Thursday, January 16, 2014

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ January, 2014

Geraniums enjoying the sunny window.
Endless summer indoors, pesky winter outdoors... Putzing around in what I call the Oxygen Garden (humans muddy up the indoor air; plants help purify it) keeps me sane during the long winters.

Amaryllis
 This one has felt like a particularly long winter because I've spent half the month in bed. 

Hey! Here's a hot tip for anyone who does not want to die (or, feel like you're going to...) If you haven't gotten your flu shot, get thee to the doctor lickety split.

A long dangle of Orchid buds preparing to flower.
 I did not get a flu shot (because, you see, I'm invincible and I never get sick and I don't have the time, and is it really necessary...) and those were just a few of the lame excuses that kept running through my pea-size brain ~ during the two solid weeks I was lying in bed, recovering from that nasty bug.

Plentiful blooms on the Christmas Cactus (who started flowering for Halloween.)
So, here it is, January bloom day and naturally there is nothing to be seen outdoors. 

However! This is a fine time for the indoor gals to shine.

Forced Hyacinth bulbs
These are candle holders I re-purposed for the forced Hyacinth bulbs. Love, love, love that fragrance. Is there anything more delightful when cabin fever sets in? Hyacinth = a sure cure for the winter blues.

Hydrangea
 Speaking of blues, these Hydrangeas are showing off a hint of my favorite color, though they are turning white rather quickly. They're not meant to be indoor plants and they can be quite fussy. Last year, on impulse, I bought a Hydrangea on sale. It was too late to plant it so I kept it indoors for the winter. And, she bloomed! So, I thought I'd try my luck again this year...

I dearly love blue Hydrangea but it is just not possible to grow blues in my high alkaline soil. (They require acid soil for the blues to flourish.) So, we'll enjoy her indoors, while we can. And, pretend that we don't mind when she turns bright pink the moment we transplant her.


Loads of bud action in the sunny window ~ including this cute little Cyclamen. I actually prefer their buds over the flowers, so pretty to watch those petals unfurl.


The first baby sprout of 2014!


Orchids everywhere, blessing me with bright color.


Plus a sweet full moon, greeting me in the wee hours this a.m. 


And, there you have it! This joint is jumpin' with indoor blooms. 

Pay a visit to Carol at May Dreams Gardens to meet other gardeners participating in this monthly meme. Happy Bloom Day!




6 comments:

Rilly said...

I don't seem to have what it takes to grow things indoors thru the winter. My Gerberas that started out have taken a down turn. They're still alive but thinning and looking sickly. Guess I'll stick to summer. Your blooms are as beautiful as ever. Sigh!!!

Unknown said...

Love the orchids - and the euphorbia (or is it a cactus?) behind the phal.

Glad you're feeling better! The flu is no joke this year...my husband was down for a good 10 days or more, too. (And I believe in the power of this year's flu shot-I'm convinced that's the only reason I escaped.)

Rose said...

Kate, I always feel rather sorry for you having such a short growing season, and then you show a shot of the view from your window and I'm full of envy--wow! So many colorful indoor blooms; I love the hyacinth vases you re-purposed!

So sorry to hear you've been sick--I share your misery. I didn't have the flu, but I've had a respiratory infection and one thing or another since before Christmas. I was too busy to get a flu shot earlier (so I told myself), and now I've got a nasty cold, which isn't a good time to get one either. As soon as I'm reasonably healthy, I'm still going to get one, if I can, and I'm putting it on my calendar for next November--no excuses next year! I hope you feel better soon.

Bonnie K said...

Wow! You have a lot blooming. It made me realize I don't have one indoor bloom. I used to have 14 African Violets, but when we moved I didn't have enough sunlight for them. Thanks for sharing your blooms. Great moon photo!

Aaron said...

This is actually the first year I got the flu shot -- and I'm feeling like I made a good choice after hearing your tale of woe.

In fact, I think you've convinced me to get one like clockwork every year. (My doctor convinced me too by telling me that we usually call the 'flu' isn't nearly as bad as the real thing -- which sounds like what you had.)

Plus I just finished watching Season 2 of Downton Abbey (yes I'm way behind) and there's that awful business with the Spanish Flu of 1919. Well, it was very convenient from a plot development standpoint, but awful beyond words in reality.

So yes -- flu shots for all!

And that view of the moon over the mountains -- incredible!!!!!

Wow.

Finally, I'm super-impressed with your use of colored bowls for the forced hyacinth bulbs. You've made the bowls and the roots into works of art in themselves.

Hope you're fully recovered and best wishes to one and all to stay healthy as we soon bid adieu to January.

Marguerite said...

Great reuse of the candle holders! They look awesome. Can't help but peek at those mountains behind the flowers in your photos. What a view you have.