I received some emails reminding me that some people have dial up and the threads get too long for people to post.
So, here we go on part 2
Here is Thumbelina, a strep whose roots were so thick and tangled they were not getting any water to them. I almost threw her away but decided to start digging away at the root system. Now she is blooming again. Next I want to try what Brenda has taught us about just cutting down the middle and making a new plant. This one has very small foliage.
Your Thumbelina is so cute!
Happy to see you this morning Gail, how is the hand with the bee stings and all those fire ant bites? I was worried about you!
Thumbelina is adorable!!
Here is the strep that I got from you In October...."Red Velvet"....she was so big and full of crowns at the base that I made three plants out of her a couple of weeks ago! I just did the best I could at cutting the crowns apart. They have been domed and everyone is looking good!
~Brenda
Early this summer I had a conversation with someone??? on here about the fact that we could never get any stolons to grow from our Silver Skies episcias.
Shortly after that I just cut the top out of my Silver Skies and rooted it to see what would happen. The top rooted well and it ended up being a good thing for the mother plant too! Now I am getting stolons!! Here is a picture from this morning....which also shows I need to do a bit of grooming! LOL
~Brenda
Susan51 my beautiful Cane Begonia cuttings (and pothos) from you arrived yesterday!! You timed it just right! Last week our temps were in the single digits all week but over the weekend it warmed up to snow on us! The leaves look wilty but I think everything will be fine!! Thanks so much and come spring I'll have gessies coming your way!
This picture is for Lin as she is probably outside riding her lawnmower around and enjoying the balmy Florida weather :0)
This my back deck yesterday morning after receiving 18 inches of new snow over the weekend. That is our picnic table to the left with the snow piled on it. LOL
~Brenda
Woo Hoo ..... Love it Brenda! Some folks down here are saying it's cold - I just checked and it's is 62 degrees outside. We are supposed to have highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's today and tomorrow then back up to 80 by the weekend! I just have to laugh at the folks who call this weather cold! They should be in Idaho, then they would know what cold is, right? Oh, I love that snow picture!
The only white stuff we see is the white sand on the beaches and foam from the salt water of the ocean! This picture is one I took a couple of months ago when we were out in the boat one day. A couple of Dolphin were feeding and I managed to get a shot of them before they submerged completely.
That is a beautiful picture Lin!! How perfect to get the dolphins in it, nice shot! I used to collect Lighthouses (before plants LOL) and it would be really something to see them in person on a regular basis!
I'd still only want to vacation in FL though as I've lived too long in this dry environment and humidity about does me in!! Makes my skin feel great and my hair is wonderful in humidity but I still can only handle it for short vacations!
~Brenda
Sassy Angel has been putting on a show for about a month now, she is so pretty I wanted to share...
Oh, I love Sassy Angel ... that is a beautiful plant, is it a standard?
I know what you mean about humidity! The older I get I really hate the summer time here when temp's are around 90 and the humidity is at 90 too ... so sticky! I can truly understand why some live in Florida only in the winter time. Our humidity right now is low which makes it very pleasant to be outside! I don't know how some of the northern tourists can swim in the ocean at this time of year though when the water temperature is only in the 60's! Yikes! That is cold water! I can't even get in our pool unless the water temp is up in the 80's!
Here's a link to info about Daytona Beach where you can click on a link and see the live video cam of the beach. Some may not realize that you can drive on the beach here most of the time and in most areas. The sand is hard packed most of the time and driveable unless of course it's high tide. Over the years we have seen many tourists park their vehicles on the beach and go walking and shopping etc, only to return and find the tide has come in and water is up above their wheels. Then they have to pay big $$$ to have a tow truck pull their car out of the ocean! If you are going to park on the beach, it's a good idea to know when it's going to be high tide.
http://volusia.org/beach/driving.htm Click on the photo of Daytona Beach and you should get the live web cam. This is a slow time of year, so there's not much activity or traffic on the beach!
Sassy Angel is a semi mini, I just love her.
The beach camera is down right now but I'll check it again later, cool idea! My DIL parents bought a place an hour or so from Orlando a few years ago and now they spend their winters there and their summers here in Idaho. What a life if you can get it! My DS and DIL along with grandson go and spend each February with them and just love it. They live right on the water with their own dock but it is a huge lake, not the ocean.
My sister married a man born and raised in Hawaii and she has lived on Maui for the last 20 years. I have visited her often in the winter and loved it but one summer she had an emergency and I flew over and spent part of August with her to help out and OMG I thought I would absolutely die, I was never so miserable in all my life. I literally had a fan blowing full blast on me in the shower! I would never willing go back at that time of year!
