First, the Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) I got three bulbs just before Christmas at Sky Nursery, planted them at the same time and left them out in the greenhouse, which is only heated to 50 degrees F, as an experiment. I've grown these in the house before and they always take off in the warmer temperature. This week, the first bloom appeared on this one. It has another bloom stalk coming as well.
This one (three stalks) is going to b spectacular! I think it's going to be solid red in color or maybe this is 'Appleblossom,' we'll see when it opens. (Rex Begonia at the bottom from N & M Herb Nursery at the show.) I can't wait to go visit this nursery in Hubbard, Oregon this summer!
Th third is in a slightly cooler and a bit less sunny area and the bulb is still healthy and firm but there is no sign of growth yet. I'll be happy with the progression of bloom but am thinking that perhaps I should move this to a warmer spot.
Lastly, this one came from a discount store and I paid very little for it as the blooming stems were already emerging. The blooms didn't make it but there is nice foliage and I've had great luck with summering these outdoors, feeding them Tagro (our local biosolid organic fertilizer) and having them re bloom for years.
The first thing I notice when I open the door is the glorious smell of Jasminum officinale in bloom. This plant came from a clearance table at Fred Meyer late in the fall.
The variegated clivia, which I swore had pale yellow flowers last year is almost ready to pop open. The one with solid foliage is a bit behind. I love these as they add interesting foliage in the deep shade of the bamboo grove in the summer and seem quite happy in a shady area of the greenhouse.
A bit of a cheat here. This just came from the Northwest Flower and Garden Show (Christianson's Nursery, I think.) with the bloom on it. I've killed this before by watering it. I won't make that mistake again. Little Aloe, you're on your own!
Speaking of flower power, Begonia 'Gene Daniels' has been doing this for a couple of months now.
Hyacinths are almost done now and have added to the intoxicating fragrance out there!
Agapetes serpens and 'Ludgvan Cross' are both blooming still.
I think this is a Rhipsalis starting to bloom.
The blue haired lady now has company from the Seattle show.
I'm liking this plant in the "mermaid planter." Makes the ladies look a bit more like Medusa.
Cool begonia from the show (N & M Herb nursery.)
Euphorbia from the show (Ravenna Gardens or was it Dig?) O.K. maybe this is a bit of a show post.
Face from Blackwaters Metal at the Show.
I'd been lusting after one of these tentacled planters since I first saw them a year or two ago and finally got one at the show (Dig) shown here with Tillandsia xphicaerogra (Ravenna Gardens.)
You don't go into the greenhouse every single day? I suppose your winter isn't so crazy that you need to, but still...
ReplyDeleteL-O-V-E that tentacle planter, and you matched it perfectly with the tillandsia!
I go into the greenhouse almost every day to do something but don't usually take my camera. Some days, when I work 14 hours or so, I just come home and collapse.
DeleteGlad you like the tentacle planter. They're usually fairly expensive but I got a special price on this one.
You repotted your Aloe already! Wow, you're fast. Mine is still in its black nursery pot. I think I may put a set of 3 different Aloes in my new Talavera pots. I still don't know what to put in the octopus planter that I got.
ReplyDeleteI had Presidents' day off and spent the whole time in the greenhouse playing with plants! Aloes would look great n your Talavera pots. The octopus planters are so cool that it's hard to decide what to put in them. We maybe need a set of octopus planters...
DeleteAfter a hectic few days at the show it's nice to just wind down and spend time in your own space isn't it? :) loving your accessories, and plants!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to wind down and actually play with plants instead of just looking at them!
DeleteWonderful visit, thanks for letting us tag along. Your and my Amaryllis experience this season is similar except that you have that gorgeous Cybister and I have seedlings too young to bloom. Your first Begonia pictured cries out to accompany the Cybister, similar colors.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun and lovely things came from the Garden Show.
As to disguising the insulation with something aside from the obvious wallboard, I thought of wattle; bamboo fencing; recycled rolls of above ground pool wall. Cheesecloth is cheap, you can order off for it at a fabric site or get it in the paint department of Home Depot. Old doors or cheap mirror. What about hardware cloth or chicken wire? You can hang things from that and make sturdier places behind it with some cross pieces of 2x4 behind or some lath strips over the wire. Anything that fools the eye will help make it less noticeable.
