Southern winters harbor a secret. Every once and a while, the long periods of gray skies, strong wind, and rain of a typical winter are punctuated by 24 hours of sinfully warm temperatures and sunny skies. These days are a much needed and appreciated break from the weariness of a dreary winter sky. It brings me so much joy. My green fingers itch on days like this. They want to turn the soil and plant seeds. But like our winters, … [Read more...]
How to Survive the Winter: For Gardeners
It’s gray, foggy, and drizzling outside – a perfect Mississippi winter day. When winter arrives, I curl up on the couch, tuck in the extra blankets, close my eyes and fervently wish I was somewhere tropical. I wish, I wish, I wish! Yep, still here. The only thing that gets me through these yucky days when I can’t be outside are my indoor plants. They suffer neglect in the spring and summer, but in the winter, they get all my … [Read more...]
How to Grow Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Plant from Leaf Cuttings
Sansevieria is an awesome plant and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, making it perfect for indoor growing. If you want a plant-it-and-forget-about-it houseplant, then this is the one for you. The common names for Sansevieria are rather tongue in cheek – mother-in-law's tongue and snake plant. I mean, really, who came up with these names? I certainly wouldn’t want to call it that in front of my mother-in-law. Taking Leaf … [Read more...]
Top Garden Photos from February 2017
This February has been full of interesting weather. Whereas 2 years ago, we had snow in mid-February, mid- to late-February this year has been interspersed with temperatures of 70 degrees or higher. I love the break in the cold temps, but it causes some confusion with my plants. Things are blooming and growing earlier than usual. Let's hope there isn't a sudden harsh freeze that kills off all of the new growth. Fingers crossed! Here are my … [Read more...]
Warm December Temps Bring Out the Bees
Winter in Mississippi is notoriously interesting. Some days we have really cold weather and then 24 hours later, the temperature changes by 20 degrees. This was the case this year. In the previous weeks, we had lows in the 20's and highs in the 30's. It was downright cold for us southerners. Then Christmas week rolls around and our temperatures get into the mid- to high-60's. I enjoyed every minute of it. So do the insects and frogs! When … [Read more...]
Be Careful What You Bring Indoors
The air is getting crisper and the temperatures are dropping. It's getting close to the time to bring your plants indoors for the winter. I have a lot of potted plants, so each year, I have to pick and choose the ones that I am going to try to save and those that I will leave outside. Otherwise, it gets to be a jungle in my house! Hitchhikers on my plants I am rooting some cuttings of a snake plant and for the last few months they have been … [Read more...]
Plants Perfect for Your Office – Low Light and Low Maintenance
My office has two windows, but they are high up on the wall and don’t allow for direct sunlight. Which, if you’re working on the computer, is a good thing, but if you want to have plants indoors, it can limit your choices. After a few trials (and errors), here are some of the plants I recommend for low light conditions (and low maintenance) in your office. Pothos This has to be one of the easiest plants to grow. You can grow it from … [Read more...]
Amazing Orchids Facts and Photos
Orchids are amazing! Many of the showiest orchids are epiphytic, meaning they attach themselves to other woody plants with their roots and get their nutrients and water from the air and rain. Some orchids are parasitic, and do derive their nutrients from host fungi. Some orchids are terrestrial and can be found in forests all over the world. They are the source of vanilla, they come in a wide array of vivid colors, they sometimes resemble … [Read more...]
Fuqua Orchid Center
Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is always a highlight of my trips to Atlanta, and stopping in at the Fuqua Orchid Center is always a favorite. The Center was donated by the J. B. Fuqua Family in 2002. Here is a video of the beautiful entrance to the center - it was filled with anthuriums and succulents in a wave pattern that coordinated with the metal sculpture. https://youtu.be/KG39i8dFwa0 And this is what you first see when you … [Read more...]
The Search for a Quality Plant Stand
You know those plant stands that you find in discount stores? The ones that are made of wire, metal, or wood that often have three legs, but just don’t seem very sturdy? Don’t buy them. Just don’t do it. When you’ve got one of your favorite ceramic pots with your favorite fern sitting on it and it topples over, leaving you with a broken pot and dirt everywhere, you won’t be happy. Trust me, I speak from experience. I have many indoor plants … [Read more...]