My Morning Glory Adventures continued..December thru January

My DH put the Christmas tree up against the ivy on the north side of the house.. more insulation for them. I am glad we have that house eating ivy.. it houses about 100 birds right now, including my cardinal family. it is warm on the underneath side of it from the heat from the house. Poor Duke does not take his time outside right now.. we are still at the teens here and going down to single digits tommorrow with more freezing stuff coming tonight. UGH~ Oh Spring.. please hurry up
If it were sunny and warmish, then I would have a hard time with spring fever, so I guess this is a blessing in disguise, I have been getting more sleep now, and watching my seedlings grow.



I long to be able to take pictures like this again.. please post your butterfly pictures from this past summer. It makes me happy.

Here's one from Japan, Debra. It was quite warm on that day!

oh that is drop dead gorgeous! What is its' name?

19 degrees here and I am ready for the warmth og summer.
Becky, dh won't let me bring them in. But they have a carport and two large bales of hay to keep them warm. As long as they have that hay they are contented. We have to water them beacuase if we leave the heater out there, one of them plays around with it and takes it out of the water. Ticks DH off. Oh, well. At least he doesn't have to sleep with them. Dogs is enough. You'd be surprized how warm a Chihuahua is....☺

Debra, don't know the butterfly. I can tell you the flower name tho but will have to wait until I get home from work.

RRM, I used to have a rat terrior that slept with me as a child. Dogs are very warm critters..
As I shudder to think about working in the freezing wind tommorrow I have to stay focused on Spring, I have been gazing at my Gardens from years past..


SOH from Joseph, summer 2009

Debra, How long before my moonvine will actually bloom?
The bud is growing. Maybe next week. I hope so. This is my Moonvine in the house.
I am so glad I had it in a pot to bring in.
Temp. is 26degrees and calling for snow. People will be getting crazy down here. The cold is bad enough, the snow just adds to the misery. Georgia folks just don't know how to handle it. Poor things.

Charleen, temps about the same here at 28 or so. Going down to 12 here tonight, 22 for the high tomorrow and 8 tomorrow night.
Hard work just trying to keep the dogs fresh, unfrozen water. We bought another bale of hay to stuff in the dog houses. Wrapped
their houses up in blue tarp to block most of the wind.
By Monday it should be back in the 40's here, our normal temp for
this time of yr. Can't get here soon enough for us.

This message was edited Jan 7, 2010 9:55 AM

I do believe everyone going to have "cabin fever"
It has been too cold, too long. Things will be better we just
have to wait. (Don't want to wait☺) I am not that patient-at all...

I was so cold at work, I didn't leave for lunch, or even go out to *smoke* a cig... If this keeps up, I might end up quitting smoking afterall, which is what I have been praying for, but sure didn't think being froze out would do it ...
I just threw the birds feed out the back door, they are gonna have to come closer if they want food.. squirrels too.
The wind is what is driving me mad!
Got my seeds out to sort and send to some people last night, but ended up putting it on the table to do tonite.. I about fell asleep on the way home, so going to go take a nap. This cold exhausts me and makes me hurt!
but before I go, I have to gaze at another memory from the past summer..



Another Beautiful Glory from Joseph

This little seed came up quick and had 5 buds on it at each leaf point.. first to bloom was the bottom one.. I hope this shows up okay

This is an even better pic of your soft blue, a real beauty.

Oh the anticipation of blooms to come. seeds from here, seeds from there, seeds are coming in from everywhere. I while away the dreary winter, planting happily. I watch like an expectant mother, a little seedhead to surprise me.

All the sticks, and vines, and clumps, sent to me thru DG, I tend to lovingly, inspecting every leaf and stem...
I hold the tips up to the light, looking underneath as well.. and send the ugly fat little bumps, to what I call APHID HELL...
Most people would spray or dust, as I have done that too.. but I see the cripness of leaf edges, and do what I should do. Sometimes I strip off all the leaves, caress in apology, and croon them back along, promise of Spring not to far off, and swear to never do it again, and Beg them to come back, they give me a sign of forgiveness, and send out leaves just like that.
Lady bugs are everywhere, but they all have met the fate, of old spray poisons in the soil, so they came a bit too too late.

I know I need to stop, this planting growing madness I have, but it seems to feed my soul right now, so much sadness out there..
layoffs, and earthquakes, fires and floods, I might think I have it bad, with my few cracks in the walls of this old house of mine, Gosh I am so grateful to have what I have. Hubby lost another friend , he was so sad tonite, son called and got laid off again, it just doesn't seem right. I delve into my garden heaven, just to get away from life, outside it is raining and cold, inside it is just right. Duke snores next to me, faithful old beagle he is, he is so tired from the stairs, a few trips he made with me. I carried up four big tubs, to put out to catch rainwater, my plants will love me for that, Duke will sleep much harder. The fungus gnats are swarming, all aound the computer screen, I feel like I am in an arcade, shooting little ducks as they alight in front of me. Thats okay, it is my secret game I play, here in the dark, with the puter screen the only light, I have lost count at three hundred. If it gets them away from my seedlings that is all good with me, it is a big old monitor, and I know how to clean..