~Brenda
Here is Rob's Loose Noodle, a mini, that has also been putting on a show for the last couple of months.....
Wow Brenda--I thought we got a lot of snow--you win!! LOL
Makes me feel so not alone, beautiful pictures on these threads. I don't have anything blooming, but, my moon flower that I brought to live in the house for the winter is setting more buds (they all blasted at the shock of moving inside), so now I think he just might survive the winter.
Brenda, I need lessons from you on how to divide those streps! That is simply amazing to me how you do it so successfully.
Like the other photos, especially the Loose Noodles.
Even though episcias hate me so i don't grow them anymore, Snow did show me how to take a big cutting from the main stem. That is great that you are getting stolons now.
Lin, your water looks too inviting! I like the snow, too, Brenda but the winters are too long for me anymore.
We are just getting started Leanne! Although I can say that global warming must be affecting us too as we used to have 5 or 6 feet on the ground for most of the winter but for the past few years we top out at 3 to 4 feet. And it doesn't melt until April of the first part of May.
This is a first bloom from a Standard Violet I grew from leaf called Blue Lace, she is a pretty one.
~Brenda
Forgot the picture of Blue Lace!!
How are those bee stings Gail?? My DH is very allergic and would have been in big trouble with three in a row int he same spot!!
~Brenda
With the next strep I get that needs to be divided I'll take step by step pictures Gail!
But I can tell you I start with a sharp xacto knife and cut through the plant on top between what look like separate crowns to me (usually just two for me) and then after the initial cut on top dividing the plants I take a big sharp knife and go down through the root ball. Then I plant up in regular light AV potting mix and lightly water. I put them in a bag or in a big salad bowl dome until they get past the shock, a week or two and then they are good to go. I've given several away locally here and they bloom on and look good!
~Brenda
Here is Black Gardenia that I got from Gail, such cool blooms!
edited to put the correct name in...
This message was edited Dec 4, 2007 2:51 PM
Brenda, good as i can't wait for you to show us all how to divide them.
i think I mis marked the dark purple strep. It is Black Gardenia i think instead of Bristol's Blackbird.
Blue Lace is fantastic. i am so partial to the blues and pinks.
Yes, I am glad I went to the doctor yesterday about the bee stings. I was having much more of an allergic reaction than I realized. He gave me something to take immediately and told me never to be without this medicine again. I now carry some in my purse and some at home in the cabinet. My daughter told me it was nothing more than a very strong prescription dose of Benadryl. I didn't realize that it could be very dangerous next time I should get stung by a lot of something at one time.
I know I should be a very graceful trader and not post what i get! But I get so excited the goodies I have to show off a little!
These came from none other than KimsKreations in return for plants and supplies.
Please enjoy looking. I think she said you are getting some, Lin.............I may have to send her many more plants to play catch up!
She would be prettier if I didn't have such a busy looking table. But......I am going to have her framed anyway.
Doesn't she do the most incredible handwork.
Now that is success at the highest level of handwork.
Look at this handwork. Kim is simply amazing with her perfect work!
Last but not least are my own dish cloths. Kim says that once you use them you can't go back to the regular ones. I believe her because they have a rough texture to them besides being a beautiful color.
Now it is nap time..
Oh Gail, she is absolutely Beautiful! I'm not getting the "Victorian Lady" but, rather the regular doilies. Kim sure has the perfect user name "KimsKreations" .... what a talented young lady! I so admire and appreciate anyone with such creativity and talent. I am framing mine also .... just too pretty to have sitting around collecting dust or to possibly get stained and dirty! Mine are going on the wall in my guest room!
Kim: You are amazing! Great job!
Oh, I forgot about her making those dish cloth's. I hadn't seen a photo before but do remember her mentioning them on another thread awhile back. I like!
Wow, OMG.......I'm at work and see that you got your box today Gail :)
I'm SO happy you are pleased with them :)
I can't tell you how much my box of babies made my day yesterday.......which was AGAIN day 1 of TRYING to quit smoking so those babies REALLY helped to make it through. I will post a picture of my new terrarium with the babies from Gail when I get home today ladies. :) I'm sorry I haven't been posting much lately but I have REALLY been up and down with this quitting smoking thing. I made it to day 9 which was Saturday and then smoked both Saturday and Sunday. I took those 2 days to beat myself up good and decided to try again yesterday. I read the forums daily but it takes "all that I have" to post. I just am so not "sociable" right now.....even as I type my eyes well up. I'm having a super emotional time with both not smoking and then when I slip up, beating myself up because I don't want to smoke anymore....it's SO hard.
