Indoor gardens fall winter 2013, #2

It's so interesting how certain amaryllis bulbs grow and bloom right away while others lag weeks behind.

SSG--yes, I'm beginning to think these bulbs are just like babies--some walk at 9 months, some at 15 months...

That is interesting, Terp. I wonder how other people's 'Misty' bulbs are doing. Good to know the cultivar.

The amaryllis all sound so beautiful and interesting. I'll try to remember to get some for next year. In the meantime, I have some Lisianthus, Orchids and Oxalis blooming.

So pretty, Roses!

Thanks, Catmint. It's always a pleasure to see the blooms inside when there's a foot of snow outside.

Terri, that Lisianthus is just gorgeous!

With all that has been going on I did not get any bulbs potted up for forcing. I may still grab a sale bag and see if I can get in the required 6 weeks of cold. I just love the smell of hyacinth blooming in the house, it's like a guarantee that spring is coming.

Thanks, Ric. I've started them from seed for the past 2 years. I was too busy this year to get them under lights in early December. They take a long time to grow into large enough seedlings to put outside. I think that all my seed starting will be winter sow this year. I won't be home on a really steady basis to baby sit them every day. If the lisianthus are successfully grown this way, I'll definitely save you some. Remind me when the time comes.

Thanks Terri.


OMG, I just goggled Lisianthus and went to the images section. I'm going to be looking into these.

This message was edited Dec 17, 2013 2:18 PM

I know, Ric. I got the "cinderella" seeds because their blooms are so full. I had lime, pink, ivory, blue and yellow. I potted the seedlings rather than put them in the ground. The blooms are LONG lasting and I moved the pots to empty spots now and then. They don't bloom until mid to late July no matter how early you start them.

I have 3 of the 'Misty' bulbs from our group buy and they are just now starting to sprout - very slow compared to any of the other amaryllis that I have had. Must be a trait for 'Misty' since we are all experiencing the same thing.

Roses, ditto on how pretty your flowers are.

Thank you, Terri. I offered them at the swap last year, but I don't think many people knew what they were. Diana (Wind) really was excited to get them and kept posting pictures of them everywhere. A few other people got them also. Don't know how theirs fared.

Roses---
It has been ages since i saw a Lisianthus...they do not sell them too often

I had one--once...decades ago. I was warned that the stems are week and need
some staking. is that still true?
From all your pictures and descriptions--it sounds like they are really easy to grow.

Perhaps they have improved the "genes"???
G.

Gita...the stems of the Lisianthus that I grew were very strong and held up for a long time. Lisianthus seeds take a while to germinate and then it's a very long time until the seedlings are large enough to put outside. I usually start the seeds at the beginning of December and then start seeing blooms near the end of July.

Lisianthus is something I've always thought looked so pretty in the catalogs but was so unfamiliar I didn't try them.

Hi everyone! Hope all are well and ready for the holidays!
We are almost ready here... I have to finish my shopping Thursday when I am off.
Hoping to find an Amaryllis in bloom while I am out... haven't had one in years.

I have alot of streps blooming right now...
I took some pics tonight finally.

First set is...
'Bora
Bristol's Party Girl
Drako
DS-Gotika (yes, it is black!)
DS-Little Furry Arctic Fox

Second set....
DS-Little Plushy Arctic Fox
Fancy Pants
Gina
Ice Tea
JJ's Redhead's Fantasy

And third and final set for the night...
Neil's Wam Bam
Noreen
Rondul's Kazia
Valor
Watermelon Wine

Thanks for looking and Happy Holidays to all!

those are beautiful!

Beautiful blooms to look at in this dreary weather!!

Gorgeous, Karen! Happy holidays back to you, thanks for sharing!

Guess who has a BDay today
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1344735/

Karen, I love your streps. Last winter, it motivated me to get my first few. They did really well until mid-summer, and then I totally neglected them while I spent most of my time outdoors. Pooh, now I am sad that I let such beautiful plants die. Maybe I'll try again - those blooms of yours are gorgeous.

All my houseplants MUST go outside for summer because I would never remember the few left indoors. At least if they can find some shade and some rain, they have a chance.

Terri, when I was reading about Lisianthus, most everyone said they need the longer days for maximum growth and flowering. A few even mentioned mid-July.

Yes, Ric, mine never bloom before mid July, but they go for a very long time into October if they're deadheaded.

We will not know the full extent of the damage for a while, but Thursday night the heater in the greenhouse failed to ignite and Jack Frost left an unwanted present. Quite a few of my cuttings and other plants (especially my begonias) suffered damage. The thermometer only recorded 41*F, but it looks as though fingers of colder air touched here and there. Thankfully it wasn't a total loss, most of Holly's large tropicals will survive, the worst hit were "solfter" bananas, that may sprout, begonias, and coleus cuttings. It will be as much as 2 weeks till we know the full extent of the loss. I was just thinking last week or so, that I needed to put my electric heaters back as a fail safe but didn't, and I have never set up a cold alarm. Why is hindsight always 20/20. :-{

Ooohh... Sorry to hear that Ric!
I hope most of your plants recover!

I'm so sorry, Ric! Hope the loss is minimal. :-(

oh that's a sad discovery…sorry

My coleus are doing ok mixed success and of course very few compared to what you would have. I have several of a speckled one I really like.

Some of my Coleus are doing better than others.
"Inky Fingers" is doing OK--even if it is stretched out and tall.
The other one that seems to thrive is the one with very dark leaves.
I have the big one and one cutting growing.

"Fishnet Stockings" gave up the ghost long ago...I have none!
They all really need to be cut back and I have not done that yet....

I have ONE Fig tree cutting doing really well--and a couple just status quo
with little green nubbies.
My Brugs are OK--especially the dr. The NOID pink cuttings are doing OK too.
The couple Mayas---just managing some green.

I have a dilemma! I leave for NJ tomorrow and will not be back until Thursday early PM.
Nervous about all the plants inside--especially the ones I keep under lights.
I think i will leave the AV light on the whole time. I may raise the lamp a bit higher so as
not to have too much light/warmth.
All the rest will have to fend with whatever light the windows provide.
Decent if it is a sunny day. If it is cloudy--it will be on the dark side.

Will make sure I water everything tomorrow.....Mamma Mia! That will take some time.....

Merry Christmas to you all! Gita

My Christmas present this morning--my kalanchoe has started to bloom:

yay! I've read they rarely rebloom for us amateurs at home.

thanks, Sally! Makes up for all the ones that have flopped over and died on me recently... ;-)

ack!!
My Meyer Lemon just opened its first bud ever for me. I grew this from seed from a friend's tree several years ago. I'm quite pleased actually! Most of the seedlings had thorns but this one had no thorns and I hope that means this one was true from seed.

cool! do you have a photo you can share?

Sure- now that Christmas is over I have time! tomorrow

Sally, my lemon is also about to bloom! I can't wait for the flowers to open up. I'm seriously considering getting rid of some of my houseplants to make room for another dwarf citrus tree.

I've read that one way to identify a Meyer is by looking at the bloom color. Meyer is supposedly the only citrus with a purple base.