This message was edited Jan 21, 2010 9:35 PM

I am glad I have the Garden down here, it kinda cheers me up, when I feel helpless about life in general, a new leaf gives me hope. A sprouting seed is an awsome sight, Gods' promise in the real..I keep telling people I know that hurt, start planting and you will heal...
I get strange looks alot, and it seems people shake their heads too.. am I really out of place here now? I don't care, because that's my cue..
to share and share and share and share, something other than doom and gloom.. I can't fix the world, but I can fix the room..come on down and sit a spell, look a new leaf! no thanks too many bugs, it smells down there, its too yukky is what I hear.. too bad for them I think to myself ,go ahead stay up there and and feed into the gloom..

Aww lookie here at this little box, it was full of soil, now it is sprouting from the special mix, of seeds from last summer.. I saved the tags and saved the seeds, from a few of my very favorites.. no soak, no nick, no baggies here, just a kiss and a wish . It really made me happy , to see these little things, I have a friend who is happy, she is going on a cruise... honestly right now.. I would have too much to lose. Who would water and mist and feed, talk tenderly to these? Look for bugs or move the lights, stir up the soil , or rotate them around? No one that I know in this family, would do that if I were to go on a cruise.
Priorities.... I should be going thru reciepts... it is tax time , right?
I find myself walking around peering closely, a leaf rustling my hair as I bend down to see what is coming up in a pot..

I wish the world was right, no problems for anyone, I wish every person could find peace with what they have, and not suffer wanting more..
I pray myself to sleep at night, I pray for everyone.. and then I dream of things pushing up thru the earth, green and lush and fresh.. leaves and flowers, blooms and fragrance, I wake up feeling renewed..I rush downstairs everymorning, turning on the east lights.. crooning to my family of green things, that they will be alright. I rush home 13 miles, at lunch to turn on the noon lights, and find to my amazement, another bloom to my delight. I drive back to work feeling good, knowing that I will return home soon , to turn on the west lights, giving my plants praise and thanking them for giving me a purpose tonight. While they are soaking up their last hours of artificial sunlight, I spend some time with Hubby, much to Joes delight. A couple hours of TV ,shared the hushed talk of marriage, two friends sharing the days events,he to his favorite talk show.. and then back down I hurry. East lights off, noon light is gone, the sun is going down, I mimic the suns' movement as if it were the longest summer day.. I had to cut back some things earlier on, which I hated to do .. so I inspect every plant , and see growth anew. I saw this little bud, it is on a morning glory, I didn't plant it intentionally, but I let it grow anyway..

Vines are so cute and so cool, they way they climb to the light.. I wish I could capture them with a video, their dance would be a sight. I feel better now, I was so upset earlier on.. thank goodness for my thread, my bad thoughts are all gone.. my pity pot didn't last long this time, I sought out my garden heaven, Daves Garden and you...

This is one of my grow trays, I use recycled icecream sandwhich containers, these fit in the windows perfectly..

oopsie.. here is the grow tray.. must be time for bed.. LOL

This message was edited Jan 21, 2010 12:24 AM

I also use anything plastic that I can punch holes in, hang or fit onto the window sills upstairs.. this is a cup that had iced coffee in it, the scratch pad took the mcdonalds logo off just fine.. the straw opening is where the tag marker went.
RECYCLE save the Earth!

Plastic water bottles work really good.. and fit on the window sills as well.. OH! Opurculina Brownii has popped up! YAY!

I enjoy the therapeutic effect of gardening, too, Debra. Be well.

Joseph

I was going to say Debra,I think the butterfly is some kind of swallowtail. I agree with you gardening is nurturing and soothing to the soul.

I came over to this thread and saw how busy you are while my garden is asleep all covered in mulch. In a way I can experience some gardening or sort of practice mentally how I will approach this new year. Thanks for such a interesting and fun to read thread for people who are awaiting spring.

My seeds are stored in bags,some varieties (not morning glories) are in the fridge for a 6 to 8 week cold treatment and my plants are in a semi dormant state in the back bedroom since I don`t have inside growing lights. I do see buds popping out everywhere since we got this warm spell. The plants sure know what time it is! Karen

Debra, You are a very Special person and inspiring to read your writtings of your plants and gardens is written in love for green life .
I love being able to say you are one of my Dave's garden Friends. I love watching the plants grow the moonvine I brought in last fall, encouraged by you to give it a try and the Morning glory seeds you have sent and one is already sprouting and heading for the top of my Computer desk. How wonderful. Thank you.