The Cybster/Begonia combination is a great idea! Always great plants and stuff to buy at the Garden Show!
DeleteMy first thought was wall board but If it isn't done well, it looks odd. I have some cool fabric curtains that I was thinking of putting up but someone said that they'd mold in such a moist environment. I like your ideas about using old doors and mirror. I've got big mirrored sliding closet doors on the opposite wall and they're great. What I'll do for now is use bamboo fencing as I have a half roll of it sitting unused. Can't believe I didn't think of using it there. It's perfect to cover the insulation, will look great and nails can be used in the wood behind to hang things on top! Thanks for the great ideas! You always come up with all kinds of options, all of which would work well!
I just throw out suggestions in hopes that one may work or you may get in the spirit of brainstorming and think of something else.
DeleteI was going to make a suggestion regarding the insulation, but Jean is always good for a plethora of ideas. A good summer project, yes? (must keep the chandeliers.)
ReplyDeleteThe Rex Begonia stole my heart. I could hardly focus on anything else after that, until the tentacle planter came along. Happy Lunar New Year. May your Gardenia blooms go on forever.
Happy lunar new year to you! I already have a roll of bamboo fencing/screen that I'll hang over the insulation in that corner. It won't take long as there is nothing on the floor there that isn't on wheels so it will probably get done on Saturday instead of waiting for summer. Thank you for your generous Gardenia bloom wish!
DeleteLordy you really went crazy with your show purchases, good job! (I like to see someone supporting all those vendors). Your octo-planter looks wonderful. I'm curious where you got the totem cactus (second photo). No doubt you've talked about it but I can't remember.
ReplyDeleteI like to support the vendors at the show! The totem cactus came from Westwind Farm Studio on the fling. They had plants for sale on tables up by the road. (Probably a seasonal thing.) Their prices were crazy low and they had quite a few cool cacti and succulents.
Deletethank you for the visit of your greenhouse which will soon be too small for all your plants and beautiful planter collection.
ReplyDeletei really love your tentacled planters. I need one!
what is the variegated plants (bromeliad?)behind it?
Thank you for visiting my greenhouse with me.
DeleteThe variegated bromeliad behind the tentacled planter was sold to me with a tag that said simply, "Variegated Pineapple." I'm thinking it's Ananas comosus 'variegatus,' a beautiful plant!
Your greenhouse is a splendid place to spend time. I still love that Agapetes.
ReplyDeleteI got the Agapetes at Cistus Nursery. Not sure if it's on their mail order list but you could always call and see if they'll send you one.
DeleteLove the Agapetes. I don't think I've seen that one before. And I'm so jealous of your greenhouse. I enjoyed your posts about it when you were setting it up, and it's fun to see all the amazing plants you're overwintering in there!
ReplyDeleteAgapetes is a great plant and can actually live outside here in very mild winters. Safest to keep it inside though. Many of the plants in the greenhouse used to come into our house during the winter but were never as healthy as they are out there as there's more light out there! I hope you get a greenhouse as well as it's a wonderful thing to be surrounded by growing things even in the winter!
DeleteYou bought some cool stuff! It's good to see it in situ.
ReplyDeleteThere were so many great things at the show, weren't there?
DeleteI always enjoy a tour of your greenhouse, it is so packed full of lovely things. I can imagine you had a lovely day, pottering about and playing with your plants. There is so much to admire, but I would really love an Agapetes - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a lovely day of pottering playing! Cistus nursery is offering Agapetes smithiana in their plant catalog this year and they ship to the U.K. I believe.
DeleteYour greenhouse is so full! Mine is empty at the moment, but hope to start some seeds soon. I love the chandeliers. I found one at our recycling center doomed for the dump and I reached in and pulled it out. My first dumpster diving experience!
ReplyDeleteooh, love the greenhouse posts, Peter. What a treasure chest it is.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of fun!
DeleteThis is your little Wonderland, Peter! I love everything here (except the insulation...)!
ReplyDeleteFortunately, the insulation is now covered with reed fencing as Jean suggested. I can't believe I didn't think of doing that myself. It looks so much better now!
DeleteI'm crazy about the tentacle planters and bought a little tabletop one at Digs Inside and Out in Portland. Your lady planters are fun too, esp. the one with tillandsia hair!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving playing with funky planters in the safety of the greenhouse. No risk of frost damage there!
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