Lin, I have a box going for you too and Bren.......as soon as I can pick up the needle again......... :)
Kim
Hi Kim,
PLEASE don't beat yourself up. Remember you are only human and that's quite a drug/chemical that has a hold of your body and mind there! I am so proud of you...9 days!!! One day at a time. My eyes are welling up for you too but please keep trying. Here's another pretty pic for you (this would be Ness' Cherry Freckles) although I like Lin's beach/ocean one a lot better. The older I get the less I like the cold. Blessing and peace to you Kim. :))
Laura
Go easy on those beatings Kim, you need your hands in good shape in order to do this beautiful work!! :0) I'm teasing you of course but just the fact that your willing to keep trying means your going to succeed in the end. I'm proud of you for starting over and being so determined!!
I can see where those dish clothes would just be fabulous, what a great idea! And the beauty of your other work is just amazing to me! Something to be proud of for sure!
Gail about 29 years ago while DH was out fishing he got swarmed by bees and stung over 100 times all over his body and head. He had stepped in their nest and couldn't get away from them. He wouldn't have even made it to the Dr if he had not had a friend with him to half carry him back to the truck and rush him there. Now he too carries the medicine with him and even after all these years if he does get stung he swells something fierce and is very ill for several days afterwards. So be careful!!
I made a mistake on the name of the strep, you had it labeled correctly! Here is Petticoats happy in her new home too.
~Brenda
Another great picture Sempervi! Love the "Cherry" pink in that bloom. The colors in Ness' Cherry Freckles remind me of the semi mini I have blooming right now called Rob's Argyle Socks, just put together differently. LOL
~Brenda
edited to say the pink doesn't show up as well in my picture
This message was edited Dec 4, 2007 1:46 PM
Kim: Please don't beat yourself up over this. If you can just cut back a few a day, you are doing a wonderful thing! I think it would be so hard to stay away from nicotine totally if your husband or anyone else in the family smokes. That "pull" is going to be there. Just know that you are doing yourself a good thing by just reducing the amount you have smoked over the years. It is such a hard addiction to be rid of totally, and I'm sure very hard if you've been smoking for a long time. You are loved whether you smoke or not. So, hang in there and know that we are here when you are up to being sociable!
Hi Kim;
I know how hard it is to quit. i just did it 6 months ago. the best thing i did was go buy some gum & hard candy & everytime i wanted a cigarette i would eat candy or chew the gum. i am still doing that.but it beats smoking. I really wanted to quit & i am sure you do too.Just don't give up & keep trying & eventually you will quit.By the way i make those dish cloths also. gives me something to do.i knit min & thoses do look knitted. are they?
bonnie
Brenda,
Rob's Argyle Socks is very pretty too. Nice Pic. My problem with pics and I haven't figured it out yet is the blue blooms looking purpleish. I'll keep working on it. New digital still trying to figure out.
Laura
Hiya Bonnie :) WOW, you've made it 6 months!!!! HUGE pat on the back for you. I am SO proud of you. I am finding it the hardest thing I have ever done. I am happy though, made it through day 2 (again) so far :) This time seems to be a little easier I think. I tell everyone I was just practicing the first time *lol*. I really didn't enjoy the ones I had this weekend at all and I think I just had to make sure in order to make up my mind (again) *lol* Yes, Bonnie, the dishcloths are knitted. I love having those going when I have a crochet project going as it makes me move my hands in different directions and I like to have something in both going. I have found that I haven't been able to sit with the needles yet as it seems to be a trigger for me. I have JUST started getting to the point where I can sit and post without it bothering me. I thought driving in the car would bother me but it really doesn't as I don't drive far.
I did take a few pictures today but Jessie Gayle (my daughter) wanted to go to the teen center today so I wasn't able to upload them as I had to drive her and then do supper etc. Maybe tomorrow I will get them uploaded and can show my new babies.
They are having a bit of a problem acclimating from their WONDERFUL home with Gail to their "amateur" home here with me. I have a couple that are not looking so wonderful so I keep moving them from one place to another *lol* I think I will end up having to dome everything as Gail has great humidity where she is and winter time in Maine.....0% humidity *lol*
I got some cute pictures to show though so maybe tomorrow will be the day :)
Hope you all had a great day!
I just love all these pictures of blooms!
I have a confession to make ladies: I am driving tomorrow to Hill Country African Violet Nursery and get some more streps and maybe a few african violets. He said yesterday that he had gotten in 70 new streps.