Debra - Such good fortune to have the basement. And to have converted it into a green room! A wonderful way to escape the stresses of the day. "Think Green" is my motto! And even better ... "Go play in the dirt"! :-) I never cease to be amazed by all that is thriving in your basement! You are surely doing everything right! :-) Your plants love you because you take such good care of them! :-) Do you play music down there for them? I certainly would! :-)

Debra, I like the alternative reusable containers you use, and seeing the close ups. I will be doing those, too. With all of the many large & small plants thriving in your basement, it could provide enough oxygen for a family!

Wonderful basement g house pics this winter Debra.
Thanks for letting us enjoy it with you.

Thanks for stopping by, I really think you are all so special, all of you have such love of Nature it is so obvious. Karen, I am so looking forward to growing your seeds the blues and kikyos and all, I have a plan I have been working on for them.. last winter I planted all my special seeds from Becky and not knowing what to do, I lost most of them.. My electric bill has only gone up 20 to 25 a month this winter, and that is nothing compared to what it was while I had three teens living here.. I still wish I had the long florescent tube lights, but then I wouldn't be able to move them about..
Joseph your seeds last year were so awsome, the dainigon and pure white, remember how proud I was of those?
Jackie, your growing abilities are awsome, and I still wish I could see them in person, you are really not that far away, but I am lucky to see what you grow here and that is so good..
Sarah you are such a talented grower, your variety and blooms fantastic.. I really liked your Zeus Head in your garden , by the way..
you will find it fun to use things that we normally throw away for planters.
Becky to do that MG swap took alot of dedication and staying focussed, that is a trait that is special in you.. your love of sharing and thinking green, your love of critters and your love of morning glorys are so very special to me.. I am glad I finally got the purple blizzard to grow from you, and that little BAW too.. ;) I have learned so much from all of the wonderful people here in this forum.. still learning too..
RRM , you and Charlie are so dear to me, I am looking forward to seeing your Moonvine soon.. isn't it just so fun?
Emma, Bluespiral, dany and darren, Ron and colin, daniel and fchilders, ronnie and liz, karen and karen.. all of you too. A wonderful year full of knowledge you shared, seeds that sprouted, beautiful pics of beautiful glories from beautiful people .. I thank you.

Shrimp plant has finally bloomed again..

Thanks, Debra! Now I look at empty containers for use in seed sprouting, potting soil scoops, and have saved a few. The first Zeus we had for 3 or 4 years was unpainted concrete. He looked so crabby, we put a corn cob pipe or long hairpipe bead in his mouth, and replaced them when they cracked or wore out from the weather. He actually looked happier! At Halloween I put a witches hat on him, and at Christmas deer antlers, etc. That one was stolen, pipe and all. The next day I went to the place we bought him, and they still had one left. I painted the finish on this one myself. I had never done anything like that before and really enjoyed it. Since then I have painted other garden items, and now it's a hobby. Unintended consequences :-)

Thanks for all your kind words Debra.
Pretty shrimp plant. Don't recall ever seeing one like that

Debra, you have been a joy to share seeds with and to have as a friend - beautiful sentiments, well said

Karen

Debra, Charley and I are very honored to know you too. I realy enjoy showing pic of plants and critters and I truelly enjoy touring your wonderful basement and watching it grow in all the happiness and love that you lavish on it.
Thank you.

Debra luv the pics of your babies and your setup. Does DH complain about to much moisture in the house like my DH does? Do you have MG's that you overwinter?

:) Donna

Debra, i got your seeds from the MG swap.
Love them. I am so looking forward to sowing them. any I should start early??

Hi Donna, thanks! My DH has the upstairs and his football, I have the basement and my garden.. it works out well..:)
the moisture is not noticed, and the static electricity we normally used to have is gone.. I started 2 cups of panduratas, two cups of wildbindweed from buffalo, ny, 2 cups of messina creeper, three cups of moonvine alba, two cups of cardinal vines, and two cups of jishis and 2 cups of miko no mai today.. that way of I lose any, they were already here and nothing is lost, cuz I have more.. These ar in miracle grow potting soil with seed start on top, stuck on a piece of stryogoam square to help hold in some moisture.. and then topped with the bottom 2/3 of a plastic water bottle with a Tag inside. I also planted five canna seeds, and some pandorea jasmonoids, a tiger lilly bulb, and three crocus to bloom before april. I have baby salvias, baby lantanas, baby milkweeds everywhere. When it is warm enugh with no fear of frost, I will move these outside.
RRM I love your garden, and can't wait to see it. ;) nuzzles and love to Charlie..((((Charlie))))
my asiatic oriental stargazer can't wait to see this in july..they always come back for me.

That is beautiful. Debra I got moonvine coming up from seed. they are not very old.
I am going to have a jungle. should I go ahead and plant some of the MG? . I don't have grow-lights
I am going to put it in small pot so it won't get too big.

find a way to hang them in the window, Charlene..

This message was edited Jan 24, 2010 5:17 PM

some ideas for planters, mine go right into the ground this way in spring