not as full as they should be???

Do as the author says not as she does....

Hyacinth 'Splendid Cornelia' had an inch of top growth and thus a beautifully formed bloom. 

'Dark Dimension' was one removed from refrigeration prematurely....  *sigh*

Other helpful tips:

a.  If the water gets a murky or dirty appearance, change it out.

b. Remember not to keep the bulbs in the same place as ripening fruit.  Ethylene gas produced by ripening fruit will kill the flower inside the bulb.

c.  Add water, as necessary, to the vases (or water pots if planted that way) so that bulbs/roots don't dry out.

d.  There are all kinds of tips on where to place bulbs after removing from chill period.  I am lazy so I prefer the one step method of positioning them in an East facing window and letting them do their thing.  If you have the time or inclination to move them from various locations & increasing temperature zones, by all means do so!   Your bulbs will be the envy of the neighborhood and most probably perform more consistently than mine.  

For me, whatever (spindly or not) blooms I get are enough to tide me over till spring....

Amaryllis 'Cherry Nymph'

Welcome back gorgeous bulb.

Last time we saw you, it was Christmas 2012.

You were lighting up my holiday gloriously.

If suddenly the choices of red Amaryllis were whittled to one,

I'd hope 'Cherry Nymph' would be that ONE.

Now if only I knew the name of your current bloom companion.

Opening in perfect synchrony but whose identity remains a mystery.

Purchased last season as Amaryllis 'Double Dream,' but looks nothing like the 'Double Dream' previously featured or for sale on various websites????

I even went so far as to ask Royal Colors (website ordered from) to verify I had the correct bulb and they insisted I did. 

Despite the reassurance, I remain unconvinced....

I've been growing obsessed with Amaryllis for so long, I know most on sight. 

Maybe one with a bit of mystery makes life more interesting...

Whoever she is, I'm summering her over.  Maybe by the time she re-blooms in 2015, I'll have figured out her name? 

Unless one of my very smart readers wants to help me out before hand???

 

 

 

Hyacinth 'Dark Dimension'

For Esther....

Midnight black buds

give way to cobalt blue and electric indigo blooms.

Striking color combo.   Best viewed from the inside out. 

The black stem stalk is also of note. 

An exceptional color & bulb in every way. 

Well, perhaps the bloom could be a bit fuller....

Most of the hyacinths forced here are not planted in the garden.  They are simply enjoyed then discarded. 

Not.so.this.one! 

p.s.  This post is dedicated to Esther.  A relative I've never met but who took the time to send the nicest handwritten note last week that truly inspired & re-energized me regarding the blog.  Thank you so much.  Your words meant more than you can know and the timing could not have been more perfect.  You are truly a family treasure and I regret missing out on an introduction...

 

DIY: glamorous Valentine cone

over the top, for the most impact, of course!

complete with marabou, pearls and glitter. 

Is there any other way??!!!

Easy to make; start by painting a cardboard cone (purchased from any craft store).  I used 'Antique White' acrylic paint by Plaid Enterprises.  While the cone is drying, stamp your Valentine message (or use a rub-on or computer printed message) onto white cardstock.  Mat with red cardstock. 

After the cone is dry, use a small heart stamp and red inkpad to stamp heart images randomly around cone.  (or draw them with a red pen.)

Adhere the matted, stamped message onto center of cone using matte Mod Podge (again by Plaid Enterprises.)  Then apply another layer of Mod Podge over entire cone and sprinkle liberally with glitter.  Let dry thoroughly.

Finish by tying on the "Be Mine" ticket (or any other tag, maybe one with the recipients name?), attach pearl bauble to bottom of cone using jump ring (both by Tim Holtz idea-logy) and adhere marabou trim around top of cone.  Fill with guilty pleasure of choice and present to a special Valentine.  You're sure to be rewarded for your efforts!!!  ;)

P.S.  A lot of the supplies used for this project are "older," maybe not even still available for purchase?  I just raided my stash when a burst of creativity hit me.  With a little improvising, replacement products should be easy to find or just build on the idea using whatever craft supplies you have on hand. 

Happy Valentine's Day All ~ I hope it's a sweet one!

 

Amaryllis 'Exotic Nymph' & 'Exotica'

A pair of salmony peach Amaryllis to soothe a winter weary gardeners soul.

'Exotic Nymph,' a frilly double bulb, in the loveliest sherbet color.

I'm calling this her "debutante season" since she's new to the blog and my home in 2014.

As far as debutante's go, she's nothing short of a knockout (her stiffest competition 'Double Dream' from the previous blog post.)  Needless to say, 'Exotic Nymph' won't be lured away, she's already been granted permanent residency here!

She's been bunking with single, large-flowering 'Exotica,' another Amaryllis I couldn't bear to be without:

Season after season, she's endured for me.

Never failing to put on a show-stopping display.

I get a lot of questions about how I keep my Amaryllis blooming year after year.   I've experimented with several methods over the seasons but last summer I took all my bulbs (a considerable number) out of their pots and planted them right in the raised veggie bed. 

There they stayed until October when I dug them up and stored them in a box in the basement (leaves and all.)   The leaves can simply be removed later when they have turned brown and dried up.  The result was a resounding success.  They bulbs grew in circumference and all but one have re-bloomed this winter.

You can bet I still have hope for that lone holdout!

I think all the bulbs benefited from some good garden soil and compost, not to mention a little freedom from being pot bound.   Amaryllis are heavy feeders, meaning they need to be fertilized after blooming for good results the next year.  Remembering to consistently do that is often a problem for me so planting them directly in the ground solves that issue. 

Maybe this method would work in your garden as well??  If you give it a go, I'd love to know how it works for you...

Amaryllis 'Double Dream'

On a snowy day...

a very exquisite blend of pink and salmon with the perfect touch of white.

My new favorite Amaryllis bulb.

If you see it for sale next season, I highly recommend purchasing.

I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

p.s.  I found my bulb at White Flower Farm.

p.s.s.  Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement and support regarding my last post.  I really appreciate them.  virtual hugs.