Have to calm down tonight and sleep as I get sooo excited even thinking about driving into his parking lot.
I love anything that starts with Ness'........they are always pretty and I can't believe what a great job Brenda does with those streps. Just know that when spring comes, I am going to bug you, Brenda for a tutorial on cutting and dividing streps. Petticoats looks so happy with you!
Had to go run and take one picture as everyone is sharing pics tonight.
Here is Britol's Zapped that i got from this same man.
oooooh there he is..........I love him! With a name like Zapped I figure it's gotta be a "him" *lol*
I hope you have a WONDERFUL trip Gail and always look forward to pictures upon your return so be sure to bring a camera!
Wish I could be in your suitcase :)
Oh my gosh, Kim............I hadn't even remembered to take my camera. Thanks so much for reminding me.......I think I will go set it on the kitchen counter right now while I am thinking about it!
Good thing you have me *lol*......just playing *wink*
Good morning ladies! Wonderful pictures.
Gail, Thumbelinais a beauty and Zapped is WOW.lol
Brenda,You have the green thumb like Gail does! very nice.
Kim,very nice crochet work,just beautiful.I wish I knew how to knit i really like the dish clothes.Keep up the good work on quiting smoking.Were rooting for you!It's a hard thing to do.
It's sinningia time at my house and I'm so excited.lol
I am so jealous, jannich. You can grow those sinningias like Brenda does streps! The are fantastic looking.
**edited to say, jannich, that Thumbelina is ready to divide.
This message was edited Dec 5, 2007 9:09 AM
I think this merits a post about new plants in the mail. Kim was saying she was having a hard time with some of the plants.
These plants in shipping have undergone great stress. I shipped them at 75 degrees and she received them with snow on the ground. I learned the hard way about watering new plants (a no no) and don't change one thing about the soil for at least a week.
I was told to put them under a dome for higher humidity and just sit there and let them come out of shock.
Don't worry Kim as plants can be replaced but you simply can't receive them one day and suddenly change their soil, their temps, etc.
We all have learned the hard way I am sure.
I totally agree Gail.
I didn't change the soil in the begonia that is struggling. I haven't watered it either. I did put a cup over it today for humidity as I think that is what the problem is. It's the smaller one (luckily the bigger one is doing just fine) so I think it's just a matter of the baby was more fragile and affected by chill whereas the larger one was stronger. I'm not giving up on it though. I have never grown this type of begonia before so I'm sure it's just a learning curve thing *lol* I keep talking to it and keep moving things around until I find the "perfect" spot for them.
I'm sure there is a MAJOR difference in our air and humidity levels so an adjustment period is completely understandable. To these babies it must seem like they woke up on the other side of the world *lol*
I had never heard about the "not watering" new plants idea. I though in colder weather plants would dry out real quickly and would need a little bit of warm water upon arrival. Great idea about raising the humidity for new arrivals. Poor babies do get stressed from being moved so far away from their first home to new lighting and temperature conditions. I can just imagine the shock going from 75 degree and high humidity to very cold conditions. That would be a shock to me too! LOL.
Good traveling today Gail, I'm with Kim, can't wait to see your pictures.....and Zapped is drool worthy!!
've learned the hard way that you are exactly right Gail! As much as I want to take my new plants (whether bought or traded) and get them into what pots or containers that I have for them.......I have learned to leave them alone for at least a week if not a month. I do shift them about here and there like your saying Kim until I think I have a good spot for them but then I try to pretend they don't exist for awhile. LOL And I will admit it is much easier to do now that I have a larger collection as I can get busy with something else to help me forget my new ones! :0)
Jannich the sinningias are fabulous! They are my new love! :0) So glad Kim and I have seeds coming of a variety of them!! Those little tubers that the plants grow from are the cutest things ever and they come up so fast you get some nice satisfaction in seeing them in just a couple of months.
Lin didn't you find the discussion over on the hoya forum about the hoyas being able to take much colder temps if they are not watered interesting?
~Brenda
A new bloom for me from Bristol's Pawprint
LOL Gail, I'm jealous of you growing all the great AV's.But you can grow the sinningia too.
Brenda,thanks.Your B pawprint is beautiful!I love the sinningias and streps.I'm so glad keyring started me out with these plants.Glad you 2 got seeds,there fun to grow.
This is a close up of sinningia Martha Lemlie I got in a trade from Amy this past summer.Wow it's really a double and such a big flower for a little bitty plant.Wish Amy was here to see her baby.
oh wow, that is one of my favorite sinns. i have it also.i find them very easy to grow.
mrsbonnie
